Lyft And Uber Accident Lawyer
With the introduction of ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft, travel has changed forever. These rideshares provide a more personalized approach to transportation than public transit and a more pleasant trip than ordinary taxi cabs. However, the shift towards transportation innovation may be a cause for concern, since you are giving up control and entrusting your safety to a rideshare driver. Where does the responsibility for an accident fall if it happens? Is it with the transportation business or the rideshare driver?
These types of inquiries underscore the significance of thinking about legal strategies after an accident with Uber or Lyft. Texas Personal Injury Lawyers will address any queries relating to a rideshare accident, since the attorney team has many years of combined experience representing personal injury claimants.
Schedule a free consultation with Texas Personal Injury Lawyers by phone at (888) 997-2148. There is no charge and no hidden fees during this session; simply knowledge.
What Happens When You Are In An Uber Or Lyft Car Accident?
If you have been injured in a car accident, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Keep in mind that not every injury is apparent right after an accident, which is why it is important to see a doctor whether or not you have visible injuries. You will want to get a medical professional to document your examination and any possible injuries, and then schedule a follow up to see how and if your condition has changed.
As soon as possible after the accident, it is important to discuss your legal options with a Lyft accident lawyer who has specific experience with rideshare accident cases. There are a number of different parties who could be considered at fault, and who should be held responsible for what portion of your damages is going to depend on the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Why Hire Texas Personal Injury Lawyers For Your Uber Or Lyft Accident Claim?
- We’ve dedicated our lives to defending people hurt in LA against large businesses like Uber and Lyft.
- We have the motivation to fight for the highest compensation possible for your injuries, no matter how serious or life-changing they are.
- We offer free legal representation to Uber or Lyft accident victims in Texas and across the United States for $0 upfront and no charge if we do not win.
How Can An Uber And Lyft Accident Lawyer Help You?
As an injured victim, going up against Uber or Lyft is no easy task. Rideshare businesses have a poor reputation for aggressively defending and battling injury claims. Even as an innocent passenger, it may be tough to persuade the firm to accept responsibility for your injuries.
If you hire an aggressive car accident lawyer from our firm, however, you can level the playing field and improve your chances of Uber or Lyft treating your claim fairly. Even before following discussions, most businesses will offer larger settlements just on the basis of learning that the claimant has hired an attorney. They understand that a lawyer has the ability to take them to court if they refuse to negotiate reasonably, and they will do everything possible to avoid this scenario.
Injuries From Typical Uber Or Lyft Ridesharing Mishaps
In Texas, you can be charged with injury to another person if someone else is harmed as a result of your negligence. You may endure a debilitating condition, such as brain damage or paralysis. According to the Center for Disease Control, psychological stress may also be a result of living through a traumatic accident. A personal injury lawyer can assist you in receiving proper medical treatment, recording your injuries, and seeking the compensation you require to get back on your feet.
Injuries that riders may suffer in rideshare accidents include:
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Chest injuries and rib fractures
- Emotional injuries (i.e. post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Injuries to the legs and knees
- Internal injuries
- Neck injuries, such as whiplash
- Scrapes and cuts; more serious lacerations
- Severe bruising
- Severed limbs
- Skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Wrongful death
A serious accident might necessitate thousands of dollars’ worth of medical treatment, ranging from follow-up checkups to physical therapy and rehabilitation. Even a minor problem may result in significant health expenditures and suffering. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury as a result of an Uber or Lyft accident, contact Texas Personal Injury Lawyers to get advice on the next steps you should take.
Is The Rideshare Company Liable?
Both Uber and Lyft have $1 million insurance policies that cover accidents that occur while a driver is on-duty with a passenger in the car. This insurance policy should ensure coverage of your medical expenses, regardless of who was to blame for the collision, whether you are an injured passenger or not. If the insurance coverage does not cover you (as an Uber/Lyft driver or a third party), however, you may be required to take additional measures to receive compensation for your losses.
Uber and Lyft will not be held liable for the mistakes or behaviors of their drivers by default. The drivers employed by Uber and Lyft are classified as independent contractors, not employees, by both companies. This can make it difficult to hold the ridesharing firm accountable for negligent, reckless, or dangerous Uber or Lyft drivers. However, Uber and Lyft may face responsibility for incidents caused by the company’s negligence. Uber/Lyft may be held responsible for a connected wreck if the business should have prevented a dangerous driver from joining their service. An experienced accident lawyer in Texas can help you assess culpability and liability after an Uber or Lyft accident.
How Are Uber And Lyft Accidents Different From Traditional Vehicle Accidents?
Uber and Lyft are the most well-known rideshare companies, but there are several others. Rideshare services provide a viable alternative to traditional taxi and limousine services. When compared to regular transportation businesses, ridesharing firms operate differently. Although vehicle accidents and rideshare accident are similar in many ways, they are legally distinct. These variations might make it more difficult to comprehend your rights as a passenger injured in an accident.
