With ridesharing services, there is naturally less oversight. Following an accident, there is no need to explain things to the boss or worry about being grounded. As such, drivers may take chances that they wouldn’t ordinarily choose if working for a traditional taxi company leading to accidents due to:

- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Operating under the influence
- Making unsafe lane changes
- Pulling out in front of other vehicles

Uber and Lyft both require applicants to have their vehicles inspected before they can download their apps and begin making money. Drivers must then submit to an annual inspection to continue working. In the interim, many fail to perform the required maintenance on their vehicles. Some do not have enough time between all of their other responsibilities, while others want to keep as much of their earnings as possible.

Knowing whether or not an accident was due to faulty maintenance can be tricky. Rideshare accident lawyers may ask for maintenance reports or hire an accident reconstruction specialist to help them make this determination.

As if sustaining an injury wasn’t bad enough, many victims are faced with the daunting task of determining who should pay. With ridesharing companies, there are typically several insurance companies in play. First is the driver’s automobile policy, which often provides insufficient coverage for medical payments.

Many operators are supposed to have an additional rider to cover them in the event of a ridesharing accident. This policy too may be insufficient-or in many cases, non-existent.

The ridesharing company itself also has its own insurance company for ridesharing accident attorneys to deal with separately. Of course, this company will often try to “pass the buck,” leaving people running in circles while trying to obtain relief.

Not all accidents are caused by ridesharing drivers. When the incident is someone else’s fault, that person’s insurance company may also try to defer payment. It’s often easier to point the finger at a hired driver than it is to pay up. Accordingly, a Lyft accident lawyer is commonly used not only to help passengers recover damages but to defend workers who are being railroaded by the system.