As ride-sharing apps become increasingly prominent, as do ride-sharing
accidents. Uber and lift are ride-sharing services that “employ”
amateur drivers, or those without commercial licenses and who use their
own vehicles, to transport passengers from place to place. The gray area
in Uber’s policies creates insurance coverage disputes.
Car accident fault, insurance, and compensation are a matter of law. However,
while Uber and Lyft drivers carry insurance it ONLY applies when passengers
accept the service. This insurance is often considered secondary to the
driver’s personal insurance policy. It is often the case that full
commercial insurance can cost up to ten times the amount as personal insurance,
which is too costly for most drivers.
Many within the insurance industry warn that Uber and Lyft do not provide
drivers with adequate insurance.
Victims of
Uber accidents often have difficulty obtaining compensation for their injuries. State
governments have varied widely in how they deal with these companies and
this confusion results in injured individuals who are unable to obtain
adequate compensation. Many drivers remain unaware that they may not have
sufficient insurance coverage.
If you are involved in an accident while being transported by Uber or Lyft, hiring an attorney is the optimal way to avoid your claim being denied and your claim being handled properly.