Uber and Lyft accidents have several characteristics that distinguish them from vehicle accident. Here are a few examples:
- The presence of a third party.
Rideshare incidents also affect the rideshare company. This may influence the legal outcome of your case, since rather than filing an insurance claim with the at-fault driver, you will have to do so with Uber or Lyft.
- Rideshare company negligence.
If a rideshare firm is held liable for an accident due to hiring, training, or retention mistakes, or because it broke safety inspection guidelines, it might be responsible for the crash.
- Self-driving vehicles.
If a rideshare accident is caused by a technology or software failure in an autonomous Uber or Lyft car, the firm may be held responsible for any injuries and damage.
It’s worth noting that the principle of vicarious liability does not apply to Uber and Lyft incidents in most circumstances. Vicarious responsibility holds that an employer is responsible for the errors made by its on-duty personnel. Uber and Lyft, for example, classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees.
The distinction protects Uber and Lyft from liability for drivers who cause accidents. You may still have a legal claim against the ridesharing business, depending on the circumstances. Ridesharing accidents require more care than other vehicle incidents. It is not as simple to determine liability as it might appear. A ridesharing accident lawyer in Los Angeles can research your rideshare accident for you.
What Should I Do After My Uber Or Lyft Driver Gets In An Accident?
There are a few crucial actions to take at the site of any vehicle accident involving an Uber or Lyft, just as there are with other sorts of auto Accident.
- Call the police right away after everyone is safe. This establishes a police report and may be crucial down the road if you need to file a claim for your injuries.
- Gather evidence and snap photographs and videos of the incident. Include your Uber driver’s driver’s license, tag number, insurance information, and contact information. Take photographs of any injuries you have, damage to your driver’s vehicle, and the other motorist’s car as well as photos of their license plate, driver’s license, and automobile insurance. This may be essential if you want to submit a claim.
- Get medical care as soon as possible after the accident. Even if you think you are okay, injuries might develop later and adrenaline from the collision may mask discomfort. Make sure you’re healthy by visiting a doctor to ensure there aren’t any hidden problems.
- Finally, submit a complaint with the ridesharing service. Here are links to some of the most popular rideshare companies in the region:
Major Benefits Of Using Ride-Sharing Services
- It is generally more affordable than hiring a taxi or renting a chauffeured vehicle. Uber and Lyft allow you to see the price of your journey before confirming it.
- Thousands of employment opportunities have been produced for competent and qualified drivers by Uber and Lyft. Uber and Lyft drivers have a lot of liberty and flexibility because they pick their own working hours.
- Uber and Lyft are considerably simpler to hail as drivers for these businesses pick up passengers at their chosen spots, as opposed to traditional taxis. A passenger must be outside on the street or phone dispatch in order to hire a regular taxi.
- Payments are made to drivers via Uber and Lyft, both of which are secure and safe payment methods. A deliveryman does not risk being unpaid if he or she is late.
- On the Uber and Lyft ride-sharing apps, drivers have provided their names and credit card information, and their identities are not hidden.
- On mobile phones, the Uber and Lyft apps are simple to download. These applications are intuitive to use and provide attractive rewards to frequent users.
- The obnoxious and aggressive drivers and passengers are weeded out as both get to rate the other.
Many people prefer doing gig work to a regular job. Such a preference allowed ride-share businesses such as Uber and Lyft to recruit a willing workforce. There is more congestion on the streets now that there are more Uber and Lyft automobiles on the roadways.
Because they are constantly monitoring their ride-sharing app for potential customers, or looking at navigation apps that will guide them to their passengers’ destinations, Uber and Lyft drivers are putting other Texans and passengers at risk.
Distracted driving is hazardous driving, and these ride-hailing services pose serious threats to the users. If you or a family member have been hurt as the result of an Uber or Lyft driver’s negligence or carelessness, contact a Board-Certified, Car Accident Lawyer at The Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec for assistance navigating through complicated accident regulations and obtaining the best outcome in a personal injury claim.
Precautions To Take If You Are A Ride-Share User
There are several things you can do to decrease the danger of being involved in an Uber or Lyft accident. Here are a few examples:
- Review driver ratings and then confirm your trip.
- Share your status and travel plans.
- Avoid distracting the driver.
- Follow the driver’s map alongside your own to ensure you are headed to your destination.
- Never travel alone, when not sober.
If you no longer feel secure, or if the driver’s behavior appears to be aggressive or erratic, demand he or she come to a safe stop so you may exit the vehicle, or call 911 if you believe you are in danger.
Uber And Lyft’s Relation With Their Drivers
Individuals who drive for Uber and Lyft are not treated as employees, but rather as independent contractors under a contract to provide and execute services on behalf of the firms. These drivers are not “working for” Uber or Lyft because they are self-employed, but they are nevertheless “doing work for them.”
Vicarious Liability
A ‘principal’ (for example, an employer) can be held responsible for the actions of his or her ‘agents’ (employees, for example) under the principle of Vicarious Liability.
