King of Prussia residents have expanded options for travel with the growth of rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft. Renting another person’s vehicle for a specific need on a given day. Personalized vehicular transportation. As the companies themselves like to advertise, the old excuse of “I don’t have a ride” is no longer valid in most situations.
However, even though ridesharing has expanded tremendously in popularity over the past several years, there are some risks associated with the process. Foremost among those risks are those related to car accidents. Unfortunately, rideshare drivers are prone to getting into their fair share of accidents.
Being compensated for your medical bills and lost wages is possible in a King of Prussia rideshare accident case. It is far from a sure thing due to the sheer number of steps, requirements, and other difficulties associated with a personal injury case.
Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., knows the law associated with rideshare accident cases as well as the local roads on which drivers travel. As a King of Prussia rideshare accident attorney, this kind of “boots on the ground” level of knowledge is unique even among attorneys in this area. Contact our office today for a free consultation.
What Is the Process for Filing a Lawsuit Related to a Rideshare Accident?
Once an accident involving a rideshare driver has occurred, you should try to contact 9-1-1 if you are physically able to do so. Depending upon the nature of the accident, law enforcement may arrive at the scene to take statements and otherwise document the accident. The police report created by law enforcement will contain a significant amount of information helpful for your claim.
There is a statute of limitations in effect for rideshare accident cases in Pennsylvania. This means that you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. From helping negotiate a favorable settlement to identifying potential problems ahead of time, an experienced King of Prussia rideshare accident attorney has your back in a difficult period in your life.
What Is the Most Common Cause of a Rideshare Accident?
Is ridesharing as safe as riding in your own vehicle? While the rideshare companies themselves would have you believe that they are, there is reason to believe that ridesharing is at least somewhat more risky than riding in your own vehicle.
There are a handful of reasons why ridesharing is more dangerous than riding in your own vehicle. As a King of Prussia rideshare accident attorney, let us clarify that a rideshare driver is not a professional. These rideshare drivers often work in order to supplement their incomes from their day jobs. At the same time, a rideshare driver likely did not undergo a thorough background check prior to being hired. Finally, a rideshare driver could be distracted by their rideshare app, which requires near constant monitoring.
How Is Fault Determined in a Rideshare Accident Case?
When a person is injured in an accident involving a rideshare driver, determining the party at fault for the accident is a critical question that must be answered. Pennsylvania law requires that the status of the rideshare driver be made known prior to determining fault. Here are some insights into determining fault in a rideshare accident case.
When the rideshare driver is inactive on their app, then they are considered to be off duty. If an off-duty rideshare driver then gets into a car accident, the rideshare company does not extend insurance coverage to that individual or their vehicle. The driver’s personal auto insurance policy would apply. Minimum coverage for drivers in Pennsylvania is $30,000 for bodily injuries for multiple people.
Do Personal Auto Insurance Policies Cover Accidents That Occur While Rideshare Driving?
The next logical question to ask ourselves in this situation is whether a personal auto insurance policy would cover a driver while he or she is working on behalf of a rideshare company. Most personal auto policies exclude coverage for drivers who are working on behalf of a rideshare company.
That most personal auto policies exclude coverage for rideshare drivers puts injury victims in a difficult position. Most rideshare drivers do not have multiple insurance policies to their name. If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, then it is critical that you understand the auto insurance company has valid coverage at the time of your accident.
Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., knows how to determine which of the available insurance policies was active during your accident. From there, our team of experienced legal professionals can file a claim, fight to establish liability on the other driver, and eventually negotiate a favorable settlement offer.
How An Experienced King Of Prussia Rideshare Accident Attorney Can Help You
Rideshare companies do not willingly accept liability for accidents caused by their rideshare drivers. A rideshare company will work to investigate the accident itself in order to push the fault onto any party other than themselves.
For this reason, it is incredibly important that you have a rideshare accident attorney who knows the methods of rideshare accident attorneys. Where responsibility ends up being placed depends upon the evidence presented and the diligence of the parties themselves. Staying on top of this determination and being as proactive as possible is the key to having your injuries and other damages properly assessed within a rideshare accident case.
Contact an Attorney Today for Assistance with a Rideshare Accident Case
Justice in a rideshare accident case can be difficult to come by. There are challenges associated with determining insurance coverage as well as fault in these complex accidents. Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., understands these difficulties and anticipates the needs of his clients. With free, convenient consultations available for those seeking information, our team does everything possible to help provide clarity in a time that can be quite confusing. When it comes to a rideshare accident case, an injured person must be diligent and prepared to receive the outcome he or she deserves. Working with a King of Prussia rideshare accident attorney is a great way to start a case.