Being involved in a car accident is a traumatic experience, and it can be even more challenging when the accident occurs while riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle. Filing a lawsuit after an Uber or Lyft car accident can be complicated and overwhelming, but it is essential to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.
If you have been involved in an accident while using a rideshare service, it is important to understand your rights and seek legal assistance. Contact an experienced attorney near you who is skilled in personal injury cases involving rideshare accidents. They can provide guidance and support in navigating the legal process and help pursue a fair settlement for your injuries and damages.
Injured in an Uber or Lyft Accident? Know What to Do Next.
If you are involved in a rideshare accident, there are specific steps you should take to protect your rights and strengthen your potential lawsuit:
Seek Medical Attention
Your health and well-being should be your top priority after an accident. Even if you don’t think you have any injuries, it is critical to seek medical attention. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, and a medical professional can:
- Assess your condition
- Diagnose your injuries
- Order medical imaging to document injuries
- Provide necessary treatment
All medical documentation you get will serve as evidence of your injuries if you decide to file a lawsuit.
Hire an Uber or Lyft Accident Attorney
Reach out to an experienced attorney who has focus in rideshare accidents. They can provide guidance on the legal steps you need to take, communicate with the insurance company on your behalf, and represent your interests throughout the legal process.
Your lawyer will ensure all parties who need notice of the accident receive that notification. It may include:
- Law enforcement officials
- Your insurance provider
- Another driver’s insurance provider
- Rideshare companies
Both Uber and Lyft have protocols in place for reporting accidents. Your lawyer will provide accurate and detailed information about the accident and any injuries you sustained to all parties who need to know.
Do You Need an Attorney After a Rideshare Accident? Yes.
Filing a lawsuit after an Uber or Lyft car accident is not something you should handle on your own. Here are some reasons why seeking legal representation from an attorney who handles rideshare accident cases is vital.
Lawyers Understand Rideshare Laws and Regulations
Attorneys who handle rideshare accidents:
- Have in-depth knowledge of the laws and regulations surrounding these types of accidents
- Understand the specific challenges and nuances involved in such cases
- Can lead the legal process effectively to maximize your chances of receiving fair compensation
When rideshare companies are involved in a case, that’s another complication to worry about. Your lawyer will not be intimidated by this variable, while you might be if you handled your own case.
Your Lawyer Will Have Experience Dealing with Insurance Companies (Including Those for Uber and Lyft)
Insurance companies can be challenging to deal with, especially when it comes to rideshare accidents. They may try to:
- Deny your claim
- Downplay your losses
- Convince you to accept a lowball offer
- Persuade you to accept fault for an accident you did not cause
- Reduce their financial liability in other ways
An experienced attorney will negotiate with the insurance company and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages. Bad faith will be of no concern once you hire your lawyer.
Attorneys Have a Trained Eye for Valuable Evidence
Proving liability in a rideshare accident requires strong evidence. An experienced attorney will have the ability to collect and analyze the necessary evidence, including:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Surveillance footage
- Dash camera footage
- Expert witness testimony
Your lawyer’s experience will help them identify evidence that may promote a positive case outcome.
Attorneys Can Calculate Complex Damages Accurately
Determining the full extent of your damages can be challenging, especially when it comes to calculating long-term medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. A rideshare accident attorney will have the knowledge and resources to accurately calculate and present your damages to maximize your potential settlement.
Know the Importance of Timely Action After an Uber or Lyft Accident
When it comes to filing a lawsuit after an Uber or Lyft car accident, time is of the essence. There are strict deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits, known as statutes of limitations. These deadlines vary from state to state.
It is important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after the accident to ensure that all necessary legal actions are taken within the legal filing window. Waiting too long to take action may result in your case being dismissed, and you can lose the opportunity to seek compensation for your injuries and damages.
Questions You Might Ask After a Rideshare Crash
A lawyer will answer every question you have after the crash, but here are a couple questions so common among Uber and Lyft accident victims that you deserve an answer right now:
Is the Rideshare Driver Liable for My Damages?
Maybe. Liability for your accident can depend on various factors, such as:
- Who caused the accident
- Whether the rideshare driver was on the clock at the time of the accident
- Whether factors other than bad driving, such as road conditions or vehicle defects, contributed to the accident
If the rideshare accident caused your collision, they or their insurance provider may be liable for your damages.
Will Insurance Coverage Pay for My Rideshare Accident?
Both Uber and Lyft provide insurance coverage for their drivers and passengers in the event of an accident. These insurance policies may provide coverage for medical expenses, property damage, and other damages resulting from the accident.
Coverage provided via Uber and Lyft can vary depending on whether the rideshare driver had a passenger in the car at the time of the accident or was on their way to pick up a passeng
Can I Sue Uber or Lyft?
You can sue Uber or Lyft in certain situations, such as if their driver’s negligence or the company’s policies contributed to your accident. However, liability can be complex due to varying insurance coverage and the driver’s employment status. Consult a rideshare accident lawyer to explore your options.
