Ridesharing services like UBER and Lyft have become popular forms of transportation in Charlotte in the last couple of years. Riders use the services to avoid dealing with Charlotte traffic, as well as to avoid driving impaired after a night out. Requesting an UBER, Lyft, or even a taxi if you’ve had too much to drink is the best decision you can make to keep yourself and others on the road safe.

Many people are also choosing to drive for UBER to supplement their income or as their full-time employment.

Ridesharing vehicles are still susceptible to accidents, like any other vehicle on the road. So what happens if you’re involved in an accident while driving for UBER?

Seek Medical Assistance

After any type of accident, the first thing you need to do is get medical attention whether or not you believe you have been injured. Often injuries aren’t recognized or noticeable for days or weeks after the accident, so it is important to get checked out even if you feel fine.

After a ridesharing accident, who is liable?

If you were injured in an UBER accident, whether or not you or UBER is responsible depends on what period the driver was in. Once the UBER app is on, the driver’s time is divided into three periods.

Period 1: App On

UBER does not take responsibility for accidents that happen to drivers on their own private time, and they still do not consider themselves liable when the UBER app is on.

Because UBER drivers are considered independent contractors rather than UBER employees, drivers are only technically on the clock when a passenger requests a ride.

If an UBER driver gets into an accident during Period 1, UBER is not liable.

Period 2: En Route

When a passenger requests a car and you start driving to pick them up, UBER’s own rideshare insurance technically covers you, but it can get a little tricky.

If the driver gets into an accident en route to the passenger, typically they are then unable to pick up a passenger and it results in a cancellation. So, even if you were in period 2 and “on the clock,” UBER can easily claim that they were unaware of when the accident occurred and, for all they know, the passenger could have canceled before the accident.

Period 3: On Trip

UBER’s liability insurance will always cover you during period 3 when you have a passenger in your vehicle because your attorney can easily prove that you were “on the clock” at the time the accident occurred.

If you are in an accident, whether you are driving for UBER or not, you should always know what you should do after the incident. Download this checklist so that you can be prepared for the unexpected.

Contact our team of experienced personal injury attorneys if you were injured in an accident through no fault of your own. We can help you handle your case and get you the compensation you deserve.