Rideshares are a great way to get around the city. Your ride is just a few clicks (or taps!) away with ridesharing services. According to Statista, the number of users of rideshare will reach 193.90 million by 2027.
There is a dark side to the rideshare industry. Since the introduction of rideshare services, there has been a 3% increase in fatal car accidents. There are many reasons for this increase.
Victims of rideshare accidents sustain both economic and non-economic losses. Rideshare accident lawyers can provide aid to victims in times of crisis.
They can file an accident claim and secure fair compensation for the victim’s losses.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare drivers don’t go through any background checks. So driver negligence is the most common reason for rideshare accidents. The following are some of the common causes of rideshare accidents:
- Distracted driving
- Inexperience
- Fatigue
- Speeding
- Intoxication
- Violation of traffic rules
The Basics of Personal Injury Law
Through personal injury law, victims can recover the losses they incurred as a result of the accident. However, since the victim bears the burden of proof, they need to prove the elements of personal injury law. The four elements of personal injury law are:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty of care
- Causation
- Damages
Without proving these four elements, the victim cannot obtain compensation. Proving the elements of personal injury law is usually complex, but it becomes more complex in rideshare accident cases.
Many complications can arise during a rideshare accident case.
The following are some complications that may arise in a rideshare accident case:
- Multiple liable parties
- Driver status at the time of the accident
- Insurance issues
Multiple Liable Parties
Determining liability is the first step in any personal injury case. There is no case if there is no liable party.
In rideshare accidents, more than one party can be held liable for the accident. This is the first complication of a rideshare accident.
Everyone involved in the accident will try to shift blame to others. Victims may get confused about who to sue. The potential liable parties in a rideshare accident are:
- Rideshare driver
- Rideshare company
- Other drivers
- Car and spare part manufacturer
- A mechanic who serviced the vehicle
Speak with a lawyer to find the at-fault party. They will have connections with expert investigators who can investigate and find the liable party.
Driver Status at the Time of the Accident
You may not be able to sue the rideshare company even though the rideshare driver caused the accident because of the driver’s status.
Imagine this, you get into the rideshare vehicle. The driver may ask you to cancel the ride to cut the rideshare company’s fee. If that’s the case, the rideshare company is not responsible.
A driver can be considered on-duty or off-duty depending on their status in the app. Before starting the ride, check whether the app is running on the driver’s phone.
Insurance Issues
The driver will have their own insurance, and the rideshare company will also provide insurance.
Confusion may arise about whose insurance company should compensate the victim.
Another problem that may arise is an inadequate insurance policy. The insurance limit may not be enough to fully compensate for your losses.
In such cases, you need to file a claim and obtain fair compensation from the at-fault party.
Final Thoughts
Rideshares are a great but slightly unsafe mode of transportation. You do not know who you are riding with every time you get into the vehicle. You may get a drug addict as your driver. There is always a risk in ridesharing.
If you have been hurt in a rideshare accident, speak with a lawyer immediately after getting medical care. They can negotiate with the insurance company and get you fair compensation for your losses.
