Need an Injury Attorney for an Uber/Ridesharing Accident in Louisiana?
When is the last time that you hooked a ride with an Uber driver or another ridesharing service? Perhaps you have utilized these services many times if you live in the city, and you’ve always been happy with the service that these drivers have given you. However, one day you hop in the passenger seat and entrust a driver to look after your well-being, and it ends in catastrophic injuries. Nobody ever expects this to happen when you pay somebody for a service and expect the very best. However, every year people are injured in Uber and other ridesharing accidents and wonder where they can turn in their time of need.
Many passengers who have been injured are finding out the same thing: There are hurdles standing in the way of you and the compensation you deserve. In fact, many states have been warning passengers against the use of these services without looking at their insurance policies first, because you want to make sure that you are covered just in case the company itself does not cover you. In the end, are ridesharing services as safe as we thought they would be? You want to know if you are protected in the event of an accident, and we can help.
Making the Determination Of Employee and Independent Contractor
When you hopped into a vehicle with an Uber driver, you probably didn’t think: Is this an actual employee? However, many states and attorneys are suggesting that we find out the answer to this big question because it means a lot in terms of gaining the compensation you deserve later on down the road. Knowing the relationship that an Uber or other ridesharing driver has with their employer is very important. So, what are they: an independent contractor or an employee?
If the driver is an employee and you can show this, then you could be covered by the company, as companies follow a doctrine known as “vicarious liability.” Under this doctrine, a company could owe an injured party compensation due to the fact that the driver’s negligent actions took place during their scope of employment. If they were on the job, the employer is usually involved when it comes to negligence. Employers are supposed to do whatever it takes to ensure that they are hiring the best drivers for the job and giving them the supervision they need to drive as safely as possible.
However, if they have been determined to be an independent contractor, you could find yourself in a difficult situation where you are left to gain compensation from just the driver or your own insurance policy depending on the circumstances. In the case of an independent contractor, the driver usually sets their own terms of employment and makes their own hours, but is paid by the company. This means that a company tends to be ‘off the hook’ when it comes to the actions of the driver. This can complicate your case, which is why you should always have an attorney on your side.
Uber, as well as many other companies, have offered riders $1 million insurance policies if they have been injured in an accident. While this is kind of the company to look out for riders, you may find that in the most catastrophic accidents, your amount of damages exceeds this. It may be alarming to think about $1 million worth of damages or more but think about a case where somebody is paralyzed and needs lifetime treatment and care. This is why it is important to turn to an attorney when it comes to settlement or litigation so that you can assure that you are getting the most out of your case to cover injuries and more.
We are here for you in your time of need. If you have been involved in a Louisiana ridesharing accident, we want to talk to you as soon as possible to help you retain your rights and build your case from the ground up. Call us today to get started.