The food service and transportation industries have been completely transformed by ride sharing and food delivery companies, and not just in how we order food or get to the airport. These new industries have employed millions of workers, but with new jobs comes new legal considerations, both for the companies and for the workers. Drivers for these kinds of companies are finding out that they need legal protections for their livelihoods, and our Ride Share and Delivery Drivers' add-on for your legal subscription plan might be right for you if you are - or are considering - joining the ride and delivery workforce.

The Legal Issues

Drivers for ride share and delivery companies are sometimes hired as independent contractors rather than at-will employees, which means that these drivers don't get the same kind of benefits that regular employees receive. Being an independent contractor comes with its own set of legal issues, including taxes, insurance, traffic violations, accidents while on the job, and more.

Traffic Violations

If your job depends on your personal vehicle, getting a traffic ticket is more problematic than getting one in regular life. Tickets can destroy your perfect driving record, can be expensive, and may cause your insurance rates to go up. A knowledgeable attorney can give you advice on how to best deal with tickets to minimize the damages and save you money in the process. Always remember to obey all the traffic laws when driving for your job, including parking for pickups and deliveries in designated areas.

Accidents

If you are involved in an accident - whether you're on the job or not, or if it is your fault - you should always contact your attorney as soon as possible. If you are a member of our legal subscription plans, contact your provider law firm. Make sure that you have the proper coverage on your insurance, and make sure everyone in your vehicle is wearing seatbelts and not violating any other laws.

Taxes

The difference between being an independent contractor and an employee is most obvious at tax time. Independent contractors are considered to be self-employed and are subject to self-employment taxes. To make the most of self-employment taxes, you should keep track of all your expenses - including gas, vehicle maintenance and repairs, cell phone and service, etc - and your income. If your income does not match your tax documents or if you deduct mileage or expenses you don't have receipts or records for, you may get audited by the IRS. Get a mileage tracker app to keep track of your mileage and save the data for your records at tax time. Your provider attorney will be able to help you understand and get organized for taxes.

Driver/Passenger Issues

Always make sure that the person who gets in your car is the person you're there to give a ride to. Rider scams are becoming more common as ride share services become more popular, and these scams can be detrimental to your job and income. They can cost you time and money and, in the event of a more serious situation - such as someone hopping in your car with the intent to steal it - you may wish to consult your attorney about legal aspects of rider issues. Always ask someone's name when they get in your car; if you ask them, "Are you Dave?" anybody could say "yes." Additionally, while it can be fun to have a conversation with your passengers, over sharing could lead to stalking or harassment or even identity theft. Never give out personal information - including social media handles - and make sure that your personal documents with your information on them are out of sight.

Property Damage

Those who make their living on the road know that damage to the vehicle is part of the job, and it is more than just traffic accidents that cause damage. Rowdy passengers can cause damage to your car's interior and if you're picking up people at a bar to get them home safely, you might consider bringing a bucket and paper towels with you on the trip, just in case.

Safeguard your income with our Ride Share & Delivery supplement to your individual & families legal subscription plan and get access to dedicated attorneys and law firms with experience and knowledge of legal concerns for ride share and delivery drivers. You'll be able to contact your attorney about an unlimited number of issues related to delivery and ride share employment, with up to two hours of legal research included per issue. This supplement also includes IRS Audit support for your personal tax returns, as well as legal advice and consultation for traffic tickets, accidents, and more that occur while you're engaged in your ride share or delivery employment. Learn more about this benefit or sign up now!