Mesa Rideshare Accident Lawyers

Legal Help for Residents Injured in Mesa Rideshare Accidents

Ridesharing is traveling in a private vehicle driven by its owner for a fee, as part of an arrangement made using a rideshare company’s app. More residents than ever today are using rideshare services to get to where they need to go. “Uber” and “Lyft,” the names of the two major players in the rideshare industry, have become a part of our vocabulary.

As ridesharing becomes more common, so do rideshare accidents. If you have been injured in a crash involving a rideshare vehicle, it is in your best interests to speak with an experienced Mesa rideshare accident lawyer.

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How Do Rideshare Accidents Happen?

Rideshare drivers are everyday workers who receive no special training for the services they provide. Like other drivers, they may commit errors that can lead to Mesa car accidents. Common causes of traffic crashes involving Uber and Lyft drivers include:

• Distracted driving: Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies require drivers to use apps on their phones. Rideshare drivers may be using GPS to navigate, conversing with the passengers they pick up, or prone to other forms of distraction.
• Speeding: Approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities in the U.S. for more than two decades have involved speeding, as stated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Rideshare drivers are motivated to get their riders to their destinations as quickly as possible. This may involve speeding, which can lead to a crash.
• Drowsy driving: There are no regulations limiting the hours rideshare drivers can spend on the road. Some drivers work for rideshare companies as a side gig, in addition to their day jobs. Drivers who put in long hours behind the wheel while working two jobs may be driving drowsy. This can be as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Impaired driving: Uber and Lyft do not require pre-employment drug or alcohol testing for their drivers. Rideshare drivers do not operate on a set schedule. If a driver who has been drinking or using another substance decides to activate the rideshare app, it can put passengers and others on the road at risk.
• Inexperienced drivers: To drive for Uber in the U.S., you only need one year of licensed driving experience if you are age 25 or older. Younger drivers need three years of experience. Lyft has a minimum age requirement that ranges from 21 to 25, depending on the region. Only in eight states, which do not include Arizona, the company requires at least one year of licensed driving experience. Inexperienced drivers are more likely to make critical errors in judgment.

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Who Is Responsible for Mesa Rideshare Accident Injuries?

If another driver caused the crash, that driver is liable for resulting injuries. Financial responsibility for accidents caused by rideshare drivers can depend on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash.

• If the rideshare app was off at the time, the driver’s personal or commercial auto insurance should cover the claim.
• If the app was on and the driver was waiting for a ride request, rideshare company liability insurance will cover bodily injury up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident, plus $25,000 in property damage.
• If the driver was on the way to pick up or transporting a passenger, Uber and Lyft offer up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage.

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How Can a Mesa Rideshare Accident Attorney Help?

Rideshare accident cases can be complicated. The Husband & Wife Law Team can investigate your accident to determine fault and liability and aggressively pursue the maximum compensation available. If you have suffered serious rideshare accident injuries, call our Mesa personal injury lawyers at (480) 944-9753 to find out how we can help.

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