When an accident occurs involving an Uber or Lyft driver, it can be complicated to determine who is responsible for the rider’s losses. That’s why hiring a Nebraska rideshare accident attorney can be so important.
What to Do After an Accident
If you’re involved in a car accident as a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, it’s important to protect your rights. That starts with ensuring you collect all information and evidence at the scene. Make sure you have the contact information for all parties involved. It’s also wise to take photos if it is safe to do so. You will need to document what happened with as much detail as possible.
After doing this, make sure you go to the emergency room for a full physical. That’s the best way to document your injuries and protect your health.
Determining Responsibility in Uber or Lyft Car Accidents
The difficult part of rideshare accidents is determining responsibility for your injuries and losses. Uber and Lyft themselves have high-powered attorneys and ample protections in place to minimize their responsibility. That’s why having a car accident attorney by your side is critical. It ensures your claim doesn’t get ignored.
There are two key types of liability to consider: company and driver.
- Company liability. Drivers operating vehicles for Uber and Lyft are independent contractors who provide their own vehicles. Both Uber and Lyft carry insurance policies that cover drivers. These drivers have liability coverage as long as the app is on if they are in a car accident with you as a passenger. There is at least $1 million in total liability when a passenger is in the car. If the driver is logged into the app, but not currently shown as transporting a passenger, there is coverage of at least $50,000 in injury liability per person with $100,000 in total liability per accident and $25,000 in property damage liability per accident.
- Driver liability. Drivers must be logged into the Uber or Lyft app while you are a passenger for you to have coverage under company liability claims. Outside of this time, your only coverage is the liability insurance the driver has on their vehicle. Traditional personal liability insurance policies typically prohibit commercial use of the vehicle. Your lawyer can investigate other sources of compensation, such as the driver’s personal assets or your own underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage.
Types of Compensation Owed to You
In every car accident, the compensation owed to you depends on fault. If you suffer financial loss in an accident with a rideshare driver, it becomes essential for you to show proof of your losses. In this type of case, most of your losses will likely come from medical bills. You may be owed compensation for claims such as:
- Emergency room visits
- Surgical procedures related to the accident
- Rehabilitation services
- Pain medications
- Loss of limb or limb function
- Physical therapy
- Mental health therapy from trauma
- Time lost at work
- Pain and suffering
The injuries you sustain in an accident depend on the impact location, type of vehicle, and the speed of the vehicle. Head-on collisions and rollover collisions tend to be some of the most damaging.
The Importance of a Personal Injury Attorney
It can be scary to be in a car accident, especially when you need medical help. It can be made worse when an insurance adjuster is not easy to deal with, or the rideshare driver is not willing to cooperate. Because of the complexity of these cases and proving your right to compensation, it is best to hire an experienced attorney to represent you.
At the Law Office of Matthew A. Lathrop, PC, LLO, we will help you protect your rights after a rideshare accident to ensure you get the compensation that’s rightfully yours. Call for a free consultation.
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