Victims of coronavirus have been seen to have reduced lung capacity over time, as well as blood clots due to a lack of oxygen circulation. They have flu-like symptoms, aches, an inability to move or be physical, and much more. The illness can essentially sideline an individual for weeks, and it is highly contagious. Even asymptomatic individuals or individuals who are barely affected have recommendations to quarantine or self-isolate to prevent the spread of the illness. The 2-week period can even last longer if re-infection occurs.

Although Uber and Lyft have offered health insurance coverage for drivers, they still have differing and lax standards for drivers.

Uber simply recommends that individuals stay home if they feel sick, wash their hands, and clean and disinfect their vehicles to ensure the virus is killed off. Drivers can choose to cancel rides if they feel their health is at risk.

Lyft, on the other hand, has rolled out various updates concerning safety during the pandemic. They are as follows:

• Personal health self-certification for drivers and riders
• No one will drive or ride with Lyft if they have coronavirus, believe they have it, or have fitting symptoms 
• Face coverings are required for both drivers and riders
• Health safety education for drivers and riders as provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Windows will be kept open to avoid re-circulated air
• Distribution of cleaning supplies and masks for drivers, who will thoroughly disinfect and clean their vehicles before and after every ride
• Riders must sit in the back seat, not the front seat

The issue with Lyft’s standards is that drivers and riders are self-certifying. There is nothing stopping individuals from simply lying about their health status. It will also be impossible to determine what rider or driver was responsible for spreading the illness.

Neither company has removed the multi-person Pool or Group settings from the app, temporarily. Drivers have largely opted to keep their passenger limit to 1 rider.

Uber and Lyft do have other forms of jobs available for drivers. UberEats allows drivers to deliver food to customers, while Lyft drivers can still pick up shared bicycles and scooters. These jobs, though, are generally less lucrative than the rideshare options. The companies have not offered the jobs to those temporarily displaced by the pandemic; that is, if you usually pick up passengers for Uber, you cannot automatically switch to food delivery.

Filing a Lawsuit against Uber or Lyft for Coronavirus

If you were afflicted with coronavirus after driving for Uber or Lyft and you were denied health insurance coverage, you can take legal action. You will need the following pieces of evidence:

• Proof of your illness, as Uber required
• Medical bills and receipts, insurance papers, and test results
• Photos of any visible injuries
• Proof of quarantine or self-isolation mandates
• Proof that you were driving for Uber at the time the illness was contracted, such as a screenshot of the app or pictures of your ride history
• Proof that the company refused to provide health insurance coverage after you requested it

Once you have acquired the proof necessary, you can speak with an Uber coronavirus lawyer or Lyft coronavirus attorney. We will represent you and ensure that the company is held liable for your losses. We will gather additional evidence, hire witnesses, organize your proof, submit your lawsuit, negotiate a fair deal from the insurance agency, ensure that you receive proper health insurance coverage and medical treatment, and more.