An Indiana Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney Explains Ride-Sharing

The Uber and Lyft taxi-alternative ride-sharing services have exploded across the country, and Indiana is no exception. The law governing ride-sharing varies from state to state and is still developing. There are numerous insurance gap-related issues, and ride-sharing companies may not be subject to the same requirements that apply to taxis and limousines regarding inspections and licensing. There are efforts underway as we speak to develop comprehensive rules and regulations in many states. The rules can be complex and confusing; if you have been in an accident, an Indiana Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can help you navigate the situation and fight for compensation. 

Dangers of Ride-Sharing in Indiana

Although recent hard facts concerning the dangers of ride-sharing are hard to come by, there was a study published in the Chicago Booth Review in which Chicago Booth’s John Barrios, Rice University’s Yael V. Hochberg, and Rice Ph.D. candidate Livia Hanyi Yi found significant risks associated with ride-sharing, including, perhaps most importantly, a link between ride-sharing and a rise in auto-related deaths.

All transportation comes with risks, but the rules are somewhat different if you’ve been involved in a ride-sharing accident. Therefore, it’s important that your very first call (after 911, if necessary), be to an Indiana Uber and Lyft accident lawyer at Tofaute & Spelman so that we can help you protect your interests from the very beginning. 

Still, there are some risks that any rider should be aware of, including, for example: 

• Accidents. As discussed above, ride-sharing may increase your chances of being in an accident. All ride-sharing drivers are not experts or even relatively experienced.  
• Low-Rated Drivers. Ride-sharing companies typically fire drivers if their rating is too low, but this doesn’t happen instantly, and you may get stuck with a low-rated driver who is still in the process of being removed.
• Impersonating a Driver. Riders may mistakenly get in a car with someone, not their ride-sharing driver.
• Theft, Assault, Sexual Assault, and Other Crimes. All drivers are not good citizens, and some even take a driving job to lock a passenger in and commit crimes in the same way people are snatched off of the street.

Protecting Yourself When Ride-Sharing

Staying alert and prepared is the first step in avoiding danger. Additionally, some simple tips might make the difference between a safe ride and a catastrophe:

• Wait Inside. Stay indoors or close to the door while requesting and waiting for your ride.
• Check the License Plate. Take a quick look to ensure the car’s license plate matches the number on the app.
• Alert Friends or Family. Let someone you trust know you’re ride-sharing and with whom. Do this in front of the driver, so they’ll know you’re being expected within a specific amount of time.
• Ask for Verification. Ask your driver who they’re picking up and verify the driver through the app.
• Arm Yourself. Be sure to have some pepper spray and a mini-alarm system with you and keep them in your hand.
• Wear a Seatbelt. This is simply common sense. Sit in the back seat and make sure you’re buckled up.
• Trust your Instincts. If you feel uneasy for any reason, trust that feeling and end the ride.

Let an Indiana Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney at Tofaute & Spelman Help if You’ve Been Involved in a Ride-Sharing Accident

If you’ve been involved in a ride-sharing accident, an Indiana Uber and Lyft accident lawyer at Tofaute & Spelman will represent you to your insurance company and any opposing party or their lawyers. We understand the rules and requirements of the ride-sharing drivers and will gather the evidence necessary to prove your claim. Contact us today. We offer FREE consultations, same-day returns on phone calls and emails, a multilingual staff, and we are available 24/7/365.