San Antonio Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer
Ride-hailing companies have changed the face of transportation in just a few short years. In 2010, a ridesharing service was little more than a pipe dream. Today, drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft transport millions of passengers a month. When companies grow this much and this quickly, there are some growing pains. As outlined below, these growing pains often directly affect passenger safety.
When companies put their own profits ahead of the safety of customers, the tenacious San Antonio Uber & Lyft accident lawyers at the Law Office of Israel Garcia stand up for accident victims and survivors. To us, client representation means more than standing up for victims’ rights in court. Instead, effective representation is a process that starts with diligent evidence collection. We gradually build a strong case that ensures maximum compensation for your serious injuries.
What Causes Ridesharing Accidents?
Statistically, driver error causes over 98 percent of the vehicle collisions in Bexar County. Specific issues regarding Uber and Lyft drivers include fatigue, distraction, and excessive speed.
Some ridesharing operators are full-time drivers. Others are moonlighters. When they get behind the wheel after a long day at another job, they’re already dangerously fatigued. Driving after eighteen consecutive awake hours is like driving with a .04 BAC level. That’s above the legal limit for commercial drivers in Texas.
Length of time isn’t the only relevant factor in this area. No matter how much rest they had the night before, most people are naturally drowsy at certain times of day or night. Commercial operators shouldn’t drive at these times, but they do so anyway.
Device distraction might be one of the most well-known ridesharing operator risks. Cell phones combine all three kinds of distracted driving, which are:
● Cognitive (mind off driving),
● Manual (hand off the wheel), and
● Visual (eyes off the road).
Hands-free devices aren’t much safer. These gadgets might help drivers keep both hands on the wheel. But these devices are visually and manually distracting.
Distracted driving is especially an issue if a ridesharing operator is in an unfamiliar part of town. Unfortunately for passengers, after pandemic lockdowns ended, many companies began doing just that.
Excessive speed is often an issue because most companies pay drivers by the mile instead of by the trip. The more miles they travel, and the faster they complete their trips, the more money they make.
Liability Issues
We mentioned the enhanced responsibilities that commercial operators have under Texas law. Because of this higher duty of care, it’s easier for a San Antonio Uber/Lyft accident lawyer to establish negligence, or a lack of care.
Tortfeasors (negligent drivers) are legally responsible for the wrecks they cause. The company that employs the tortfeasor is often financially responsible for damages, thanks to the respondeat superior rule. According to this legal doctrine, employers are responsible for their employees’ negligence, if the employee is negligent within the scope of employment.
Texas law defines all these key terms in broad, victim-friendly ways. For example, most ridesharing operators are independent contractors for tax purposes. However, they’re usually employees for negligence purposes.
This financial responsibility is important for victims. Typically, private auto insurance policies don’t cover commercial losses. So, respondeat superior gives victims an additional source of recovery.
Contact an Experienced San Antonio Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Accident victims are entitled to substantial compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced rideshare accident lawyer in San Antonio, contact the Law Office of Israel Garcia. We routinely handle matters in Bexar County and nearby jurisdictions.
