Liability Issues Arise with Accidents While Using Uber, Lyft

If you’ve ever used a ride-sharing service to get around, you are likely a fan of how easy it is to summon a Lyft or Uber driver to take you to your destination. Especially during the holiday season when many people get tipsy at gatherings and parties, these companies can literally be lifesavers.

There is a flip side to the coin, however. There may be issues of liability in the event that an accident occurs while you are in transit. Typically, the ride-sharing company covers passengers’ injuries. But there have been exceptions when Lyft or Uber refused to indemnify a driver who got into a collision with a guest passenger riding along.

There are also other contingencies to consider. Suppose you are not the passenger of the ride-share vehicle, but a driver or passenger in the automobile that gets struck by the driver-for-hire. Insurance coverage gaps may lead to denied claims in these instances.

Here’s how that could happen. The companies must cover their drivers while they are “on the clock,” i.e., transporting passengers. But if your accident was caused by a riderless driver on his or her way to pick up the next fare, the company could balk at paying the claim.

Some insurance claims are simple to settle. But plenty of others turn into protracted litigation and settlement negotiations best handled by a seasoned Macon personal injury attorney. If your claim has been denied and you feel that an insurance company is trying to give you the runaround, it’s often in your best interests to let the professionals take over.