If you\u2019ve recently been in a crash with an Uber or Lyft, you may well be wondering what to do if your car accident involves a rideshare driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should generally be entitled to compensation after a road accident. However, the involvement of a rideshare vehicle can complicate things from a legal perspective. When you\u2019ve been injured and you need compensation to get your life back on track, this kind of complication is the last thing you want. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the Cochran Firm in Philadelphia, we cut through complexity and deliver results for clients. Here, we\u2019ll discuss what you need to do in this situation to give yourself the best chance of getting paid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Studies have shown<\/a> that the growth of ridesharing has had a mixed impact on road traffic incidents in the U.S. On one hand, it seems to have reduced the number of alcohol-related accidents, as people are less likely to drive drunk when they have the option of getting an Uber or Lyft instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, many researchers believe that ridesharing has led to an overall increase in the number of fatalities on the road<\/a> in some areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In terms of market share in America, Uber and Lyft are the two major players. Statistics show<\/a> that Uber commanded around 76% of the U.S. rideshare market in 2024, with Lyft taking up the remaining 24%. There are other apps you can use to hail rides, but these mostly just provide a platform to book regular taxis, rather than an actual ridesharing service. These do not involve the same legal implications, so we don\u2019t discuss them here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also worth noting that Uber has branched into other areas of the transport market, including food delivery and courier services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The employment status of Uber and Lyft drivers under the law has long been a hotly debated issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Both Uber and Lyft have long argued that drivers are independent contractors, not employees. They maintain that drivers control their schedules, use their own vehicles, and work for multiple platforms if they choose. This setup minimizes the companies\u2019 legal exposure via the doctrine of vicarious liability, as we discuss in more detail below. It also allows the companies to get away with offering their drivers fewer benefits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some states (such as California<\/a>) have taken steps to change the law such that rideshare drivers are treated as employees in some situations. In Pennsylvania, though, Uber and Lyft drivers are still classified as independent contractors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vicarious liability<\/a> holds employers responsible for the actions of their employees while performing job-related tasks. So, if you get into an accident with a driver who\u2019s working for an employer at the time of the crash (such as a truck driver<\/a>), it might be the company that\u2019s liable, rather than the driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You might assume the same rule would apply when a rideshare driver causes an accident. However, as discussed above, rideshare companies have historically structured their business models to avoid vicarious liability. They argue that drivers are independent contractors, rather than employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While vicarious liability may not apply to Uber and Lyft drivers in the traditional sense, the companies do carry insurance policies that may cover you if one of their drivers causes you harm. However, this will depend on the activity the driver is engaged in at the time of the accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to remember that drivers use their personal vehicles to provide services on Uber and Lyft. So, by law, they must have auto insurance coverage up to certain minimum limits, like any other driver in Pennsylvania. If the rideshare company\u2019s coverage does not apply in a given situation, you should be able to file a claim against the driver\u2019s personal insurance policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are various potential scenarios here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re injured as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, the circumstances of the accident will dictate whose insurance you\u2019ll claim against. Rideshare companies provide insurance coverage for their drivers, but that coverage applies only in certain circumstances. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAre Rideshare Drivers Employees or Independent Contractors?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Does Vicarious Liability Apply in Rideshare Accident Cases?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What If I Get Injured as the Occupant of an Uber or Lyft?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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