In addition to car accidents, rideshare passengers can be at risk of injuries caused directly by the driver. Even though drivers are required to pass background checks, some rideshare passengers become the victims of assault during their ride. Consider the following:
- Uber received allegations of serious sexual assault from 5,891 riders over two years
- 19 riders died from physical assaults during or immediately following their Uber rides
- Lyft is facing lawsuits from at least 20 plaintiffs who suffered sexual assault during a ride
In an effort to fight this issue, Bruntrager & Billings filed a lawsuit on behalf of the St. Louis Metropolitan Taxi Cab Commission seeking to prevent Uber and Lyft from entering the St. Louis market without adequate background checks for drivers.
Rideshare safety continues to be an issue, in spite of several state laws aimed at regulating rideshare companies. For example, one law allows law enforcement from cities with a population of more than 400,000 that covers multiple counties or a regional taxicab commission to conduct audits of rideshare companies twice a year. In an interview with KSDK, partner Chuck Billings called the law “meaningless” and pointed out that “Uber or Lyft would pick out the 10 vehicles to be audited” and that “even if we found a violation, there’s nothing the taxicab commission can do to change anything.”
Whether you are in a crash or assaulted while riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you should immediately seek medical help. It is important to get the treatment you need right away, as well as to have your injuries diagnosed and documented. Then, you should discuss your legal options with a St. Louis personal injury attorney.
IF AN INJURY IS YOUR RIDESHARING DRIVER’S FAULT
In the event that an accident is caused by the negligence of your driver, it’s highly likely that you’ll be able to recover compensation under Uber or Lyft’s commercial insurance policy. Both companies offer $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage while a driver is providing a ride or on his or her way to pick up a passenger.
In the event you are assaulted, the driver should be held liable for your losses. Uber or Lyft might also be liable for the driver’s criminal conduct if the company should have foreseen the risk of injury due to negligent hiring or other careless conduct.
IF ANOTHER DRIVER IS AT FAULT FOR A CRASH
In the event that a driver who is not your Uber or Lyft driver is at fault for an accident in which you are injured, you would proceed just as you would if you were driving yourself. In other words, you would make a claim on the other driver’s insurance policy. In some cases, liability may be shared between your ridesharing driver and another driver. In this situation, you may need to make claims on two different insurance policies. Complicated scenarios like this illustrate exactly why it’s so important for anyone hurt in a ridesharing accident to retain an attorney as soon as possible.
INJURED IN A RIDESHARING ACCIDENT? CALL A ST. LOUIS CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER TODAY
If you have been hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident, you should speak to an attorney as soon as you can. At Bruntrager & Billings, we’re committed to helping accident victims get the compensation they deserve under the law. To schedule a free case evaluation with an Uber accident attorney in St. Louis, call our office today at 314-646-0066 or contact us online.
