In Alabama, rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft are becoming increasingly popular, offering convenient transportation options. However, when an accident involving these services occurs, the legal details might make it difficult to determine where to seek compensation.
Injuries from a rideshare accident can cause physical, mental, and financial distress, so it’s critical to understand who might be held accountable. Knowing who you can seek compensation from can assist you in managing the process of recovering the damages you deserve.
Montgomery, Alabama’s capital city, has a large number of rideshare drivers, especially given its rising population and congested metropolitan regions. Accidents in Montgomery are prevalent due to busy junctions and a large number of vehicles on the road, so consulting with an attorney is essential.
Montgomery rideshare accident lawyers can advise you on the best line of action, whether it’s holding the rideshare driver or another person accountable for your injuries.
The Parties You Can Seek Compensation From
The following are the people you can seek compensation from:
The Rideshare Driver
In some situations, the rideshare driver may be held accountable for the accident. The driver might be held accountable if he was careless or reckless, such as:
- Speeding
- Running a red light
- Failing to follow traffic laws.
If the driver is at fault, you may file a claim with their personal auto insurance. If they were using the ridesharing app at the time, you file the claim with the ridesharing company’s insurance. Compensation may cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other accident-related damages.
The Rideshare Company
In some cases, the rideshare company may also be held liable. If the company’s policies or practices contributed to the accident (for example, failing to properly vet their drivers or provide enough safety training), they may be held liable.
Furthermore, if the driver was working and transporting passengers at the time of the accident, the ridesharing company’s insurance will typically pay the damages. The insurance coverage for rideshare drivers varies depending on whether they were on their way to pick up a passenger or were already driving one.
Other Drivers
If another driver caused the collision, they may be the party from whom you seek compensation. In many cases, another driver’s negligence—such as distracted driving, intoxicated driving, or running a red light—can be the principal cause of the collision.
In these cases, you would submit a claim to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Alabama law requires drivers to carry liability insurance with a minimum coverage for physical injury and property damage so you may be able to recover damages under their policy.
Third-Party Entities
In rare situations, a third-party business, such as the road maintenance firm or the manufacturer of a faulty car item, may be held accountable for the accident. If the crash was caused by a poorly maintained road or a defective car part, you may be able to recover compensation from these third parties.
For example, if a dangerous pothole causes a crash, the city or county in charge of road maintenance may be held liable for the damages. Similarly, if the accident was caused by a defective car part, you may be able to submit a claim against the manufacturer.
Insurance Coverage in Ridesharing Accidents
Ridesharing firms provide variable insurance coverage based on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. Overall, there are three major scenarios:
- Driver is Offline: If the driver was not using the ridesharing app when the accident happened, their personal car insurance will cover the losses.
- Driver is Waiting for a Passenger: When a driver logs into the app but has not yet picked up a passenger, they are usually protected by the rideshare company’s insurance for injuries up to a specified amount. In Alabama, for example, Uber provides up to $50,000 for bodily injury per person and $100,000 per accident.
- Driver is Transporting a Passenger: If the driver is actively transporting a passenger, the ridesharing company’s insurance will usually cover the losses, up to $1 million in some situations.
