The number of Americans who claim to have used a ridesharing service more than doubled in a recent four-year span between 2015 and 2019, according to Pew Research Center. This trend indicates that ridesharing services are continuing to grow in prevalence and importance, and a higher share of ridesharing vehicles on the road may translate to a higher share of ridesharing accidents per vehicle on the road.
If you or your loved one sustained an injury—or if you lost a loved one—in an accident involving a ridesharing vehicle, then you may be able to collect compensation through a lawsuit. Call our team at the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC today at (571) 229-1800 to find out how an Alexandria car accident lawyer may be able to assist you.
The State of Ridesharing in Virginia
Ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft became legal in the state of Virginia in 2015, per The Washington Post. Some of the conditions of these services becoming legal included:
- Background checks for all drivers contracting for ridesharing companies
- A mandate that all drivers be 21 years of age or older
- Every driver must be covered for damage ranging up to $1 million
The last point is important, as a study from Rice University (published via Forbes) found that the presence of ridesharing vehicles in cities across the United States could account for as much as a 4% increase in accidents, and up to more than $13 billion in the cost of lives lost from ridesharing-related accidents.
The Brookings Institute has dubbed ridesharing as being in a state of “hyper-growth,” and it is possible that the increased presence of ridesharing vehicles has or will negatively impact you or your loved one. Several parts of Virginia may be spots of high concentration for ridesharing vehicles, and no part of the state is likely to be completely without ridesharing in one form or another.
The Holes in Ridesharing Insurance Coverage
Ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft are legally compelled to have insurance policies—often robust policies—in place.
While such policies could come into effect for an accident involving you or a loved one, it is important to be aware of the fine details as they pertain to ridesharing companies’ insurance coverage.
The type and amount of coverage that a ridesharing driver is entitled to depend on the status of their app at the time of an accident. Some factors that impact their insurance coverage, according to Uber, generally include:
- Whether the driver’s ridesharing app is turned on at the time of the accident
- Whether they are waiting to accept a trip
- Whether they have accepted a trip and are on their way to a passenger pickup
- Whether they have a passenger in their vehicle and are on the way to a dropoff location
There are several other features of Uber’s insurance policy which may be relevant to any accident where you or your loved one was injured. Whether you were in a vehicle struck by a ridesharing driver or were a passenger in a ridesharing vehicle, you may want assistance in better understanding the ramifications of such policies.
You may also find that legal action could be necessary to recover compensation for the losses that you have sustained, and an Alexandria rideshare accident lawyer may be able to assist you if this is the case. Call our team at the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC today at (571) 229-1800 for a free consultation.
When Legal Action May Become Necessary
You may find that insurance is enough to cover your losses from a ridesharing accident, but this is not always the case. Some possible reasons why insurance would be insufficient include:
- The ridesharing driver did not have their app on or properly engaged at the time they hit your vehicle, or at the time they were in an accident with you in their vehicle.
- The amount of coverage provided by a ridesharing insurance policy, or a personal policy for a ridesharing policy, is not enough to cover your losses.
- The ridesharing driver acted in some way that voided their insurance policy, and therefore, voided the ridesharing company’s duty to provide coverage for you.
If you find yourself without the coverage you need, a personal injury lawsuit may be in order. You may choose to bring a wrongful death lawsuit if a ridesharing accident caused the death of your loved one.
An Alexandria Rideshare Lawyer May Bring Legal Action on Your Behalf
If you believe that a lawsuit could be your best route to obtaining compensation for your losses, a lawyer may handle the legal responsibilities of filing and completing your lawsuit. Some of the services that a lawyer may provide include:
- Reading and providing insight into any insurance policies that apply to you
- Advising you on whether legal action is the best route, or whether you could be covered under a ridesharing insurance policy
- If a lawsuit is a viable route for seeking compensation, filing a lawsuit on your behalf
- Collecting evidence of negligence by the defendants in your case, which could include a ridesharing driver, a ridesharing company, or both
- Exploring settlement options that could allow you to obtain compensation without going to trial
- If a trial is necessary, arguing your case for compensation in front of a judge, jury, or both
- Protecting your rights from those who would seek to violate them
You may be entitled to several forms of compensation depending on the circumstances of your accident, and the losses that the accident has caused.
Alexandria Rideshare Accident Lawyer Near Me 571-229-1800
How the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC May Assist You
Ridesharing and an increase in motor vehicle collisions have been linked, according to U.S. News & World Report. If you or your loved one were a victim of a ridesharing accident, then you may have grounds to bring a lawsuit in lieu of adequate insurance coverage.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Alexandria, you may need the help of a car accident lawyer in Alexandria. These lawyers specialize in helping clients get compensation for injuries and damages sustained in car accidents. So call our team at the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC today at (571) 229-1800 for a free consultation.
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