Who is Liable in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Massachusetts?
The aftermath of accidents involving Uber and Lyft drivers can be complicated. Most victims have trouble determining how to recover compensation for the harm they incurred.
There are several factors that can determine who is liable for an Uber or Lyft accident in Massachusetts. Victims may be able to file claims under Uber and Lyft’s insurance policies. However, Uber and Lyft cannot typically be sued for actions committed by their drivers. Further, under Massachusetts’ no-fault insurance laws, at-fault drivers can only be sued for accidents that cause severe harm. Accordingly, injured motorists may have to pursue compensation through their own insurance policies.
If you were injured because of an Uber or Lyft accident in Massachusetts, get help evaluating the legal options available to you. Contact our experienced Boston Uber and Lyft accident lawyers by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 to review your case for free.
Who to Sue After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Massachusetts?
Determining who to sue can be a complicated task after being injured in an Uber or Lyft accident. Our experienced Massachusetts Uber and Lyft lawyers can offer support to victims in either of the following situations:
After Accidents Caused by Uber and Lyft Drivers
Unfortunately, Uber and Lyft cannot be sued for accidents caused by their drivers. That is because their drivers are independent contractors, as opposed to standard employees. Only in extremely rare circumstances may Uber and Lyft be sued directly. For example, if a rideshare company knowingly hires a driver with a poor driving record, then the company may be held liable for accidents caused by that driver.
However, both Uber and Lyft carry insurance to cover injuries caused by crashes involving their drivers. In most cases, injured Uber and Lyft passengers will be able to seek compensation through these policies. If you were injured while riding as a passenger in an accident caused by a ridesharing driver, you should contact our Massachusetts car accident lawyers for help filing an insurance claim.
Lastly, other motorists injured because of accidents caused by Uber and Lyft drivers may have to seek compensation through their own insurers. According to Massachusetts’ no-fault insurance laws, injured parties may only bring car accident cases against other drivers if they suffered especially serious injuries. Our Boston car accident attorneys can help injured motorists determine the proper course of action after Uber and Lyft accidents in Massachusetts.
After Accidents Caused by Other Drivers
If you were injured while riding as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft accident caused by another driver, the proper course of action will depend on the extent of injuries you suffered. As previously mentioned, only those who suffered severe injuries may bring lawsuits against other at-fault drivers. Accordingly, if you suffered severe injuries because of a crash caused by another motorist, you may seek compensation from the at-fault party. Otherwise, you will have to seek compensation through Uber and Lyft’s insurance policies. No matter the circumstances of your accident, our experienced Cambridge car accident lawyers can help recover the full range of compensation available to you.
Examples of Negligent Actions Committed by at-Fault Drivers in Uber and Lyft Accidents in Massachusetts
Several examples of negligent actions committed by at-fault drivers in Uber and Lyft accidents exist. Our Massachusetts personal injury lawyers can help investigate whether your collision stems from one of the following causes:
Distracted Driving
A great number of Uber and Lyft accidents occur because of distracted drivers. Drivers can become manually, visually, or cognitively distracted. Manual distraction involves taking your hands off the wheel while visual distraction occurs when you take your eyes off the road. Cognitive distraction, however, refers to situations where you take your mind off the task of driving.
When drivers are distracted, they are prone to making costly mistakes behind the wheel. The following are examples of activities that frequently distract drivers in Massachusetts:
- Using a GPS
- Texting
- Talking with other passengers
- Talking on the phone
- Playing music on a mobile device
- Eating or drinking
Some activities like texting or using a GPS can involve all three forms of distraction. Fortunately, our attorneys can help recover financial compensation after accidents caused by distracted drivers.
Improper Left Turns
Improper left turns are another common cause of Uber and Lyft accidents in Massachusetts. Motorists can cause harmful collisions by failing to yield the right of way when turning at an intersection or merging onto a busy road. In such cases, witness statements and footage from nearby security cameras can be very helpful in determining who is liable for the accident at issue. If you were injured because of an Uber or Lyft accident caused by a driver who committed an improper left turn, our attorneys can help gather evidence and build your case.
Speeding
Speeding is also a common cause of accidents involving ridesharing drivers. Speeding drivers, like distracted drivers, will have trouble reacting to traffic signals, other vehicles, and various hazards in the roadways. Additionally, collisions that occur at high speeds are more likely to cause devastating types of harm. Our experienced Massachusetts Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can seek monetary damages from a speeding driver.
Tailgating
Lastly, tailgating is also a common cause of Uber and Lyft accidents. Tailgating describes the practice of driving too closely behind the car in-front of you. Tailgating drivers can cause harmful rear-end collisions when vehicles in-front of them have to slow down. These types of accidents are particularly common on highways during periods of high traffic congestion. If you were injured because of a ridesharing accident caused by a tailgating motorist, you should contact our Danvers car accident lawyers for guidance and support.
If You Were Hurt Because of an Uber or Lyft Accident in Massachusetts, Our Attorneys Can Help
If you were injured because of an Uber or Lyft accident, seek assistance from our experienced Worchester car accident lawyers by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 to review your case for free.