In Uber and Lyft accident cases, the wrongful or negligent behavior comes from a driver who is an independent contractor, not an employee. This means that the company is not liable for the driver’s actions. Unlike employees, Uber and Lyft drivers do not generally enjoy worker rights, workplace benefits, or a pension. As a result, Uber and Lyft can potentially avoid Vicarious Liability as drivers are classified as independent contractors.
Terms Of Service
The terms of service for Uber and Lyft are the most important element affecting personal injury lawsuits brought by customers and drivers against the companies. Passengers agree to Uber or Lyft’s terms of service, which function as a contract between them and the company.
The terms of service include two crucial provisions regarding how Uber and Lyft will handle any legal conflict between riders and drivers.
The first section of this document explains how and where legal action may be filed. Any lawsuit against Uber or Lyft must be resolved through arbitration. This implies that plaintiffs must go through arbitration to file suit:
- No right to a trial
- No right to a jury
- No right to an appeal
The second clause bars plaintiffs from bringing class action or other types of group litigation against Uber or Lyft. The dissatisfied ride-share passengers must pursue their claims against Uber or Lyft on an individual basis and not as part of a group.
Parties Who Can Sue For An Uber Or Lyft Accident
If you were in an automobile accident with an Uber or Lyft driver and incurred injuries, you may be able to obtain compensation to assist you in recovering in comfort. If you fall into any of the following situations, we can represent you in your lawsuit:
- Uber And Lyft Passengers
- Uber And Lyft Passengers
If you are a client of Uber or Lyft and your ride is involved in an accident, you may be able to get compensation in a lawsuit against the driver. You’ll need to show that the driver of the vehicle was careless or reckless behind the wheel, causing the accident that resulted in your injuries.
- Driver Or Passenger Hit By Uber And Lyft
- Driver Or Passenger Hit By Uber And Lyft
Your case will hinge on whether you can show that the Uber or Lyft driver’s negligent behavior was the reason of the collision and your injuries. In this situation, your claim for injuries will follow a somewhat different path, and the insurance you may receive is slightly different. Your potential case could be complicated, which is why your Uber and Lyft accident lawyer should help you navigate it.
- Bicyclist Or Pedestrian Hit By Uber And Lyft
- Bicyclist Or Pedestrian Hit By Uber And Lyft
If you were not in a vehicle or you were riding a bicycle at the time of the accident, your rights as a potential personal injury plaintiff in Texas do not change. You can still sue the Uber or Lyft driver that negligently or carelessly caused your injuries.
Determining Whom To Sue For Uber And Lyft Accident Injuries In Texas
In fact, you may not sue Uber and Lyft for injuries caused by a vehicle accident in most circumstances. These businesses have robust liability protections that make recovering damages from them difficult.
However, both companies provide their drivers with additional coverage that activates in specific circumstances: when they’re waiting for a new fare, currently hauling a fare, or on their way to take someone else’s. If you’re within the scope of a collision’s insurance coverage, your premium may be lowered by 20%. The cost of full coverage is one thing that an insurer has no control over. Your best bet is to sue the Uber or Lyft driver and target their insurance policies. Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at Texas Personal Injury Lawyers can assist you in obtaining all of the coverage you require for your injuries, whether it’s from your regular insurance or the rideshare company’s supplementary insurance.
Damages For Uber And Lyft Accident Lawsuits In Texas
The aim of a vehicle accident injury lawsuit is to obtain compensation. The word “damages” refers to the money you can win in court for the consequences of your injuries.
The economic costs of diagnosing and treating your injuries are just one aspect of the damage. You may be compelled to go through emergency therapy or surgery if you have an injury that affects your ability to work. Rehabilitative physical treatment or changes to your house could be required if your condition affects your abilities to function. You may be eligible for compensation for all of these, as well as the many other elements of your recovery, such as prescription drugs and even hospital parking fees.
You can also include missed pay in your damages calculation. When the victim’s sickness necessitates rehabilitation time, missing time at work is a common element of compensation. If you claim that your earning potential has been reduced as a result of the accident, you may be eligible for additional compensation. The legal team will provide expert testimony to show what you missed out on as a result of the incident.
You may also be able to seek compensation for the pain and suffering you’ve endured as a result of the accident. Your injuries might cause you to be in chronic agony or cause mental issues such as anxiety and depression. These consequences may have a significant impact on your quality of life and/or your close interpersonal relationships. This can also be grounds for compensation.
The best way to get a better idea of what your case may be worth is to speak with one of the esteemed Uber and Lyft accident attorneys at Texas Personal Injury Lawyers for free.
Are You looking For An Attorney To Pursue A Claim Against An Uber Or Lyft Driver?
Call Our Texas Personal Injury Lawyers Right Away.
Our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can assist you in any aspect of your case, from the initial consultation through trial preparation.
Call us at (888) 997-2148 now for you free consultation.
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