What You Need to Know About Rideshare Car Accidents

By Christopher Hoffmann  Jul. 26, 2018 9:25a

Car accidents are complicated enough on their own. When you get in one, you often have to deal with damages, insurance companies, fault, and more. Because of this, many drivers wisely speak with a St. Louis car accident attorney in the event of even a simple accident. When a rideshare driver is involved, the entire process gets even more complicated. Whether you are the St. Louis rideshare driver, passenger, or somebody who is in an accident with rideshare driver, your legal situation will be very complex. You will need all of the information possible to navigate the process properly. Getting a lawyer is a good idea, but learning the basics on your own is very valuable too.

If You are the Rideshare Driver

When you are the rideshare driver, there are three basic situations that you can be in. They are, being online but not having a ride, being on your way to pick up a passenger, and being in the process of a ride with a passenger. Your next steps after an accident will depend on which situation you are in. We will refer to them as situations 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

Situation 1 - Even if you are online, you may not technically be driving for your rideshare company. Depending on the company, you may be considered an independent contractor that is looking for work, but not working. In this case, your company will not provide assistance, and you will need to call your own insurance company.

Situation 2 - Here, you are likely covered by your rideshare company insurance, but there is one complication. If a passenger is not in your car to confirm you were on the clock, it could be hard to prove that you were. The best course of action is to collect evidence that you were working at the time through photos and screenshots.

Situation 3 - If you have a passenger in the car, you will very likely be eligible for your companies’ coverage. In this case, it is vital that you call your rideshare company and notify them of the accident.

If You are a Passenger

As a passenger, you will be eligible to receive benefits if you have been injured. These will most likely be paid out by the insurance of one of the drivers involved, but in certain circumstances, will be paid by the rideshare company.

If You Get Into an Accident With a Rideshare Driver

The first steps are the same as a typical accident. Take care of your health, gather evidence, and obtain driver information. Next, whether the insurance company of the other driver or the rideshare company will pay is mostly up to them, not you. If you are entitled to damages, one of those two insurance companies will pay them.

Ridesharing is a wonderful development in St. Louis, but it comes with its drawbacks. One of those drawbacks is the complicated legal situation following an accident. If you want to handle this situation without error, your best option is enlisting the help of a St. Louis car accident attorney. They will understand all of the complexities and assist you in getting the best possible deal.