A Tennessee rideshare accident attorney can help individuals who have been injured or harmed as a result of an accident involving a rideshare driver or their vehicle. Rideshare companies such as Uber have become popular transportation services, particularly for people who are looking for a low cost, low hassle way of getting to and from their destination. Despite the company’s popularity, Uber has been criticized for its handling of accidents involving its drivers. People who have been injured in accidents involving a rideshare automobile could be eligible to recover compensation with the help of a Tennessee rideshare accident lawyer.
Creative CommonsFor more information, contact the Attorney Group for Tennessee today. Our consultations are free, confidential and without any obligation on your part. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim we can connect you with an affiliated Tennessee rideshare accident attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
How Do Rideshare Apps Work?
Ridesharing has become a popular form of transportation, particularly in major U.S. cities and locations with limited options for public transportation. Also known as transportation networking companies, rideshare services incorporate smartphone technology, GPS navigation systems, and social media networks. Passengers must first download the company’s app to their smartphone to access a rideshare service. When a passenger would like a ride, they simply make a request and a nearby driver picks them up. Payments are generally made automatically once the passenger is taken to their destination. Uber and Lyft are both available in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga.
Tennessee Rideshare Regulation
In an article published by the Times Free Press, some business owners — particularly taxi services — have questioned the legality of rideshare companies Lyft and Uber. To operate in many states and cities, taxicab companies must meet strict local ordinances, and some taxi owners have claimed that the playing field is not level when it comes to regulating multinational rideshare companies, including Lyft and Uber. In an effort to regulate rideshare services in Tennessee, a Tennessee rideshare accident attorney notes that a new law passed in 2015 defines insurance requirements for rideshare companies and requires criminal background checks for their drivers.
Who is Responsible Should a Rideshare Accident Occur?
Since Uber drivers are often classified as independent contractors, individuals who have been injured in rideshare accidents may have trouble establishing liability should an accident happen. In the case of a six-year old girl who died as a result of an Uber accident, the company claimed that it was not responsible for the driver’s actions because he was not carrying a passenger at the time and, therefore, not working for Uber when the accident occurred.
How a Tennessee Rideshare Accident Attorney Can Help
Rideshare companies and their drivers have a duty to provide a safe environment for its passengers, drivers, other commuters, and pedestrians. If there are risks of harm associated with rideshare company drivers, the company must also provide adequate warnings and safeguards. If a driver fails to fulfill this duty, they, as well as the company, could be held liable in lawsuits for injuries that may result.
People injured as a result of a car accident involving a rideshare car through no fault of their own may be eligible to recover money for:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
The families of those who have died in car accidents may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact the Attorney Group for Tennessee. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
