|
Determining Liability in a Ridesharing Accident?
Who Pays For Damages?
Ridesharing services like Lyft and Uber have become increasingly popular in recent years, but what happens when a ridesharing driver gets into an accident? Who is liable for any damages that occur? Determining liability in a ridesharing accident can be complicated, especially since the laws governing these accidents often vary from state to state. In this blog post, we will explore who can be held liable for damages in a ridesharing accident and how to determine fault when an Uber or Lyft driver gets into an accident, emphasizing North Carolina law.
How Is Fault Determined?
When determining who is at fault in a ridesharing accident, the timing of the accident often plays a key role. If the driver was not clocked in and did not have a passenger at the time of the collision, then liability may rest solely with them if they were found negligent or careless.
However, if the driver was clocked in or had a passenger at the time of the accident, then fault may be shared between them and Uber (or Lyft). In North Carolina, ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft must provide their drivers with insurance coverage equal to or greater than what is mandated by state law. The company must also provide $1 million in liability coverage for passengers and third parties.
In addition to the ridesharing company’s insurance, drivers must carry their own auto insurance policy that meets or exceeds North Carolina state requirements. This means that if a ridesharing driver is found to be at fault for an accident, they will be personally responsible for any damages not covered by their personal insurance policy.
| 
