If you were in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you may be able to pursue compensation for the physical and emotional harm you suffered. But what happens if Uber or Lyft or the rideshare driver dispute fault for the accident? Who pays for your injuries and other losses?
The Uber and Lyft lawyers at the Law Offices and Ogle, Elrod & Baril, PLLC can answer those questions and more. We work through the complications of rideshare accident cases to help our clients get financial settlements for their losses. We can help you, too. To learn more, call us at 865-546-1111 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Uber and Lyft May Be Liable for Rideshare Accidents
Most states consider Uber and Lyft drivers as independent contractors and not employees of the rideshare companies. Because drivers are not full-time company workers, Uber and Lyft can deny liability when rideshare drivers do not have their apps on when accidents happen.
The rideshare app on the driver’s smartphone connects them to people requesting rides. When the app is on, Uber’s and Lyft’s $1 million in liability insurance coverage applies to accidents.
The rideshare companies’ insurance covers accidents when:
- The driver causes an accident, including hitting a pedestrian or bicyclist, on the way to picking up a passenger
- The driver has a passenger and gets into an accident
- The driver has an accident involving an uninsured motorist
When the driver does not have a passenger and causes an accident, but the driver’s personal auto insurance is not enough to cover all the damages from the accident, the rideshare insurance covers:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
Whether you were a rideshare passenger, another motorist whose car was hit by a rideshare vehicle, or a pedestrian or bicyclist hit by an Uber or Lyft vehicle, we can help you. Call us today at 865-546-1111 for a free case review.
The Rideshare Driver’s Responsibility
An Uber or Lyft driver’s personal auto insurance covers damages from an accident when:
- The driver’s rideshare app is off
- The driver does not have a passenger
- The driver is not available to pick up a passenger.
If a rideshare vehicle driver injured you, you can recover compensation the same way as other accidents involving private, passenger-car drivers.
The Law Offices of Ogle, Elrod & Baril, PLLC can assist you in your efforts to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Call our personal injury lawyers in Clinton at 865-546-1111 for a free consultation.
Obtaining Evidence for an Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accident
At Ogle, Elrod & Baril, PLLC, we thoroughly investigate rideshare accident cases before bringing a claim or filing a lawsuit on our clients’ behalf.
During our investigation into your Uber or Lyft accident, we secure evidence to support your claim for compensation. We will also build a case to establish liability and fault for your rideshare accident.
To strengthen your case, we may collect evidence that includes:
- A police report of the accident
- Medical records that show the injuries you sustained
- Photographs of the damaged vehicles
- Eyewitness statements
- Surveillance video of the accident
Depending on the circumstances of your rideshare accident, we may request that Uber or Lyft preserve information regarding the driver’s driving record, trip records, and vehicle inspection.
We gather evidence to prove that the Uber or Lyft driver acted negligently and caused a rideshare accident. And, since Tennessee is a fault state, drivers who cause vehicle accidents are responsible for paying damages resulting from the accident.
Options for Recovering Compensation
An option for recovering compensation is filing a claim with the insurance company for Uber, Lyft, the rideshare driver, or a third-party driver who caused the crash.
We know about the tactics insurers use to devalue, delay, or reject a claim. So, we make sure that insurers have the evidence we secured that shows how our clients were harmed because of an accident and are entitled to compensation for their damages.
As another service, we negotiate settlements with insurance companies on our clients’ behalf. We continue negotiations until the insurer offers a full and fair settlement.
We usually have successful outcomes in negotiations; however, there are times when we file a lawsuit after an insurer fails to offer a fair settlement.
Recoverable Damages in an Uber or Lyft Accident
Although each rideshare accident is different, there are some common damages that Uber and Lyft accident victims can recover. These damages include:
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses include costs for ambulance transportation to the emergency room, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, physical or occupational therapy, medical equipment, mobility devices, prescription drugs, and more.
Lost Wages
Lost income includes the wages, bonuses, commissions, and other income you may lose because of the accident. If you can no longer work in the same capacity as you did before the accident, you may be able to pursue loss of future earning potential.
Property Damage
Property damage involves the cost for repair or replacement of your vehicle. It may also include personal property, such a smartphone or laptop computer, that was damaged in the accident.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering involve the physical injuries, mental anguish, and emotional distress you suffered because of the accident.
To discuss the specific type of damages you may be entitled to pursue from your Uber or Lyft rideshare accident, call the Law Offices of Ogle, Elrod & Baril, PLLC at 865-546-1111 for a free consultation.
Let us Help You Recover Compensation in Your Rideshare Accident Case
You have a limited amount of time to pursue compensation for your Uber or Lyft rideshare accident. So, do not delay. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can begin investigating your rideshare accident.
Call the Law Offices of Ogle, Elrod & Baril, PLLC at 865-546-1111 to schedule a free case review.