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As popular and useful as rideshare services are in urban areas like Philadelphia, the convenience of calling an Uber or Lyft rather than dealing with a traditional taxi service has a potentially big tradeoff. While there have been a few legislative efforts to change how the law approaches these companies, there is no real regulation of how rideshare services screen and hire drivers, nor are there any special training requirements for hired drivers.
Unfortunately, this means there are irresponsible people operating rideshare vehicles every day across America, and some of those people end up causing preventable traffic crashes with serious repercussions. If you have been hurt in an Uber/Lyft/rideshare accident in Philadelphia, a seasoned auto accident attorney from Lowenthal & Abrams can provide the custom-tailored support you need to pursue financial recovery proactively.
Are Rideshare Companies Liable for Rideshare Wrecks?
If a passenger or third party involved in a traffic accident with a traditional taxicab sustains a serious injury from that wreck, they can often file suit directly against the company that employed that negligent taxi driver due to the legal theory of respondeat superior. However, drivers for rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are currently classified as independent contractors, which means the rideshare companies they work for are not considered liable for the negligence of their drivers the same way they might be if those drivers were considered employees.
Both Uber and Lyft maintain extensive liability insurance policies that allow passengers, third parties, and even rideshare drivers themselves to recover for up to $1 million in losses under certain circumstances. Still, the fact that injured people in Philadelphia cannot directly sue rideshare companies under virtually any circumstances is a significant obstacle to effective financial recovery after this sort of crash.
Filing Suit Against an Individual Uber or Lyft Driver
If an Uber or Lyft driver is directly to blame for causing a car crash that directly led to someone else sustaining an injury, that injured person can generally file suit directly against that driver for damages not already covered by their insurance, the at-fault driver’s insurance, or the rideshare company’s insurance. However, this right may be restricted somewhat for drivers with limited tort auto insurance coverage, as a legal professional can explain in more detail during a private consultation.
Another possible obstacle when suing a rideshare driver over a wreck in Philadelphia is comparative fault, which is the degree to which the injured person is at fault for causing their injuries through their misconduct. This typically does not play into claims filed by rideshare passengers who get hurt in wrecks caused by their drivers, but it can be a big problem for drivers who also committed minor traffic violations right before being hit by a negligent Uber or Lyft driver.
Contact a Philadelphia Attorney After Your Uber/Lyft/Rideshare Accident Today
Not every person who drives for Uber, Lyft, or any other rideshare service is irresponsible behind the wheel. However, if you do find yourself being transported by or just otherwise involved in a wreck caused by a reckless or careless rideshare driver, you may have a deceptively tricky path to tread if you want to recover financially for the injuries you have sustained.
Working closely with a knowledgeable lawyer will dramatically improve your chances of getting a favorable case result following an Uber/Lyft/rideshare accident in Philadelphia. Call today to learn more during a consultation meeting.