How a Rideshare Accident Lawyer Will Fight for the Money You Deserve
Here’s how an experienced attorney can help handle the complexities of a rideshare accident case:
Sorting Through Insurance Options
One of the biggest challenges after a rideshare accident is understanding how insurance coverage works. Rideshare drivers typically carry their own personal insurance policies, but the rideshare companies also have commercial insurance policies. Depending on the situation, multiple insurance policies can be involved, including:
- The driver’s personal auto insurance
- Rideshare company insurance
- Your insurance (if you’re a passenger)
- A third party’s insurance (if another vehicle was involved)
A rideshare accident lawyer will read and interpret these policies, identify which insurance company is responsible for covering your damages, and present you with a plan.
Determining Liability for Your Damages
A skilled Uber or Lyft rideshare accident lawyer will:
- Investigate the accident: Reviewing police reports, gathering witness statements, and obtaining surveillance footage (if available)
- Examine the driver’s history: Seeing if they have a history of reckless driving, poor performance, or criminal behavior that could contribute to the accident.
- Evaluate Uber’s or Lyft’s role in the accident: Determining if their policies, such as inadequate driver background checks or failing to ensure safe driving practices, contributed to the crash.
By thoroughly investigating the circumstances of the accident, your lawyer will identify all potentially liable parties, which may include the rideshare company, the driver, or other involved parties.
Handling the “Little” Details Within Your Case
The legal process after a rideshare accident can be overwhelming, especially if you’re already dealing with the physical and emotional impact of your injuries. A rideshare accident lawyer will handle even the “small” details of your case, which may include:
- Handling all communication with insurance companies, drivers, and rideshare companies, protecting you from possible manipulation or pressure tactics.
- Filing all necessary paperwork on time, ensuring that you meet legal deadlines and avoid missing critical filing dates
- Organizing all case-related appointments and making appearances on your behalf
- Maintaining contact with insurers and all others involved in your case
Having a lawyer manage these tasks takes the burden off your shoulders, allowing you to focus on healing and recovery.
Fighting for the Compensation You Deserve
Your attorney will fight for a settlement or judgment covering your accident-related damages. Trust your lawyer to secure the money you deserve, whether as a settlement or judgment secured in court.
Damages from an Uber or Lyft Accident
If you’ve been involved in an accident as a passenger, pedestrian, or driver in an Uber or Lyft, you may be entitled to various damages depending on the severity of your injuries and the crash circumstances. Some common damages in rideshare accident cases are:
Medical Expenses
Injuries resulting from a rideshare accident can be severe and may require extensive medical treatment. You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Emergency care: The immediate treatment costs following the accident, including ambulance rides, ER visits, and urgent care.
- Surgical procedures: Compensation for any surgeries required due to the accident.
- Physical therapy: Coverage for rehabilitation services necessary for recovery.
- Ongoing treatment: Compensation for long-term medical needs such as medication, specialist consultations, and future surgeries.
- Medical devices: Costs for medical devices like braces, wheelchairs, or prosthetics, if applicable.
Attorneys are always prepared to document clients’ medical care, injuries, and treatment costs.
Lost Earnings (and Any Other Professional Damages)
If you are unable to work due to the injuries sustained in the accident, your lawyer will seek compensation for the earnings you’ve lost. It includes:
- Short-term lost earnings: Compensation for the time you were unable to work immediately following the accident.
- Long-term lost earnings: If your injuries result in long-term disability or reduced ability to work, you may be entitled to future lost earnings.
- Diminished earning capacity: If the injuries result in permanent impairment, such as an inability to return to your previous job or work at the same level, you can be compensated for future loss of earning potential.
- Any bonuses, promotions, or other conditional compensation you lose: You generally need to be working to earn these kinds of benefits, so your lawyer will include such lost opportunities in your case.
Traffic accidents and professional losses go hand in hand.
Pain and Suffering
The physical and emotional toll of an accident can have lasting effects. You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Physical pain: Compensation for the pain, discomfort, and suffering caused by injuries.
- Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, and mental anguish caused by the accident, especially if the injuries lead to long-term disability or disfigurement.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If your injuries prevent you from participating in activities you enjoyed before the accident, you may be compensated for the reduction in your quality of life.
Pain and suffering can be a difficult concept to understand. Your attorney will work with qualified mental health professionals to document and value your accident-related pain and suffering.
Property Damage
If your vehicle or personal property was damaged in the accident, you can be entitled to compensation for:
- Vehicle repairs or replacement: Costs for repairing or replacing your car if the accident left it totaled.
- Damaged personal items: Compensation for personal property like electronics, clothing, or luggage damaged in the crash.
There is a direct link between ridesharing services and injury accidents. If you become one of the victims of these accidents, turn to a lawyer for help.
Hire Your Uber or Lyft Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been involved in an Uber or Lyft car accident, don’t hesitate to contact an attorney near you. They have the knowledge and experience to handle rideshare accident cases and can provide you with the guidance and support you need during this challenging time.
Remember, seeking legal assistance is your right, and it can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Contact a rideshare accident attorney today to protect your rights and pursue fair compensation for your injuries and damages.