Uber, Lyft and other ridesharing apps have become rampantly prevalent across the country due to their quick, easy service, abundant availability and cost-effective prices. But these services are not without liabilities and come with their fair share of risks. Since they’re quite new in existence, you may not be familiar with your rights and the legal actions you can take in case of an accident involving a ridesharing vehicle. Learn more about how you can protect yourself and your family by consulting our esteemed lawyers at needaninjuryattorneynebraska.com.
If you have been injured in a ridesharing car accident, you may have several questions about claiming and obtaining compensations for damages incurred and we’ve got the answers. We will carefully investigate your options and determine the necessary actions for you to take while safeguarding your interests and delivering maximum compensations.
Facts about Ridesharing Services in Nebraska
Here is what you need to know about the services provided by these companies –
- They do not have employees, but contractors who work independently.
- They may not carry out regular drugs screenings for drivers.
- They seldom inspect vehicles used to provide the service, risking the passenger’s safety.
- They may allow the drivers to have their own insurance policies and these policies may not cover commercial driving.
Determining Liability In Rideshare Car Accidents
If you read through the websites of Uber and others closely, you will notice subtle disclosures in fine print that are carefully placed to protect the companies from any liabilities. These companies protect themselves preemptively from financial responsibilities in case one of their drivers gets into an accident and causes injuries. They also proactively claim that they do not employ the drivers and only provide an online service that connects people in need of rides to available drivers. This is chiefly done to maintain a safe distance between them and the actions of their drivers.
This is also mainly how rideshare companies maintain cheaper prices than other taxi services, as they face fewer rules and regulatory measures. It is noteworthy that the Nebraskan officials delayed the approval of Lyft and Uber companies to operate within the state because of the numerous risks involved and the lack of liability.
If you or a loved one is injured from a rideshare car accident, you may face double trouble filing for claim as the companies may forsake responsibility claiming that they don’t employ their drivers. And the insurance representatives of the driver in question may refuse to compensate on the grounds of limited coverage that does not include commercial use