What Should I Do If My Rideshare Driver is Drunk?
February 5, 2020
This past New Year’s Eve, a young couple wanted to make sure that they got home safely from the party they attended, so they arranged for a ride with a rideshare driver. The passengers noticed that the driver was swerving in and out of lanes and driving well over the speed limit. The driver was pulled over by a police officer, who administered a sobriety test. He was arrested for drunk driving. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Customers who use ridesharing apps should be aware of the liability issues involved with these types of accidents. A skilled car accident lawyer can explain these issues in detail and secure the financial compensation they deserve.
Anyone who gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher is considered legally drunk. This goes for Uber and Lyft drivers as well. While the number of people who use these ridesharing services continues to grow, there are certain risks involved, including accepting a ride from a driver who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If a rideshare driver is drunk, they are more likely to be involved in an accident, which can seriously compromise the safety of passengers.
Determining Liability If a Rideshare Driver is Drunk
If an Uber or Lyft passenger is injured in a car accident, and the driver was drunk, the passenger will likely be eligible to collect compensation for injuries and damages associated with the accident. However, determining liability can be somewhat confusing since Uber and Lyft drivers are generally considered independent contractors rather than employees of the ridesharing company. That means that there could be shared liability, depending on the circumstances of the accident.
If the driver is drunk, they will likely be liable for the accident and their insurance will cover the cost of the injuries and damages. If the drunk driving accident occurred while the driver was on duty, the ridesharing company’s insurance policy may provide some or all the insurance coverage. It is important to understand that these companies will try to encourage car accident victims to sign an agreement that will prevent them from filing a claim or take legal action against them. The following is an overview of Uber’s policy limits for accidents caused by a ridesharing driver:
- $50,000/$100,000/$25,000 worth of coverage by Uber in-between fares if the driver’s insurance policy refuses to pay the injured passenger’s claim
- $1,000,000 of uninsured/underinsured benefits per accident
- $1,000,000 of liability coverage per accident
Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents
If you were injured in a car accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, and your driver was under the influence of alcohol, contact the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. We will work tirelessly to ensure that the negligent party is held liable for the accident, and that you receive the maximum financial compensation you deserve. We will not stop fighting for you until you are completely satisfied. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Prince George’s County, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.