Ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft have been gaining popularity in Montgomery, AL. Companies like Uber and Lyft have made transportation fairly easy for the general public. Not only are Uber and Lyft services easily accessible, but they are also much more affordable compared to traditional taxi-cabs. However, as the popularity and usage of Uber and Lyft services increase, the risk of Uber and Lyft accidents also increases. If you live in Montgomery, AL and you were in an Uber or Lyft-related accident, you should contact a Montgomery personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Why is Uber So Popular?
There are several reasons why more people are now choosing ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft. These include:
Easy to Use: Uber and Lyft services are extremely easy to use. The only thing that riders need to do is download the Uber app on their phone. Once they’ve downloaded the app, they can get a ride with just a few clicks. They can also set their location, check out the driver details as well as the details of the vehicle. Also, riders can track their arrival on the map. There is no exchange of cash between the Uber driver and the rider. Passengers are required to pay online. There are no long waiting times on the phone and no long waiting times for the Uber car to arrive. Everything is smooth and easy. To top it all, Uber services are available 24 hours a day in which people find very useful.
Economical: Compared to traditional taxi cabs, Uber and Lyft services are much more economical. There is no running fare and riders are aware of the cost of their ride before getting into the Uber car. Payments are made in advance, and there are no surprises.
Risk of Uber Accidents in Montgomery, AL
While it is evident that ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft offer many advantages to passengers, the fact is that the growing popularity of Uber is also associated with an increase in the number of Uber-related accidents. If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident involving an Uber car or an Uber driver, you need to speak to a car accident attorney immediately.
There are certain reasons why the risk of accidents is higher with Uber or Lyft vehicles. These reasons include:
Lack of Regulations
The ridesharing industry is still in its infancy. Traditional taxi companies have been around for decades, and there are proper regulations that govern that segment. However, in recent months, there has been a significant debate on how companies like Uber and Lyft are under-regulated, and it is this under-regulation that makes the company and its drivers careless. A Lyft accident lawyer will be in a better position to discuss the regulatory framework of ridesharing companies, but in essence, they are not as strictly regulated as taxi companies.
Poor Driver Selection Process
Another major problem that has been observed in companies like Uber and Lyft is their poor driver screening process. Anybody can become an Uber driver as long as they have a valid driver’s license and a registered vehicle that complies with the state requirements. There is no comprehensive background check, and there is no driving test to determine if the drivers have adequate skills to carry passengers around the city. With such a vague driver screening process, there is a risk that these drivers may not be skilled enough to provide transportation services. There is also a risk that the drivers could be reckless which would increase the risk of accidents. If you have been in an Uber accident and if you believe that the accident occurred because of the driver’s negligence or recklessness, you need to speak to an Uber accident lawyer immediately.
Increased Number of Uber Cars: There is no doubt that Uber is gaining immense popularity. As the demand for Uber and Lyft services increases, the demand for Uber drivers also increases. Uber drivers work as independent contractors and are free to choose the hours they want to work. This flexibility is extremely appealing to people who are interested in making some extra income. As more drivers apply to become Uber and Lyft drivers, the number of Uber and Lyft cars on the road increase. This just adds to the already existing problem of traffic congestion. With more drivers out there on the road, many of whom may not be adequately trained or screened, the risk of accidents increases. Talk to a Lyft accident lawyer if you have been injured in a Lyft car accident.
Can an Uber Accident Victim Claim Compensation for Damages?
If you have been injured in a car accident that involves an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you have a right to file a compensation claim. Talk to an Uber accident lawyer in this regard.
Uber/Lyft car accident victims have the legal right to file a claim for any injuries that they may have incurred and subsequent damages. However, there are certain aspects that you should discuss with a Lyft accident lawyer so that you are completely aware of how things might proceed.
First, there is a very obvious insurance gap as far as Uber and Uber’s drivers are concerned. As far as companies like Uber and Lyft are concerned, they claim that they have a corporate insurance policy that is designed to compensate anybody who gets hurt while using an Uber vehicle. The problem is that this corporate policy may be great in theory, but in reality, there have been cases where Uber has refused to take responsibility for an accident that involved one of its drivers.
There are two reasons for this. Uber clearly says that it does not employ any drivers. Uber and Lyft cars that are out on our roads are operated by independent contractors. Any mishap or accident that occurs is thus the responsibility of these drivers. That is why there is always a risk that if you file a compensation claim, Uber’s insurance company will refuse to pay anything because they might claim that it is the driver’s problem and not theirs.
Compensation Claims Made by an Uber Accident Lawyer
Your car accident attorney can pursue a compensation claim with the driver’s insurance company, but there are additional issues that might arise. For example, the driver may only have personal auto insurance and the insurance company may refuse to pay because ridesharing is a commercial service and the driver would need a commercial auto policy to be able to pay any compensation to the victims. It may also be possible that the driver is uninsured or underinsured which could result in even more complications for those seeking compensation. It is important that you speak to an Uber accident lawyer to find out how you can go about getting compensation for the damages that you’ve incurred and how you can avoid the hassle of dealing with insurance companies.
There are situations where your Lyft accident lawyer could argue that the driver was active on the Uber app and was driving a passenger to their destination. This makes Uber responsible, and Uber’s insurance policy should theoretically kick in whenever an Uber or Lyft driver is on the job. Uber accident lawyers are more knowledgeable about how to handle such situations, and that is why it is important to discuss your case with them before you proceed with any claim.
Contact a Montgomery Uber Accident Lawyer
If you live in Montgomery, AL and if you were involved in an accident that involved an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you should contact our Uber accident lawyer at The Vance Law Firm. You need to know your options, and you need to understand that big companies like Uber and Lyft may try to manipulate the situation so that you don’t pursue any legal action against them or you settle for a low payout. We are here to help ensure this does not happen and that you get the compensation you deserve. Our car accident attorney will listen to the specifics of your case and will outline a strategy that will ensure your rights are protected.
Being in a Montgomery car accident can be a traumatic experience. People who suffer serious injuries not only have to worry about their physical recovery, but they also have to think about how they will pay their medical bills and make up for lost wages. We are here to help you get the justice you deserve. We want to make sure that you are not manipulated by Uber’s insurance company or their driver’s insurance company. They will try to convince you to settle as quickly as possible because their goal is to minimize their payout. Don’t make that mistake. Talk to The Vance Law Firm and discuss everything in detail with our Uber accident lawyer before you take any step.
Call our car accident attorney today at 334-333-3333. The Vance Law Firm works on the V-guarantee. We will get you the compensation you deserve, and we will not charge you anything until we have successfully recovered the compensation you deserve.
