Choosing the right attorney to represent them following an accident in an Uber or Lyft rideshare may help injured passengers obtain the compensation they need and deserve. Rideshare applications have gained increasing popularity as a method for getting from point A to point B. Uber, the leader in the ride-hailing app market, reports that as of December of 2018, its drivers complete 14 million trips every day. As the number of rideshare drivers and trips increase on the roads, however, so too do the number of collisions involving Uber and Lyft drivers and their passengers. When involved in such accidents, those who suffer injuries may recover compensation for their associated losses, including their pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages.
Who Pays for Uber and Lyft Accidents?
When ridesharing accidents occur with passengers in the vehicle, multiple insurance companies may hold some liability for the associated damages – the rideshare driver’s insurance carrier, the ride-hailing company’s insurer, and the insurance carrier of the other driver involved. How they fit together and provide compensation to those injured depends upon who was at fault for causing the collision.
In cases when the rideshare drivers cause accidents that result in injuries to their passengers, their personal auto insurance policies or the coverage provided by the rideshare service may provide compensation for the associated damages. Uber and Lyft both carry liability insurance of up to $1 million coverage per accident, which kicks in when drivers have accepted rides. Issues collecting damages from drivers’ personal insurance policies may arise, however, if their policies do not cover commercial usage or they do not have specific coverage for ridesharing. In such cases, their insurance carriers may refuse coverage of accident-associated losses resulting from collisions occurring while they are driving for a ride-hailing service. Should a driver other than the rideshare driver cause an accident that results in injuries to a rideshare passenger, his or her insurer may provide compensation for the passenger’s injuries.
What Should Rideshare Accident Victims Consider When Hiring a Lawyer?
Finding the right lawyer may play a vital role in helping people injured as a result of ridesharing accidents to recover full and fair compensation for their losses. In order to make the best decision for themselves and their cases, injury victims may consider several factors instead of simply choosing a name from a search list or directory. Among these factors, people may take into account an attorney’s experience, willingness to go to trial, and their own comfort with the lawyer.
Experience Matters
Before hiring an attorney to represent them in a rideshare crash case, people should look into the qualifications and experience of those whom they are considering. It may best serve accident injury victims to look for legal representation that focuses their practice on personal injury, as opposed to handling other areas of law. Additionally, choosing lawyers who have experience with rideshare-related matters may help ensure they understand the ins and outs of the case and how the laws may apply, which may aid in maximizing people’s potential compensation.
Prepare for a Fight
Choosing rideshare attorneys who have trial experience may also benefit those injured in Uber or Lyft accidents. Often, settlements for injuries suffered as a result of ridesharing accidents can be reached without the need for going to court. However, having an attorney with trial experience may ensure that should the need for litigation arise, they may move forward with the same legal team. Additionally, it may help indicate their seriousness and show the insurance carriers they will not get pushed into taking an unfair agreement.
Place an Emphasis on Personability
Almost as important as the attorney’s experience is the feelings they give to a client. Dealing with the aftermath of a rideshare accident may leave people struggling with numerous challenges. In order to obtain damages for their losses, those injured must often work closely with their legal representatives. Therefore, they should ensure they choose someone they feel comfortable talking to and who puts their minds at ease; doing so may help alleviate some of their stresses during an already difficult time.
How Can an Attorney Help with a Rideshare Accident Claim?
Having a lawyer to represent their rights and best interests may help all auto accident injury victims, but particularly those injured while using ride-hailing services. Working with legal representation following a rideshare crash may provide advantages to those injured, including helping them obtain quality medical care more quickly and recover the compensation they need to move forward from their injuries. Personal injury attorneys who focus on cases involving ride-hailing accidents may help handle the paperwork, obtain evidence to support clients’ claims, and pursuing their rights and best interests in negotiations with the insurance companies.
