Rideshare companies have changed the way people make local trips: Increasingly, people would rather call an Uber or a Lyft than take the RideKC bus or use a shared-use scooter or bike. While ridesharing may offer more convenience, it has also increased the number of cars on the road, traffic congestion, and motor vehicle accidents.
When you are hurt in an Uber/Lyft car accident in North Kansas City, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries and property damage. Making a claim for compensation involves complex legal and insurance issues; our skilled motor vehicle crash attorneys at BG Law could help you navigate them and help you get what you deserve.
Accidents involving rideshare drivers generally happen under the same circumstances as other vehicle collisions. Driver error is the most common cause of accidents with Lyft or Uber drivers in North Kansas City. Common examples of factors that cause these car wrecks include:
Specific circumstances increase the risk of a crash among rideshare drivers. For example, Uber and Lyft are often required to travel in unfamiliar areas. Trying to navigate strange streets while using an app for directions can be distracting enough to lead to a car crash. Regardless of how the accident occurs, any crash could lead to an insurance claim or lawsuit for financial compensation.
An injured motorist has the right to hold responsible anyone whose negligent or irresponsible actions behind the wheel cause them injury in a car crash. This holds true when someone is injured in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver in North Kansas City, as well.
As is the case with any driver on the road, a rideshare driver is required to carry a minimum amount of auto insurance to cover injuries and property damage—but this requirement is no guarantee that an Uber or Lyft driver will, in fact, have that coverage. BG Law can help you file a claim with a rideshare driver’s insurance company or, if necessary, take legal action against an uninsured driver.
A rideshare company’s insurance policy could also provide coverage for an injured person’s damages. State law requires Uber and Lyft to provide insurance coverage for their drivers; and that coverage goes up when the rideshare vehicle is carrying passengers. An insurance claim could provide some of the compensation needed to pay an injured person’s medical bills or vehicle repair expenses.
In addition to making a claim on the insurance policy of a negligent driver or rideshare company, an injured person may be able to file a lawsuit against the employer of the negligent driver. Rideshare companies attempt to classify their drivers as independent contractors — not employees — making it more difficult to hold their employer liable for damages. However, there are paths that could allow an injured motorist could bring a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft. Our knowledgeable attorneys could review the situation and determine whether a lawsuit against the rideshare company might be appropriate.
When you suffer injuries in an Uber/Lyft car accident in North Kansas City, you may have a viable case for compensation. Pursuing an insurance claim against the driver who hurt you, or the rideshare company they drive for, could provide you with the financial support you need to recover from your injuries.
In some cases, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit against the driver or rideshare company. Contact us at BG Law to discover your legal options or to schedule a consultation with our legal team members. We are prepared to help you obtain the most favorable case outcome possible.