Curious about why there’s been an uptick in rideshare accident claims as of late?
Uber and Lyft have revolutionized how we get around. Millions of rides are taken nationwide every day. And with that level of growth comes one unfortunate thing…
More rideshare vehicles means more rideshare accidents.
Not only are there more cars on the road, but rideshare accidents come with complex insurance issues, tricky liability questions and multiple parties shifting blame.
And that’s why you should hire legal help after your Uber or Lyft accident.
Here’s everything you need to know…
What you’ll discover:
- Why Rideshare Accidents Are Increasing
- What Makes Rideshare Accident Cases Unique
- Why Personal Injury Litigation Matters
- Things You Should Do After a Rideshare Crash
Why Are There More Rideshare Accidents?
Bear with me…
The number of Uber and Lyft vehicles on our roadways has grown exponentially. As the number of cars increases, collisions are naturally going to happen more often. In fact, rideshare drivers are 73% more likely to get into an accident than the average driver.
That’s nearly twice as likely.
Part of the reason? Uber and Lyft drivers spend more time on the road than your average driver. They’re working in unfamiliar areas, looking down at their app for rides and managing passenger distractions at the same time.
Fatigue also plays a huge role.
Uber and Lyft drivers work long hours or use driving as second jobs. As a result, many times they’re driving while exhausted.
Researchers from the University of Illinois Chicago discovered drivers were even getting into crashes while working.
Poor cellphone use, drowsy driving and unfamiliar roadways all contributed to these crashes.
Point being, rideshare accidents are only going to continue happening. As rideshares increase, unfortunately, so will these crashes.
How Are Rideshare Accident Claims Different?
Okay, now here’s the fun part…
Typical car accidents involve two drivers and two insurance companies arguing over who’s at fault.
Rideshare accidents involve plenty of extra layers that make personal injury litigation far more complex.
Let’s break it down…
When a rideshare driver is at fault for a collision, who’s responsible? Is it just the driver? What about Uber and Lyft? Both of them?
It depends on whether the driver had their app on or not. Both rideshare companies use different categories to determine their liability.
If their app is off: The driver’s insurance is responsible. Uber and Lyft do not get involved.
If their app is on, but they haven’t accepted a ride: Uber and Lyft provide limited liability insurance.
If they accepted a ride or have a passenger in their car: Full commercial coverage should be in effect. Usually about $1 million.
Got all that?
If not, don’t worry. Each of these instances come with different levels of insurance responsibility. Chances are, if you’re involved in a rideshare accident, you’ll be dealing with multiple insurance companies who will do everything they can not to pay out on a claim.
And that’s exactly why you should hire a qualified Greeley personal injury attorney to help navigate the complex world of personal injury litigation if you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident.
File a claim without an attorney and you’ll likely be forced to accept the first settlement offer you receive – even if it doesn’t come close to covering your damages.
Legal Help With Rideshare Accidents is Important
Most people don’t think about riding in an Uber or Lyft and getting into an accident. You trust the app to bring you a safe driver. So when an accident happens, you don’t know what to do.
You don’t know about insurance tiers. Liability shifting. What to do if the other driver is blaming you.
Don’t worry. That’s what legal professionals are for.
Attorneys that focus on personal injury have seen it all. They know how to:
- Hold every at-fault party accountable (driver, rideshare company, third-party drivers)
- Decipher between every insurance policy involved in the accident
- Collect key evidence to support your claim
- Fight back against unfair, lowball settlement offers
Here’s what most people don’t understand…
Uber and Lyft define their drivers as independent contractors. It’s their loophole for avoiding responsibility should one of their drivers cause an accident.
Getting around that small-print contract detail takes experience and knowing how rideshare accidents really work.
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident
Most people have hailed a ride at one time or another. But you never think you’ll be in an accident.
In these situations, it’s critical to take the right steps after a crash. Failing to collect key information and evidence can hurt your case later on.
Follow these steps to protect yourself after an Uber or Lyft accident:
Seek medical attention ASAP
Just like any car accident, report the incident to the police and get medical attention as soon as you can. Some injuries take days to become evident.
Document the accident with pictures
Take photos of the accident scene, vehicles involved, your injuries and road conditions. Take screenshots of the ride you were in through the app as well.
Report the accident to the rideshare company
The driver may not report the accident to Uber or Lyft. Don’t rely on them to do the job. File a report within the app so they can’t dispute it later.
Consult with a personal injury attorney
The last thing you want is for Uber or Lyft (or their insurance companies) to offer you a quick settlement. Oftentimes this means they won’t cover all your damages.
Takeaway
As rideshare services grow, so do rideshare accidents. Unfortunately, these accidents are far more complex than your run-of-the-mill car accident.
Between tricky insurance tiers and independent contractor loopholes, victims are often left confused about who’s responsible for their damages.
That’s why more people are turning to legal help after a crash. Only attorneys have the experience and resources to cut through insurance companies, decipher who’s liable and ensure you get every penny you deserve.
Takeaways to Remember:
- Rideshare accidents are on the rise all over the U.S.
- Insurance and liability differs from normal car accidents.
- Whether the driver accepted your ride or had their app on affects insurance liability.
- Insurance companies try to give you quick settlements that barely cover your injuries.
- Hiring legal help after an accident can protect you and your family.
