The Problem with Rideshare Apps

There is no such thing as a perfect solution. For the longest time, getting to an airport or traveling in cities with few parking options were issues that plagued urban citizens. Then rideshare apps came along.

With the flick of a thumb, your phone could be used to request rides. A driver would be paid, akin to a taxi, to pick you up and take you to your destination safely. They are cheaper than taxis and faster than public transportation. So, the perfect solution. Right?

And then rideshare vehicles and drivers started getting into accidents, the same way that most drivers become involved in motor accidents at some point in their lives. But at first, rideshare apps faced increased scrutiny due to dubious legal liability in the case of accidents. That scrutiny, plus the stresses of an expanding market, made every crash a news story for a long time.

While the hysteria has died down some, there are still rideshare accidents all the time. One could assume that the rideshare companies would assume liability the same way that public transportation normally carries the blame for accidents. It’s not surprising, however, to hear that most of the large companies will try to shoulder off responsibility for the accident onto you. Even if you are severely injured from a crash.

That’s just not fair. Especially with the severity of injuries that can stem from rideshare accidents, like brain injury, head trauma, lacerations, whiplash, broken bones, and so much more. And even worse, sometimes small injuries can add up to larger conditions or become even more painful over time.

These rideshare companies are large and profitable, so paying the occasional victim of driver negligence is something they can afford. But it cuts into their bottom line, so they instead will fight you tooth and nail to deny any liability. And even if they do assume some responsibility, they will most likely fight so that any compensation or settlement is as little as possible.

Insurance companies will then assess the circumstances of a crash and see if the rideshare car driver or the other driver were more responsible. According to The Law Offices of Jeffrey R. Caffee, there are degrees of liability that can affect compensation, such as whether the driver was logged into the user network, whether there was a formal rider request and the nature of driver’s acceptance.

It is obviously important to tell the truth and fight as much as you can toward a fair settlement that can pay for injuries caused by a car accident while using a rideshare app. However, sometimes telling the truth and doing your best is just not good enough to conflict with incredibly rich and powerful companies. That’s why it is recommended that you seek legal representation for a rideshare accident case.

I didn’t know, for example, how a driver being logged in can make the difference between a huge settlement and a small one. Those small details are the deciding factor. And only an experienced lawyer will know these facts and use to earn you the compensation you deserve.