Uber and Lyft Rideshare Deactivation After an Accident

NOTE: Our law firm only handles cases if you have been involved in a car accident while driving for Uber or Lyft. The information provided in this blog is not meant to be legal advice. It is provided as an informative guide only. 

Driving for Uber and Lyft can give you a sense of freedom and control over your life. These rideshare companies give drivers the ability to choose their own hours and schedules, allowing drivers to choose how rideshare driving will fit into their lives. Drivers benefit society in great ways. They offer an easy alternative to potential drunk-drivers, thereby making the roads a safer place for everyone. And they allow quick transportation options to those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to get around.

But both companies retain control over who is going to drive for them, and when they can cancel your rideshare account. When a rideshare company removes your ability to pick up rides from the app, it’s known as deactivation.

What Can Cause Uber or Lyft to Deactivate Your Account?

Deactivation can be the result of statistical conduct, or specific event conduct.

Statistical conduct is the set of data collected from drivers’ choices to accept or cancel rides, as well as ratings received for the rides given. The rideshare companies have a universal standard applied to drivers, and if an individual driver falls below, Uber or Lyft can deactivate your account.

Specific event conduct that results in deactivation falls into two types: behavior and accidents.

For example, drivers can be deactivated if they were reported to have used foul language, had a weapon while driving, attempted to continue rides outside of the app system, made physical contact with a passenger, made inappropriate sexual contact or advances, or were driving recklessly, etc. These specific events constitute behavior that falls below the standards and guidelines that Uber and Lyft put in place to protect their passengers.

In such a situation, the rideshare company is generally going to be acting lawfully in revoking your ability to drive for them. A company is allowed to have their own set of standards that their employees and contractors must adhere to. Often, however, drivers are deactivated because they were involved in an accident.

Rideshare Deactivation After An Accident

If you’ve been involved in an accident while driving for Uber or Lyft, it’s highly likely that your account was deactivated. Though deactivation after an accident is common, whether or not that deactivation becomes permanent can depend on whether or not the accident was your fault and the specific steps you took after the accident.

The default reaction after an auto accident is to deactivate. This is because accidents are generally the result of unsafe driving, and both Uber and Lyft need to ensure that their drivers are operating responsibly. So, a deactivation allows the company to investigate the accident to potentially find who was at fault. The goal is to prevent their drivers from putting passengers at risk.

After an accident, it’s important that you act vigilantly to not only protect your passengers but to protect your own interests. Remain at the scene and move over to a safe area. When it is safe to do so, take photographs of the damage done to your vehicle, the impact locations, the scene of the accident, and the other vehicles involved in the accident. If possible, get a report from the other driver as to what happened. A verbal account is fine. Wait at the scene to obtain a police report. If you do not feel that the accident warrants calling 911, call the non-emergency numbers at 619-531-2000 or 858-484-3154. Uber and Lyft require you to report the accident on the app. Be sure to see a doctor, even in minor impacts severe injuries can arise. Without the proper treatment, they will only get worse.

Uber or Lyft may deactivate your account, but you or your attorney now have the factual information to help you get back on the app and back on the road. It’s also possible for you to get compensated for the loss of income as a result of the deactivation.

Compensation After Accident and Deactivation

Accidents are often traumatic events, severely impacting your life. If you’ve been involved in an accident, it’s important that you understand that you have the ability to recover for your losses. Potential sources of recovery include the rideshare company you were operating with, the other driver’s insurance, and your own insurance.

As a rideshare driver, you should familiarize yourself with Uber and Lyft’s insurance policies. First, it offers a sense of security to know that your passengers will have coverage. But it also allows you to understand what kind of coverage you should obtain for yourself.

If you’ve been the victim of a car accident you’re owed compensation for the damages caused. This generally includes property damage, medical expenses, loss of earnings, and pain and suffering. The person who caused the accident is responsible for those costs.

Uber and Lyft have uninsured motorist policies that can cover up to $1,000,000 in damages.

As a driver, it’s easy to understand how much of a negative impact losing your ability to drive can be. However, you can be compensated for the money you lost as a result of deactivation. Loss of earnings are compensable in a personal injury action, and they may be covered by your insurance, the 3rd party driver’s insurance, or the rideshare insurance.

Thus, after a rideshare accident, you should pursue all potential damages which you are owed. If Uber or Lyft permanently deactivates your account, you can not only recover for the income lost as a result but can pursue reactivation as part of your agreement with them.

How Haffner & Morgan Can Help

The attorneys at Haffner & Morgan can help you every step of the way. The lawyers will be able to take over negotiations with your insurance company, the rideshare’s insurance company, and the third party’s insurance company, leaving you to focus on treating your injuries and fully recovering your body. Strong and aggressive negotiating from the attorneys at Haffner & Morgan can bring the best results for your case. Where insurance companies are not willing to negotiate fairly or settle in an amount that allows for your full recovery and just compensation for your pain and suffering, Haffner & Morgan have the experience necessary to take your case to trial.

The information provided in this blog is not meant to be legal advice. It is provided as an informative guide only.  If you have any questions regarding your accident, contact a lawyer today. An experienced attorney will have a strong understanding of the process and usually can inform you at no cost. The attorneys at Haffner & Morgan offer no cost consultations and are happy to answer any questions you may have.