Ride sharing apps like Lyft and Uber have taken cities by storm. Being able to herald a ride from anywhere at any time is not only incredibly convenient (not having to rely solely on the T is certainly a positive), it also makes the streets safer as fewer people are inclined to engage in inebriated driving when such a service is available. But what happens if your driver crashes and injures you? In such a case, our experienced Boston personal injury attorneys are here to help.
Drivers who sign up to be a part of Uber or Lyft must undergo checks for safe driving and background checks to ensure that they don’t have a history of criminal activity. For Uber, potential drivers must fork over a whole host of information, including their full name, date of birth, social security number, driver’s license number, a copy of their driver’s license, vehicle registration, insurance policy information and proof of a valid, completed vehicle inspection. Drivers must also have reliable cars that do not pose a safety risk to passengers.
However just because these checks are implemented prior to the drivers earning employment with the companies, this does not ensure that they will be properly checked for continued safety standards throughout the length of their employment. Perhaps their car has experienced a recent mechanical issue that makes the car unsafe, but the driver does not disclose this fact to Uber of Lyft for fear of being let go.
Now the driver gets into an accident with you in the backseat, and you are injured as a result. Not only will there be the required dance with insurance companies, but there may be grounds for a civil suit if the driver knowingly used his car for a ride sharing service while he or she was aware of an issue with the vehicle.
Perhaps the driver was operating the vehicle dangerously, whether they were texting and driving, trying to operate a GPS while in motion, ignoring road signs and right-of-way or even, in the most egregious cases, under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
In such a case, it is imperative to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to understand your rights to compensation and the avenues available towards that end goal. Our staff consists of personal injury attorneys with more than 40 years of experience handling a huge array of personal injury cases – and cases involving Lyft or Uber drivers are squarely in our ability to pursue.
Take back control, call today
When getting into a Lyft or an Uber, you are agreeing to surrender a reasonable amount of control in trusting a stranger to safely navigate you to a destination. The driver has a responsibility to honor that trust by driving carefully, attentively and without distractions or dangerous behavior.
Should your driver engage in behavior that endangers your life, they are liable for any damages or injuries that occur as a result of any collision or traffic incident. Should your injury require extensive hospital stays, expensive medication or other costs incurred, you may be able to file a claim for damages against the driver or Lyft/Uber to ensure that you are satisfactorily compensated for your pain and suffering.
Based in Cambridge and serving the entire Greater Boston Area, we at Altman & Altman LLP understand the benefits of Uber and Lyft, but we also recognize their heavy burden of responsibility to ensure the safety of their passengers. If you were injured in any way as a result of the actions of a Lyft or Uber driver, contact us today to go over the details of your case.
Call us today for a free consultation at 617-492-3000 or toll-free at 800-481-6199. We are available 24/7.