Over the past several years, rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft have revolutionized the transportation industry, surpassing traditional taxi services in popularity in many areas. However, one of the main drivers behind the success of rideshare companies is that the people driving for them are independent contractors, rather than employees —a seemingly small distinction that can have a significant impact on the financial recovery process after a traffic crash.
If you were hurt recently in an Uber/Lyft/rideshare accident in Houston, you may have a deceptively difficult time getting paid what you deserve if you try to pursue an insurance claim—let alone a lawsuit in civil court—by yourself. By working with an experienced car accident attorney from Mostyn Law, you will have support from knowledgeable legal professionals from the beginning to the end of your case who will fight tirelessly to ensure that your case has the best possible resolution for you.
When Uber and Lyft drivers are out on public roads, they have the same legal obligation—known as a “duty of care”—to obey traffic laws and pay attention behind the wheel that any other driver does. Accordingly, holding a rideshare driver legally at fault for a traffic collision in Houston works the same way as holding anyone else liable for a wreck, and more specifically entails proving that all the following components of legal “negligence” apply to your situation:
Our team can provide irreplaceable assistance with collecting evidence of fault, establishing the existence and value of damages you need to recover for, and complying with all procedural requirements for your claim set by private insurance companies and/or state law.
Unfortunately, because Uber and Lyft drivers are not employees of those companies, you generally cannot sue Uber or Lyft directly over a car accident caused by or involving a rideshare driver in Houston. What we may be able to help you do, though, is recover compensation through a rideshare company’s liability insurance policy, which covers both their own drivers and other people involved in wrecks with those drivers.
For example, Uber provides up to $1 million of liability insurance coverage per accident, which applies when one of their drivers is actively carrying a paying passenger or driving to pick up a ride request. If an Uber driver is logged into the app but has not yet accepted a ride request, Uber’s liability insurance provides $50,000 of coverage for one person’s injuries, $100,000 for all injuries, and $25,000 for all property damage caused by a single accident.
The unique business model that rideshare companies operate under creates challenges when it comes to recovering financially from a crash caused by or involving a rideshare driver. Fortunately, you have help available after your Uber/Lyft/rideshare accident in Houston from our dedicated legal professionals at Mostyn Law, who know how to handle situations like yours and will stick with you to the very end of your claim.
A car accident lawyer from our team can discuss possible recovery options with you in more specific detail during a confidential consultation. Schedule yours by calling today.
(832) 844-5116 