Taxi and Rideshare Accident Attorneys

Auburn, AL Taxi and Rideshare Accident Attorneys

The convenience of hailing a taxi or booking a ride through an app like Uber or Lyft has fundamentally changed how we travel around Auburn and across Alabama. While these services offer a practical transportation solution, an accident involving a for-hire vehicle introduces layers of complexity not present in a typical car crash. The moments following a collision are often disorienting, but when the vehicle is a taxi or rideshare, questions about insurance coverage and liability immediately surface, creating a challenging legal landscape for injured victims.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Rideshare or Taxi Accident?

A thorough investigation is vital to identify every party that may bear some responsibility for the collision. While the immediate focus is often on the drivers involved, other entities could share in the liability.

Potential at-fault parties in a taxi or rideshare accident claim may include:

The Rideshare or Taxi Driver: If the driver’s negligence such as speeding, distracted driving, or violating traffic laws caused the accident, they are a primary source of liability.
The Rideshare Company (Uber/Lyft): While they classify drivers as independent contractors, rideshare companies can be held liable under certain circumstances. Their corporate insurance policy may apply, especially if the accident occurred while a passenger was in the vehicle.
The Taxi Cab Company: Traditional taxi companies often own the vehicles and employ the drivers directly. This can make them directly liable for the actions of their employee and for failing to maintain their vehicles properly.
Another Motorist: If another driver on the road was at fault for the crash, their personal auto insurance would be the primary target for compensation.
The Vehicle Manufacturer: If a mechanical failure or defect, such as faulty brakes or a tire blowout, contributed to the crash, the manufacturer of the vehicle or its parts could be held responsible through a product liability claim.

A Government Entity: In some cases, poor road design, inadequate signage, or malfunctioning traffic signals can contribute to an accident. Proving a government body is at fault presents a high bar, but it can be a factor.

How Does Insurance Work in an Uber or Lyft Accident?

Understanding the insurance structure for rideshare services is fundamental to pursuing a successful claim. The applicable coverage depends entirely on the driver’s activity at the time of the crash, which is typically tracked via the app.

Here is a breakdown of the different insurance periods for Uber and Lyft drivers:

Period 0: The App is Off. If the rideshare driver is using their vehicle for personal reasons and the app is off, only their personal auto insurance policy applies to an accident. Rideshare company insurance provides no coverage in this scenario.

Period 1: The App is On, Waiting for a Request. The driver is available to accept rides but has not yet accepted one. During this phase, rideshare companies provide a lower level of liability coverage. This typically includes at least $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage.

Period 2: En Route to Pick Up a Passenger. Once the driver accepts a ride request and is on their way to the passenger, the full commercial insurance policy is often triggered.

Period 3: Passenger is in the Vehicle. From the moment a passenger enters the vehicle until they exit at their destination, the highest level of coverage is in effect. Both Uber and Lyft carry $1 million in third-party liability coverage, as well as uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage and contingent collision and comprehensive coverage.

Because a driver’s personal insurance policy will almost certainly deny a claim if they were engaged in commercial activity, navigating these different periods is essential. An experienced attorney can secure the necessary electronic data from the rideshare company to prove the driver’s status and ensure the correct policy is pursued.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Taxi and Rideshare Wrecks?

The same factors that cause general car accidents also apply to taxis and rideshare vehicles. However, the nature of the job introduces pressures that can heighten the risk of certain behaviors.

Common causes of these accidents include:

Distracted Driving: This is a major issue for rideshare and taxi drivers. They are constantly interacting with a smartphone app to accept rides, navigate to destinations, and communicate with passengers. This diverts their attention from the road.
Driver Fatigue: To maximize income, many for-hire drivers work long hours, sometimes late at night or after working another job. Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as impaired driving, slowing reaction times and dulling judgment.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving: The pressure to complete more rides in less time can lead drivers to speed, tailgate, or make unsafe lane changes.
Unfamiliarity with the Area: While GPS is a helpful tool, drivers who are not familiar with local traffic patterns, complex intersections, or construction zones in Auburn may be more prone to making errors.
Picking Up or Dropping Off Passengers: Drivers may stop suddenly or in unsafe locations, like bike lanes or intersections, to pick up or let out passengers, creating a hazard for other vehicles.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Taxi companies are responsible for maintaining their fleet, but rideshare drivers use their personal vehicles. A failure to keep up with necessary maintenance, such as brake repairs or tire replacements, can lead to mechanical failures.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI): While rideshare companies have policies against it, a driver operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs poses a grave danger to their passengers and everyone else on the road.

What Types of Injuries Are Common in These Accidents?

Due to the forces involved and the fact that passengers may not always be properly seated or belted, the injuries from a taxi or rideshare accident can be severe and life-altering.

