Portland Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer
Using a rideshare app is meant to take the burden of driving off your shoulders. This is especially helpful when you are returning from a night out in Portland and do not want to risk driving drunk or under the influence of drugs. In that context, using a service like Uber or Lyft is meant to be a responsible act.
But an Uber and Lyft driver is just as susceptible to getting into a car accident as anyone else. This can leave you in a difficult position. If you have been injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft–or you are struck by such a vehicle–it is not always clear who can be held legally responsible for your injuries. Is the rideshare driver personally liable? What about the rideshare company? Will your own insurance policy come into play?
A qualified Portland Uber & Lyft accident lawyer can assist you in sorting out these questions. Rosenbaum Law Group, PC, is an experienced Oregon personal injury firm that has helped many clients obtain compensation following a serious auto accident. We can review your Uber- or Lyft-related accident and take appropriate action on your behalf to deal with insurance companies and other third parties who might be involved.
How Rideshare Accident Insurance Works in Oregon
One of the most common questions we get following a rideshare accident is, “Does the rideshare company have to pay?” The answer is that it depends. The good news is that both Uber and Lyft both provide liability coverage to the drivers that use their service–but only under specific circumstances.
Basically, if you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle giving you a ride and the driver is at fault, you are covered by that policy in the event of an accident. The same is true for any third party injured by the Uber or Lyft driver. Say the driver giving you a ride hits a pedestrian. Uber or Lyft’s insurance policy would cover that injury. A recent change to Oregon law further requires Uber or Lyft to provide you with personal injury protection (PIP) coverage of at least $15,000 to cover your medical expenses. This same PIP coverage also covers a portion of your wage loss if you are disabled for fourteen or more days.
Where things start to get murky is when a driver is logged into the Uber or Lyft app but has not yet accepted a ride request. If that driver gets into an accident, Uber or Lyft may provide coverage. But you may also have to make a claim against the driver’s own “non ride-share” insurance or your own car insurance.
And if an Uber or Lyft driver is completely logged out of the app–i.e., they are not currently available to accept passengers–then the rideshare company’s insurance does not provide any coverage in the event of an accident. The driver’s personal auto insurance policy would apply.
Contact Rosenbaum Law Group Today
As you can see, rideshare accidents can raise a number of complicated issues just with respect to insurance. That is why it is important to work with a skilled Portland Uber & Lyft accidents attorney who can guide you through the process of seeking compensation for your injuries. Contact Rosenbaum Law, PC, today to schedule a free initial consultation.
