Now that California’s theme parks, beach resorts, clubs, restaurants and other tourist attractions are beginning to open back up, some having been closed for a year or more, more people will be flocking to California to enjoy what should be a relaxing vacation. Some vacationers choose to travel to restaurants, hotels and area attractions by hailing a ride-sharing service, such as Uber or Lyft. However, what happens if you are in a ride-sharing accident?
Who is at-fault for ride-sharing accidents?
California utilizes an at-fault insurance system when there is a car crash. This means that the driver who caused the accident may be responsible for paying damages to the injured party. When it comes to ride-sharing accidents, the motorist responsible for paying damages may be the ride-share driver, any other motorists involved in the crash, or both.
When does ride-sharing liability kick in?
It is important to note that ride-share drivers are classified as independent contractors with the company they work with, rather than being considered an employee of these companies. In California, not only are ride-share drivers responsible for their own actions, but the companies they work for must provide motorists with further insurance coverage. This coverage begins when the ride-share app is turned on. When the ride-share app is not on, the ride-share driver is personally responsible for any car wrecks they cause.
Learn more about ride-share crashes in California
Being injured in an Uber or Lyft crash can not only put a damper on your vacation, but it could leave you with serious injuries. Just like other car crash cases, liability is always an issue in a ride-sharing accident. Ultimately, this post is for educational purposes only and does not contain legal advice. Those in California who want to learn more about ride-share crashes may find our firm’s website to be a useful resource.