My two cents: Drove for Lyft. Got T-boned by a red-light runner while on my way to pick up a passenger. Lyft wouldn't cover my repair bill.

Companies have been fighting since time immemorial to push risk and costs onto their workers — it's why hard-won employment law exists in the first place. The gig economy is in large part fueled by employer backlash to employment law.

In fairness, should they? It was your vehicle, insured by the carrier of your choice, with the coverage and cost tradeoffs of your choice. I would certainly expect Lyft to pay enough to make it worthwhile after all costs, including fuel and insurance. But should they be on the hook for the actual repair costs? If so, for how much? Should they repair a brand new Mercedes the same as a 20 year old Honda?

I get some of the drawbacks to gig-based work, but I think you have to realize that it does enable options that wouldn't exist in traditional employment scenarios, and SOME of the risk does remain with the contractor. No, I'm not saying Lyft has no responsibility in any situation, but getting into a garden-variety accident while on the road definitely sounds like a situation that's within the envelope of known risks when you decide to do this kind of thing on a gig basis.

I don't understand why Lyft has to do anything here. The red light runner is the responsible party.

Some states are no fault. Your insurance pays your car repair bill. Regardless of fault.

And the workers get flexible hours. You're only telling part of the story, making it seem as if there are no benefits whatsoever to being a contractor.

> Got injured. I couldn't work a 9-5. Uber Eats and AirBNB paid the bills until I was able to work again.

That sounds terrible, I'm sorry you had to go through this. In normal countries ( like the ones saying Uber should treat their employees as employees) you'd get sick leave/disability to leave you focusing on getting better, not worrying about putting food on the table.

I had excellent disability insurance. They lied to me until various deadlines passed. Refused to return my calls etc.

Lesson learned, get a lawyer at the start.