As the Summerville area continues to grow as a hub for commuters heading into Charleston, the presence of Uber and Lyft vehicles on Main Street, Berlin G. Myers Parkway, and I-26 has skyrocketed. While ridesharing offers convenience, it introduces a complex layer of liability when accidents occur.
Unlike a car crash between two private citizens, an accident involving a rideshare vehicle may implicate the South Carolina Transportation Network Company (TNC) Act. This legislation concerns insurance coverage for rideshare companies that can dramatically affect your ability to recover damages.
At Bringardner Injury Law Firm, we help victims in Dorchester County and Berkeley County cut through the corporate red tape to identify exactly whose insurance is responsible for their medical bills and lost income after a rideshare accident.
Key Takeaways
- The “App Status” Factor: Compensation may depend on whether the driver’s app was off, on-and-waiting, or actively transporting a passenger.
- The “Dead Zone” There may be a “gap” or dispute as to which insurance coverage applies when a driver is logged in but has not yet accepted a ride.
- Evidence is Digital: Preserving app data and electronic logs may be critical to proving the driver’s status.
- UIM Coverage: Passengers may be able to stack their own Underinsured Motorist coverage on top of Uber/Lyft’s policy.
Critical Steps After a Rideshare Crash
Because the applicable insurance coverage(s) may be based on digital data, post-incident investigations should look for certain evidence:
- Screenshot the App: If you are a passenger, screenshot your ride status immediately. That data may be deleted or made inaccessible by the rideshare company and can be hard to access without a subpoena.
- Do Not Rely on the Driver’s Word: Rideshare drivers may ask you not to mention they were “working” to avoid issues with their personal insurance. Do not agree to this. Falsifying the context of an accident is insurance fraud and can destroy your claim.
- Seek Immediate Medical Evaluation: Adrenaline can mask spinal injuries or internal trauma. Visit an ER or Urgent Care in Summerville immediately to get evaluated by a medical professional and document your condition.
Rideshare companies are massive technology corporations that guard their data closely. When we handle a case in Berkeley or Dorchester County, we move quickly to preserve evidence that might otherwise be deleted.
If you were injured in a rideshare accident, do not face the insurance adjusters alone. Contact one of our South Carolina attorneys at Bringardner Injury Law Firm today for a free consultation* to learn how we may be able to assist.
