Rideshare apps have become a routine way for Rhode Islanders to get to the airport or navigate limited parking in downtown Providence, but when an Uber vehicle causes a serious crash, figuring out who actually pays can get complicated fast. Tapalian Law represents people injured in Uber-related accidents throughout Rhode Island, whether they were a passenger, a driver, or a third party hit by a rideshare vehicle.
Attorney David Tapalian’s firm explains that Uber classifies its drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, a distinction the company has relied on to avoid direct liability in many crashes. Still, Uber is generally required to provide third-party liability insurance, meaning an injured passenger is typically covered by some combination of Uber’s policy, the driver’s own insurance, or the at-fault vehicle’s coverage, even when the at-fault driver carries no insurance of their own.
Tapalian Law is located at 350 S. Main St., Providence, Rhode Island, and can be reached at 401-272-0011. The firm notes that Rhode Island imposes a three-year statute of limitations on car accident claims, making it important for anyone hurt in an Uber-related crash to consult an attorney well before that window closes.
The firm also points out that Uber drivers themselves face a more complicated coverage picture, since whether they are covered often depends on whether they had the app running or had an active passenger at the time of the crash. Third parties, such as pedestrians or other drivers hit by an Uber vehicle, can face particular difficulty recovering compensation given Uber’s reliance on its independent contractor argument, which is why the firm emphasizes an early legal consultation in these cases.
Source: https://www.tapinjury.com/personal-injury/car-acci……