The popularity of rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft has exploded in recent years, with many people in Tucson and throughout Southern Arizona relying on rideshare companies instead of traditional taxi cabs for transportation. According to a 2018 study conducted by the Pew Research Center, approximately 36 percent of adults say that they have used a ridesharing service such as Uber or Lyft. And the Business of Apps reports that 93 million people used Uber in the fourth quarter of 2020.
However, as more people take advantage of the convenience of rideshare companies, the risk of being involved in a car crash also goes up. Because rideshare drivers are typically independent contractors rather than employees, it can be complicated for the victim of a rideshare accident to recover financial compensation for his or her injuries. Having an experienced Uber car accident lawyer by your side to advocate on your behalf can make all the difference when it comes to obtaining full and fair damages for your injuries. If you were a passenger in a Lyft or Uber car and were hurt in a crash, or if your car was involved in a crash with a rideshare car, reach out to Showard Law Firm to discuss your case and protect your rights to compensation. We can investigate your crash and identify all possible liable parties, including the rideshare driver, the rideshare company that employs the driver, other drivers on the road, and more. Your initial consultation with an Uber and Lyft accident lawyer at our firm is completely free of charge.
Was the Rideshare Driver on the Clock?
If you are a driver or passenger in another vehicle that is involved in a crash caused by an Uber or Lyft driver, then one key factor in determining how you will recover damages is whether or not the rideshare driver was signed into the app and therefore on the clock. If so, then both Lyft and Uber provide $1 Million worth of liability coverage for crashes caused by the rideshare driver. Note that this will apply whether or not the rideshare driver had a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the crash – all that matters in this context was whether or not the driver was signed into the app.
However, if the rideshare driver was not signed into the app, then you may have to seek recovery from the driver’s private insurance policy. In the event that the rideshare driver’s private insurance does not cover all of your damages, then you may be able to recover the remaining amount from the rideshare company’s secondary policy.
What If I Was a Rideshare Passenger?
If you are a rideshare passenger and your driver is responsible for the accident in which you are injured, then the rideshare company’s insurance policy will cover your damages. If you are a rideshare passenger and a third-party vehicle causes the crash in which you are injured, then you would file a claim against the third-party driver’s insurance.
Options for Rideshare Drivers
If you are a rideshare driver and you are injured in an accident caused by another driver, then you would be eligible to file a claim against the other driver’s insurance. If you are the one that caused the crash, then once again, it all depends on if you were or were not logged into the app at the time of the accident. If so, then the rideshare company’s insurance policy would be triggered, but if you were not signed in, then your own private policy would be applied.
Damages That May Be Recovered in a Rideshare Accident Lawsuit
Rideshare accidents can cause serious injuries that forever alter the victim’s life, which means that a large financial settlement or jury award may be appropriate. Some of the damages for which a rideshare accident victim may seek compensation include the following:
- All medical costs, such as ambulance rides, hospital visits, surgeries and procedures, assistive devices, physical therapy, prescription medications, and in-home care
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity, which both apply when you are forced to miss time from work – either in the past, present, or future – due to your injuries
- Pain and suffering damages help compensate victims for the anguish and trauma they have endured and may continue to experience for months and years to come as a result of this crash
Hiring the Right Rideshare Accident Lawyer Can Make All the Difference
If you attempt to “go it alone” after a serious rideshare accident, you may be taking a significant financial risk. Insurance companies will inevitably do whatever they can to minimize your financial recovery, and without an experienced rideshare accident attorney at your side to make the insurance company take your case seriously, you may only receive lowball offers that are far below what your case is worth. Navigating the complexities of insurance and liability when it comes to a Lyft or Uber accident can be daunting, and the right attorney can take the burden of this process off your hands, negotiate with the insurer on your behalf, and act in your best interest to get the full amount of monetary compensation that you are entitled to receive.
Since 2006, Showard Law Firm has secured millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of our valued clients.
Speak With a Lyft and Uber Car Accident Lawyer About Your Case
If you have been injured in a rideshare accident in Tucson, Sierra Vista, or anywhere in Southern Arizona, call Showard Law Firm today to book your cost-free consultation. A Lyft and Uber accident lawyer can put you in the best position to recover maximum damages for your injuries. We will not charge you for attorney fees unless we resolve your case.