When you get into an Uber or Lyft, you’re putting your life and trust into someone else’s hands. Unfortunately, sometimes the driver’s negligence puts you at risk, causing you to get injured.
If you have been the victim of an Uber or Lyft accident, the personal injury attorneys at the Hernandez Law Group, P.C.can help. When you work with us, we’ll ensure that you recover fair compensation for your injuries. Contact us today to schedule a no-cost consultation with our vehicle accident attorneys.
Why Choose Hernandez Law Group, P.C. If You’ve Been in a Rideshare Accident?
The experienced rideshare accident attorneys at the Hernandez Law Group, P.C. have helped thousands of clients across the DFW metroplex recover the compensation they deserve after an accident. With our success rate of over 98%, you can breathe easier knowing that your case is in good hands.
Our attorneys are no strangers to handling rideshare accident cases. We can help you understand the different nuances that go into these types of cases, such as handling the Uber and Lyft insurance companies, determining the liable party, and determining what your next steps should be after the accident. Contact our team today to schedule a free no-obligation consultation to go over the facts of your case.
Understanding Dallas Rideshare Accidents
Uber and Lyft accidents are a bit different than traditional car accident cases. This is because not only are there multiple drivers involved but there are also different insurance companies. To complicate matters further, depending on the status of the rideshare driver at the time of the accident, the responsibility or insurance company that pays out may change. Here is what you need to know about Dallas rideshare accidents.
Uber and Lyft Insurance Policies
Both Uber and Lyft offer liability insurance for all their drivers. This insurance only occurs if the driver’s insurance has denied a claim. In most cases, the driver’s policy only covers personal use, but some drivers have commercial insurance or a rideshare endorsement to protect them from financial liability.
Who Pays for Damages and Medical Bills Resulting From the Accident?
If you have been injured in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, there are several important issues to consider. The financial concerns can sometimes be a gray area because rideshare companies are still relatively new. They operate differently than taxis, so their insurance needs are also unique. Here are the parties that may be held at fault after an Uber or Lyft accident:
The Uber/Lyft Driver
If the driver of the Uber or Lyft was at fault in the accident, and that driver has commercial auto insurance or a rideshare endorsement on their policy, they may be held financially liable for your injuries. How much protection you have in these instances will depend on the level of coverage the driver has in their policy.
The Other Motorist
If another motorist was at fault for the accident, that motorist’s insurance company might be the one that pays for your damages. Due to the nature of rideshare companies, the other motorist’s insurance may try to deny the claim. Having a legal advocate like Hernandez Law Group, P.C. on your side can help you ensure adequate compensation.
Uber/Lyft Insurance Company
For Uber and Lyft drivers who do not have commercial insurance or rideshare endorsements on their policy, both companies provide liability insurance. Again, this coverage only applies after the driver’s personal insurance company denies the claim.
Who Is Responsible for Accidents During the Different Periods of Rideshare?
There are three main periods to an Uber or Lyft rideshare. These are:
- When the driver is logged into the app but has not accepted a ride request;
- When the driver has accepted a ride request and is on their way to a pickup; and
- When the rider is in the vehicle.
Determining which party has responsibility for an accident depends partially on the rideshare period. In most cases, the at-fault driver is the one responsible for any accident; however, it is always possible to have extenuating circumstances where both drivers may share responsibility or insurance companies may argue over fault, payment, and other factors. With that in mind, the Hernandez Law Group, P.C. can provide you with the proper legal counsel to address any concerns you have about financial compensation for your rideshare auto accident injuries.
What Should I Do After an Uber/Lyft Accident?
After an Uber or Lyft Accident, you want to make sure you collect names, insurance information, and contact information from your driver and any other motorist(s) involved. Contact the police and request medical aid for anyone who needs it. You should also get the names and contact information of witnesses to the accident. Take pictures of the accident scene from all possible angles, as you might need them later to help prove your case.
How We Handle Uber/Lyft Accident Cases
If you’ve been injured in a crash involving a rideshare driver, let the experienced attorneys at the Hernandez Law Group, P.C. help. Our team can help you recover financially from the damages and medical expenses that accrued because of your accident.
We start every single case by meeting with you to get an overview of what happened during the accident. We also get a clear overview of the injuries, damages, and accruing medical expenses you have received due to the accident. Once we have a clear understanding as to what occurred, we can help pinpoint the at-fault party and seek compensation.
We help you negotiate with the insurance companies, whether the driver’s personal or the rideshare company’s insurance, to ensure that they are not bullying you to accept less than you deserve. If these negotiations do not work, we will help you pursue this battle in court, and represent you every step of the way. This includes gathering necessary evidence, being your voice during negotiations and discovery meetings, and fighting for you in the courtroom.
You never have to fight this battle alone. We understand that you deserve fair and just compensation, and take every action to ensure that you always have a strong legal advocate on your side to help you recover financially. Contact us today to schedule an appointment at one of our Texas offices. Let our family fight for you!
Frequently Asked Questions:
In most automobile accidents, there are two parties involved; the injured party and the at-fault driver.
However, Uber and Lyft accidents are more complicated due to a third party being involved. The three parties involved in a rideshare accident are the driver of the vehicle, the passenger of the rideshare vehicle, and the driver of the rideshare vehicle. In addition to the third party, the Uber or Lyft driver is considered an employee of the company they represent, which means that they and their insurance company could potentially be held responsible for the damages and injuries caused by the accident.
However, it is important to note that because an Uber and Lyft Driver is considered an independent contractor, the driver may not have the same protection as a full-time employee under Texas State Law.
It depends. Your claim will be against the Uber or Lyft driver who caused the accident and potentially the rideshare company’s insurance company (if the driver was on duty at the time of the accident. If they were not on duty, your claim would be against the driver’s personal insurance company.)
However, if there is ample evidence that Uber or Lyft failed to perform a background check on the driver to get an overview of their driving record and ensure that they were not hiring an unsafe driver, it may be enough to allow you to sue the company directly. However, cases like this can be hard to prove.
Rideshare accidents are tricky due to the number of elements involved, which is why it is extremely important to ensure that you have a competent rideshare attorney on your side to help you navigate the claim.
The best way to know for sure if you have a valid claim to seek compensation after a rideshare accident is to speak with a rideshare accident attorney. The attorneys at the Hernandez Law Group, P.C. are more than happy to speak with you to help you understand what your legal options are after an accident and from which party you should be seeking compensation.
Victims of a rideshare accident can claim compensation from the following types of damages:
Economic Damages:
– Property Damage
– Medical Expenses
– Lost Wages
– Future Loss of Wages Due to Long-term Injuries or Disabilities
Non-Economic Damages:
– Pain and Suffering
– Emotional Distress
The Hernandez Law Group, P.C. is proud to offer a no-win, no-fee contract. This is also known as a contingency fee agreement. With a no-win, no-fee agreement, our attorneys agree to represent our client in a personal injury case without requiring an upfront fee. If our client wins the case, we will take a previously agreed-upon percentage of the settlement or judgment. On the other hand, if the case is lost, we will not charge our client any legal fees.