Uber and Lyft employ thousands of drivers across the country. It does not take many qualifications to drive for a rideshare company. In fact, you don’t even need your own vehicle. At a minimum, you must have a driver’s license and legal access to a vehicle. Driving for Uber and Lyft is a great way to make money. If you are like an Uber and Lyft driver, you offer your services to travelers as a way to make ends meet at the end of the month. The best time to start an llc in california is when you have a good idea for the business, and you have the necessary capital to start the business.
Staying safe on the road is one of your top priorities. You follow the rules and do your utmost to keep yourself and your passengers out of harm’s way. The same cannot be said for other drivers. You may have the misfortune of encountering a negligent and reckless driver, and this can lead to an accident.
If you do collide with another driver, you do have rights. You can claim compensation if the other driver is the at-fault party. To do so, you will need to hire a lawyer and build a case.
The Ridesharing Industry in California
A tumultuous drama has unfolded in California over the rights of Uber and Lyft driver. In 2019, California passed a law that made these drivers employees rather than contractors of the companies they worked for. This law was upheld by the California Supreme Court in October of 2020. However, in the November 2020 elections the voters of California sided with the rideshare companies, which means Uber and Lyft driver will be made contractors again. No one knows how or when this will happen. As of now, the original law is still in effect. Uber and Lyft driver are still employees of the companies they drive for and have all the attendant rights.
Dealing with the Consequences of an Accident
If you were in a minor accident, you will need to ensure that your passengers are unharmed. You will then need to call the police, make a statement to them, and go to the hospital to get yourself checked out. A minor fender bender may be annoying, but it is not too difficult to resolve.
Being involved in a serious accident is another matter altogether. If you were in such an accident, you may need to be carried to the hospital by ambulance. You will need a full medical examination. Indeed, you may need the kind of surgical intervention to save your life and get back on the road to recovery.
Some of the most common injuries after an accident include:
-Broken bones
-Head trauma
-Concussion
-Lacerations
If you are forced to spend days or weeks in the hospital after the accident, you will need to deal with the financial fall-out of the situation. There will be medical bills to pay, and you will not take in any revenue during the time that you are laid up. This can be a serious financial burden. And you have the right to seek relief from your employer or the insurance company of the driver who smashed into you.
Liability
As an Uber or Lyft driver, you are aware of how different your situation is from traditional taxicab companies. You are required to carry your own vehicle insurance. However, not all insurance companies offer protection to drivers while they are on the clock for a rideshare company. If you have taken out insurance for this purpose—and there are a number of insurance companies that offer this option—then your accident may be covered by it. The coverage may be limited, however, and you may require more money to pay the bills.
Getting Money From Uber and Lyft
You may be entitled to money from the rideshare company you work for. The coverage you receive depends on the stage of driving you were in at the time of the accident. Uber and Lyft have three stages that govern the amount of compensation you can collect if you are injured in an accident. It is important to learn the stages and to know your rights in each of them. If you were not logged into your Uber or Lyft app at the time of the accident, you will need to deal with the consequences of the accident on your own. Otherwise, the following rules for each stage apply:
Stage 1
You are logged into the app but do not have a ride request. You may be in a highly populated area waiting for such a request. If you get into an accident during this stage, Uber and Lyft provide limited coverage. You can expect up to $100,000 for injuries and $25,000 for property damage. You will only have access to the liability coverage offered by the rideshare companies. What this means is that you will be required to pay for your own repairs if it is found that you are at fault for the collision. If the other driver was at fault but does not have insurance, you will receive no coverage at all.
Stage 2
In stage 2, you are logged in, have received a ride request, but do not have a rider in your vehicle. If you get into an accident in this stage, you have access to $1 million in liability coverage and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. If you are injured in this stage, you can collect compensation if the other driver is at fault but does not have coverage that will pay your medical bills.
Stage 3
In stage 3, you are logged in, have received and accepted a ride request, and have the passenger in your vehicle. If you are involved in accident during this stage, Uber and Lyft offer uninsured motorist coverage, which means you will have your medical and car repair bills paid no matter the insurance status of the other driver. The rideshare companies also offer $1 million in liability coverage.
Necessary Steps After the Accident
Even if you are in a stage 3 accident, Uber and Lyft will be reticent to settle your claim. To get the money you are entitled to, you must take the proper steps after the accident. Every move you make will be reviewed and scrutinized by the rideshare company. Following a proven process will improve your chances of getting the proper compensation.
Here are the things you will need to do:
1. Contact the police
You should call 911 immediately. This will ensure that your name is on the record for reporting the incident, which an make it a little easier to build a case in the future for compensation. You should stay on the scene until a patrolman arrives. You should then answer their questions honestly. However, you need not say anything that puts you at fault for the accident. In fact, if the officer who interviews you asks you a question that makes you uncomfortable, you should tell them you would rather consult with an uber accident attorney before answering. They will have to allow this.
The most important thing is to get your statement on the record, and to give details of the crash while they are still fresh in your mind.
2. Take pictures
Most smart phones nowadays have high-definition cameras. You should use your phone to photograph the scene. Be sure to capture the damage done to your vehicle and the other vehicles involved in the accident. You should also get a wide shot of the accident scene for context.
3. Take witness statements
The testimony of the people who witnessed the crash may prove invaluable. Your smart phone can once again come in handy. With their permission, you can take recorded audio and video statements of people who witnessed the crash. Be sure to get their contact details before you part ways.
4. Have yourself examined by a medical professional
No matter your physical and emotional state after the crash, you should go immediately to the hospital. You will not know whether you sustained serious injuries unless you get checked out by a physician. You may feel in perfect health right after the crash but start to feel unwell later on. This could owe to internal injuries. The only way to determine whether you have been harmed is to see a doctor.
5. Hire a lawyer who specializes in rideshare cases
You should hire a lawyer after the crash. Even if you are in a stage 3 accident, a lawyer is the only one who can ensure that you are treated fairly and honestly by the rideshare company. The growth of Uber and Lyft has given rise to an entire legal sub-industry dedicated to the protection of driver rights. You should hire an attorney with extensive experience and expertise in the field. They will know the rules governing driver accidents. They will also know the case law that can help them push back against any attempt on the part of your employer to deny your claim.
If you are rideshare driver who has been in an accident, you should call an attorney to ensure that you get justice.
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