Staying on Top of Legal Changes Is Key to Rideshare Litigation
When a new technology comes around and completely changes how we live our lives, it can be hard for us to remember a time when these technologies weren’t around. For instance, it was just back in 1989 when the first Internet service providers offered the public access to the Internet —at a fixed monthly fee, of course.
Today, most homes are equipped with break-neck Internet download speeds, Netflix providing nearly limitless access to TV shows and movies, and other life-changing technologies that are now completely taken for granted by most.
In a similar way, ridesharing has revolutionized the way we view transportation since the very first ridesharing service first arrived on the scene back in the early 2010s.
Since 2011, the Ridesharing Industry Has Experienced a Rapid Rise
Contrary to what you may believe, the first ridesharing company was not in fact Uber. Even though this company now has corners around 70 to 80 percent of the total rideshare market, in 2011, two Michigan alums teamed up to create a new company called Sidebar that aimed to replace car transportation with rides hailed from an app on any smartphone.
Pretty quickly after the creation of the company, Uber and other competitors joined this niche yet rapidly growing industry, and as of now, ridesharing drivers can and do earn more than $1 million each year working in a single area. Uber drivers in the Bay Area earned upwards from $1 billion in 2017.
A quick look at the rapid rise of ridesharing is a poignant reminder that the laws governing ridesharing are extremely new, even newer than the advent of ridesharing itself. After all, lawmakers frantically worked to pass laws on ridesharing in large cities and states once it became apparent that the ridesharing industry wasn’t going anywhere any time soon.
The Legal Landscape of Ridesharing Accidents Is Anything but Settled
With that being said, there are still ongoing debates amongst lawmakers on how to most efficiently and effectively regulate this still-developing industry. For one, the ridesharing industry is pushing toward the utilization of self-driving cars, which will certainly lead to the creation of new laws, regulations, and limitations concerning how that eventual transformation will come into place.
Even when you taking autonomous vehicles out of the picture, some states are just now getting on board with the legality of Uber across the state. Just take a look at Alabama. Uber has been allowed to operate in larger cities in the state for some time now, but Uber was not allowed to operate throughout the entire state of Alabama and in rural areas until a law that went into effect in 2018. Today, Uber is allowed to operate freely statewide more than 40 states, but even in those states, the laws regulating ridesharing will almost certainly continue to change and evolve.
Even in more established areas of the legal system, natural evolution takes place to better meet the needs of today. However, legal growing pains and necessary changes are often most needed when new industries develop, just like the ridesharing industry. Whether the development of the law will take place regarding rideshare insurance coverage or autonomous vehicles, the law governing ridesharing collisions is far from being settled.
Contact an Uber/Lyft Crash Attorney in New Jersey
Because of the ever-changing nature of the law, any responsible ridesharing crash lawyer in New Jersey will continue to stay up-to-date with any changes in the legal landscape in order to provide better representation to crash victims. At Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC, all our lawyers remain current on the latest developments related to both ridesharing law and the ridesharing industry at large, and anyone who reads our blog regularly can receive crucial legal updates on rideshare laws.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a rideshare crash, you deserve a dedicated legal team who knows the current laws, understands insurance regulations, and has experience with all potential factors that can impact your ability to obtain the maximum value of the compensation you deserve. Contact a qualified New Jersey personal injury lawyer today in order to get started on your case.
Uber & Lyft Collisions in New Jersey
The rideshare industry is still new and changing each day. As these services continue to evolve, they will present new legal issues that will have to be met. While most people think that ridesharing is a gift to the world, there are some key downsides that go along with these rideshare behemoths like Uber and Lyft. All drivers are at risk of causing serious crashes, even those whose job it is to provide transportation to willing passengers.
Recent studies have found a link between the creation of Uber and an increase in roadway fatalities across the country. Nationally, traffic deaths have increased anywhere from 2 to 3 percent. That’s around 1,100 additional people dying each year. The reason for this increase isn’t entirely clear, but more Uber drivers mean more cars on the road and more miles driven. Also, many drivers for Uber and Lyft aren’t provided the necessary training to make sure that they will not put their passengers in danger. Any potential injuries associated with the rideshare industry are compounded by the fact that these large companies will attempt to avoid liability by claiming their drivers are just contractors and not direct employees.
Those who are injured in a crash involving a rideshare vehicle should consult with an Uber/Lyft crash lawyer in New Jersey immediately in order to better understand their legal options.
