Need an Injury Attorney for an Uber/Ridesharing Accident in West Virginia?
Many states have been warning riders against ridesharing apps for a variety of reasons. But what’s so wrong with a ridesharing app? If you are somebody who utilizes the services of a ridesharing company like Lyft or Uber, you know that these companies are great when you find yourself in a situation where you are unable to get from point A to point B on your own. They can even be lifesaving in some ways, especially when you have been out drinking with friends and need a safe way home. But, as a passenger, you must always be prepared for anything because you never know when your safe ride could turn into one that is not so safe after all.
You must always protect yourself in the event of an accident, and what happens when there are so many different policies and laws involved in ridesharing company claims – so many that you aren’t sure where to start? You may believe that there is nothing safer than entrusting an Uber driver with your life, as many people do so every day with taxi companies. However, the laws surrounding these accidents are very different and you may find many surprises when you are attempting to receive compensation for your accident. We can help.
An Employee or Independent Contractor?
Our driver’s work relationship with their company isn’t usually something we think of when we have been involved in an accident. However, making the distinction between an employee or independent contractor can make all the difference in your case, because it can show which direction your case is heading in.
If the driver in your rideshare accident is considered to be an employee, you may be in luck, because this means that it is very likely you will be covered by the company in the event of an accident. This falls under a theory of “vicarious liability,” where an employer claims responsibility for the adverse actions of their employee, as long as the employee was working on the clock at the time of the incident. You may be covered by large insurance policies during this time. For Uber and many other companies, their insurance policies tend to be enormous, covering up to $1 million of your injuries.
In the event that your rideshare driver is actually an independent contractor, you may run into some road bumps. This is because the company doesn’t actually owe you compensation and could claim to wash their hands of the driver. Contractors tend to be self-employed and make their own hours, which means that they are not considered actual employees through the company. However, the company must usually still conduct some type of background check to ensure that the driver is a safe driver without a criminal background.
So what happens if you have sustained injuries that well exceed the amount of the insurance policy that the ridesharing company owns? What happens if you are now millions of dollars in debt because of extensive medical bills for a permanent injury, and left without money from work due to missing time at your job? You may be able to file a claim against an individual driver for their negligence in your case. No matter what, you have options and should act as soon as possible to work toward the compensation you deserve. We can help, so give us a call to handle your West Virginia ridesharing accident today.