What Will Injury Lawyer In Hamilton Do After An Uber Or Lyft Accident?
Rideshare drivers often have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage as part of their commercial auto insurance policies. But that doesn't mean that the coverage makes rideshare drivers fully insured if they get into an accident. It doesn't change much if you get into a car accident with an Uber or Lyft driver. The process remains similar. Even if someone else was driving, your injuries are still valid, and the process for filing a claim still works the same way. To help you navigate the process, it is wise to hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Hamilton.
The Rideshare business model
Uber and Lyft complement taxis by giving riders a seamless way to request transportation. Riders simply tap the app, and a driver is notified to pick up the passenger at the nearest location. Passengers in need of a ride can use the Uber or Lyft mobile applications to request a driver. The apps show nearby available drivers and let passengers choose which one they would like to transport them. Pricing for a trip is often based on distance and duration. One feature that has led to the controversy is "surge" pricing, which charges customers more for rides during periods of increased demand.
Fault in case of an Uber/Lyft Accident
Personal Injury Lawyer in Hamilton knows that in any accident case, establishing liability and damages is absolutely critical. There are specific rules in each state on how you can show the other party was at fault, which informs how much compensation you can expect to receive. If you're in an accident where the other driver or car owner is at least 50% at fault, you can start with a third-party claim.
However, when the other driver is driving for hire, the situation can be more complicated. If the driver does not have a commercial policy or endorsement, their personal car insurance will not cover the accident and can result in financial hardship. This is because the insurance contract specifies that the car is to be used for personal use only, and since Lyft is a ride-sharing service, that's not personal use. Therefore, the insurance company will deny your claim because the driver used their vehicle for commercial purposes as per Injury Lawyer in Hamilton.
To help mitigate this risk, Uber and Lyft both offer liability insurance to their drivers. If the driver's insurance carrier denies a claim, the driver can submit a claim to Uber or Lyft instead.
How can an Injury Lawyer in Hamilton help?