Recovering compensation after an Uber or Lyft accident can be challenging. While there might be additional options to get compensation for your injuries, their availability will depend on several factors.
For help recovering damages from an Uber and Lyft accident, reach out to our experienced Gulfport Uber and Lyft accident lawyers. Our firm can help you navigate the complexities of Uber and Lyft’s insurance claims process and determine if filing a lawsuit is the right move for your case. Holding Uber or Lyft directly responsible for an accident can be difficult. However, you can file a lawsuit against the driver at fault for the accident, where you could recover damages that insurance will not compensate you for.
If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident, our Gulfport Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you determine the best paths to compensation. Contact Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357 for a free case review.
How to Recover Compensation for an Uber or Lyft Accident in Gulfport, MS
Knowing how to recover compensation for your injuries can be challenging if you are unfamiliar with Mississippi’s car insurance process and when to file a lawsuit. Things can get much more complicated if your accident involves an Uber or Lyft rideshare driver. Mississippi is an at-fault state for car insurance purposes. This means that you have the option of filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the driver responsible for causing the accident. However, it is another challenge altogether to determine which options are available in your case.
Suing for an Uber or Lyft Accident
Because Mississippi is an at-fault state, you can typically file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the driver at fault for the accident. So, if an Uber or Lyft driver were at fault for your accident, you would file a claim or lawsuit against them. If you were the passenger in an Uber or Lyft accident caused by another driver, you would file against the other driver. However, it is possible that both drivers are partially to blame. In these situations, you could pursue compensation from both drivers in a lawsuit.
When You Can Sue Uber and Lyft
Unfortunately, Uber or Lyft cannot usually be held liable for their driver’s negligence and will not be able to be sued. While you can typically sue traditional employers for the carelessness of their employees, this is not the case with companies like Uber and Lyft. Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors rather than traditional employees and are technically considered self-employed. Because of this lack of direct control over the driver, the law does not regard Uber and Lyft as employers in the general sense.
That does not mean that Uber or Lyft cannot be sued for negligent acts they committed. While this is rare, Uber or Lyft could be liable if they were negligent in the hiring process or if they should have known that a driver was dangerous when they approved access to their app. Our Gulfport Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can investigate your case to determine if any of Uber or Lyft’s conduct makes them responsible for your injuries.
Uber and Lyft Insurance Options
Despite the fact that rideshare drivers are not actual employees, Uber and Lyft still offer insurance options in certain situations. Importantly, though, these insurance policies will only come into effect after the rideshare driver’s personal and commercial car insurance is exhausted.
There are other limitations that depend on whether the rideshare driver was on duty at the time of the accident. For instance, if the driver was on duty but still waiting to accept a passenger when the accident occurred, Uber and Lyft offer up to $50,000 in liability coverage. If the driver had a passenger or was on their way to pick one up at the time of the accident, Uber and Lyft offer up to $1 million in coverage. These policies can compensate occupants of an Uber and Lyft vehicle and victims injured outside the car, like other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Our Gulfport Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you determine if any of these policies are available in your case.
Determining Liability for an Uber or Lyft Accident in Gulfport, MS
As discussed, you can file a lawsuit or insurance claim against the driver at fault for causing the accident. First, you will need to determine which driver was to blame. Most car accidents occur when a driver breaks a traffic law, like speeding or texting. In most cases, a police crash report will include whether a driver was ticketed for violating a traffic law.
In some cases, multiple drivers could have acted negligently. For instance, if driver A was speeding and driver B illegally changed lanes in front of them, it might cause driver A to crash into your Uber or Lyft ride. In situations like these, both drivers can be sued for their portion of causing the accident.
If you were the passenger in an Uber and Lyft accident, it is unlikely you did anything to help cause your accident. However, if you were the other driver in the accident, you might wonder if your own liability will affect your ability to recover compensation in a lawsuit. Fortunately, Mississippi is a pure contributory negligence state, meaning you can recover damages for your injuries even if the court finds you partially liable for bringing about the accident. However, your award at court will be reduced by the percentage you were found to have contributed. Our Gulfport Uber and Lyft accident lawyers will fight any claims that you caused the accident you were injured in to maximize the compensation you can recover.
Our Gulfport, MS Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, our experienced Gulfport Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you by providing you with a free assessment of your case. Contact Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357.
