Need an Injury Lawyer in Delaware for a Ridesharing Accident?
Many of us choose to utilize the services of ridesharing companies because we want a safe option for getting from place to place. Uber, as well as many other companies, serve a purpose of keeping passengers safe who would otherwise have to walk to their destination, and getting them there on time just like a taxi service would. However, these ridesharing companies are not exactly like taxi services in many ways. What happens if you are one of the many people who become injured in ridesharing-related accidents every year in the U.S.? Delaware, like many states, is no stranger to ridesharing accidents caused by a negligent driver who was not paying attention to their surroundings. Because these accidents are fairly new as many of these services are only years old, the laws are always changing – but we can help if you have been injured.
Personal Injury Protection: What is it?
You may be able to use a concept known as “personal injury protection” in many states when you have been injured in a ridesharing accident. This special type of protection can help you get a better handle on financial burdens relating to an accident, like medical bills and lost income after you have been severely injured and don’t know where to turn. However, just because you like the sound of PIP does not mean that you will be eligible for it. If you are one of the people who does not have this specific type of protection, you could be lost when it comes to compensating for your time of need. Personal auto policies sometimes break their coverage to you when you are involved in one of these accidents, as the driver was charging a fee when they were delivering you from point A to point B. This means that you must have other options at your fingertips.
Many cities are not opposed to rideshare services, but they are posing many questions about how your injuries should be handled if you are injured in one of these severe accidents. You made the decision to have another person drive you home or across the city, and you should not be punished for this choice by your own or the driver’s insurance company.
Compensation After a Ridesharing Accident
Rideshare accidents are not much different from your average personal injury claims, as there is a negligent party like any vehicle-related accident. However, the trouble comes into play when you attempt to name liable parties and your claim is denied because you have tried to hold a company liable for “vicarious liability.” Vicarious liability is a doctrine that states that a company could be liable for the actions of their employee, provided the employee was working within the scope of employment when the negligence occurred. But what happens if an employer refuses to call a ridesharing ‘worker’ an employee? In most cases, an Uber or Lyft worker is not actually an employee but an independent contractor instead.
This is an important distinction to make because, in many cases when somebody is considered an independent contractor, it is not as easy to gain compensation from that party. Instead of going through the company, you would make a claim against a driver personally. You may be able to receive compensation for aspects like medical bills and future treatment, lost income when you miss time at work, and emotional suffering. If you have been injured by a ridesharing driver, you have rights. We can help you gain the compensation you deserve in your time of need, so call us as soon as possible after your accident.