It’s become both popular and convenient, but what happens if your Uber driver gets into a car accident? If you are wondering who is liable if you’re a passenger in a rideshare car accident, our lawyers in Virginia Beach are ready to help you receive compensation for your injuries.
While you’re recovering, our legal team will fight to hold the rideshare company responsible for your car accident injuries. Our firm offers a free legal consultation to build you a strong defense. Learn the details of winning your claim against Uber and Lyft rideshare companies.
What Steps Can I Take to Help My Uber or Lyft Car Accident Claim?
After any car accident, there are crucial steps to take to strengthen or help your personal injury claim. You may consider handling your injury claim alone, but unless you are familiar with injury law, you risk the chance of settling for less than your injuries are truly worth.
Take the following advice of a Virginia Beach rideshare accident attorney on what to do next if you or a loved one is involved in an Uber or Lyft car accident.
Seek Medical Care
Regardless of if you have no injuries or common ones such as whiplash, broken bones or a concussion, go to a Virginia Beach hospital immediately. Do not tell police or anyone at the scene that you aren’t injured. Say nothing or advise that you are unsure and will be seeking medical attention.
Collect the Names of All Parties Involved
If you are physically able, get the names of drivers, passengers, and witnesses. They are all key players needed to strengthen your claim.
Take Multiple Photos of the Accident Scene
We always encourage video and photos of various angles of the accident scene to thoroughly investigate fault and prepare for the other party’s defense. Take pictures of each vehicle involved, the damage, any injuries present at the time, and other evidence like speed signs, stop signs, or dangerous road conditions.
Give a Statement to Law Enforcement
Give a detailed summary of the events leading up to the crash. Remembering details like the driver’s speed, if they were texting or talking on their phone or distracted is important information.
Contact Uber to Report the Accident
On the app, there is a place for passengers to report accidents. Utilize this resource as quickly as possible. A representative from the company will contact you to ask questions and obtain as much information as possible within 24–48 hours.
Consider Legal Representation
Rideshare companies will attempt to offer a settlement quickly. Consider hiring legal counsel to fight for the compensation that you deserve based on your injuries.
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How a Rideshare Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Rideshare accidents can be complicated simply because companies such as Lyft and Uber have corporate attorneys behind them, and insurance will try to shift the blame. An experienced Virginia Beach attorney will reduce your risk of being lowballed for your rideshare accident.
You deserve client-focused legal representation that will ask the hard questions, analyze offers and provide tailored solutions every step of the way. Our lawyers’ main goal is to protect your rights while you recover from your personal injuries. The best personal injury lawyers will:
- Refer you to top-rated medical specialists in Virginia Beach
- Clarify any of your concerns regarding the legal process of your rideshare accident case
- Carefully examine your case details
- File a personal injury claim against the rideshare company
- Collect additional evidence to solidify your claim
- Aggressively represent you during settlement negotiations for maximum compensation
- Strategize various defense tactics including passenger rights
- Try your case in court if a settlement can’t be reached
If you or anyone that you know are experiencing the aftermath of a rideshare accident, you may receive low offers from the company’s insurance company. A lawyer can protect you from unfair practices and cheap settlement offers while you focus on healing.
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What Is the Average Compensation From Uber or Lyft After a Car Accident?
The average settlement amount for a rideshare car accident varies but is heavily based on injuries. Much like any personal injury accident, the following factors are what determine your compensation amount:
Medical Bills
Including bills during the accident and future medical bills that relate to your sustained injuries.
Lost Wages and Income
If your injuries cause you to miss work or lose your job, you are entitled to compensation to cover this.
Property Damage
Property damage includes cars, bicycles, and personal property items.
Pain and Suffering
Physical pain and emotional or psychological damage from an accident can be long-lasting. You may need therapy to manage the impact of the accident.
Punitive Damages
In rare cases, punitive damages are awarded if the driver was blatantly reckless while driving.
