Ridesharing has made a big difference to transportation and community living in many urban areas. It involves several different configurations like car-pooling, peer-to-peer sharing, real-time ridesharing etc. Today, a plethora of “feed aggregator” apps are available for smartphone users that link them to rideshares in their neighborhood. When accidents involving such vehicles occur, contact a personal injury lawyer with specific experience in dealing with rideshare cases to advise the injured victims on the steps to be taken.

What Is Ridesharing?

This is a concept that offers facilities to those who don’t have or want to use their own transportation facilities, public transport, taxis etc for commuting. It offers a one-time ride on very short notice and there may be other passengers traveling in the same vehicle to similar or en route destinations. People need to download the relevant app onto their smartphones, give details of their location/destination and request a ride from drivers in their area. The drivers are private individuals, not employed by any organization or transportation company and are hence able to offer lower rates, easier payment options and more frequent services. Any person with a driver’s license and car in good condition can become part of a network of rideshares.

While being extremely convenient, cheap and generally hassle-free experiences, there are major concerns about ridesharing. Passenger safety, women’s safety, vehicle standards and maintenance, background checks of drivers etc are some of the issues faced in this sector.

In recent years, incidents involving ridesharing drivers and passengers have exposed some of the gray areas – insurance, liability, lack of licensing and training and taxation. When accidents happen involving rideshare vehicles, find a 24×7 injury lawyer without delay to ensure that your interests are safeguarded.

Insurance Issues in Ridesharing

The injuries sustained in ridesharing accidents are exactly the same as they would be for any car accident. Injured victims face medical expenses, loss of wages/income, hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, disability or even death. However, the question of establishing liability can be a major issue as our accident injury lawyers are aware. Ridesharing drivers are required only to take personal liability which covers only the holder of the insurance whereas a commercial taxi driver would carry commercial liability insurance which covers passengers. Drivers between fares are another sticky issue. However, there are new laws in place in Canada that require rideshare drivers to carry commercial insurance.

To protect yourself, examine your own insurance policy before opting for ridesharing. If your policy doesn’t cover serious injuries and medical expenses, a personal injury lawyer who is familiar with personal injury laws and insurance regulations would be of assistance.

Statutory benefits are available to all accident victims regardless of fault in Ontario. Find a personal injury lawyer with experience in this area of law to help victims get their just and due compensation if they were injured in a rideshare accident.

How We Can Assist 

Disputes with insurers and rideshare providers can be distressing, frustrating and challenging. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can represent victims in all negotiations with the at-fault party to ensure that victim rights are protected at all times.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333 or Text a Personal Injury ‎Lawyer 24/7 and get instant help. (416 931 5015)