Boston Uber & Lyft Accident Attorney
Many Bostonians choose to forgo driving their own cars in favor of using a ride-sharing service. Uber and Lyft are the two best known competitors in this market. Both companies make it possible to get a ride from a local driver simply by swiping on your smartphone.
But the convenience of ride-sharing services can also carry an enormous cost in the event of an accident. A common question following such accidents is whether or not the ridesharing company itself is legally responsible for injuries sustained by passengers. Our qualified Boston Uber & Lyft accident attorney can help answer that question. The Law office of Joseph Linnehan, Jr., represents car accident victims who have been seriously injured through the reckless and negligent conduct of others, including Uber and Lyft drivers. We can help you identify all responsible parties and seek appropriate compensation on your behalf.
Will Uber or Lyft’s Insurance Cover Your Accident?
Uber and Lyft drivers are not the same as taxicab drivers. A taxicab is usually owned by a specific company and has a license, known as a medallion, to operate their vehicles for-hire. Taxicabs are required in Massachusetts to also carry a certain minimum amount of insurance coverage to compensate victims in the event of an accident.
Uber and Lyft, in contrast, have traditionally treated the drivers using their service as “independent contractors,” so the insurance situation here is a bit more complicated. Basically, when an Uber or Lyft driver is actually transporting a passenger, the rideshare company provides up to $1 million in liability coverage, which covers wrongful death, bodily injury, and property damage. So if you are actually hurt while riding in an Uber or Lyft, that coverage would protect you.
But what if you are another motorist or a pedestrian hit by an Uber or Lyft driver who is waiting to accept a ride? In that scenario, the minimum insurance required is just $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident, and $30,000 for property damage.
Of course, this only speaks to Uber or Lyft’s potential liability. You can still be injured while using a rideshare service due to third-party negligence, such as another driver who hits your Uber or Lyft vehicle. In these situations, you have the same right to sue the negligent driver as you would file any other personal injury claim.
Contact Attorney Joseph R. Linnehan, Jr., Today
In any auto accident case you may seek both economic and non-economic damages from the responsible party. Economic damages covers your out-of-pocket losses, including your medical bills and lost income due to the accident. Non-economic damages are designed to compensate you for more subjective losses, such as your pain and suffering or emotional distress arising from the accident. And in cases where gross negligence or willful or wanton conduct leads to death, the victim’s family may also seek punitive damages against the responsible party.
So if you have been injured in an accident involving an rideshare driver, it is in your best interest to speak with a Boston Uber/Lyft accident attorney as soon as possible. Call the Law Office of Joseph R. Linnehan, Jr., today to schedule a free consultation.
