Uber & Lyft Accidents
We know that Uber and Lyft drivers provide a great convenience to getting people around town. You should know that these drivers have no special commercial driver’s license and have no restrictions on the number of hours they may drive during a given day. That means passengers and other drivers on the roadway are at risk for being involved in a collision through absolutely no fault of their own.
We have seen several cases where Uber and Lyft drivers simply ignore the rules of the road, causing serious collisions to occur with injuries to passengers and/or other drivers on the roadway. What most people don’t realize is that there are very technical rules governing the amount of liability insurance that these drivers must carry.
UBER & LYFT RIDESHARE ACCIDENTS
When Uber and Lyft, and other ridesharing companies (also known as transportation network companies), were granted licenses to run their operations in Virginia, in 2016, the State of Virginia realized customers and other drivers on the roadway could be placed at risk. Code § 46.2–2099 provides, in part, that when these drivers accept a call for pick up, or have passengers in their vehicle, a corporate insurance policy applies to that vehicle, in the minimum amount of $1 MILLION. Even if you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle that is hit by another at-fault driver, the minimum 1 million dollars of coverage could apply to your case, by a provision called Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM).
Even if the Uber or Lyft driver is not at-fault, the law provides that as long as you are a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, then if that vehicle is hit by another at fault driver, the minimum $1 million of coverage could apply to your case by a provision called Underinsured Motorist coverage (UIM).
Cannella & O’Neal — Your Guide
If you are injured by a rideshare vehicle, or have been involved in a Lyft or Uber accident, you should contact us promptly so that we can demand that the rideshare company preserve vital evidence as to the driver’s status at the time of the collision. We have the burden of proving that they had accepted a call for service, otherwise the $1 million insurance policy will not apply to your case.
If you or a loved one has been injured by an Uber or Lyft driver, please contact us immediately so that we can protect your rights. The consultation is free, and all you have to do is contact our personal injury hotline, or call us from anywhere in the United States at (800) 843-4090 for an immediate response, or fill out our intake form, and we will promptly respond with the answers you need. We will come to you, and there is no legal fee unless we win your case. Contact Cannella & O’Neal today for a free consultation to get the justice you deserve.
WE WILL COME TO YOU
Our attorneys service a wide range of areas throughout the State of Virginia, including:
- Richmond
- Henrico
- Chesterfield
- Fredericksburg
- Petersburg
- Halifax
- Portsmouth
- Fairfax
- Caroline County
- Tappahannock
- Buckingham County
- Lynchburg