Need an Injury Attorney for an Uber/Ridesharing Accident in Massachusetts?
With millions of drivers across the country, Uber and other ridesharing companies are booming in popularity. They provide a wonderful service, especially for those who don’t want to get behind the wheel of a vehicle under the influence of alcohol after a long night out with friends. But, with any service, comes an array of accidents. In Massachusetts, with Uber and other ridesharing companies becoming involved in accidents on many occasions, they must possess certain liability coverage for accidents of $50,000 for individuals injured. Personal injury protection is also a requirement. If you have been involved in one of these serious accidents, what rights do you have?
Uber accidents are happening at an astonishing rate, even though these ridesharing services are fairly new. They are growing in popularity in many parts of the country, including large cities where many accidents occur on a daily basis. Uber accidents, in fact, have been found to be more deadly crashes than Taxi services in 2015, according to the Taxi and Limousine Commission. Statistics show that cars affiliated with Uber were involved in 5 fatal collisions from July to December. By 2015, in total Uber vehicles were involved in over 700 collisions causing injuries.
Are They Employees or Independent Contractors?
One of the big questions asked in these cases is: Is my Uber driver an employee or an independent contractor? This is a huge distinction to be made because, if they are an independent contractor, you may be disappointed by some of the results of your case. Every rideshare company is different but, as far as Uber is concerned, Uber drivers are not actual employees. They are independent contractors, which means that the company has no control over the driver. The driver is permitted to set their own schedule and the company could not be held liable when an accident occurs. This means that you would make a claim against a driver solely when they have acted negligently and it led to your accident.
Uber drivers, however, still abide by certain safety measures under the company they work for. This means that there are certain insurance provisions and driver background checks, as well as firing Uber drivers who are consistently involved in accidents.
Uber Insurance Policy
Uber works like many other ridesharing companies, where they have enlisted in a large insurance policy to help drivers compensate for their injuries. So, even though the company may deny liability in your case, you will be covered under Uber’s $1 million policy. This specific policy kicks in if the accident is caused by an uninsured driver. Otherwise, the driver’s insurance policy must cover your damages or they will have to pay out of pocket. It is not uncommon to see Uber claims denied by the company for this reason, as they are less likely to claim liability when it comes to your accident. Alternatively, many drivers are left with little options and could see the money coming from their own personal insurance company.
If you have been injured as a passenger while utilizing a ridesharing service, you may be able to pursue a claim against a driver or their insurance company. You may be entitled to damages for things like medical expenses, lost wages from your injury, and more. We can help you in your time of need if you have been involved in a serious accident involving a rideshare company. Call us for more information.