Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Mobile AL

Uber and Lyft are Transportation Network Companies (TNC) that are engaged in providing ridesharing services. These company offer their services not only in the U.S. but globally. Over the years, ridesharing has shown rapid growth, and today, Uber and Lyft operate in most American cities. In 2016, they were permitted to operate in the state of Alabama.

Uber and Lyft are essentially referral services. People can download their apps which allow them to connect to an Uber or Lyft driver. For example, if someone living in Mobile, AL wants to go to the airport, they can simply download the Uber app, specify where they want to go and the time they want to be there. The nearest Uber driver will contact the rider and pick them and drive them to their intended destination.

Uber / Lyft riders do not pay the driver, but instead, the app already has a built-in payment method. Passengers can simply make the payment online using a valid credit card. These companies typically take a cut of 5-15%, and the driver keeps the remaining balance. There is no exchange of cash.

Uber and Lyft offer convenience, easy access, and affordability. You don’t have to make any phone calls; the service is available 24/7, and there is no long waiting time. You can even rate your experience and the driver once you have arrived at your destination.

Uber and Lyft offer several types of service which include basic to luxury cars, and the price varies accordingly. Overall, ridesharing is much cheaper than regular taxis, and while rates can sometimes be high during peak times, they are still comparable, if not lower, than taxis.

All Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors and until recently did not have to undergo a background check. This has changed recently, but the driver screening process still has a long way to go.

Uber / Lyft - Who Is Responsible For Injuries?

Every driver who works as an independent contractor for Uber or Lyft is required to have a valid third-party insurance policy that covers bodily injury and third party property damage insurance. These companies also have $1 million insurance policy that provides coverage for bodily injury and property damage during an Uber or Lyft ride. However, this insurance is only applicable if there is an Uber / Lyft passenger in the car and if there is an Uber / Lyft transaction taking place. If the driver is not using the Uber / Lyft app and is not engaged in picking or dropping an Uber / Lyft passenger, this coverage will not be applicable. If an accident occurs at this time, it will be the driver’s insurance policy that will be used to cover any damages. If the driver does not have insurance or is underinsured, there can be serious complications for those injured in such an accident.

A major issue with Uber and Lyft and their drivers is this particular insurance gap. Uber and Lyft may have a million dollar policy, but the company also tends to put most of the burden of accidental damages on its drivers. Uber and Lyft claim that their drivers are not company employees and if an accident occurs, the company can easily turn around and say whatever the driver does is not the company’s fault. In addition, there is always a risk that the Uber or Lyft driver in question is underinsured or not insured at all. Obviously, in case of an accident, the driver cannot pay for the damages out of their pocket. In such situations, the injured party can face significant challenges trying to recover the financial damages they have incurred.

Ridesharing Operators in Mobile, Alabama

In almost every state there are anecdotal reports of car accidents caused by ridesharing drivers, but the exact cause is again not known because some cases have settled out of court and others are still pending. Insurance experts feel that the rates of ridesharing accidents may be higher than usual because Uber and Lyft drivers have no special training, have prolonged working hours and are rarely held accountable. Their driver screening process is very basic, and there is no way of knowing that these drivers are reliable or safe. There is also no guarantee that the driver behind the wheel is sober and decent.

What You Should Do If You’re Involved in an Uber / Lyft Accident

Keeping in mind all the controversy and criticism that Uber and Lyft have faced in recent years, these companies have made efforts to improve their reputation. Uber and Lyft have taken many steps forward to improve the safety of their passengers including total accountability built into the app. Once you get in the car, you are connected at all times with your family in real time. As to road safety, there is no data to support that you are more at risk of an accident in a Uber or Lyft vehicle in Mobile or Southern Alabama.

However, the fact is that accidents can happen anywhere and to anyone. If you or a loved one have been injured or experienced loss of life in an Uber or Lyft related accident, and are unsure of what you should do next, contact Mobile personal injury attorney, Charles McCorquodale Law. Since Uber and Lyft drivers are all independent contractors, it is very easy for Uber or Lyft, as companies, to shake off their responsibility and to simply turn around and say that any damage is the driver’s responsibility. These things have happened before, and the injured parties have had to face a significant headache when dealing with insurance companies. When it comes to regulation, many people feel Uber and Lyft are under-regulated.

In any case, getting compensation in an Uber or Lyft related accident can be complex. Talk to our lawyers today, and they will ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. Call Charles McCorquodale Law today, and our experienced Uber accident lawyers will fight for your rights. Contact us in Mobile at (251) 220-2790.