Accidents involving Uber and Lyft vehicles happen. They can be a bit more difficult because accident victims may need to deal with a rideshare company to file an accident claim. The first steps for an accident victim to take are to ensure the crash is reported to the police and to seek medical assistance. After that, contacting a Tennessee Uber and Lyft accident attorney is the best way to determine who is liable for injuries and damages caused by the rideshare accident. You will be glad you did. Waiting too long, or not getting good help, can have bad consequences.
Who Is Liable for Uber Accidents and Lyft Accidents?
The party or parties responsible for causing the crash can be held liable for the damages sustained by accident victims. Therefore, a thorough accident investigation is required to determine how the accident occurred and who is responsible for causing the accident. If another driver caused the crash, the accident claim is filed with that driver’s insurance company. However, if the Uber driver or Lyft driver caused the crash, the matter becomes a bit more complex. The right lawyer will help you through the process. The right lawyer will also handle this for you.
A rideshare driver uses his or her personal vehicle to transport passengers, but the drivers are independent contractors. When accidents occurred, personal insurance providers denied coverage for accidents because policies did not cover commercial use of the vehicle. Uber and Lyft denied coverage based on the claim that rideshare drivers were independent contractors. After intense pressure from some states and other groups, rideshare companies now provide their drivers with limited liability insurance coverage.
When dealing with a rideshare accident, one or more insurance companies are often involved. The personal insurance provider may have some liability, but the Uber and Lyft insurance coverage may also apply. An accident victim may need to file insurance claims with both companies to receive payment for damages and losses. This is not an easy process.
How Much Is My Lyft or Uber Accident Claim Worth?
Once it is determined who is liable for damages arising from the accident, an accident victim must prove damages to recover compensation. Damages may include:
- The cost of medical treatment, which may include future medical expenses and personal care for disabilities and permanent impairments;
- The loss of wages, commissions, bonuses, and other income, which may include loss of future income and a loss of earning potential because of permanent impairments and disabilities;
- Damage to property;
- Physical, mental, and emotional pain and suffering;
- Loss of enjoyment of life;
- Scarring, disfigurement, and permanent impairments;
- Assistance with household chores, travel expenses, and other out-of-pocket expenses; and,
- Wrongful death benefits.
The value of your claim depends on numerous factors. Those factors include the severity of your injuries and the total financial losses you sustain because of the rideshare accident. It is important to document losses and expenses in the accident claim process. Working with an experienced legal team can take some of the stress off of an accident victim because the legal team handles the claim while the accident victim focuses on his or her recovery. Get the legal help you need.
Contact a Tennessee Personal Injury Attorney for More Information
Uber accidents and Lyft accidents can result in severe injuries and substantial financial losses for accident victims. If you are injured in an accident involving a rideshare vehicle, you might experience problems filing claims with rideshare insurance companies. Schedule a consult with one of our Tennessee personal injury attorneys to help protect your legal right to fair and just compensation for your accident claim. People who hire the right attorney receive up to 3x more compensation.
Posted in: Car Accidents