While most auto accidents that occur in Hendersonville and throughout the state of Tennessee involve passenger cars that are operated for personal use, car accidents involving rideshare and taxicab vehicles also happen. When a passenger of a rideshare, taxicab, or Limousine is injured in a crash, knowing who is liable, and from which insurance company the victim should seek damages, can be confusing. At Bednarz & Bednarz, our talented personal injury attorneys in Hendersonville, TN, can assist you by building your claim and maximizing your compensation amount.
Who is Liable for Uber, Lyft, or Taxi Accidents?
Because Tennessee is a tort liability, or fault-based, car insurance state, the first step in determining who will pay for damages is determining who caused the accident. In a crash involving a rideshare vehicle, such as Uber, Lyft, or a taxicab, potentially at-fault parties may include:
- Rideshare drivers may be liable when their negligence causes the crash.
- Other motorists involved in the collision can also share responsibility.
- Defective auto parts can make the manufacturer accountable if the flaw contributed to the accident.
- Poor road maintenance, such as unfilled potholes or debris, can place liability on the government or the responsible party.
Once a fault has been established, the injured party may file a claim against the responsible party’s insurance. In Tennessee, a ridesharing vehicle that is engaged in a prearranged ride must have liability insurance of at least $1,000,000. Suppose the rideshare driver is logged onto the ridesharing app but has not yet picked up a passenger. In that case, the driver must have liability insurance for $50,000 bodily injury coverage per person, $100,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 in property damage coverage per accident. Taxicabs must also be covered by liability insurance.
In some cases, you may be liable for a rideshare or taxicab accident if you were driving your own vehicle independently and, through an act of negligence, such as speeding, you crashed into another car. In this case, your liability insurance will cover the damages sustained by the other party. You may be able to turn to your policy’s collision or medical payments coverage for assistance in paying for any damages you sustain.
Our Injury Attorneys Serve Hendersonville and Beyond
The most important thing to do following a car accident involving a rideshare vehicle or taxi is to determine who is at fault for the accident. If you cannot prove fault, you will be unable to hold another party liable for your injuries.
Once a fault is established, understanding which insurance company is responsible for damages–the private insurance of the rideshare driver, the company insurance of the rideshare driver, the insurance of another third party, or your own insurance–can be complicated. When you work with attorneys at Bednarz & Bednarz, we will build your case and help you recover the compensation you need. Contact us today for your free consultation.
