Rideshare apps are incredibly convenient ways to get around large cities. Particularly in Houston, where public transportation is limited, the ability to schedule a ride from anywhere provides people with a great degree of freedom.
Unfortunately, Uber/Lyft/Rideshare accidents in Houston sometimes occur, as they do for all other types of drivers. These wrecks are typically more complex than others due to the number of people involved, as well as insurance companies and lawyers. An experienced car accident attorney may be able to help you navigate this intricate situation and protect your right to receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Common Causes of Wrecks
Houston rideshare crashes can happen for a number of reasons. However, there are several factors that are more likely to contribute to a wreck.
Speeding
Rideshare drivers are incentivized to complete as many rides as possible, so they may be tempted to drive above the speed limits, which could easily put passengers in danger.
Unexpected Stops
Rideshare drivers frequently stop in unusual places to pick up or drop off passengers. If they do so too quickly or without proper signaling, it could increase the odds that other drivers on the road are unable to react in time to avoid an accident.
Distracted Driving
Although most rideshare companies attempt to have safety protocols in place, companies like Uber and Lyft require the driver to be watching and manipulating their cell phones while driving, which distracts the person at the wheel and greatly increases the risk of accidents.
Fatigue
Rideshare drivers are typically in their cars for long stretches of time and drive in highly populated, high-traffic areas; eventually fatigue can set in and lead to reduced awareness and reaction times, increasing the likelihood for collisions.
Whether it is other drivers on the road or passengers in the Uber or Lyft, the other people involved in the accident may not be able to identify the cause of the crash in the moment. An attorney who regularly handles injury cases may be able to investigate and determine the underlying factors that led to the crash.
Who Is Responsible for Rideshare Crashes?
Knowing what caused an Uber or Lyft collision in Houston, however, is not sufficient. For an injured person to recover compensation for their losses, they must identify the party responsible for the wreck. This party could be any of the following:
- The rideshare driver
- The rideshare company
- Another driver on the road
- The manufacturer of the vehicle
Texas Occupations Code § 2402.114 allows for a rideshare company to consider its drivers independent contractors, which prevents the company from being responsible for the drivers actions. However, certain factors must be established for a driver to be an independent contractor, which may or may not be present in each scenario.
Even if a driver is an independent contractor, the rideshare company could still be held liable if any policies or practices they enforced on the driver caused the accident. A lawyer with experience in these types of wrecks may be able to help an injured person identify who is responsible for their injuries given the context of their specific crash.
Reach Out to a Houston Attorney Experienced in Rideshare Wrecks
The aftermath of any car crash is stressful, but you should be able to focus on your recovery and not worry about paying for medical care costs or replacing your property. You should not have to worry about which insurance company you will have to deal with, or who is responsible for your losses. You should not have to handle the rideshare company’s lawyers on your own. An attorney could help you manage all these matters so you can focus on healing and returning to your normal life.
Call today to schedule an initial consultation with a lawyer with experience handling Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents in Houston.