Ridesharing services are supposed to be easy. You can summon a driver to take you virtually anywhere around the city with one click. But what happens if an accident occurs on the way?
Convenience vanishes fast, replaced by panic and fear. Rideshare-related accidents are among the most complex. You will be left alone in a confusing legal landscape unless you turn to an experienced rideshare accident lawyer.
At Gould Injury Law, we know how important it is to recover compensation. The faster you contact us, the faster our lawyers can pursue damages for your losses. You can gain a deeper understanding of rideshare accident cases during your free consultation and by considering the information below.
What Makes Rideshare Companies Unique
When you drive for rideshare services, you spend more time behind the wheel than the average person. Rideshare companies have policies, rules, and regulations that don't apply to other vehicles. So getting into an Uber or Lyft accident differs from a normal crash.
Rideshare insurance policies
According to the US Department of the Treasury, all states except one and the District of Columbia require registered vehicle owners to have personal liability auto insurance. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft carry commercial insurance policies but require their drivers to have personal insurance coverage.
Which coverage is in effect depends on the driver's status. The driver's personal insurance policy applies when he or she is offline. These independent contractors must maintain state-mandatory minimum coverage limits and inform their insurer that they drive or deliver for a rideshare company.
The rideshare company's insurance coverage applies when the rideshare app is on and drivers are waiting for a ride request. This limited liability coverage applies to bodily injury and property damage not covered by the driver's personal auto insurance.
While the rideshare app is on and the rideshare driver is en route or on a trip, the rideshare company's insurance coverage covers the cost of injuries and damage according to their policy limits. As a result, multiple insurance companies could be involved in a rideshare accident claim. A personal injury law firm with experience in navigating complex insurance policies can help ensure you get the most out of the insurance policies involved in your rideshare accident claim.
Liability in rideshare car accidents
Determining liability in a rideshare car accident is essential because the liable party is responsible for the damages. Since rideshare drivers are usually considered independent contractors, not employees, this status can affect who pays and how much.
The cause of the crash also matters. Identifying the cause helps decide who is at fault and how to prevent future car accidents.
Some potential causes of rideshare collisions are:
- Distracted driving, including using GPS to navigate the ride
- Speeding
- Driver fatigue
- Failing to follow traffic laws
- Bad weather or road conditions
- Reckless driving by another vehicle
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Accidents can lead to many types of damage. When people get hurt, or their property is damaged due to someone else's negligence, they can get money to help cover the costs.
These costs may include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Vehicle repairs
- Long-term care or therapy
- Funeral costs for fatal crashes
If the rideshare driver causes an accident, his or her collision coverage or the rideshare company's insurance may pay for the accident costs. If another driver causes the crash, that driver's insurance may be responsible instead.
In some cases, a third party may also be at fault. For example, a city or state agency might be responsible if poor road conditions or broken traffic signals contributed to the accident.
If a car part fails during the ride, the manufacturer of the defective part might be held responsible for the accident. Each situation affects how liability is decided and who must pay for the damages.
How to Pursue Fast and Fair Compensation
Fair compensation for an Uber or Lyft accident should cover not only immediate costs but also potential future medical expenses. Some rideshare accident injuries may require long-term care, like physical therapy, follow-up surgeries, or ongoing treatment. Remember, you have the right to seek this compensation.
If your doctor says you need additional care, your insurance claim should include those future medical expenses. Otherwise, you could be left paying out of pocket for injuries caused by someone else. Act fast to start building a strong rideshare accident case by taking the following steps.
Seek medical attention and document your journey
After a rideshare accident, act fast to get a medical evaluation. This step is a powerful tool in your fight for fair compensation.
Even if you feel fine, some injuries—like concussions, whiplash, or internal bleeding—may not show symptoms right away. A doctor can check for hidden injuries and create a medical record that connects your condition to the rideshare accident.
Beyond getting checked out, it is also important to track your recovery. One of the best ways to do this is by keeping a journal. Use it to write down how you feel physically and emotionally each day.
Your journal entries are a chance to tell your story, so focus on being thorough and accurate. Describe your pain levels, what activities you can or cannot do, how your injuries affect your sleep or work, and how your treatment is going. Over time, this journal becomes strong evidence of your recovery process and the impact the accident has had on your life.
To show that you are a cooperative patient and support your claim, make sure to:
- Follow all of your doctor's instructions
- Go to every medical appointment without skipping
- Take your medications as prescribed
- Attend all recommended therapy or rehab sessions
- Keep copies of all medical bills and receipts
- Resist returning to physical activity until your doctor clears you
- Avoid posting about your rideshare accident on social media
Being consistent with your care improves your health and helps prove that you are doing everything possible to recover.
Rideshare vehicle insurance companies often try to downplay injuries or claim that victims made them worse by not following up with care. A clear medical history shows that you took your recovery seriously and that the accident directly caused your injuries.
Keep track of everything else related to the accident as well, including:
- Photos or videos of visible injuries as they heal
- Receipts for medical visits, prescriptions, and therapy
- Photos of all vehicles involved and the accident scene
- Contact information for witnesses
- Ride receipt and accident report submitted through the rideshare app
- Copies of messages with the driver or company
- Correspondence from your personal insurance
This documentation can make a big difference when it comes time to prove your injuries and secure full compensation. A strong paper trail helps your personal injury attorney build a more powerful case and respond to any challenges to your insurance claims.
Seek legal advice for personal injury claims
Rideshare accident cases can involve companies like Uber and Lyft, independent contractors, and other drivers. A complex insurance landscape is in play, often involving multiple policies. Each policy has limits, conditions, and exceptions that can affect your ability to recover medical costs and other damages.
A lawyer who understands rideshare company liability can determine which policies apply based on whether the driver was off duty, waiting for a ride, or transporting a passenger. Part of legal representation is decoding the fine print in insurance policies to ensure you get the most out of your comprehensive coverage, including collision and uninsured motorist claims.
Attorneys often work with accident reconstruction experts to determine precisely what happened.
These experts often evaluate the following:
- Physical evidence from the rideshare accident scene (e.g., tire tracks, skid marks, debris, missing road signs)
- Black box data from the involved vehicles
- The police report
- Vehicle damage
- Road conditions
Besides getting an accident reconstructionist’s help, an experienced attorney can explain your rights, gather evidence, and deal with insurance companies so you do not have to do it alone. With the right legal team, you can hold the right parties accountable and improve your chances of a full financial recovery.
Seek compensation before time runs out
Each state has a time limit called a statute of limitations. This deadline determines how long after a rideshare accident you can pursue compensation.
If you wait too long, you might lose the right to seek compensation for your car accident case. Taking fast action helps protect your rights and keeps your options open.
Contact a Law Firm That Knows the Legal Landscape
Determining liability is a top priority if you were injured in a rideshare accident. When there are multiple drivers involved, the task becomes even more difficult to juggle. Hiring the right personal injury attorney can make a huge difference.
At Gould Injury Law, we don't simply offer legal representation in court. We act fast to secure the compensation you deserve from the first day you hire us. From handling insurance companies to communicating with the rideshare driver, our team can handle the difficult tasks so you can focus on your recovery.
What questions do you have about your rideshare accident claim? Schedule the free consultation you need and get the answers you need fast. Our representatives are always ready to take your call at (888) WIN-FAST.
