Any time you ride in a car that is driven by someone else, you place your safety in the hands of another party, and you expect them to make the best decisions. Unfortunately, many drivers that work for companies such as Uber and Lyft engage in poor driving behaviors, which can lead to a serious accident that can harm the passengers in the vehicle.
When a person hires Uber, Lyft, or a taxi company, they expect to be transported safely. Many Uber and Lyft passengers are injured every year because the driver was distracted by using a cell phone, talking to the passenger, or other dangerous behaviors. Unfortunately, many rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft hire drivers that do not have proper insurance or sufficient training. Most rideshare companies label their drivers as independent contractors rather than as employees, which enables them to avoid liability in many cases, and allows them to bypass proper screening for some drivers.
When an accident does occur involving a rideshare vehicle, the rideshare company often avoids liability, and the injured passengers may be left trying to collect from the driver’s personal insurance. Many of those drivers have minimum policies, which often cannot come close to covering the damages that the injured individual suffered. The passengers may be left with trying to prove that the rideshare company should be held liable for the accident.
If you have been injured in an accident involving Uber, Lyft, or another ridesharing company, you should speak with an attorney. You will need to establish liability in order to recover. If you are in Los Angeles, call me, Conal Doyle, Los Angeles personal injury attorney, at 310-385-0567. Call today to schedule a free consultation on your case.