When you get into a car accident with another passenger car, it can be relatively simple to determine who is at fault, making the personal injury claim process straight-forward. However, things can quickly become more complex when you get into an accident with a commercial vehicle like a FedEx or Amazon truck, or in a rideshare accident with an Uber or Lyft driver. Is the driver or the company responsible for compensating you for your injuries? It all depends on the company and whether the driver is classified as an employee or independent contractor.
Determining Liability in a Rideshare Accident
Ridesharing through tech startups like Uber and Lyft has become increasingly popular over the past few years, with 45% of urban residents and 40% of suburban residents having reported using a ride-hailing app in the United States. However, the more Uber and Lyft drivers there are on the road, the more rideshare accidents there are.
When it comes to liability in a rideshare accident, you first need to determine whether the rideshare driver was on the clock at the time of the accident. If the driver was logged off the app, their personal insurance will cover the damages. If the accident occurred when the driver was logged on but had no passengers, the driver will be covered by the company’s insurance up to $50,000. If the rideshare driver has a customer, however, the company’s insurance coverage can cover up to $1 million in damages and injuries. Uber and Lyft’s drivers are not considered employees, which is how the companies are able to distance themselves from their drivers.
FedEx and Amazon Drivers: Who Is to Blame?
When your injuries are caused by a negligent FedEx truck driver, for the most part, you’ll be able to hold FedEx liable. Many FedEx drivers are company employees, and if they hit you while delivering packages, the company is responsible for their actions. However, there may be some instances in which FedEx can claim that the driver was an independent trucking contractor, in which case you may need to do more investigating to determine who is at fault.
When it comes to getting into an accident with an Amazon driver, there’s a good chance the driver may be personally at fault, as drivers work for “Amazon Delivery Partner Services,” which include companies and drivers that Amazon has hired as independent contractors.
When you’re suffering from injuries in a commercial vehicle accident, it’s important to call a personal injury attorney who can investigate your situation and hold the negligent company or driver responsible. Many companies are large and have their own legal teams, which can be daunting – our attorney isn’t afraid to go up against companies who are in the wrong.
The Sooner You Call, the Sooner We Help
Like many other states, Indian has a 2-year statute of limitations, which means you have a limited amount of time to take legal action against the driver who caused your accident and injuries. By getting started on your case as soon as possible, our car accident attorney can build a solid strategy and gather the evidence we need to prove liability. By waiting too long, you can miss out on your opportunity to recover your damages, which can add up in medical bills, lost income, property damage, and more. Let our team help you heal from your injuries by seeking justice.
Call our car accident attorney at Crossen Law Firm at (317) 401-8626, or contact us online. We use our 20+ years of legal experience to secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries by holding negligent drivers responsible. Call us if you’re ready to get results.
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