Rideshare drivers are independent contractors, not employees of the rideshare companies like Uber, Lyft and Uber Eats. This means that they are required to carry their own private auto insurance on top of the policy that is provided by the rideshare company that they drive for. The insurance policy that is paid for by these rideshare companies only covers their contractors and passengers when the driver enters a particular status:
- Offline Status: When a rideshare driver is still in the rideshare vehicle but is not currently using the ridesharing app, their status is offline. If they are involved in an auto accident while offline, the driver’s private insurance policy will be responsible for any damages.
- Available Status: When a rideshare driver is in the vehicle, actively logged into the ridesharing app and waiting for a ride to accept, their status is available. This is when any auto accident they may be involved in will be covered by the rideshare company’s insurance policy. However, the company’s policy only covers a limited amount of damages for a driver in available status.
- En Route Status: When a rideshare driver has accepted a ride and is driving to pick up the passenger, their status is en route. At this point, they are covered by the rideshare company’s full insurance coverage limits, including underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage.
- On Trip Status: Once a driver has picked up their passenger and is on the way to the requested location, their status is on trip. This status is also covered by the full range of the rideshare company’s insurance policy.
Three Complicated Rideshare Injury Claim Scenarios
The following example scenarios depict auto accident injury cases involving rideshare drivers that could be difficult to maneuver without assistance from a rideshare accident attorney:
Accident Scenario One:
You are a passenger in a rideshare vehicle. Another driver, who is completely uninsured, causes an auto accident. If the rideshare company declares that their insurance does not apply to your accident claim, you could be on your own to pay for all your expensive medical bills. Generally, corporations do not have your best interests in mind and will do whatever is necessary to save the company money.
Accident Scenario Two:
You are driving home from work and get into an auto accident with a rideshare driver who does not currently have any passenger in the vehicle. The rideshare driver’s private insurance coverage is not enough to cover all of your medical expenses and the rideshare company refuses to involve itself. You are facing the cost of paying out of pocket for your recovery.
Accident Scenario Three:
You are driving to Sunday dinner and get into an accident with a rideshare vehicle who is transporting a passenger. When you attempt to settle your claim, you end up facing three insurance adjusters from three insurance companies with three very different settlement offers. Those three companies are working together to discredit your claim and lower your settlement.
In all three of these accident scenarios, it will be very difficult to seek out a fair amount of compensation that you deserve. A typical auto accident claim is complicated and confusing; when you add in all the details of rideshare corporations and multiple insurance agencies, it can feel impossible to recover.
Do I Really Need a Rideshare Accident Lawyer? Can’t I Handle My Accident Claim on My Own?
If you are facing the aftermath of an auto accident similar to any of the scenarios above, you need representation in order to be treated fairly. When you are being pressured by multiple experienced insurance adjusters to settle your accident claim in a hurry, it is easy to just give up and accept their lowball offer. Instead of being backed into a corner, take a moment and speak to a rideshare accident attorney. By hiring a competent attorney, you can recover from your injury while a professional looks out for your legal interests.
A rideshare accident attorney can help make sure that you are compensated for:
- Damage to your vehicle
- Medical expenses, both now and in the future
- Loss of wages and/or future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering of a physical or emotional nature
If you are involved in a rideshare accident, call Fenstersheib Law Group at 1-800-TellRobert and get the legal help you need.
