Uber & Lyft Accidents in Huntsville: Who Pays When a Rideshare Driver Causes a Crash?

The rideshare market is expected to exceed $210 billion by 2029. Uber and Lyft dominate the market in the U.S., with most customers using one of these two companies for ridesharing services.

Ridesharing is when workers use their own vehicles to drive for ridesharing companies. They are similar to taxis in the way they provide rides for people who need them. Ridesharing has become more popular in recent years.

Sometimes, rideshare drivers are in accidents. Some of those accidents are due to driver negligence or recklessness. Many people are uncertain how to navigate these types of claims, so we’ve outlined more about them below. If you were in this type of accident and are ready to speak to an attorney, contact Martin & Helms, P.C. for a free case evaluation.

What causes ridesharing accidents?

There are many reasons a rideshare driver may cause an accident. We’ve listed them below:

Distracted driving

Rideshare drivers may be distracted while driving. All activity is completed through the rideshare app, so while driving, a driver may be worried about documenting or securing their next ride.

Driver error

Rideshare drivers are not professional drivers. They are held to the same standards as other drivers. They may make errors that result in an accident. Some drivers may be inexperienced.

Speeding

Speeding is a common reason for accidents. When someone does ridesharing, they may be worried about getting passengers to their destination to make more money.

Driver impairment

Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol may cause crashes.

Drowsy driving

Many rideshare drivers are driving to earn extra income or pay bills. This means sometimes they may be drowsy while completing rides. Drowsy driving could contribute to accidents.

Common rideshare accident injuries:

Rideshare accidents may result in a variety of injuries. Some may be more severe than others. Examples include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Back or neck injuries
• Whiplash
• Broken bones
• Burns
• Emotional distress
• Death
• Nerve damage
• Internal organ injuries

When someone drives negligently or dangerously, they put their passengers in danger. If a rideshare driver puts you in danger through an accident, please reach out to Martin & Helms, P.C. to request a free case evaluation.

Who is liable?

When a rideshare driver acts recklessly and causes a crash, they are likely liable for the accident. This may be complicated, however, because Alabama follows a contributory negligence rule.

For instances where the rideshare driver is not responsible for causing the crash, one of the following may be the liable party:

• Another driver
• Another road user
• The rideshare company
• The vehicle owner

Rideshare drivers are generally classified as independent contractors. In some instances, when a driver isn’t properly vetted before being hired, the company may be responsible under negligent hiring or supervision.

If you are unsure about which party is responsible for a car accident, we encourage you to speak to an experienced Lyft accident attorney in Alabama. They listen to the specific situation and provide the legal options available.

Uber and Lyft accident FAQs:

A lot of people have similar questions about Uber and Lyft accidents. We’ve answered the most common ones below:

How much is my rideshare accident claim worth?

It is both unethical and impossible to value a claim without knowing the details. In general, car accident claims may have the following compensation:

• Property damage
• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress

If you were in an accident while ridesharing with Lyft or Uber, we encourage you to reach out to a knowledgeable attorney. They can listen to your specific situation and provide the legal options available.

How is liability determined?

Many factors are considered to determine liability in a ridesharing accident. Lyft and Uber both have strict rules about the coverage provided for drivers, and the driver’s insurance also has specific rules. We’ll list some examples below:

The driver wasn’t logged in the driving app

Typically, neither Uber nor Lyft will cover damages if the driver wasn’t logged in. In these instances, injured parties must file claims with the driver’s personal automotive insurance.

The driver was logged in, but waiting for a fare

There is required primary liability coverage for these instances. The limits are $50,000 per person, $25,000 for property damage, and $100,000 per accident for drivers in accidents without a ride accepted.

The driver was logged in and picking up a customer

Uber and Lyft both provide up to $1 million in liability coverage for these instances.

The driver was logged in and had a customer in the vehicle

Both ridesharing companies offer liability coverage up to $1 million for rideshares with customers in the vehicle.

Do I really need a Huntsville Uber accident lawyer?

It depends. Each case is unique. We can’t recommend whether or not someone would need an attorney without knowing the details. Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning someone doesn’t pay unless they win compensation for the client. We encourage you to reach out to an experienced Uber accident lawyer to understand your legal options.

How can a Lyft accident attorney in Alabama help?

When someone hires a Lyft accident attorney, they gain legal insight and assistance for the claims process. An attorney helps clients through:

• Investigating the accident to determine liability
• Gathering evidence and witness statements
• Reviewing and understanding insurance coverage
• Negotiating with insurance companies
• Filing claims and managing legal timelines
• Advocating for clients’ rights
• Representing clients in court

A knowledgeable attorney provides legal guidance and peace of mind. We recommend that anyone navigating this type of accident speak to an experienced attorney to understand their legal options.

Contact Martin & Helms, P.C. today

Accidents during ridesharing may be more complex than other car accidents. Injured individuals need to understand their rights and the legal process when handling these crashes. At Martin & Helms, P.C., we understand the complexity. Our team helps clients file claims for rideshare accidents through compassionate legal guidance. Contact Martin & Helms, P.C. today to request a free case evaluation.