Greece
Spanish
Driving for a rideshare service could be a side hustle that provides supplemental income. It could also serve as the main profession of a motorist with a relatively clear driving record. Rideshare work allows those with reliable vehicles and responsible habits in traffic to make money transporting others on demand. Those willing to work on holidays and late at night on weekends may benefit from premium surge pricing and people tipping generously.
Rideshare drivers control their schedules and can even choose what passengers they transport. Yet, the downsides of rideshare driving include the costs of fuel, specialty insurance and the wear and tear on a vehicle. There’s also the constant looming threat of a crash.
If a rideshare driver gets hurt while working for Uber or Lyft, who pays for their collision expenses?
Different rules apply at different times
Rideshare drivers do not have access to workers’ compensation even if they get hurt in a crash. They are independent contractors, not employees. Therefore, they likely rely on their own insurance, the other driver’s insurance or on the rideshare company’s insurance to cover their losses. The policy that applies depends in part on when the crash occurs.
If the driver is offline, they may only be able to file a claim against the policy of the driver who causes a crash or their own standard car insurance policy, as the wreck didn’t occur while they were technically working or using their vehicle for commercial purposes. Crashes that occur while someone is active on the app and transporting a passenger may be eligible for compensation through the commercial insurance policies carried by Uber and Lyft.
Coverage availability changes if the collision occurs during a pickup before the driver started the ride or during a drop-off after they technically ended the trip. In those cases, the commercial driver’s rideshare policy might apply.
Additionally, the injured rideshare driver might be able to hold the other driver accountable for their losses. When the rideshare driver is not the party at fault, the insurance carried by the driver who caused the crash could help replace their lost income or pay to repair their vehicle.
Those dealing with the aftermath of a rideshare collision often need help assessing liability and evaluating insurance options. Discussing a crash with an attorney can help those involved in rideshare collisions avoid significant financial losses.