Were you involved in a crash while using a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft? As convenient as these services have become, they still carry the same risks as any other way of getting around. More rideshare vehicles on the road means more chances for accidents to happen.
If you were hurt in a collision and you find yourself dealing with the aftermath, know that it is completely normal to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. Accidents are stressful enough—add in the confusion of the legal process, and it can feel like a lot to handle.
However, you don’t have to go through all of this by yourself—instead, let a rideshare accident lawyer serving Roanoke help you. The Pendleton Law Team has represented thousands of people as their Roanoke personal injury lawyer, and we can do the same for you.
Transportation Network Companies and Virginia Law
Rideshare accidents can involve many different people, though the following parties are commonly involved in cases like these:
- Rideshare passengers
- Rideshare drivers
- Other motorists
- Pedestrians and bicyclists
It’s important to understand the legal landscape surrounding rideshare accidents in Virginia, especially if you were involved in an incident of this nature. Your rideshare accident attorney serving Roanoke will likely explain the law to you and how it applies to your case in greater detail.
Even so, it doesn’t hurt to familiarize yourself with a general understanding of Virginia law and how it categorizes Uber, Lyft, and similar services. These transportation companies are known as Transportation Network Companies (TNCs).
This classification imposes specific regulatory requirements on those involved, particularly when it comes to insurance coverage. Ultimately, TNC insurance requirements will vary based on the driver’s status at the time of the collision. Let’s take a look at two common scenarios.
App On, No Ride Accepted
When a rideshare driver is logged into their app but they have not yet accepted a ride, TNCs must provide the following level of coverage:
- $50,000 in liability coverage per person
- $100,000 per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
App On, Ride Accepted
If the rideshare driver has already accepted a ride request, the amount of coverage that a TNC must provide will increase in the following ways:
- $1,000,000 in liability coverage
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage
This tiered insurance structure can cause a lot of confusion after a car crash occurs because you might not know how to determine which coverage will apply to your situation. However, your rideshare accident attorney serving Roanoke will handle this matter on your behalf.
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Determining Fault in Rideshare Accidents
A challenging aspect of rideshare accident cases is the process of determining who is at fault for the collision. With situations like these, multiple parties might share fault for the crash, though it all depends on the specific details of the incident.
Here are a few examples of contributing factors:
- The rideshare driver’s behavior leading up to the collision
- Negligence on part of other motorists on the road
- The presence of defective vehicle parts or unsafe roadway conditions
Furthermore, the state of Virginia upholds a contributory negligence rule. In other words, if the victim of the crash is determined to be even 1% at fault for the collision, they might be barred from recovering any and all compensation in their own case.
This can be seen as a harsh standard, but it emphasizes the importance of conducting a very thorough and detailed investigation. Your rideshare accident attorneys will take their time reviewing the following pieces of evidence in your case:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Dashcam or surveillance footage
- Cellphone records or app data
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Common Damages in Rideshare Accidents
The consequences that you’ll end up facing as the victim of a rideshare collision are not enjoyable, and they often extend far beyond the shock of the initial crash. Victims often face a combination of both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
Meanwhile, these are examples of non-economic damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
Calculating the extent of your damages is one thing, and proving them is another. It all comes down to your rideshare accident attorneys allocating their time, energy, and experience as they work toward a favorable outcome in your case.
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Contact Our Rideshare Accident Law Firm Serving Roanoke for Help Today
If you or someone you care about was injured in a rideshare-related incident, you should not have to face the aftermath all on your own. These accidents can be overwhelming in so many ways—but you don’t have to figure out your next steps all by yourself.
Instead, turn to The Pendleton Law Team. We are ready and willing to take on your case, protect your rights, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
We understand what you’re going through, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait to get the help you need—the sooner you contact our rideshare accident law firm serving Roanoke, the sooner we can start the process of holding the at-fault parties accountable.
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