Gwinnett County Uber/Lyft Accident Lawyer
Car sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft have risen in popularity over the past few years and are now common sights in the area. Drivers for the ridesharing companies are also causing car accidents far more frequently with all the miles they are driving in the area.
If you were hurt in a crash while in an Uber or Lyft or you were in a crash with a rideshare driver, consulting a Gwinnett County Uber/Lyft accident lawyer can be wise. The legal process of pursuing compensation for your injuries is complicated but a well-versed car accident attorney can be a guide.
How Ridesharing Companies Work
There is an important misconception about how Lyft, Uber, and other ridesharing companies work. Many people believe that Uber and Lyft drivers are employed by the company they drive for.
However, legally this is not true. Recently a judge ruled that rideshare drivers are freelancers or independent contractors rather than employees. This is important as it means the rideshare company may not be liable for any accident a driver is involved in, even if it was during a ride for the company.
Are Uber and Lyft Liable for Crashes in Gwinnett County?
Companies are not legally responsible for the injuries caused by the negligence of their independent contractors. This is because the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, which allows accident victims who have been hurt by a negligent employee to stretch liability onto the employer is much more difficult to use when the worker is an independent contractor.
The issue becomes very fact-intensive and is based on whether the company – in this case, Uber or Lyft – treated the worker as an employee rather than an independent contractor. A skilled Gwinnett County Uber/Lyft accident attorney can help analyze the situation to determine a person’s options for recovery.
What It Means for Drivers to Be Independent Contractors
Imputing liability for a crash onto Lyft or Uber can be essential for a victim to recover the full amount of compensation they deserve after being involved in an accident with a ridesharing vehicle. While Lyft and Uber drivers are required to maintain enough car insurance to cover most accidents, some of them do not. Even if an Uber or Lyft driver is insured, their policy might not cover especially catastrophic accidents.
Without implicating a ridesharing company into the lawsuit as a defendant, may not be able to recover the full amount because the driver and their insurance could not cover the costs of the crash. A Gwinnett County Uber/Lyft accident lawyer can help someone who was involved in a crash recover the compensation they deserve.
Call a Gwinnett County Uber/Lyft Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one were involved in a crash that involved an Uber or a Lyft driver, the upcoming legal case may be a complicated one. This is why it is important to work with an attorney who has experience handling this type of case.
A Gwinnett County Uber/Lyft accident lawyer can help. Call today to learn more about your options and get started on your case.
