Rideshare is a new way of working and traveling. It's not just about the convenience of getting a ride with someone else, but also about collaborating with people on a project or task in order to get it done faster and more efficiently.
The ride-sharing economy has been around for decades, but it's only recently that it has become popularized. The idea behind rideshare is simple: by sharing resources, you can accomplish more and save money at the same time.
Who is at Risk for a Rideshare Accident?
Ridesharing is an alternative to public transportation that can be a lifesaver for people who live in areas where public transit is not available.
The most important thing to know about ridesharing and liability law is that it varies from state to state. Interestingly, an Uber representative reports that in California, the law states that drivers are classified as independent contractors and not employees. This means they are not legally required to provide workers' compensation or offer other benefits that employees may be entitled to. However, a company must still pay all expenses of an independent contractor and must also cover any lost wages if the driver cannot work due to a work-related accident.
Apart from this, the passengers are also at a risk during a rideshare mishap. The passengers traveling in the car are equally likely to get hurt. Since there are more passengers in a car than a single driver the probability of one of the passengers getting hurt is higher.
There are many factors that determine whether the driver or the passenger will be at-risk for a rideshare accident, including:
- Who was driving the vehicle?
- What type of insurance coverage does the driver have?
- What type of insurance coverage does the passenger have?
- Was there a contract signed between both parties before the ride?
Being involved in a rideshare accident as a passenger
The law is in a state of flux when it comes to rideshare accidents. The law is always evolving and changing, so the steps listed below are not exhaustive.
The first step for a passenger in a rideshare accident is to get medical attention. This will help them recover from the injury and will also help them with any legal proceedings that may come up later.
The second step for a passenger in a rideshare accident is to contact an attorney who specializes in personal injury cases. A personal injury attorney is probably an ideal professional to contact in such a case. In most rideshare accident cases, it is mostly a rideshare accident lawyer who is contacted and it is he who is able to get the justified compensation for the clients. It’s important to have someone on your side who has experience dealing with these types of cases and can guide you through the process.
The last step for a passenger in a rideshare accident is to contact the insurance company of the driver. The driver’s insurance company may be able to help with your case and can decide whether or not they will settle out of court. Out-of-court settlements are bliss as they save you from a lot of running around and even more money. It is true that an attorney can get you compensation but an attorney will also charge a fee. Moreover, the time that you have to put in on court hearings will never come back either.
But, in many cases out-of-court settlement does not happen and people are left with the only choice they have - to depend on their personal injury lawyer.
Other Ways to Help Yourself
In the event that you are a victim of dangerous driving from an Uber or Lyft driver, there are programs in place to help. The Uber and Lyft apps provide a way for users to report incidents of dangerous driving and request assistance.
The Uber App has a "Critical Safety Response" option that is available in the "Emergency" section. This allows riders to contact 911 if they need emergency assistance. Within the app, you can also report incidents of unsafe driving by tapping on the "Driver" tab and then selecting "Report".Some drivers may not be aware of this option, so it is important to let them know about it. You can also contact Uber customer support or Lyft customer support through their respective apps or websites with any questions or concerns.
Ridesharing is no doubt an excellent concept and helps out more than it causes trouble but every now and then something unfortunate comes along the way and causes distress. It is essential to know about the important facts and legalities involved in ridesharing as it helps in a lot of situations.
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