Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are everywhere on the roads today. Unfortunately, this means they can also be involved in accidents, and determining who is at fault can be a challenge. Who might be responsible?
Rideshare drivers
Usually, the first person considered in a rideshare accident is the driver. Rideshare drivers are independent contractors , not employees. This means if they act irresponsibly during the ride, the injured parties can hold them accountable. A court may find a rideshare driver at fault if they were distracted, drunk driving or speeding.
The rideshare company
Rideshare companies are not directly responsible for everything their drivers do, but they aren’t completely free from blame either. If an accident happens because the company didn’t check their driver’s background properly or if their safety rules failed, the company might be liable.
Other drivers
Sometimes other drivers on the road might be responsible. If another driver’s careless or reckless driving leads to an accident with a rideshare vehicle, that driver could be legally responsible. To figure this out, people look at traffic camera footage, accident reports, and witness statements.
Vehicle manufacturers
If a vehicle malfunction like brake failure or steering issues leads to an accident, the manufacturer of the vehicle could be liable. If the accident resulted from a flaw in the vehicle’s design or manufacturing, injured people could make a product liability claim.
Local government
Road conditions can also cause accidents. Things like potholes, unclear road signs, or badly designed intersections can make accidents more likely. In these cases, the local government or the agency in charge of maintaining the roads might be responsible.
Passengers
Although less common, passengers can sometimes be at fault too. For instance, if a passenger distracts the driver on purpose or physically interferes with driving, they can be held accountable if an accident happens.
Accidents with rideshare vehicles can involve many different parties. By closely examining what happened in the crash, those injured in a collision with a rideshare driver hold the right parties responsible.