If you or someone you care about has been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, you may be eligible for compensation. Reach out to an experienced Uber accident lawyer for immediate legal assistance. An attorney can help you recover maximum compensation for your damages.
Don’t hesitate to call The Super Lawyer for sound legal advice. Our legal team is ready to answer all your questions. Call 404-574-4308 now to schedule the best time to discuss your Uber car accident case and legal options.
Uber and Lyft Accident Statistics
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business estimates that there has been a 3% increase in fatal auto accidents since the emergence of platforms like Uber and Lyft.
According to Uber’s U.S. Safety Report for 2017 and 2018, the ridesharing platform reports that 107 fatalities were recorded in 97 crashes. The report indicates that 67% of the deceased parties were Uber occupants while 33% were non-occupants.
What Are the Most Common Types of Uber and Lyft Accidents?
Uber and Lyft accidents happen in lots of different ways. They affect many parties, including Uber drivers, passengers, and third parties on the roads. Here are the most common types of Uber and Lyft accidents:
- Injuries to passengers due to the rideshare driver’s negligence
- Injuries to third parties due to the liability of the rideshare driver
- Injuries to passengers due to the negligence of another Uber or Lyft driver
- Injuries to the rideshare driver due to their own negligence
- Injuries to the rideshare driver due to another driver’s negligence
- Injuries to passengers and the driver due to defective or malfunctioning vehicle parts
The varied nature of Uber and Lyft accidents can make any compensation claim complicated. For this reason, you should always have an Uber accident lawyer by your side to ensure you receive the best compensation for your injuries and damages.
Who Can Be Found Liable in an Uber Accident?
An Uber accident lawyer can help you identify who is liable for your injuries. Remember, insurance companies can pin negligence on anyone after an accident. A lawyer can look into the facts of your case and analyze evidence to determine who is responsible for your crash. This may include:
Uber or Lyft Driver
In most cases, drivers are to blame for accidents. Your Uber driver’s actions may have led to your crash. Speeding or distracted driving are things that can lead to Uber accidents.
Rideshare Companies
Uber and Lyft can be held liable for the negligent actions or inactions of their drivers. Technically, Uber drivers are independent contractors, making it possible for Uber to distance itself from the claims.
Nonetheless, Uber and Lyft have the responsibility to safeguard the interests of their clients — the passengers. They should conduct comprehensive background checks and ensure they hire qualified drivers who won’t endanger the lives of passengers.
Hiring a driver with a history of robbery, drunk driving, or sexual assault may increase the risk of such incidents reoccurring.
Any Related Third Parties
Uber and Lyft accidents may occur due to the negligence of third parties. During such an incident, you may file a claim against the negligent entity or their insurance carrier. You may sue government entities for poor road conditions or vehicle part manufacturers for defective parts that led to your accident.
In some instances, the driver of the other vehicle may also be liable for your injuries. For instance, if a drunk driver hits your Uber, resulting in severe injuries, they may be liable for damages.
How Are Uber Accident Cases Different from Regular Car Accident Cases?
The main difference between Uber and regular car accidents is insurance coverage. Uber requires drivers to maintain their own insurance policy while on the roads. Still, Uber maintains auto insurance for passengers while using the platform.
This means that various insurance policies will cover you in the event of an accident.
Does Uber Have a $1 Million Insurance Policy For Accidents?
After an Uber accident, Uber’s $1,000,000 third-party liability coverage may come into play. This policy applies when the driver is en route to pick you up and during trips.
What Type of Compensation Can I Get for a Rideshare Accident?
Generally speaking, many injured parties in Uber accidents recover two types of compensation — economic and non-economic damages. These are compensatory damages awarded to victims as compensation for loss or injury caused by an Uber accident.
They make the claimant “whole” after an Uber crash.
A plaintiff may also recover punitive damages after an Uber accident. However, these damages aren’t typically available in most Uber or Lyft claims.
