As popular as rideshare companies are, it’s easy to see that many victims can suffer severe injuries because of negligence. Victims can often include drivers in other vehicles, passengers in the rideshare vehicle, and pedestrians. For those who suffer injuries, it’s crucial to recognize the various people who may hold liability.
Seeking compensation means holding someone accountable for their negligent actions. At The Paris Law Group, PC, we want to help you understand and protect your rights following a rideshare accident. Below, we will detail the various parties who may be responsible for a crash, but it’s often dependent on your role as a victim.
Call our firm today at (888) 365-4940 if you suffer injuries in a severe rideshare accident.
When Is the Rideshare Driver Responsible?
Rideshare drivers are, unfortunately, distracted drivers. They spend several seconds focused on their cellphones, sidewalks, and more. As a result, they often cause some of the most devastating crashes. In many of the accidents involving Uber or Lyft, the driver who works for the rideshare company is responsible. Here are some of the most common types and causes of rideshare accidents:
- Distracted driving: Rideshare drivers must manually respond to pings for new rides, so they look at their phones and press a prompt. The few seconds it takes to respond are enough to cause severe harm. Rideshare drivers also look away from the road to identify their new passengers.
- Unfamiliar routes: Some rideshare drivers travel to bigger cities for more fares or get passengers who want to travel to places where the driver doesn’t know. This unfamiliarity can lead to crashes when drivers don’t recognize traffic patterns, speed limits, etc.
- Drowsy drivers: Many rideshare drivers work later in the evening, especially in areas with more extraordinary nightlife. As a result, though, they are often more exhausted than is safe for driving.
When Is Another Driver Responsible?
If you are a passenger in a rideshare vehicle and another driver is responsible for causing the crash, you can hold that person accountable for their negligent actions. Your rideshare driver may operate safely, but if someone else is negligent and crashes into the vehicle you are in, you can go through that driver’s insurance provider to pursue compensation.
When Is Someone Else Responsible?
Some crashes may involve third-party negligence, such as an auto part manufacturer or distractive passenger. A manufacturer may produce a faulty part that leads to the collision. A distractive passenger may physically cause a driver to lose focus on the road, causing the accident. It often requires due diligence to find evidence of negligence and show who is responsible for a crash.
It can be difficult to determine liability independently, mainly because you must show causation in an accident. In these challenging times, it helps to work with a lawyer who can help you understand your rights and options moving forward. A lawyer can determine who is at fault, what kind of claim to file, who pays for your injuries, and what to consider a fair settlement.
Our New York rideshare accident lawyers at The Paris Law Group, PC have significant experience representing injured parties following a severe crash. It’s our goal to provide you with high-level legal counsel, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we work to help you obtain compensation.
Over the years, we have earned a strong reputation for guiding injured parties through challenging circumstances. We give you a voice to pursue the most favorable outcome when someone causes you harm. When your rights are at stake, you can always depend on us. There is no substitute for results, and that’s what we get when you need it most.