Victims often suffer from a range of physical and psychological harm:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): The violent motion of a crash can cause the head to strike a window, seat, or other object, leading to concussions or more severe brain injuries with long-term cognitive and physical effects.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the vertebrae or the spinal cord itself can result in herniated discs, chronic pain, or even paralysis.
Whiplash and Neck Injuries: The sudden back-and-forth movement in a collision commonly causes significant soft tissue damage to the neck and upper back.
Broken Bones and Fractures: The force of impact can easily break bones in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma can damage internal organs, leading to internal bleeding and other life-threatening conditions.
Lacerations and Bruising: Broken glass and contact with the vehicle’s interior can cause deep cuts and extensive bruising.
Psychological Trauma: The experience of a serious accident can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and a fear of riding in vehicles.

What Steps Should I Take After a Rideshare or Taxi Accident?

The actions you take in the immediate aftermath of a crash can have a significant impact on your health and your ability to bring a successful legal claim.

Prioritize Safety and Seek Medical Attention: Your first priority is your health. If you or anyone else is injured, call 911 immediately. Even if you feel fine, it is important to be evaluated by a medical professional. Some serious injuries, like internal bleeding or concussions, may not have immediate symptoms.
Report the Accident to the Police: A police report is a key piece of evidence. It will document the scene, identify witnesses, and often include an initial assessment of fault.
Document Everything at the Scene: If you are able, take pictures and videos of the accident scene, including the damage to all vehicles, their positions, any skid marks, and relevant traffic signs.
Gather Information: Collect the names, contact information, and insurance details from all drivers involved. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses.
Take a Screenshot within the App: If you were a rideshare passenger, take a screenshot of your ride information in the Uber or Lyft app. This can serve as immediate proof that you were on an active trip.
Do Not Give a Recorded Statement: The at-fault party’s insurance company may contact you and ask for a recorded statement. You are not obligated to provide one, and it is in your best interest to decline until you have spoken with an attorney.
Contact a Knowledgeable Attorney: The insurance and liability issues in these cases are complex. Consulting with a lawyer who has experience with rideshare and taxi accident claims is a vital step toward protecting your rights.

Contact Our Auburn, AL Taxi and Rideshare Accident Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision involving an Uber, Lyft, or taxi, you do not have to face the legal and financial challenges alone. The dedicated team at Alsobrook Law Group is here to provide the focused legal representation you need to pursue the justice and compensation you deserve. We invite you to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. This allows us to learn about your situation, answer your questions, and explain how we can help you move forward.

Call us today at 334-737-3718 to schedule your appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can be held liable in a taxi or rideshare accident in Auburn, AL?

Liability can fall on the rideshare or taxi driver, the rideshare company (Uber, Lyft), the taxi company, another negligent driver, a vehicle manufacturer if a defect contributed, or even a government entity if poor road conditions played a role.

How does insurance coverage work after an Uber or Lyft accident?

Uber and Lyft provide different coverage depending on what the driver was doing at the time: personal insurance applies if the app is off; limited coverage if the app is on but no ride accepted; full commercial coverage applies once a ride is accepted and while a passenger is in the vehicle, often up to $1 million in third-party liability.

What are the most common causes of taxi and rideshare accidents?

Frequent causes include distracted driving, driver fatigue, speeding or aggressive driving, unfamiliarity with local roads, unsafe passenger pick-ups or drop-offs, poor vehicle maintenance, and, in some cases, driving under the influence.

What types of injuries are most common for taxi or rideshare passengers?

Victims often suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, whiplash, broken bones, internal injuries, lacerations, bruises, and psychological trauma such as PTSD.

What compensation can I pursue if I am injured in a rideshare or taxi crash?

Compensation may include economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, property damage), non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life), and, in rare cases, punitive damages if misconduct was egregious.

What should I do immediately after a rideshare or taxi accident?

Prioritize safety and medical care, report the accident to police, document the scene with photos and videos, collect witness and driver information, take a screenshot of your ride from the app, avoid recorded statements to insurers, and contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

How is fault determined in rideshare or taxi collisions?

Fault is determined through police reports, eyewitness testimony, photos or video from the scene, vehicle and app data, and thorough legal investigation to identify all potentially liable parties.

Why is legal representation important in taxi and rideshare accident cases?

Because multiple parties and complex insurance policies may be involved, an experienced attorney can help ensure crucial evidence is preserved, the correct insurance policy is accessed, and that you pursue the maximum available compensation.

Zach Alsobrook

ATTORNEY AT LAW

Zachary D. Alsobrook is a partner in the Opelika law firm of Alsobrook Law Group, where he concentrates his practice in the areas of criminal defense and DUI; divorce, child custody…