Every time you choose to ride in a vehicle being driven by someone else, you are putting your safety in that person’s hands. You expect the driver to operate the vehicle in a safe manner and to make smart driving decisions. You are also subjecting yourself to the actions of other drivers on the roads, without giving yourself an opportunity to respond.
When you choose to take a bus or a taxi, in most cases you are dealing with a professionally trained driver with a lot of experience. With the rise of Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing companies, you are probably using the services of a driver who does not have the same level of professionalism or skill. The driver may have done a simple online application and may have no specialized driving skills.
Unfortunately, many passengers using rideshare companies such as Uber or Lyft are injured in accidents each year. The driver may be distracted by his or her phone or could be engaged in other unsafe driving behaviors. There have been a number of highly-publicized accidents recently in which someone was seriously injured or killed by a vehicle operated by a ridesharing company. In many cases, the ridesharing company attempted to deny liability, which could result in only the individual driver’s policy being available. Those policies are often very minimal, and in many cases the insurance company refuses to pay damages.
Attempting to recover damages from an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle can be complicated and may involve several different parties and insurance policies. If you have suffered injuries, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. If you’re in the Los Angeles area, call me, Conal Doyle, Los Angeles personal injury attorney, at 310-385-0567. I can help. Call today to schedule a free consultation on your case.