Many people take advantage of the convenient Uber and Lyft rideshare service that transports them to different places in Kingsport. But rideshare passengers can find themselves at a significant disadvantage when their Uber or Lyft driver causes an injury accident.
If you were injured in a rideshare accident and are not sure whether the rideshare driver or Uber or Lyft are responsible for your injuries, contact the Law Offices of Ogle, Elrod & Baril, PLLC. An Uber & Lyft rideshare accident lawyer in Kingsport, TN can help you determine liability and pursue the compensation you deserve for your damages. Call 865-546-1111 to schedule a free case evaluation.
Rideshare Accidents and Liability
If you were a rideshare passenger, or a pedestrian, or another driver and were injured in an accident caused by a rideshare driver, it stands to reason that Uber or Lyft should pay for your damages.
Uber or Lyft will not always take responsibility just because a rideshare driver causes an accident. Depending on the circumstances, Uber or Lyft may place liability on the rideshare driver.
Unlike employers that assume responsibility for an employee’s actions, rideshare drivers are independent contractors and not rideshare company employees. So, Uber and Lyft may not readily assume responsibility for an independent contractor’s actions.
Whether liability lies with the driver, Uber, or Lyft, the Law Offices of Ogle, Elrod & Baril, PLLC can help you pursue compensation from the party or parties that caused your injury.
To learn more about how an Uber & Lyft rideshare accident lawyer in Kingsport, TN can help you, call us at 865-546-1111 to schedule a complimentary consultation.
Securing Evidence in a Rideshare Accident
An Uber & Lyft rideshare accident lawyer in Kingsport, TN will thoroughly investigate your accident to determine cause and liability for the crash. From there, we collect evidence that connects the negligent party’s actions to your damages.
Our investigation involves securing evidence that may include:
- A police report
- Photographs of the accident scene
- Photographs of your injuries
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Video footage of the accident
- Your medical records
Depending on the circumstances of the rideshare accident, we may also request Uber or Lyft to produce information, such as:
- The driver’s driving history
- The driver’s ratings and passenger complaints
- When the driver logged onto the ridesharing app on the date of the accident
- Any notices the ridesharing companies sent to the driver
The evidence we secure helps to build a strong case that holds the at-fault party responsible for paying damages resulting from the accident.
Insurance Coverage for Uber, Lyft, and the Driver
Uber and Lyft have a $1 million liability insurance policy to pay for damages from a rideshare accident.
Uber or Lyft will investigate the accident to determine whether the driver’s application (app) was on, whether the driver had a passenger and other related facts. The driver receives passenger pick-up requests through a rideshare app on his or her smartphone.
Uber or Lyft may cover damages if the rideshare driver’s app is on and:
- The rideshare driver causes an accident when a passenger is in the vehicle.
- An uninsured or underinsured driver or a hit-and-run driver causes an accident when the rideshare driver is on the way to pick up a passenger or has a passenger in the vehicle.
When a rideshare driver causes an accident with a third party, such as another driver or a pedestrian, the driver’s personal auto insurance covers damages. Uber’s or Lyft’s liability insurance may provide at least:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,00 per accident for property damage
When the Uber or Lyft driver’s app is off, and the driver does not have a passenger and causes an accident, the other driver can file a claim with the rideshare driver’s insurance company. This accident is handled as a typical car accident.
You do not have to worry about figuring out insurance liability coverage. We can determine which insurance policy applies to your accident.
If you have questions about which insurance coverage applies in your rideshare accident, contact us at 865-546-1111 for a free consultation.
Filing a Third-Party Insurance Claim
If another driver causes an accident that injures you while you are riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you can file a claim against the driver’s auto insurance company.
Depending on the actions of your rideshare driver, you may also be able to file an insurance claim with Uber or Lyft.
We will look at the actions of all parties involved in your Uber or Lyft rideshare accident so that you can receive the compensation you deserve for your physical injuries, financial losses, and other damages.
Recoverable Damages in an Uber or Lyft Rideshare Accident
Our investigation into your rideshare accident helps us to estimate the value of your insurance claim. The type of damages you sustain from the accident helps to determine the worth of your claim.
The most common damages personal injury accident victims can recover include:
- Medical Expenses (such as costs for hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation)
- Costs for ambulance transportation to the emergency room
- Medical mobility devices
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
If your loved one died in an Uber or Lyft accident, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. With this type of lawsuit, you may pursue compensation for funeral and burial expenses, your loved one’s lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
To learn more about the type of damages you may recover in a rideshare accident, call us at 865-546-1111 to schedule a free consultation.
Contact Our Uber and Lyft Lawyers in Kingsport
Tennessee’s Statute of Limitations sets a certain amount of time for filing an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. You may miss your opportunity to pursue compensation if you fail to meet the statutory deadline.
So, do not delay. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin investigating your Uber or Lyft rideshare accident.
Call the Law Offices of Ogle, Elrod & Baril, PLLC today at 865-546-1111 for a free case evaluation.