Economic Damages
These are any costs that are quantifiable after an Uber wreck. They are contained in bills and receipts. Common examples of economic damages include:
- Medical bills (past, present, and future)
- Lost income
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Miscellaneous expenses, like travel expenses after the accident
Non-Economic Damages
These damages are based on harms that aren’t easily calculable. They are subjective in nature. Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of reputation
- Disability
- Loss of companionship
Punitive Damages
These are damages that exceed ordinary damages in a personal injury claim. They are meant to punish the defendant for their extreme recklessness or negligence. Courts can also award punitive damages if there was malicious intent to cause harm on the defendant’s part.
Should I Just Accept a Settlement Offer?
Never accept a settlement offer from insurance adjusters before speaking to an experienced Uber accident lawyer. Insurance adjusters are only concerned about their company’s bottom line. They may offer you a lowball settlement that doesn’t cover all your injuries and damages.
An attorney can look into the facts of your case and determine its actual value.
How Much Will an Uber Accident Lawyer Cost?
At The Super Lawyer, we don’t charge any upfront fees for legal representation. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay once we win your case. This type of attorney-client agreement allows you to focus on your recovery.
You don’t need to spend lots of cash retaining a lawyer while paying expensive medical bills.
What Is the Time Limit For Filing an Uber or Lyft Accident Claim?
The time limits for filing an Uber accident claim generally align with the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in the relevant state, which typically ranges from one to three years from the date of the accident.
This timeframe dictates how long you have to initiate a legal claim for injuries or damages sustained during the accident. It’s essential to be aware of these deadlines, as failing to file within the statutory period can result in losing the right to seek compensation.
Uber accidents may also involve multiple parties, such as the Uber driver, other drivers, or Uber itself, which can complicate the process.
Additionally, Uber has its own claims process, and notifying the company of the accident promptly can be crucial for timely resolution and obtaining necessary insurance coverage.
Consulting with an attorney experienced in handling Uber accident claims can help ensure you meet all deadlines and navigate the complexities of both state laws and Uber’s policies.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer?
Uber and Lyft are the biggest ridesharing platforms in the world. If you are involved in an accident, these companies have in-house legal teams that will try to limit or deny your claim. These companies are also prepared to hire the best lawyers to limit huge payouts in court cases.
If you are thinking about representing yourself after an accident, that’s ill-advised. You need to hire a reputable personal injury law firm to handle your claim. Here’s why you should hire a lawyer as soon as possible after your Uber or Lyft crash:
Case Preparation / Filing a Lawsuit
After a Lyft accident, a lawyer can help you build a strong case. Our legal team is ready to gather and analyze important evidence that will help us determine who is responsible for your crash. This may include police reports, eyewitness statements, medical reports, and dashcam footage.
The Super Lawyer is also prepared to enlist the help of accident reconstruction experts to find out what happened before, during, and after the crash.
Settlement Negotiation
You require the help of aggressive lawyers during settlement negotiations. Our attorneys are prepared to fight for the best compensation for your damages. We will negotiate with insurance adjusters to ensure you get a settlement that covers all your injuries and damages.
Trial Preparation & Representation
Our trial lawyers can represent you in court if out-of-court talks hit a dead end. We will present the best case before the judge and jury, ensuring you secure a fair settlement for your Uber accident claim.
If need be, our attorneys will call expert witnesses to the stand, including doctors and the police, to secure the best outcome for your case.
Contact the Best Uber Accident Lawyers Today for Help!
Car crashes involving rideshare drivers can be complex. If you have sustained injuries after an Uber accident, you should consider reaching out to an Uber accident lawyer.
At The Super Lawyer, our legal team is prepared to guide you throughout the claims process. We have extensive experience in personal injury cases. Rest assured that we’ll go above and beyond to help you get the justice you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule your free case review. Let us fight for your rights and interests. Our legal team won’t let these companies offer you any compensation that doesn’t represent what you rightfully deserve. Get started now before it’s too late.