Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are a convenient way to get around, allowing customers to get from Point A to Point B with the click of a button. There are many situations when these services are easier and safer than driving, but accidents can still happen. Collisions involving rideshare drivers in South Carolina often lead to complex personal injury cases which are best handled by an attorney.
Uber and Lyft accident cases have many layers, as rideshare drivers are independent contractors who use their own vehicles for personal and business use. You may be wondering whether the driver’s personal insurance policy or the Uber/Lyft policy is responsible for paying when a person is injured due to the negligence or recklessness of a rideshare driver. That answer usually depends on the status of the driver at the time of the accident.
Every case is different, but Uber and Lyft do provide guidance which indicates that if a driver is en route to pick up a passenger or is actively transporting a passenger at the time of the accident, they are protected with the largest amount of coverage offered by the companies. If they have the app on and are waiting for a ride request at the time of the accident, they are covered by a smaller amount of coverage. If the driver app is off, they will deal solely with their personal insurance company following an accident.
It’s rarely that straightforward, though. In fact, it’s common for insurance companies to try to pass the liability torch to each other in these cases. As if this wasn’t confusing enough, the rideshare companies themselves often add an additional layer of complication, employing teams of lawyers who are paid to fight for the companies’ best interests when tragedy strikes.
Even if the rideshare driver was not at fault in an accident, the usual complications of an auto accident case still apply – including stubborn insurance companies that will do everything they can to avoid paying out a fair sum. No matter who was at fault, a South Carolina personal injury attorney can do the hard work for you, digging deep into your case and fighting for your right to fair compensation. They’ll stand up against the insurance companies and won’t settle for low-ball sums.
Being injured in a car accident can take a lasting toll on your health – both physically and emotionally. The attorneys at McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates are highly skilled at representing car accident victims, navigating the complicated legal process and fighting on their behalf so they can focus on getting better.
The personal injury lawyers at McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates do everything they can to ensure their clients receive the compensation they’re owed, including for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, disfigurement and scarring, and punitive damages. In addition, if you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s actions on the road, our South Carolina lawyers may be able to represent you in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Our attorneys offer free case evaluations and would be more than happy to speak with you about your auto accident or wrongful death case. We have offices across the Midlands of South Carolina, in Aiken, Camden, Columbia, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, and Sumter.
Give us a call today at 888-353-5513. It won’t cost you anything to see if we can help.®
