Uber Accident Lawyers in West Palm Beach, FL
Ride-sharing apps, like Uber or Lyft, are relatively new endeavors, especially to West Palm Beach residents. However, they have quickly risen in favor to help people who either cannot or prefer not to drive around the area. However, if a passenger, other motorist, or pedestrian is involved in a car accident with an Uber driver, the aftermath can be complicated. These accidents become even more complex in chain reaction situations in which additional parties are involved. The West Palm Beach Uber accident lawyers at Donaldson & Weston understand the nuances of legal action associated with such situations, and they help clients pursue the proper parties to make sure that victims receive the compensation that they need in their recovery. If you have been injured in an accident involving an Uber driver and have questions regarding your legal rights and options, you should contact our office today to find out more about how we can help.
Uber Accidents and Related Injuries
Located within the West Palm Beach region are the cities of Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Jupiter, and many others. These cities feature popular restaurants, bars, and other nightlife activity, and West Palm Beach residents may choose to utilize Uber when traveling to these nearby locations. This makes the potential for accidents involving an Uber vehicle greater, especially during nighttime hours.
Uber and other transportation network companies are not required to follow the same protocols as traditional taxicab companies in regard to governmental supervision. This means that Uber is tasked with setting its own standards of business regarding practices like conducting and approving drivers’ background checks, as well as handling any training or supervision of its drivers. Uber also carries its own insurance policies, which it advertises as covering up to $1 million if a passenger is injured in an accident. However, there is less information regarding its coverage extending to situations in which an Uber driver is involved in an accident with another motorist, and the company may argue against any liability for these collisions at all. In these instances, a driver’s own insurance policy may be inadequate to cover the costs of a victim’s injuries. Many times, insurance coverage depends on whether the Uber app was in use at the time of a collision. Regardless, when a driver acts negligently, the responsible parties should be held liable. Our Uber accident attorneys can assist West Palm Beach residents with this process.
Uber accidents may involve not only passengers but also pedestrians, bicyclists, or other drivers. Injured victims may be able to pursue a personal injury claim against a negligent driver, as well as Uber. To establish negligence, the victim must prove that they were owed a duty of care, and that duty was breached by the defendant’s lapse in care, which caused the victim’s injuries and resulted in damages. Drivers owe all other road users a duty to act prudently on the road, which means (for example) that they cannot be unreasonably distracted by trying to get where they are going to pick up a ride. Even though Uber classifies drivers as independent contractors instead of official employees, that does not totally shield the company from liability in an injury case arising out of a collision. Uber may be found accountable for negligently hiring drivers with poor driving histories or failing to properly train or supervise them.
Uber and other transportation network companies are not required to follow the same protocols as traditional taxicab companies in regard to governmental supervision. This means that Uber is tasked with setting its own standards of business regarding practices like conducting and approving drivers’ background checks, as well as handling any training or supervision of its drivers. Uber also carries its own insurance policies, which it advertises as covering up to $1 million if a passenger is injured in an accident. However, there is less information regarding its coverage extending to situations in which an Uber driver is involved in an accident with another motorist, and the company may argue against any liability for these collisions at all. In these instances, a driver’s own insurance policy may be inadequate to cover the costs of a victim’s injuries. Many times, insurance coverage depends on whether the Uber app was in use at the time of a collision. Regardless, when a driver acts negligently, the responsible parties should be held liable. Our Uber accident attorneys can assist West Palm Beach residents with this process.
Uber accidents may involve not only passengers but also pedestrians, bicyclists, or other drivers. Injured victims may be able to pursue a personal injury claim against a negligent driver, as well as Uber. To establish negligence, the victim must prove that they were owed a duty of care, and that duty was breached by the defendant’s lapse in care, which caused the victim’s injuries and resulted in damages. Drivers owe all other road users a duty to act prudently on the road, which means (for example) that they cannot be unreasonably distracted by trying to get where they are going to pick up a ride. Even though Uber classifies drivers as independent contractors instead of official employees, that does not totally shield the company from liability in an injury case arising out of a collision. Uber may be found accountable for negligently hiring drivers with poor driving histories or failing to properly train or supervise them.
