Pursuing Justice In A Rideshare Accident

Posted on: 12 August 2021

Rideshare services have emerged as a popular way for individuals to get from one destination to another without having to drive their own vehicles. Unfortunately, like any other driver, the drivers for these services could have an accident while you are in the vehicle. There are a few things you need to know if you have been involved in a rideshare accident. 

Accidents In A Rideshare Do Not Require You To Sue Your Driver

After an accident, some people may assume that they will always have to sue their driver to recover damages. However, this is not always the case for rideshare accident victims. For example, if the accident is entirely the fault of another driver, then that person will have liability for the accident. Unfortunately, the rideshare driver's actions could have contributed to the accident. This can lead to them sharing liability for the accident, which will require them to be included in the legal proceedings. A rideshare accident lawyer will be able to assist you with understanding the liability concerns with your case so that you can better anticipate the types of legal actions that may be required.

Pursuing Legal Action In A Rideshare Accident Is Not Impossible

The most popular ridesharing services have grown into very large companies, and this can make it intimidating for individuals to consider pursuing legal action. Yet, it is important to note that many of the legal actions that you will have to take will be more focused on the driver. This is due to the business structure of these companies that relies on independent contractors to perform the driving. As a result, the company itself will largely be shielded from accidents. Although, there can be instances where the companies actions may have contributed to the accident, and this can result in them sharing liability. Failing to conduct thorough background checks for drivers is one example where the company may have contributed to the accident by allowing an unqualified driver to accept passengers.

It Is Possible To Prove A Hit-And-Run Case Against A Rideshare Driver

Rideshare drivers have a strong incentive to avoid accidents as they could lose their driving privileges with the company if they cause an accident. Unfortunately, this can lead to instances where the drivers may hit parked vehicles and attempt to flee to avoid having an accident on their record. If this occurs, you may need to rely on security camera footage and witnesses to be able to get the identification of the vehicle that struck yours. However, if you can capture this information, the GPS tracking that the rideshare services use may be powerful evidence in your case.

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