What To Do If You Were Involved In An Auto Accident Because Of An Uber or Lyft Driver

Uber and Lyft are becoming much more common, especially in big cities like Cleveland, Toledo and Akron. Rideshare companies are involved in car accident everyday. Depending on the accident, there could be different parties responsible; (1) a third-party driver; (2) the rideshare driver; or (3) Uber, Lyft or another rideshare company.

What are the different types of claims that could be at play in this process? Here are a few scenarios.

1. Passenger Injury: When a passenger in an Uber or Lyft are injured due to the accident, they are entitled to compensation, either from the rideshare company’s insurance, the rideshare driver’s insurance or the third-party driver’s insurance. The determination of which coverage will be used will depend on who was the at-fault party. While company’s like Uber and Lyft require their drivers to carry their own insurance policies in order to work for them. Most insurance companies in Ohio however, do not cover accidents that occur during a rideshare. Rideshare company’s such as Uber and Lyft, in Ohio, will cover the damages for most rideshare accidents in which the passenger is injured. If the at-fault party is the third-party, their insurance company will be responsible for the damages.

2. Driver Injury: If a rideshare driver is injured in an accident while on the job, it is important to know when the accident took place in order to determine liability. If the driver is injured due to the fault of a third-party, their insurance will cover the auto accident damages. If the at-fault party is uninsured, the rideshare company’s insurance company may take over and pay for any damages at the time of the incident. In 2016, Ohio lawmakers clarified some questions on who would be liable if such an incident occurred. The new law states that any time a driver is logged in to a rideshare app, whether driving or on the way to pick up a passenger, or waiting for a job, the rideshare company’s insurance is responsible for covering motor vehicle accident damages.

3. Injured Third Party: Coverage for a car accident between a third party and a rideshare company, where they are at fault, their insurance would cover the damages. If the rideshare driver was at fault, depending on if the driver was off the clock, or logged in to the app, will depend on which insurance company will handle the damages.

If you were involved in an auto accident, while working as a driver of a rideshare company, as a passenger of the rideshare company, or you were struck by the Uber or Lyft driver, you may be entitled to compensation.  Contact us today at Karp Steiger.  Personal Injury lawyers and Workers’ Compensation Attorneys.