Brian White | July 13, 2022 | Uber & Lyft Accidents
A common complaint about public transportation is the condition of the vehicles. The vehicles may be dirty, poorly maintained, and older. In addition, drivers may not be polite or friendly.
The popularity of rideshare companies has given taxis and other public transportation options serious competition. In addition to the cost and convenience of rideshares, Uber and Lyft have strict requirements for their drivers and vehicles.
Uber and Lyft Vehicle Requirements in Houston, TX
Lyft has city-specific vehicle requirements.
In Houston, Texas, your vehicle must meet the following requirements:
- Model year 2008 or newer
- Four doors
- Cannot be a stretch limo or a taxi
- Must have five to eight seats, including the driver’s seat
- Cannot be titled as non-repairable, salvage, rebuilt, or an equivalent classification
Lyft also has a class of cars that earn more fees known as Lyft Lux and Lyft Lux Black. Those vehicles must be high-end sedans or SUVs. Premium black car service vehicles must have a leather interior and four seats.
Uber also has strict requirements for their vehicles.
The basic requirements for Uber vehicles in Houston, Texas, are:
- Cannot be a model year older than 15 years
- Must have four doors
- Cannot have any commercial branding
- Must be in good condition with no cosmetic damage
However, Uber also has top-end services, including UberX, Uber XL, and Uber Black vehicles. These vehicles are newer models with additional options, such as working windows, air conditioning, larger vehicles, etc.
Uber and Lyft Requirements for Drivers in Houston, TX
Riders rate rideshare drivers. You can see the driver’s rating before you book a rider. Therefore, drivers strive to maintain excellent ratings to gain more customers.
The driver requirements for Lyft drivers in Houston include:
- A valid driver’s license
- Must be at least 25 years old
- Must pass a driver screening, including a criminal background check and a DMV check
- A smartphone that can operate the Lyft Driver app
Lyft reserves the right to disqualify drivers at any time based on a criminal background check or driving violations that violate company policy.
The driver requirements for Uber drivers in Houston include:
- Meet the minimum age to drive
- Have at least one year of licensed driving experience (three years if under 25 years old)
- Have a valid United States driver’s license
- Provide proof of residency in the city where you will drive
- Pass a driver screening, including a criminal background check and a review of your driving record
Both Uber and Lyft advertise that they thoroughly screen their drivers. However, they use outside companies to perform driver screenings. Unfortunately, reports of driver misconduct and wrongdoing continue to be a problem for rideshare companies.
Rideshare Car Accidents Can Result in Confusing Insurance Claims
Regardless of how safe Uber and Lyft claim their drivers are because of their background checks and requirements, rideshare accidents continue to cause serious injuries.
Even though a driver has the required automobile insurance in Texas, it does not mean that the liability insurance carrier will cover a rideshare accident. Most personal auto insurance policies exclude accidents when the vehicle is used for commercial purposes.
However, Lyft and Uber have insurance policies that cover their drivers. The coverage and policy limits depend on whether the driver is traveling to pick up a rider or has a rider in the vehicle. However, filing a claim with the insurance provider for a rideshare company does not guarantee that you’ll receive compensation for damages.
You must have evidence proving who caused the rideshare accident (causation). If the rideshare driver caused the car wreck, Lyft or Uber’s insurance coverage might apply. However, if another motorist caused the crash, the other driver is liable for damages.
The insurance companies for the drivers could dispute liability. In that case, the accident victim is caught in the middle. Both companies may refuse to pay the victim for their damages.
What Should You Do After an Accident Involving a Rideshare Vehicle in Texas?
Call 911 to report the accident. You should also report the accident to Lyft or Uber. You can use the app to report an accident.
Seek medical treatment for your injuries. You need medical documentation proving that you were injured in the accident.
Contact a Houston car accident lawyer for a free consultation as soon as possible. Rideshare accident claims are complicated personal injury cases.
An injury lawyer will investigate the cause of the crash to identify the responsible parties and gather evidence proving fault. Furthermore, a lawyer will file insurance claims and handle all communications and negotiations with the various insurance providers involved in a rideshare accident case.
Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help
For more information, contact the Houston car accident law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers by calling (713) 500-5000.
Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers
3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350
Houston, TX 77098
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