Rideshare services provide residents and tourists in Forest Park with endless opportunities to get around without ever needing a motor vehicle. However, although these services make life easier for people across the country, they are not without their risks. In fact, as these rideshare companies continue to grow in popularity, so do the rates of devastating rideshare accidents.
For these reasons, if you have been injured in a Forest Park rideshare accident due to another person’s wrongful action, you should not have to deal with the debilitating physical and financial repercussions that tend to result from these accidents on your own.
Rather, you deserve compensation for the harm and losses you sustained, and with an experienced Forest Park personal injury attorney on your side, you will not have to go after this financial recovery by yourself.
Finding Fault Following a Forest Park Rideshare Accident
Following a rideshare accident, there can actually be numerous parties responsible for the collision, including:
The Rideshare Driver
If the rideshare driver’s reckless, negligent, or intentional actions caused an accident, they can be held liable for the collision and the resulting damages and injuries.
The Rideshare Company
Unfortunately, rideshare drivers are not employees of the rideshare company. Rather, they are independent contractors. This means that if you are involved in an accident with a rideshare driver, it will be incredibly difficult to bring a legal claim against the rideshare company directly, even if it was their driver who was responsible for the accident.
However, although these drivers are not employees of the rideshare company, it is still possible that these drivers are covered under the rideshare’s insurance policy. As a result, if you were harmed in a rideshare accident, you may be able to go after financial damages by filing a claim with the rideshare’s insurer.
Other At-Fault Parties
Depending on the accident, it may not have been the rideshare driver who caused the accident, but instead, it could have been another negligent third party such as other motorists, truck drivers, bicyclists, and even pedestrians.
For these reasons, if you are trying to figure out which party can be held liable for your rideshare accident in Forest Park, it is important that you reach out to an experienced rideshare accident attorney in Forest Park as soon as possible. These lawyers can figure out not only who was responsible for your accident but can also ensure they go after all those liable and hold them accountable for the injuries and losses you sustained.
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Rideshare Insurance Requirements
Generally, when it comes to the insurance requirements of a rideshare company, these requirements are often broken down into different insurance-related periods. Take, for example, the following:
The Rideshare App Is Off, and the Rideshare Driver Is Offline
During this period, the rideshare driver’s own insurance coverage will apply if they are involved in an accident.
The Rideshare App Is On, But the Driver Has No Ride Requests Yet
In this period, the rideshare’s insurance will only apply if the driver’s own personal insurance will not cover the accident. For instance, Uber maintains the following insurance in case of an accident during this period:
- $50,000 in bodily injury per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury per crash
- $25,000 in property damage per crash
The Driver Is Going to Pick up the Rider or Is Driving the Passenger to a Destination
After a passenger has been matched with a rideshare driver, the rideshare company will provide insurance coverage until the driver drops off the customer at their destination. Consequently, certain rideshare companies will often carry a $1,000,000 liability insurance policy and also offer the following additional coverage:
Lyft will also offer comprehensive and collision coverage to its drivers, as long as they have their own collision coverage. However, Lyft will require a deductible of $2,500, which will need to be paid out of pocket before the company can cover any damages.
Uber, on the other hand, will offer uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage and/or first-party injury insurance, as well as contingent comprehensive and collision coverage with a $2,500 deductible.
When to Call a Forest Park Rideshare Accident Lawyer
If you sustained injuries in a Forest Park rideshare accident, reaching out to an experienced rideshare accident attorney is crucial. Following this accident, you already have enough on your plate, especially if you are dealing with extensive injuries and astronomical medical bills. The last thing you want to do is worry about preparing strong legal arguments to prove your case.
Fortunately, with an experienced rideshare accident lawyer in Forest Park, you will not have to take on this complex legal claim on your own. Instead, once these lawyers are retained, they can:
- Go over your Forest Park rideshare accident in detail, evaluate your legal claim, and determine if you have a viable case.
- Answer all the questions you have and figure out the legal options you can pursue.
- Thoroughly investigate your rideshare collision and obtain the evidence needed to show fault and damages.
- Ensure that legal motions are prepared correctly and filed before time runs out.
- Hire experts, such as financial specialists and accident reconstructionists, to substantiate your claim.
- Handle all the discussions and negotiations with the other side and fight for a fair settlement offer.
- Head to court if the other side is not willing to negotiate fairly, and go after the successful case resolution you need.
Contact John Foy & Associates Today and Fight for the Damages You Are Entitled to
If you or a loved one sustained severe injuries in a Forest Park rideshare accident, do not delay getting the legal help you need. Instead, contact John Foy & Associates today for a free consultation, and let our skilled legal professionals show you how we can fight for the justice and financial damages you are entitled to.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form