Uber and Lyft, two ride-sharing services, are becoming increasingly popular, particularly in Southern California communities where public transportation and taxi services are lacking. However, when a driver works as an independent contractor and maintains their own vehicle, responsibility issues in car accidents can arise.
The truth is that questions surrounding ride-sharing liability do not have simple answers. You can learn more about the most typical cases by reading on, and then calling The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker for a free legal consultation at 800-333-0000.
The Uber policy
If an Uber driver causes an accident while carrying a passenger, Uber’s commercial liability policy will most likely cover it. This policy provides up to $1 million in coverage per event for both bodily injury and property damage. It covers passengers and third parties who are engaged in an accident with an Uber driver’s car. The policy also covers passengers in an accident caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers.
This coverage does, however, have certain restrictions. The driver must have accepted the trip and had a passenger in the vehicle for it to apply. It does not apply if there is no car. It would not apply if the driver picked up someone on the street rather than through the app.
The insurance policy of the driver or the contingent coverage
If the driver is not carrying a passenger but is working, their personal auto insurance policy is most likely what will cover them. However, some policies exclude coverage if a motorist is operating a commercial vehicle at the time of the accident. This means that you might sue a motorist’s insurance company and discover that the driver was not insured, even though the driver was not physically working at the time of the accident.
Uber has a contingency policy in place for certain instances. It only offers limited injury coverage, with a limit of $50,000 per person for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. This may not even come close to paying medical bills, let alone pain and suffering, depending on the accident and injuries involved.
To figure out these complex concerns, contact a personal injury attorney
There are a number of elements at play in these instances that make them difficult to resolve, including the fact that Uber is not regulated in the same way that other types of transportation for hire are. If you are a passenger in an Uber vehicle and are wounded in an accident with an Uber driver, call The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker right away at 800-333-0000. We’ll start with a complimentary consultation to discuss your options.
