How an Accident With an Uber or Lyft Driver Differs From Other Accidents

Accidents can be complicated when they happen with a regular driver. When you get into an accident with a rideshare driver, such as Uber or Lyft, things get even more complicated. Ridesharing has exploded in popularity in recent years, especially in urban areas where car ownership is less common. You may very well encounter a rideshare vehicle each time you get behind the wheel to drive somewhere without even realizing it.

While an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver still has many similarities to a normal accident, they aren’t exactly the same. As with any type of accident, the first and most important step is to make sure you’re ok and don’t need any immediate medical attention. Once that is sorted out, take a look at your car and the other person’s car to assess damages. Once 911 has been called, always remember to call 411, which we will mention again later.

Here are some of the ways an accident with a rideshare driver differs from other accidents:

Different Than a Taxi 

Uber and Lyft often operate very differently than taxis. Taxi drives typically must obtain a commercial license before they’re allowed to drive. Furthermore, they usually drive a vehicle provided by the company that employs them. Rideshare drivers differ from taxi drivers in these two key areas. This is because rideshare drivers do not usually have commercial licenses, and they almost always use their personal vehicles when driving. There is a big difference between driving for commercial purposes and driving for personal purposes when it comes to insurance, so it can make a difference if the rideshare driver was actively engaged in a trip when the accident occurred.   

Was There a Passenger?

Whether or not there is a passenger in the Uber or Lyft at the time of the accident also impacts how things play out. There are sometimes varying levels of insurance coverage for a rideshare vehicle depending on if the driver is actively searching for a rider or currently has one in the vehicle. While this doesn’t have a huge impact on the non-rideshare driver involved in the accident, it does make a difference when it comes to insurance coverage.  

Differences by State

Because ridesharing services are still a relatively recent phenomenon, lawmakers are still working to figure out how they should be treated from a legal perspective. In the state of Florida, for example, legislation was put forth in 2017 that sought to help protect other drivers on the road, as well as passengers who utilize a ridesharing service. As a result of the 2017 law, when a ridesharing vehicle is in the process of transporting a customer, the ridesharing company must be covered by a $1,000,000 insurance policy that includes injury, property damage, and wrongful death.

Ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft have taken off in popularity and have brought many benefits to our roadways. However, they also pose a different set of challenges when it comes to accidents due to their differences from traditional taxi services. Over time, there will be more and more legislation introduced in order to regulate this somewhat recent trend. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a careless or reckless driver and has been injured, call 1-800-411-PAIN and get the help you need! We will refer you to the attorneys that will fight to get you the compensation you deserve and the medical attention you need. If you have been hurt in an accident, call 1-800-411-PAIN, and we will guide you in finding you the best medical and legal professionals.