Houston Alto Rideshare Accident Attorneys

There are now more options than ever for getting around Houston. From cars and bikes to taxi cabs and now ridesharing, if you need to get somewhere, there is an option that fits your needs and budget. However, the popularity of ridesharing has raised some interesting questions about safety and liability when there is an accident. Who is at fault, and who is responsible for paying?

Transportation Network Companies or TNC’s, like Uber and Lyft, use contracted drivers to power their services, which leaves them in a grey area when it comes to accidents. Depending on the scenario, they can often absolve themselves of responsibility and place the blame elsewhere because drivers aren’t actually company employees. Yet, changes to Texas laws have changed the TNC landscape, and new competitors are beginning to emerge in the ridesharing market. How do these changes and new competition impact your accident claim?

The legal team at Attorney Tom is up-to-date on all the new regulation changes and new companies flooding the ridesharing market, like Alto. We understand what makes these companies different from traditional TNC’s like Uber, which means we know how to help you navigate a claim following an accident.

Not all ridesharing companies are the same, and not every collision claim can be resolved in the same way. If you have been in a crash with a company like Alto, contact the legal team at Attorney Tom for more information on your rights and how you can get the compensation you deserve. Contact our office today at (713) 244-6363 to set up a free consultation.

Ridesharing in Texas, What’s Changed?

A lot has changed in Texas since ridesharing became a popular transportation option. The rise of companies like Uber and Lyft gave residents a new choice when it came to traveling. However, this newfound freedom also came at a cost. Since Uber and Lyft drivers are considered “freelance” or “contract” workers, there has been a lot of debate in the state on how to regulate these companies. Wage disputes, safety issues, and background screenings became hot button issues in many local cities, especially Austin. The state legislature tried to help alleviate the problems with House Bill 100 in May of 2017.

House Bill 100 created new state regulations and guidelines to govern ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft. The legislation requires ridesharing companies to secure a state permit to be able to continue to operate and also requires the companies to pay a fee to the state to cover the costs of administering the law. The law also mandates that all drivers meet certain qualifications before being able to become a ridesharing driver. While some praised the law, others thought it didn’t go far enough.

Since then, ridesharing in Texas has taken on a new dimension. While companies like Uber and Lyft continued to fight back against stricter regulations, and cities and municipalities called for more control over regulations, a new company was quietly entering the scene.

Alto says that it is ushering in a rideshare revolution. One of the most predominant changes in the ridesharing model that Alto has adopted includes hiring trained drivers. These drivers are considered full-fledged Alto employees, not contractors. The company touts the fact that they offer Texas residents a safe ridesharing option with 5-star vehicles and 5-start experiences, but are they any safer? If you are involved in a serious accident with an Alto driver at the wheel, what are your legal options?

How Could a Claim Against Alto Be Different?

Uber, Lyft, and other traditional TNC’s employee drivers as contract works. A contract worker is not considered an employee of the company that they are driving for. This can impact accident claims and lawsuits because the TNC can legally try to deny liability for an accident.

Uber and Lyft do provide insurance coverage for their drivers the entire time their app is on. When the driver is logged on and has not yet accepted a ride, Uber and Lyft’s policy will cover up to $50,000 per person for injuries, up to $100,000 in injury liability per accident. When the driver has accepted a ride, liability coverage goes up to $1 million. However, when the driver is not logged on to the app, Uber and Lyft provide no coverage. Your options, if you’re involved in a TNC accident, are confusing, at best.

Alto has created a different type of ridesharing model, one where their drivers are considered Alto employees and not independent contractors. This can impact accident cases in several ways. The most important way this impacts Houston motorists is that if an Alto driver is involved in an accident with another vehicle, the company itself may be held liable for damages. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a crash with a new ridesharing company like Alto, contact the legal team at Attorney Tom for more information on how you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries.

Why You Need an Experienced Ride Share Attorney?

Insurance companies and rideshare companies are alike in one major way – they are for-profit businesses. That means each of their bottom lines depends on keeping money flowing in and not out. Paying out a major compensation package following an accident cuts into that bottom-line. That’s why in the event of an accident, adjusters may attempt to deflect blame or manipulate you into accepting some portion of responsibility. They will then try to pressure you into accepting a lowball offer that may not be enough to cover all of your medical expenses and time missed from work.

Large companies, no matter how nice and accommodating they seem over the phone, are never on your side. Hiring an experienced attorney to handle your claim following a rideshare accident is the best way to ensure that someone is looking out for your best interests. An attorney has the skills and the resources to conduct a complete investigation into the accident and gather crucial evidence before it disappears.

An attorney will also be able to negotiate on your behalf for the best possible financial outcome for your case. If an insurance company is unwilling to negotiate, an attorney will be able to take them to court. The best way to get the compensation you deserve after a rideshare accident is to call the legal team at Attorney Tom for help.

Contact a Rideshare Accident Attorney Today

The business of ridesharing is evolving and, at Attorney Tom, we have kept up on all the new legislation and what it means for drivers injured in accidents with ridesharing drivers. If you or someone you love has been injured in a serious ridesharing accident, contact Attorney Tom and have an experienced attorney review the circumstances of your accident.

Let us help you navigate the changes in the ridesharing business and how they impact your ability to receive fair compensation. Schedule your free consultation today by calling (713) 244-6363.