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Common Injuries of Rideshare Accidents
Being injured in a car accident can leave some with life-changing injuries. Any injury suffered will be a critical focal point in your settlement. It is important to seek medical care right away, as some of the following injuries have delayed but serious symptoms:
- Neck Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Back Injuries
- Cuts
- Scrapes
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Brain Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Burns
The severity of your injuries can increase your settlement amount. Rehab and surgery, time off of work, and emotional distress all factor into determining how much your settlement will be. If you’ve been in an Uber or Lyft car accident in Virginia Beach, our lawyers arrange treatment.
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Do Uber and Lyft Have Insurance to Cover Rideshare Accidents?
Every rideshare driver is required to have personal car insurance as required by their state.
In addition to that, Uber and Lyft provide liability insurance that covers drivers, passengers, and third parties. These are the different scenarios in which their insurance will cover a collision:
Scenario One
If the rideshare app is off, the driver is liable. They are considered off-the-clock and will be expected to use their personal car insurance for coverage.
Scenario Two
If the rideshare app is on and the driver is awaiting a drive opportunity to come through, the rideshare companies both provide up to $50,000 for bodily injury, $100,000 total coverage for injuries, and $25,000 for property damage.
Scenario Three
When the rideshare app is on, and the driver is traveling with the passenger, both companies cover the party’s damages under their 1 million dollar liability coverage.
You can locate Uber’s auto insurance policy statement and Lyft’s insurance coverage statement on their website at any time.
Reasons Rideshare Accidents Occur
Rideshare accidents happen due to negligence just like standard vehicle accidents. When a rideshare accident lawyer begins examining the evidence of the accident, they focus on the parties involved and the reasons it happened. Common reasons rideshare accidents occur are:
Driver Error
Drivers are responsible for transporting clients to and from their destination safely. Some drivers may text and drive, drive while under the influence, disobey traffic signs and road rules or make other dangerous choices that lead to a collision.
Unsafe Driving Records
Since drivers are independent contractors, they are expected to keep up with the maintenance of their cars. Neither Uber nor Lyft routinely checks the conditions of driver’s vehicles, so it is a gamble that the car is safe enough to be operable.
Unsafe Vehicle Conditions
Since drivers are independent contractors, they are expected to keep up with the maintenance of their cars. Neither Uber nor Lyft routinely checks the conditions of drivers’ vehicles so it is a gamble that the car is safe enough to be operable.
Third-Party Driving Errors
A negligent driver may crash into your Uber or cause your Lyft to have an accident. If this is the case, that party will be responsible for compensating all involved for their injuries and damages.
Hazardous Road Conditions
If there is a pothole in the road or a notoriously dangerous intersection, this may cause your driver to have an accident. The city of Virginia Beach is responsible for repairing roads and making signs visible to ensure the safety of all drivers.
What Are the Chances of My Rideshare Accident Case Going to Trial?
Our lawyers mostly settle rideshare accident cases outside of court in Virginia Beach. The chance of court is less likely for passengers. However, under Virginia’s contributory negligence rule, if you as a passenger contribute to the accident in any way, you can not seek compensation.
How Often Do Rideshare Drivers Have Accidents?
Ridesharing through Uber and Lyft has taken off tremendously since 2009. As the use of ridesharing services expanded, unfortunately, so has the number of accidents. Research by the University of Chicago examined the increase of fatal accidents of Uber and Lyft.
Even as accidents increase, the insurance company still looks to protect their companies at all costs. An Uber accident lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of a rideshare accident case in Virginia Beach.
Determining Fault in a Virginia Beach Rideshare Accident Case
A duty of care is owed to each passenger and driver on the road. Our process of fortifying your personal injury claim revolves around proving that such “duty of care” was breached.
The losses and damage from the rideshare accident can be calculated, and a Virginia Beach attorney will request compensation. We then compile this information and begin negotiations or prepare to take your case to trial.
Defend Yourself Against Uber or Lyft With an Attorney in Virginia Beach
If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber or Lyft car accident, contact Christina Pendleton & Associates. We service Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Charlottesville, Chesterfield, Petersburg, Wytheville, and Richmond.
Our attorneys fight hard to maximize your settlement from the rideshare car accident. Virginia Beach clients can schedule a free case evaluation at any time. We work on a contingency-fee basis, so you only pay us if we win your case. Recover while we fight for you!
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