Need an Injury Attorney for an Uber/Ridesharing Accident in North Carolina?
Have you ever used Uber or another ridesharing service if you are somebody who lives in North Carolina? Perhaps you spent nights out with your friends, going from bar to bar and meeting up with others, and you wanted to play it safe. Maybe your vehicle broke down and you wanted to catch a ride from a trustworthy source. Uber, in many cases, offers an affordable, easy, and safe way to get home when you aren’t able to drive your own vehicle. However, with many services that involve vehicles, there is always the chance for accidents as well. These accidents can range anywhere to minor and serious in nature, and pose many questions in a time where Uber and other ridesharing services are fairly new.
These companies must possess certain liability coverage when it comes to accidents, including personal injury protection. When you have been involved in an Uber accident, you may wonder what rights you have to recover for your injuries. According to recent statistics, Uber accidents have been found to be more deadly in crashes than vehicles that are part of Taxi services. In 2015, according to the Taxi and Limousine Commission, Uber vehicles were involved in 5 fatal collisions from July to December. By 2015, in total, Uber vehicles were involved in over 700 collisions.
Is Your Driver an Employee or Independent Contractor?
In your accident case involving a rideshare company, you may ask: Is my driver considered an employee or an independent contractor? This is a huge distinction for you to make when determining liability, because, if you cannot, you may not be able to collect the amount of damages that you had previously hoped to. Every rideshare company is different, but Uber does not consider their drivers to be actual employees and they are instead seen as “independent contractors.” This means that they usually work on their own time and set their own schedules, as well as provide their own vehicles. It can also mean that a company will claim they are not liable when an accident occurs.
However, no matter what happens in your case, Uber drivers are expected to abide by certain safety measures under the company they work for. This means that they must abide by insurance provisions and driver background checks, as well as companies being able to fire Uber drivers with no potential for rehire when they have consistently been involved in accidents.
Uber’s Insurance Policy: Your Protections
If you have been involved in an Uber or rideshare accident, you should know about your rights when it comes to their insurance policies. Uber has specifically invested in an enormous policy that could help drivers compensate for their injuries when they have been involved in a serious accident. This means that, if the company denies liability, you could still be covered by a $1 million insurance policy. However, you should always be prepared for the fact that Uber may deny your claim and refuse to pay damages in your case. This could leave you in a bad position when it comes to aspects like medical bills and lost wages.
You should always have an attorney on your side when you have been involved in an Uber or other ridesharing accident. Though these services are still fairly new, you have protections, as accidents have occurred in the recent years. If you have been injured and want to claim damages, call an attorney today to get started on your case and make a difference.