The advent of Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing services has changed the way that Americans travel. While taxis have been in use for decades, the number of people using modern ridesharing services has exploded in recent years.
If you were injured in a car accident involving a ride-for-hire vehicle, you might be able to recover compensation from several sources with the help of an experienced East Hartford car accident lawyer. Contact an East Hartford Uber/taxi accident lawyer today to begin building your case.
Are there Regulations for Vehicles-for-Hire?
All vehicles and entities that provide ride-sharing or transportation services to the public must meet certain requirements. Connecticut has passed comprehensive legislation regulating these services to best ensure passenger safety.
Transportation and ridesharing companies must conduct background checks on drivers and prohibit potentially dangerous drivers from working for the company. The state also requires that drivers carry at least a million dollars in auto insurance coverage that will protect passengers in case of an accident.
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Negligence Lawsuits Against Transportation Companies
In most cases, a person who is injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft will not be able to sue the parent company directly. Drivers for Uber and Lyft are independent contractors, and any accidents that they cause are not the legal responsibility of the parent company.
Instead, the injured person will recover compensation from the driver’s auto insurance policy. If the driver’s policy does not have enough coverage to pay the injured person’s claims, both Lyft and Uber provide additional insurance coverage that can make up the difference.
Filing a personal injury lawsuit against a taxi or ridesharing driver is similar to filing a lawsuit against any other individual. In a car accident case, the injured plaintiff must prove that the driver acted negligently and was the direct cause of the plaintiff’s injury.
If the ridesharing driver was not the cause of the accident, then the plaintiff will have to prove negligence against the driver who was responsible. An attorney in East Hartford could help an injured party establish negligence in an Uber or taxi accident case.
Damages After an Uber Accident
A passenger who was injured by a driver’s negligence has the right to seek compensation for their personal and financial losses. Damages may include actual financial expenses like hospital bills or medical treatment, as well as more subjective losses like emotional distress, loss of companionship, or pain and suffering caused by the injury.
Can Accidents Be Resolved Without a Lawsuit?
Many accidents are not resolved with a lawsuit but rather by an insurance claim. Because there are several insurance policies which may provide coverage to an injured person in an Uber or Lyft accident, sorting through the rules and requirements for each one can be a challenge. Often, an East Hartford ride-sharing accident lawyer may need to contact the claimant’s insurance policy, the driver’s insurance policy, and the company’s insurance policy to negotiate a settlement on the claim. If the parties cannot agree to a settlement, the injured person may have the option of filing a lawsuit in court.
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Call an East Hartford Uber/Taxi Accident Attorney Today
If you were hurt as a passenger in a ridesharing vehicle, or if you were a driver in a collision with a taxi or Uber, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney about your case. Contact an East Hartford Uber/taxi accident lawyer today and find the help you need to file a claim for damages.
