Ridesharing apps are extremely popular. Almost anyone with a car who meets bare minimum qualifications can sign up to be an Uber or Lyft driver. With so many ridesharing cars on the road, more people are reporting Uber or Lyft accidents.
Plaintiffs in Lyft or Uber accidents might be passengers in the ridesharing vehicle, drivers in a different vehicle, or pedestrians. In any case, an attorney can help you initiate a lawsuit for damages. While you can usually sue the driver who hit and possibly others who contributed to the crash, the companies Uber and Lyft are typically shielded from liability. A lawyer can also help you go over insurance options. The driver should have their own personal insurance and, depending on the circumstances, there might be insurance through Uber or Lyft. Our team of attorneys can help you track down evidence, evaluate damages and compensation, and move your case through the necessary legal channels to get you justice.
Contact our Birmingham, AL Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at Howe Law by calling (844) 876-4357 to schedule a free case review.
How You Might Be Injured in a Lyft or Uber Accident in Alabaster, AL
Many people injured in accidents with Ubers or Lyft vehicles are passengers in those vehicles. Drivers are paired with riders through an app, and riders are picked up and dropped off by drivers. During the trip, drivers might act negligently behind the wheel and cause an accident, injuring the rider. Your driver owes you a great duty of care, and they should drive as safely as reasonably possible under the circumstances. If they do not, and you are hurt, they should be held liable.
Another possibility is that you were in another vehicle when you were struck by an Uber or Lyft car. At first, you might believe this is a typical accident, and you exit your car ready to exchange insurance information with the other driver only to discover they drive for Lyft or Uber. Not only might you have a potential lawsuit against the driver, but so might the injured rider in the Uber or Lyft vehicle.
Pedestrians might be struck by ridesharing drivers hurrying to drop off a passenger or pick someone up. Since these drivers are paid per ride, they make more money if they drop off more passengers. This often leads to drivers speeding around, trying to make as many trips as possible. This also means their reckless speeding might cause them to strike a pedestrian. Pedestrian accidents tend to be severe, and you might have a claim for substantial damages.
Beginning a Lawsuit After a Crash with a Lyft or Uber Vehicle in Alabaster, AL
When you file a lawsuit for damages after an accident, it is crucial that you name all the parties you believe are responsible for the crash. Often, multiple parties share liability, but plaintiffs might not include everyone. For example, in a multi-vehicle accident, the plaintiff might sue the Uber or Lyft driver, but not the other drivers who contributed to the collision. Our Lyft and Uber accident attorneys can help you identify all the people responsible for the crash so that you get maximum compensation.
As mentioned, you should include the Uber or Lyft driver who hit you. In many cases, they are the ones directly responsible for the accident. Speed, distractions, and traffic violations are common factors in many of these cases, and they are often traced back to the driver.
Multi-vehicle accidents are common, and more than one driver might be liable for the accident. For example, suppose another driver swerved dangerously toward the driver of an Uber vehicle, so the Uber driver braked suddenly to avoid a crash. Next, suppose the Uber driver’s brake lights were broken, so you did not know they were braking and slammed into them. Both the first driver and the Uber driver should be held liable because their negligence came together to create the collision.
In many cases, plaintiffs cannot sue the companies Uber or Lyft. Normally, an employer can be held vicariously liable for an employee’s negligent behavior. This rule does not apply in many Uber and Lyft accidents because drivers are legally not employees of these companies. They are independent contractors. As such, the companies are not vicariously liable. Even so, it would be best to talk to an attorney about your case to make sure.
How Insurance Might Affect Your Uber or Lyft Accident Claims in Alabaster, AL
In any lawsuit, plaintiffs want to know how their damages will be paid. Damages can be quite high in many cases, and individual drivers are usually unable to cover these costs on their own. Instead, liable defendants usually rely on their insurance to cover plaintiffs’ damages.
All drivers on the road are required to have their own auto insurance. This includes Lyft and Uber drivers. Auto insurance policies should have some sort of liability coverage. If the driver gets sued after an accident, their liability coverage should be used to cover damages.
Depending on the situation, the ridesharing company behind the defendant might have additional insurance policies covering your accident. Keep in mind, these policies might not apply in all cases, and you should talk to your attorney to determine if your accident is covered.
Lyft and Uber have similar insurance policies regarding accidents. If the defendant has their driving app turned off when the crash happens, the accident is not covered by any insurance other than the driver’s personal insurance.
If the driver has their app turned on and active but they are waiting to be matched with a rider when the accident happens, the accident might be covered up to certain limits. Coverage may include no more than $25,000 for property damage costs, $50,000 for bodily injuries per injured person, and $100,000 for bodily injuries for the entire accident. If the driver is on their way to pick up a rider or has one in the vehicle, the accident might be covered up to $1,000,000.
Call Our Alabaster, AL Uber and Luft Accident Lawyers If You Were Hurt in a Crash
Get in touch with our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at Howe Law by calling (844) 876-4357 to arrange a free case evaluation.
