San Antonio Attorney Manages Ridesharing Accident Cases

If you’re injured riding in Uber or Lyft, we have an app for that

Ridesharing has enjoyed tremendous growth throughout Texas in recent years. Companies such as Uber and Lyft use technology to connect people who need rides with car drivers who provide service at a much lower price than taxis or limousines. It’s all good for consumers, who have made these companies prosper in numerous cities, such as San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Corpus Christi and Houston. All good, that is, until someone gets hurt. Since rideshare companies operate on a different business model from taxi and limousine services, they’ve been allowed to operate with less regulation and less insurance coverage. If you are injured as a rideshare passenger or by a rideshare driver, you may have a difficult fight ahead to get the compensation you deserve. Fortunately, the Law Offices of Marion W. Cain, P.C. is prepared to give you the responsive, professional representation you need.

Rideshare services and the insurance question

Unlike taxi and limousine services, which are heavily regulated by city commissions, rideshare services fall under a newly created category of “transportation network companies.” The rapid growth in Uber and Lyft services caught many state and municipal authorities unprepared for the inevitable surge in auto accidents and the grey area of liability for damages.

Rideshare drivers use their own cars, so when they are not accepting rides, they need only the basic minimum amount of liability coverage. The rideshare company’s $1 million insurance covers accidents when the driver is transporting a rider. But what happens when a driver does not have a fare, but is acting for the benefit of the rideshare company? It took the tragic death of six-year-old Sophia Lui, killed by an Uber-contracted driver in San Francisco in 2014, to raise that issue. Uber initially denied any liability but since has agreed to extend some insurance coverage to its drivers who are logged into the app but don’t have a rider in the car yet.

In Texas, starting in 2016, the law has mandated that rideshare drivers who are logged into their company app must have a minimum of $50,000 per person/ $100,000 per accident / $20,000 property damage coverage. The law also says they must have at least $1 million in coverage while transporting a rider. However, a 2016 survey of more than 1,000 rideshare drivers indicated that more than 70 percent may not have had adequate insurance to comply with the law.

Uber and Lyft accident lawyer holds ridesharing companies accountable

From the standpoint of an injured rider, motorist or pedestrian, a rideshare accident is no different from a taxicab accident. There is no difference in the scope of personal injuries these accidents produce. However, making a claim or filing a lawsuit against a rideshare company is more complex, so you have to retain an experienced accident attorney who is willing to put your needs first and work all out for the best possible result.

Contact an experienced attorney in San Antonio for your rideshare accident

Uber, Lyft and other rideshare services are huge companies serving millions of riders daily. They have the resources to defend your lawsuit, so you need a highly professional attorney managing your case. To schedule a free consultation, call the Law Offices of Marion W. Cain, P.C. at 210.551.0985 or contact our San Antonio office online. As our client, you pay no attorney’s fees until we recover compensation on your behalf.