Rideshare applications are growing in popularity, as services such as Uber and Lyft are easy and affordable ways to get where you need to go. However, thousands of car crashes are reported throughout the state of South Carolina every year. With a greater demand of rideshare services, a greater number of auto accidents involving rideshare vehicles have occurred.
If you are riding in a rideshare vehicle, such as Uber or Lyft, and you are involved in an auto accident, you can pursue a personal injury claim to recover compensation for your damages. Pursuing an auto accident injury claim after a car accident with a rideshare vehicle is not the same as a personal injury claim against another driver in a regular auto accident.
Rideshare Drivers Are Considered Independent Contractors
Rideshare drivers, such as those who drive for Uber or Lyft, are independent contractors. Since they are not actual employees, they are required to maintain their own insurance coverage. However, they are also protected by the rideshare company’s insurance coverage. Insurance coverage in South Carolina will usually be dictated by whether a rideshare driver is logged on to the rideshare company’s digital network or engaged in a prearranged ride.
Pursuant to S.C. Code § 58-23-1630, a rideshare company’s insurance policy is required to provide coverage in the amount of $50,000 for death or bodily injury per person, $100,000 for death or bodily injury per collision, and $50,000 for property damage if a driver is logged on the rideshare provider’s digital network but not engaged in a prearranged ride.
The Transportation Network Company Act further provides that rideshare companies, such as Lyft or Uber, must provide $1 million of insurance coverage for death, bodily injury, and property damage when a driver is engaged in a prearranged ride. This coverage, however, might have to be split among all those injured in the crash and seeking damages for that specific accident.
Filing Your Claim After A Greenville Lyft or Uber Accident
If you were injured in an auto accident while riding in a rideshare vehicle in the Greenville area, or otherwise caused by a rideshare driver, you will want to get a personal injury claim underway to recover compensation for the damages you suffered. Unfortunately, your injury claim may face multiple obstacles. The rideshare company may deny responsibility and refer you to the driver and their private insurance coverage, or the driver’s private insurance coverage may deny the claim on the basis that the driver was working as a rideshare driver. If you have been injured in a Greenville Lyft or Uber accident, call David R. Price, Jr., P.A., for a free consultation.