In the past decade, ridesharing has grown in popularity with widespread use among the public. College students, young professionals, business owners and even seniors have been taking their turns relying on a driver from Uber, Lyft or rival companies to get them from one destination to the next.
Typically, getting a ride with a driver from a rideshare company is convenient, usually more cost-effective and thrilling because it may be something new to you. But the initial thrill and excitement will come to a screeching halt if you – a passenger in a rideshare vehicle – suffer injuries in a motor accident. Who is accountable for the accident? A circuitous route may be necessary to determine that.
Companies must take responsibility
More and more, we are finding out that rideshare companies neglect to provide adequate training to their drivers, who are contractors and not employees. Because these drivers are told to constantly check their phones in order to follow directions and plan for upcoming rides, accidents often occur. Why? Inattentiveness, distraction, and not paying attention to road traffic comes to the forefront because the drivers are glued to their phones.
Because the ridesharing industry is relatively new, guidelines to its insurance matters often are confusing. As a result, complications surface in rideshare accidents. If you are injured in a ridesharing accident, here are some crucial steps to take:
- Obtain the driver’s name.
- Find out who is the owner of the vehicle. Surprisingly, sometimes, the driver is not the owner.
- Get the names of other passengers.
- Record vehicle details, including make, model and year.
- Ask for insurance information for the vehicle.
- Take eyewitness accounts.
- Photograph the accident scene and the vehicles involved.
- Contact law enforcement.
Certainly, in cases of accidents involving a rideshare vehicle, the main responsibility falls to the ridesharing company. There is no way around that. If you are the victim of a ridesharing accident, you can protect yourself by seeking the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney.
