Uber and Lyft are incredibly convenient services. They let people travel quickly and conveniently in cities where they have no connections. They make it easy for someone who has a little bit too much to drink during happy hour to get home safely and for people who need to have their vehicles repaired to arrange for short-term transportation in a pinch.
For all of the benefits of rideshare services, there are some issues they create as well. For example, rideshare vehicles typically belong to the individual driver, who is a contractor and not an employee. The whole setup is a bit of a legal gray area, and passengers may worry about their rights if they end up hurt in a crash.
Rideshare services carry insurance
Typically, the passengers in someone’s vehicle would make a claim against the policy of the driver at fault for the wreck if they have any injuries or property damage losses caused by the collision. However, when someone gets hurt during an active ride solicited through a rideshare app, it will typically be the company’s policy that covers that.
Uber has a large commercial policy that can cover medical expenses, lost wages and property damage costs for passengers injured in a crash. Lyft also has a commercial policy that applies to active rides. If the crash occurs at some point before or after the ride technically begins, then there may be some gray area regarding what insurance policy applies.
In some cases, it will be the driver’s coverage, not the company’s coverage, that will pay their expenses. Thankfully, those using a personal vehicle for professional purposes typically need to add extra insurance to their standard liability policy to reduce the risk of a crash while working.
Anyone who is traveling as a passenger should be able to count on insurance protection to help cover their costs. In a case where there are issues with insurance, then filing a civil lawsuit may be necessary. Understanding the rules and insurance policies that apply after a rideshare crash can help those who have been affected demand appropriate financial compensation with the assistance of a legal professional.