Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft continue to be popular and affordable modes of transportation, particularly in popular tourist areas like Williamsburg. While rideshare services are a convenient option, it is essential to recognize that Uber and Lyft drivers only need a valid driver’s license and at least one year of driving experience.

Ultimately, a rideshare driver is just as likely to be involved in a car accident as any other motorist. In fact, there may be an increased risk if the driver is distracted, drowsy, or fails to obey the rules of the road while a passenger is in the car. If you or someone you know is injured in a car accident while you were a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, do not hesitate to contact the Williamsburg Uber and Lyft accident lawyers.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Car Accidents?

All motorists, including Uber and Lyft drivers, are required to obey the rules of the road and avoid negligent driving behaviors at all times. Unfortunately, serious car accidents can occur when Uber or Lyft drivers engage in unsafe or negligent behavior.  The following are examples of common causes of rideshare accidents:

• Distracted Driving: This is a common problem among Uber and Lyft drivers because they constantly check their phones to look at the GPS or see if they have another ride request. Even if the driver’s attention is away from the road for a matter of a few seconds, this can result in a devastating distracted driving accident involving another driver, a pedestrian, or a cyclist. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nine people die each day in distracted driving accidents in the United States.
• Drowsy Driving: Rideshare drivers often work long hours to make as much money as possible. Long hours, combined with not enough sleep, can increase the risk of drowsy driving accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are over 600 drowsy driving-related fatalities in this county each year.
• Impaired Driving: Even though impaired driving is against the law, Uber and Lyft drivers may consume alcohol or take drugs before getting behind the wheel. This can cause a range of impairments, including reduced coordination, slower reaction times, and poor decision-making skills, all of which increase the risk of a serious car accident.
• Speeding: If an Uber or Lyft driver exceeds the speed limit, the risk of a car accident increases, and due to the extreme force of impact, the resulting accident is likely to be much more severe.
• Aggressive Driving: Rideshare drivers are expected to obey the rules of the road, particularly when they have customers in the vehicle. Speeding, failure to yield, unsafe lane changes, and tailgating are all examples of aggressive driving behaviors that can cause serious car accidents.

What Injuries Are Caused by Uber and Lyft Car Accidents?

Injuries from a rideshare accident are similar to those you would suffer in any other car accident. However, because Uber and Lyft passengers often do not wear seat belts when sitting in the back seat, they are more likely to suffer severe injuries, particularly if the accident was a high-speed collision.

The following are examples of common injuries that can occur in an Uber or Lyft car accident:

• Serious cuts and lacerations
• Broken bones
• Neck and back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Whiplash
• Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)

Who Is Liable for an Uber or Lyft Car Accident?

When it comes to liability, Uber and Lyft accidents are a bit more complicated than regular car accidents. In Virginia, rideshare drivers are considered independent contractors. That means you cannot sue Uber or Lyft if you are injured in an Uber or Lyft accident. You will need to seek damages through the rideshare driver’s insurance policy. However, rideshare drivers often only have personal auto insurance policies, which generally do not cover injuries or damages that occurred in an accident while the vehicle is being used for work.

Uber and Lyft do maintain insurance coverage for a driver’s liability to a third person, depending on the driver’s status at the time of the collision. If the Uber or Lyft driver was logged into the app and available to receive ride requests, they should have $50,000 for bodily injury per person and $25,000 for property damage. If a passenger is in the vehicle or the driver is on their way to pick up a customer, they may have up to $1,000,000 in third-party liability insurance.

Liability insurance is not required in Virginia, provided the driver pays a $500 Uninsured Motor Vehicle Fee, which allows the motorist to operate a vehicle without insurance coverage. If an Uber or Lyft driver does not purchase liability insurance, they will be personally liable for damages if they are involved in an accident.

If they do not pay the Uninsured Motor Vehicle Fee, they must have car liability insurance with the following minimum coverage limits:

• $30,000 in bodily injury or death to one person.
• $60,000 in bodily injury for injury or death to two or more people.
• $20,000 for property damage per accident.

What Should I Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Williamsburg?

If you are injured in a car accident while you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, it is important that you take the following steps:

• Call 911 to report the accident and request an ambulance if there are injuries.
• Seek immediate medical attention. Even if your injuries seem relatively minor, make sure that you are examined by a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Certain injuries may not be immediately apparent, particularly when adrenaline is coursing through your body, masking pain and other symptoms. If you fail to get medical attention, an undiagnosed injury can become life-threatening. In addition, the insurance company may argue that your injuries must not be severe if you do not find it necessary to seek medical attention. This can have a negative impact on your claim.
• Report the accident on the Uber or Lyft app. This will notify the rideshare company that an accident occurred. You may be eligible for compensation from Uber or Lyft’s insurance company if you qualify.
• Document the scene. Take pictures of the accident scene, including the damage to the vehicles, your injuries, skid marks or debris on the road, weather conditions, and missing street signs.
• Talk to witnesses who saw the accident happen and ask if they would be willing to provide a statement.
• Collect the insurance information from the drivers involved in the accident if you are unsure who is at fault for the crash.
• Contact an experienced Williamsburg Uber and Lyft accident lawyer at your earliest convenience. This will ensure that your legal rights are protected.

The Williamsburg Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers at Anchor Legal Group, PLLC Represent Victims of Rideshare Accidents

If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a car accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, contact the Williamsburg Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at Anchor Legal Group, PLLC as soon as possible. We will fight to protect your rights. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 757-LAW-0000 or contact us online. Located in Virginia Beach, we serve clients in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg, and Eastern Shore.