Were you injured in an accident while riding as a passenger in an Uber or another rideshare vehicle in Brockton, MA? Or, did a rideshare driver hit your vehicle, injuring you or others inside? If so, you could be eligible to seek compensation from the driver, Uber, or both.
Unfortunately, determining the types of compensation and what insurance policies are available to you can be challenging in the aftermath of a rideshare accident. Here, we’ll discuss the laws regulating rideshare vehicles in Massachusetts and how you could file an Uber accident claim if you’ve been hurt in one of these accidents.
Ridesharing Laws in Massachusetts
As ridesharing services have grown in popularity in Massachusetts, they have also become subjected to more regulatory action.
Under Massachusetts law, rideshare drivers are required to have at least $1,000,000 in automobile liability insurance coverage for bodily injury, death, property damage, and uninsured motorist coverage, per occurrence, per vehicle to cover any accidents that occur while the rideshare driver is actively on a trip. Drivers must also carry personal injury protection (PIP).
This coverage could be held by the driver, the rideshare company, or a combination of both. Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies carry policies that typically meet these requirements. Still, the policy will only come into play when the driver is on the app and waiting for a ride request, traveling to pick up a fare, or en route with a fare.
Can I File a Claim Against Uber After an Accident in Brockton, MA?
If you have been injured in an accident caused by an Uber driver, you could seek compensation from Uber’s $1 million insurance policy.
This policy should apply as long as the driver was logged into the app, had accepted a ride, or the crash occurred during a trip.
According to Uber’s insurance guidelines, if the driver was offline or their app was off, you would likely have to seek compensation from the driver’s personal insurance policy.
In any event, you will be making a claim against the insurance policy itself, not against Uber or the driver.
How to File a Claim After a Massachusetts Rideshare Accident
To seek compensation from Uber, it is recommended that you hire an experienced Uber accident lawyer to represent you. Because the company’s insurance policy will only apply if the driver was actively using the app, it will be crucial to have an experienced rideshare accident lawyer who can investigate the crash and collect evidence.
Your lawyer will typically gather evidence and issue a demand letter for compensation from the applicable insurance policy. If a fair settlement is offered, you can accept and receive the fair compensation you’re owed. However, if the insurance company tries to deny or diminish your claim, your lawyer might advise you to file a personal injury lawsuit to seek damages in court.
Contact Our Experienced Rideshare Accident Lawyers in Brockton, MA Today
If you have been injured in a rideshare accident in Brockton, contact the Massachusetts rideshare lawyers at The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan today. Our lawyers are well-versed in Massachusetts rideshare laws and requirements and will be ready to discuss your rights and legal options during a free consultation.