Connecticut Ridesharing Accident Attorney

If you’ve been injured while riding with Uber, Lyft or another ridesharing platform, here’s what you need to know…

Ridesharing services have transformed how we travel while also opening up new income-earning possibilities for millions of drivers across the globe. Yet this hasn’t come without a price: Thousands of ridesharing passengers in the US are injured each year, many of them seriously. Additionally, there have been incidents of ridesharing drivers committing crimes against their passengers.

Fortunately, Connecticut state law provides recourse for victims of ridesharing accidents. Yet these laws are also quite new and evolving, so it’s important to understand just what is covered and how ridesharing collisions differ from conventional accidents.

Ridesharing Litigation: The Essentials 

Ridesharing drivers are not typically regarded as employees of the company for which they drive, but rather independent contractors. While there has been some movement to classify drivers as full employees in California and other states, most jurisdictions regard them as contract labor. This is an important distinction in the eyes of the law. For example, if a taxi driver runs a stoplight and collides with another vehicle, it’s much easier to include the taxi company when assessing liability, given the direct employment link involved. Also, taxi companies carry commercial insurance.

While major ridesharing companies do not claim legal liability for their drivers, they do perform a variety of actions to protect themselves, their drivers, passengers and other motorists. These actions include safety training, driver background checks and insurance policies (typically in the range of $1 million) that cover liability. These policies, however, have limitations in terms of how they apply — and to whom.

If you’re a passenger injured in a ridesharing accident, liability often depends on the circumstances of the accident. If the rideshare driver was in service, you may pursue a claim against the ridesharing company’s insurance policy. If you’re not a passenger but another motorist, and the rideshare driver was out of service seeking new fare, you may be forced to file a claim against the driver’s personal insurance coverage — though insurers sometimes deny all claims associated with “commercial activity,” as it is typically excluded in most personal policies. In the absence of coverage, it is also possible to pursue litigation against the driver directly, and earn a financial award or a judgment/lien against future earnings, or in the case of uninsured or underinsured cases against your own insurance company.

One thing is clear about ridesharing litigation: It is not as cut-and-dried as a conventional car or truck accident. For this reason, it is generally advisable to seek the counsel of a qualified attorney who can help you sort through the situation.

Why Working With an Attorney is the Right Step

If you’ve been injured as a ridesharing passenger or as another driver, all of the standard accident scene rules apply. You should request the rideshare driver’s name, driver’s license information and insurance card. You should also contact police and ask for a report to be filed. Additionally, it makes sense to document the scene with videos and photos, and seek out any witnesses who can support your version of events.

Once you’re safely at home, contacting an experienced Connecticut ridesharing attorney is a smart next step. As mentioned, ridesharing cases can be challenging. Insurance carriers are also expert negotiators who are tasked with getting you to settle for the smallest possible amount. To even the playing field, injured parties need an experienced attorney.

Brickley Law — the Right Choice for Ridesharing Accidents

At Brickley Law, we zealously fight for the rights of our clients. If you’ve been injured in a ridesharing incident, we will help ensure you are fairly compensated. We’ll also treat you with dignity, sensitivity and respect.

Don’t wait to contact us today for a free consultation.

 

Past Verdicts & Settlements

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Our client received a confidential amount in settlement of an employment disability discrimination claim.

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Settled dog attack case where our clients’ dog was viciously attacked by another dog while walking on a public street and our clients suffered puncture and crush injuries to their hands while attempting to rescue their dog.

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Slip and Fall

Settled case where our client, while shopping in a supermarket, was struck by a loading cart piled high with boxes which was being pushed by a store employee knocking our client to the floor and causing her to suffer injuries.

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