St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, meaning more people will be out celebrating, attending parades, and engaging in cultural festivities. Almost certainly, there will be more people consuming alcohol during St. Patrick’s Day weekend, both per capita and by volume.
More people drinking alcohol + more people drinking alcohol in higher quantities = greater road travel risks.
Most people understand that they must schedule a sober ride home if they plan to celebrate and drink alcohol.
A Sober Ride Does Not Guarantee Safety
The advent of Uber, Lyft, and other ride-share services has made scheduling a sober driver convenient and affordable. This is something you can control. Unfortunately, that does not account for other drivers who may be out on the road.
What are the Rights of Passengers in the Event of an Accident?
Passengers in Uber and other ride-sharing services have rights regardless of whether the driver or someone else is at fault. Passengers should know that, in addition to Uber drivers being required to carry liability insurance, Uber also has its own $1 million liability insurance policy for eligible passengers, motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcycle riders. This policy applies when an Uber driver is logged into the Uber app and carrying passengers. Also, if you are a ride-sharing passenger struck by a drunk driver, the drunk driver likely would be be at fault to some degree and liable for injuries and vehicular damage.
What are the Rights of Uber Drivers in the Event of an Accident?
Because Uber and other ride-share drivers are almost always independent contractors, drivers are not exempt from the requirement of carrying individual insurance coverage for their vehicles. If an Uber driver causes a car accident, their insurance provider should provide those injured or harmed in the crash with compensation for their injuries. If you are a ride-sharing driver, then you should check with your insurance company to make sure you would be covered if you were involved in a car crash.
If an Uber driver is the victim of a car accident caused by a drunk driver, the drunk driver would likely be at-fault and liable for the Uber driver’s injuries, damage to the driver’s vehicle, and any injuries or harm to their passengers.
Injured in a Car Accident on St. Patty’s Day? Call NRS Injury Law.
Whether you are an Uber driver, passenger, or pedestrian, if you or a loved one are injured over the holiday weekend, please call NRS Injury Law, the leading personal injury firm in Ohio. NRS Injury Law attorneys are standing by to help you or your loved one receive justice and due compensation. Call NRS Injury Law today at 855-468-4878, or fill out our contact form.
category: Auto Accidents
Disclaimer: The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only, and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in, or accessible through, this Post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.