What To Do if You Were Involved in an Uber Accident in Rock Hill

Uber Accident Lawyer in Rock Hill, SC

Uber drivers operate all over the country. In South Carolina, there are numerous rideshare drivers working and driving on state roads every day. If you drive for a rideshare company and get in an Uber accident, are you eligible for workers’ compensation? As a rideshare driver, you are not an employee of Uber, you are actually an independent contractor. What does this mean? It simply means you are not eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits if you are in an accident while driving for Uber.

A taxi driver in South Carolina is an employee of the company for whom they work. Even if they own their own car, they are still working under the employment of the taxi company. As an Uber driver, you are essentially working for yourself, and are not an employee of Uber. If you are in an Uber accident while you are on-duty, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries and damages to your vehicle, but you will not be able to file for workers’ compensation benefits.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits For Uber Drivers in South Carolina

In the state of South Carolina, it is mandatory for businesses to carry workers’ compensation insurance. The benefits are available to employees that sustain injuries while on duty for their employers. The purpose is to compensate workers when they get hurt and replace some of the wages they lose by not being able to work while they recuperate. Unlike traditional employers, Uber does not have to maintain workers’ compensation coverage for its drivers. Even though the company has many drivers driving and operating their vehicles for the rideshare program, they are exempt from carrying the coverage because Uber drivers are independent contractors.

So if you are in an Uber accident while driving for Uber, you will have to file a claim to receive compensation for your injuries and damages under Uber’s commercial insurance policy. If you are not on-duty when the accident takes place, you will have to use your own vehicle insurance to receive coverage for your injuries. Before you decide to drive for Uber, you may want to schedule an appointment with an accident attorney in South Carolina to have them explain what coverage will be available to you in the event of you being in an Uber accident.

What Are My Options if I’m In an Uber Accident in Rock Hill?

If you make the decision to drive for Uber in South Carolina, you will need to weigh your decision very carefully to decide if it is a risk you are willing to take. You may never suffer personal injuries in an Uber accident while you are transporting passengers, but there is always a chance that anything is possible. As a rideshare driver, you need to understand that you will not be an employee of Uber. Instead, you are an independent contractor, and if you suffer an injury, workers’ compensation benefits are not an option.

Take the time to schedule an appointment to meet with a car accident attorney in Rock Hill to determine if driving for Uber is a good choice for you and your finances. Even though it may provide you with the opportunity to earn some extra cash, you could be opening yourself up to financial hardship if you sustain injuries while on-duty. A experienced car accident lawyer will be able to tell you about the potential risks as well as the benefits you may incur if you decide to work as a rideshare driver.

Should I Avoid Driving for Uber in South Carolina?

The reality of life is that auto accidents take place each and every day. It will not matter if you decide to work as a rideshare driver or if you are simply driving your car back and forth to work. You should be aware that the more time you spend driving on South Carolina roads, the greater the chances of you being involved in a vehicle accident. As a rideshare driver, you will most likely be driving during high traffic times and late at night when there may be intoxicated drivers on the road. Driving during these times may increase your chances of being in an Uber accident.

The risk of being in an auto accident will be greater if you decide to drive for Uber. You should take the time to discuss your situation with an attorney to make sure if you do decide to work as a rideshare driver; you have adequate insurance to cover any damages or injuries to yourself or any passengers you may be carrying in your vehicle. Earning a few extra dollars will be of no use to you if you are in an Uber accident and have to face civil litigation for not carrying the appropriate amount of insurance.

An attorney will be able to tell you that even though you work are an independent contractor for Uber; you will not be able to set your own rates, like other independent contractors. So in reality, you are not really an independent contractor, and you are not an employee. As a rideshare driver, your situation falls somewhere in the middle, and an attorney will be able to clear up the gray areas of confusion.

What Information Can an Attorney Give Me?

If you are trying to make the difficult decision of whether or not you should drive for Uber, you should consult with an attorney to discuss your situation and review your options. There are many minor details that you need to consider before you decide whether or not to use your personal vehicle to transport passengers for a rideshare company. You should never assume that you will receive coverage under workers’ compensation in South Carolina. Take the time to meet with an attorney to protect your rights.

Call the lawyers at Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys at 803-599-3080 if you were involved in an Uber accident in Rock Hill to find out how they can assist you and answer your questions. We are here to help you and want to make sure that if you decide to accept a position as an Uber rideshare driver, you have all the information necessary regarding your rights and responsibilities. Contact us today for a free, consultation to discuss how we can protect your rights.

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