Rideshare is an effective means of transportation that allows multiple people to use a single car to get to their various destinations. It’s also believed that rideshare services are more convenient, more likely to reduce traffic congestion, and the best ways to prevent DUI situations. However, if you’re ever involved in an accident with injuries while using rideshare cars such as Uber and Lyft, you may be confused as to who should be held liable and pay for those injuries and related costs.
One can easily get confused because whenever injuries are caused by accidents in a rideshare car, multiple vehicle insurance policies may be involved. Therefore, you must know your rights and how to determine liability in such circumstances.
CAR INSURANCE MODEL IN PENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania generally operates a no-fault policy when it comes to car accident insurance coverage for drivers. This means that if you have a car and personal injury protection, you can be compensated by your own insurance company whether or not you’re at fault. However, if you don’t have personal injury protection, you may not receive sufficient compensation from your insurance company, and you may have to involve other insurance companies.
What insurance issues often arise in rideshare accidents involving Uber and Lyft drivers?
Since Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors, one may easily think that their personal vehicle insurance companies will be liable for damages whenever there’s an accident.
If you sustain an injury or suffer any damage resulting from a rideshare accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, you must bear in mind that the personal motor vehicle insurance of Uber and Lyft drivers does not apply in most cases. This is because most motor vehicle policies often exclude business activities from coverage. Therefore, if the accident happens while the driver is carrying out business under the platform of Uber or Lyft, the driver’s personal vehicle insurance company will refuse to accept liability.
What are the insurance policies and compensation plans under Uber and Lyft?
Popular rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft have insurance policies of up to $1,000,000 that are designed to provide coverage to their drivers. This means that if you suffer bodily injury or any kind of damage in an accident where the Uber or Lyft driver is at fault, you may successfully file a claim under these policies.
However, compensation under Uber and Lyft policies is not automatic but subject to the following conditions;
- At the time of the accident, you must be the Uber/Lyft Driver, an injured passenger in the Uber/Lyft car, injured pedestrian, or a third-party driver/passenger who was hit by the Uber/Lyft driver to be eligible for compensation.
- The insurance policy under Uber/Lyft can only apply if the app was turned on at the time of the accident. Therefore, if you turn the application off while a passenger is still in the car, and an accident occurs, Uber/Lyft will refuse to be liable.
Before you file any personal injury claim arising from a rideshare accident, you should first consider getting an experienced car accident attorney. Most times, these Insurance companies fail to offer sufficient compensation to take care of your medical bills and other losses suffered during the accident, hence the need to persistently fight for your right through your Attorney.