Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing companies are common across Charlottesville. What’s not so common is what you need to know if you’re in an accident with one of these vehicles. Our rideshare accident attorneys serving Charlottesville can help you after such an accident.
Unlike taxi drivers and other commercial drivers, rideshare companies have far lower standards for their drivers. This means there’s an increased risk for accidents. Also, the insurance issues are much more complicated and require a lawyer from the Pendleton Law Team who knows how rideshare insurance works.
How Rideshare Insurance Works in Virginia
Thanks to Virginia law, each rideshare driver must have insurance on their own vehicle. Also, each rideshare company that operates has to provide a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability coverage while the driver is giving a ride.
Also, the rideshare company must provide uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage when there are passengers, and also must cover a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability coverage. This coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough insurance to cover damages.
This means that passengers who are taking a trip in someone’s car through the service will have quite a lot of coverage to choose from. Our rideshare accident lawyers can help you file claims so that you can access these larger policies.
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What About Rideshare Drivers?
Rideshare drivers are covered by these policies as well, but only when they have accepted a ride request. However, if the app is on but there is no ride request in progress, your coverage could be much lower.
The usual caps for this circumstance are:
- $50,000 per person
- $100,000 maximum per accident
- $25,000 in property damage
However, these companies would prefer to pay nothing and will try to make a claim that you weren’t logged into the app when the crash happened. Our Charlottesville rideshare accident lawyers can make them back up that claim with proof.
Assuming you’re not at-fault for the crash, you can also make a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance like a normal crash. If you have bought PIP coverage, you can also make a claim with your own primary auto insurer.
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The Liability Fight After Rideshare Accidents
With all these multiple potential insurance policies that could apply to your injuries, fights between the insurers are common in rideshare situations. You don’t want to be stuck in the middle of that while you’re waiting for compensation.
The Pendleton Law Firm will fight hard on your behalf to give you the best possible outcome we can within a reasonable amount of time. We will hold all the responsible parties responsible. If necessary, we are prepared to go to trial on your behalf.
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Contributory Negligence in Virginia
Another complication for drivers is the contributory negligence law in Virginia. If you have any level of responsibility for your crash, you cannot claim damages in court. Most passengers wouldn’t have to worry about this, but drivers do.
If an insurance company can prove you share fault, that gives them a huge amount of leverage. Court is no longer an option if you share fault. That is, unless your rideshare accident lawyer can prove their evidence is incorrect.
Without a Charlottesville rideshare accident attorney at your side, you’re at the mercy of their story. Don’t fight for compensation without a qualified lawyer on your side.
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How Do I Pay for a Rideshare Accident Lawyer?
Rideshare lawyers are a type of personal injury lawyer. This means that we get paid through a contingency fee system. We only get paid our fee if we get you compensation. If you lose your case and get nothing, we get paid nothing.
If you win, you’ll pay us a percentage of the total compensation. This is all outlined during your consultation and in your retainer agreement. This means you pay no up-front costs and can get legal representation no matter what your income is.
Hire a Charlottesville Rideshare Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been in an accident involving a rideshare driver, don’t waste time while the insurance companies fight about who is responsible. Get a Charlottesville rideshare accident lawyer from Pendleton Law Team to cut through the red tape.
Damon Pendleton worked for five years at a large insurance company. He knows the ins and outs of that industry and we have the resources to go against them despite our small size. Plus, our small firm means you get personalized attention, not handed off to a lawyer getting experience.
Contact us today and get a powerful advocate on your side.
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