The popularity of Uber and Lyft has grown immensely over the last few years. While they provide more convenient transportation options now, they also lead to more accidents and more victims unsure how to recover compensation.
Fortunately, a Murfreesboro Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can help you overcome the many challenges facing Uber and Lyft accident victims. Uber and Lyft accidents are complex and involve several parties who could bear responsibility. In certain cases, Uber and Lyft provide high coverage amounts for accidents involving their drivers. However, Uber and Lyft are typically shielded from liability, so it may only be possible to file a lawsuit against the negligent driver in your case.
If you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, our Murfreesboro Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you determine the best legal options for your case. Call Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357 for a free case assessment.
Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents in Murfreesboro, TN
Because of their popularity, many more Uber and Lyft drivers are on the roads now, making accidents much more common. The following are common causes of Uber and Lyft accidents in Murfreesboro:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Improper lane changes
- DUI
- Tailgating
- Reckless driving
- Unsafe road conditions
- Dangerous weather conditions
Your Uber and Lyft driver could be the sole cause of the accident, or another driver could have contributed to causing your injuries. Either way, our Murfreesboro Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you hold the responsible parties accountable.
Parties that Can Be Held Liable for a Murfreesboro, TN Uber and Lyft Accident
Many parties are implicated when an Uber or Lyft accident occurs, and each could share some of the responsibility for causing your injuries. Our Murfreesboro Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can review the facts of your case to determine who should be held liable for your injuries.
Uber and Lyft Drivers
Uber or Lyft drivers are often responsible for accidents. Rideshare drivers rely heavily on their phones to do their jobs and can get distracted easily, making an accident more likely to occur. Uber and Lyft drivers also cause many accidents by committing traffic violations like speeding and aggressive or reckless driving. If an Uber or Lyft driver negligently causes an accident, they can be held liable for the injuries they caused.
Uber and Lyft
Unfortunately, Uber and Lyft are generally shielded from liability for accidents involving their rideshare drivers. Companies can typically be held liable for their employee’s negligent acts under vicarious liability. However, because rideshare drivers are independent contractors rather than employees, they do not work directly for Uber or Lyft. Thus, Uber and Lyft do not technically have direct control over their drivers, as they can choose when and when not to work, and cannot be held responsible for their driver’s negligent conduct. Uber and Lyft could only be held liable in rare cases, such as negligence in the hiring process or retaining a driver they knew to be dangerous.
Other Drivers
It is completely possible that another negligent driver caused your Uber or Lyft accident. For instance, if another driver ran a red light and hit your Uber or Lyft car while you were a passenger, the other driver could be held accountable. However, it is common for both drivers to have contributed to causing an accident, in which case they both could be held liable. Our Murfreesboro Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you determine which parties to hold accountable for causing your injuries.
Recovering Compensation for a Murfreesboro, TN Uber and Lyft Accident
There are several paths to recovering compensation after being injured in an Uber or Lyft accident. Some Uber and Lyft accidents might only require filing an insurance claim for damages, while others are more serious and could necessitate filing a lawsuit.
Filing an Insurance Claim
Tennessee is an at-fault state for victims injured in a car accident. This means that you must file an insurance claim against the at-fault party’s insurance to recover damages. To do this, you will need to provide evidence proving fault for the accident. The real question many Uber and Lyft accident victims have is whether the rideshare companies have insurance covering their injuries.
Fortunately, Uber and Lyft provide rideshare insurance for accidents involving their drivers. However, whether you can file a claim against Uber and Lyft’s insurance will depend on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. For instance, if a rideshare driver was not logged into the app at the time of the accident, they are considered off-duty, and Uber or Lyft’s insurance would not apply.
The maximum amount of Uber or Lyft insurance coverage would apply if the rideshare driver had an active passenger at the time of the accident or was en route to a pickup. In these cases, Uber or Lyft typically provides up to $1,000,000 in liability coverage for bodily injuries.
The amount of coverage will be lower when an Uber or Lyft driver is only logged into the app and has not yet selected a ride. In these situations, Uber and Lyft insurance provides up to $100,000 in liability coverage per accident, $50,000 per person, and $25,000 for property damage.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If insurance is inadequate to cover your damages, consider filing a lawsuit. There are many advantages to filing a lawsuit over an insurance claim. For example, in a successful lawsuit, you can recover non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, whereas insurance benefits might only cover economic costs, like medical expenses and lost wages. In most cases, though, you will not be able to sue Uber or Lyft directly and will be limited to filing suit against the negligent driver in your case. Our Murfreesboro Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you navigate the complex filing process.
Our Murfreesboro, TN Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers Can Help
If you have suffered an injury in an Uber or Lyft accident, our dedicated Murfreesboro Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you recover compensation from the parties responsible for your injuries. For a free case review, contact Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
