Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have taken the nation by storm in recent years. Today, the industry is one of the largest markets in the world, with a net worth exceeding $75 billion. Although these apps provide Portland residents and visitors with affordable, convenient transportation options, trusting a stranger with your safety doesn’t always pan out the way you hope it will.
Uber and Lyft accidents are liable to cause severe injuries and even death. If you or someone you care about has been in an accident involving an Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare driver, contact Rizk Law rideshare accident attorneys to help recover compensation for your damages today.
Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents in Portland, Oregon
Rideshare apps have been praised in the past for their potential to cut down on drunk driving, but some studies suggest that instead of making the roads safer for everyone, these apps could be making them more dangerous. With Uber and Lyft drivers now clogging up our roadways, there are more cars than usual on the streets. Inevitably, when the number of cars on the roads rises, unfortunately, so do the number of accidents.
Drivers working for ridesharing apps do not have their driving abilities reviewed before being hired, meaning more people who are bad at driving could now be spending more time on the road. If a rideshare driver is partaking in any of the following behaviors when they cause an accident, they could be found negligent and determined to be at fault for the crash:
- Texting while driving
- Driving while distracted by their GPS
- Speeding while rushing to their next fare
- Illegally passing
- Stopping abruptly to pick up passengers
- Driving aggressively
- Failure to obey traffic signs or signals
- Eating while driving
- Driving under the influence
- Swerving
- Tailgating
- Drowsy driving
- Reckless driving
The knowledgeable Portland car accident lawyers at Rizk Law understand the challenges and frustrations that come with these types of accidents and can help hold any at-fault party responsible for the harm they have caused. Our team has helped many clients within Portland and the surrounding areas recover more than $15 million in personal injury claims over the years, and we would be honored to help you and your family.
Who Could Be Held Liable for an Uber or Lyft Accident in Portland, Oregon?
When it comes to rideshare accidents, the determination of liability can be incredibly complex. Multiple parties could be found liable for these types of accidents. Hence, accident victims must partner with a rideshare accident attorney with the skills required to pinpoint any parties that could be held responsible for the losses of victims.
Liability for an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare accident could fall on any of the following parties:
- The driver
- The rideshare company
- Other drivers
- Other third parties
- Other passengers
As is typical with almost any corporation, ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft do their best to maximize their profits by minimizing their responsibility in the event of an accident. A couple of strategies rideshare companies like to use to minimize their accountability for an accident include:
Forced Arbitration
Arbitration is a way to settle a dispute outside of court. For rideshare accidents, consumers are required to submit their disputes to binding arbitration as a condition of using the service. This usually means forcing an injured passenger to go before a panel of arbitrators that have been hand-picked by the rideshare service in order to plead their case. However, forced arbitration can only be used by the party using the app–meaning pedestrians and other drivers are not bound by forced arbitration and are free to sue the ridesharing service.
Independently Contracted Drivers
Many companies attempt to minimize their liability in the event of an accident by labeling their employees as “independent contractors.” The intention here is that if their drivers are considered independent, then the rideshare company will be absolved of any wrongdoing. However, this tactic is rarely successful as they are usually found to be responsible for the actions of anyone engaging in activities that benefit the company under their direction.
Get Help Recovering Compensation for an Uber or Lyft Accident in Oregon or Washington
Rizk Law lawyers offer complimentary consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. This means we do not get paid for the work we do on your case unless we achieve compensation recovery for your damages. Call today to schedule a free, no-obligation evaluation of your Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare service accident case today at (503) 342-0783 or by completing our contact form.