Texas Uber Accident Injury Attorneys

A ridesharing service is a service that arranges one-time shared rides through the use of GPS navigation devices, smartphones, and social networks.

Similar to carpooling, ridesharing services like Uber utilize empty seats in passenger vehicles to provide transportation to those without access to a vehicle or who may not be in a condition to drive. Unlike carpooling, these services are often set up on short notice and are done for the sole purpose of profit.

Among the leading ridesharing services are:

• Uber
• Lyft
• Sidecar
• Wingz
• Fasten
• Ride Austin

The short answer: only a driver’s license.

Unlike taxi services which are heavily regulated, there are no certified licensing programs for rideshare drivers. All a driver needs is a valid driver’s license and auto insurance. After meeting a few other company-based requirements, drivers are free to transport clients with no additional training or experience.

Initially, this resulted in many of these services being banned as unlicensed taxi companies. However, bans have since been lifted, leaving the companies free to operate.

Rideshare companies have gone to great lengths in order to distance themselves from legal responsibility. Uber, for example, does not consider their drivers employees and instead lists them as independent contractors.

When confronted with litigation, parent companies like Uber will attempt to claim they only facilitate fares and are not responsible for their driver’s actions. It is then up to the plaintiff’s attorneys to prove the company’s liability.

Actual insurance policies will vary by rideshare company; however, all drivers are required to have their own insurance in order to be eligible to work for a ridesharing company. Additionally, both Lyft and Uber carry up to $1 million of liability company insurance, but this coverage is only in effect when at certain times.

For example, Uber’s insurance policy has three levels:

Uber App is OFF: Only the driver’s personal insurance is in effect.
App is ON and Driver is “Available”: In addition to driver’s insurance, Uber’s contingent liability coverage can now be accessed. This includes up to $100,000 for injuries.
Driver is on Uber Trip: Company’s full commercial insurance coverage is in effect. This includes $1 million in third-party liability and $1 million in uninsured and underinsured coverage.