The gig economy offers a powerful promise: be your own boss, set your own hours, and control your financial destiny. For millions of Americans, driving for companies like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash provides essential flexibility and supplemental income. A recent study from Business.com on gig worker satisfaction highlights these motivations, showing why so many people are drawn to app-based work.

But what happens when the hustle leads to harm? What are your rights when a car crash, a scooter malfunction, or an accident during a delivery leaves you with serious injuries, unable to work?

This is the hidden risk of the gig economy. Most of these app-based companies classify their workers as “independent contractors,” not employees. This distinction is crucial because it means that in most cases, you are not covered by traditional workers’ compensation insurance. If you are injured on the job, you can’t simply file a workers’ comp claim to cover your medical bills and lost wages.

For an injured gig worker, the path to recovery and financial stability often runs directly through a personal injury lawsuit.

Independent Contractor vs. Employee: Why It Matters After an Accident

The “independent contractor” label is a legal shield for these multi-billion dollar corporations. It allows them to avoid paying for health insurance, unemployment benefits, and, most importantly, workers’ compensation. So, when an accident happens, who pays?

• If Another Driver is At-Fault: If another driver hits you while you are working, you would file a claim against their auto insurance policy, just like in any other car accident. However, proving the full extent of your lost income can be more complex as a gig worker with fluctuating pay.
• If You Are At-Fault or the Other Driver is Uninsured: This is where it gets complicated. The major rideshare companies do provide insurance policies, but they are notoriously complex, with different coverage levels depending on whether you are waiting for a ride request, en route to a pickup, or actively transporting a passenger. Navigating a rideshare accident claim requires an attorney who understands these intricate policy details.
• If You Are Injured on a Scooter or Bicycle: The risk is just as high for gig workers making deliveries. An accident involving a Lime or Bird scooter injury or a bicycle can be catastrophic, and figuring out whose insurance applies is a significant legal challenge.

How We Fight for Injured Gig Workers

We understand that as a gig worker, if you can’t work, you don’t get paid. We are dedicated to fighting for the compensation you need to recover without facing financial ruin.

1. We Preserve All Evidence: We immediately work to gather all relevant data, including your app-based work logs, earnings statements, GPS data, and any communication from the gig company.
2. We Handle the Insurance Companies: We take over all communication with the complex web of insurance carriers, including the at-fault driver’s insurance and the gig company’s corporate policy, to ensure you aren’t taken advantage of.
3. We Prove Your Lost Income: We meticulously document your earnings history to build a powerful case for the full amount of your lost wages and your diminished future earning capacity.

The flexibility of gig work should not come at the cost of your physical and financial security. If you have been injured while working for an app-based service, you have rights, but you will likely have to fight for them.

Contact Manoukian Law for a free and confidential consultation to learn how we can help you navigate this complex process.