People use rideshare vehicles to get around Chicago for a variety of different reasons. Some people are only in town to visit and do not want the stress of trying to park a rental vehicle and then locate it again later. Some people use rideshare vehicles to avoid drunk driving or timing challenges when they have a tightly scheduled day.
Whatever the reason that people use rideshare services, their goal is to reach their destination quickly and safely without the hassle of managing a vehicle. For the vast majority of people who use rideshare apps, the process is uneventful. However, a small percentage of rideshare rides end in a collision.
There can be a lot of confusion about someone’s rights if they get into a rideshare accident. Who usually pays for a passenger’s losses after a rideshare crash?
Fault and timing determine liability
The first and primary consideration when looking at who is financially responsible for a crash is fault. If the other vehicle is to blame for the collision, then that third party will typically have liability to cover the cost generated by the crash. Insurance or a personal injury lawsuit can help a passenger cover their medical expenses and other losses.
However, it can be a little more complicated in cases where the rideshare driver is at fault for the collision. Sometimes, it will be the rideshare company that provides insurance coverage. If the crash occurs during the actual ride with the app tracking the costs of transportation, then the commercial policy provided by the company facilitating the ride will likely apply.
In the rare case that the crash occurs before or after the driver technically starts the ride in the app, then their specialized rideshare insurance will likely apply. If they do not have that coverage, then the passenger may have to look into their options for a personal injury lawsuit, as standard car liability coverage likely will not apply in a scenario where someone uses their vehicle for commercial purposes.
Knowing who has financial responsibility can be a good starting point for those expecting to pursue compensation after a rideshare crash leaves them injured.
