Rideshare Accident Attorneys in Houston, Texas
Helping People Injured in Uber and Lyft Accidents
The popularity of rideshare services like Uber and Lyft has exploded. But what happens when your ride takes a turn for the worse? What do you do if you were injured in a car accident and have serious injuries and unpaid medical bills?
If you were hurt in an accident involving a ridesharing vehicle you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Like all motorists, rideshare drivers must carry their own insurance. But rideshare companies also have large commercial insurance policies that may cover your losses. Holding the rideshare company responsible can be difficult. You need an attorney on your side who has experience resolving ridesharing accident injury claims.
Rideshare Accident Injuries
Rideshare companies like Uberand Lyft have changed the transportation industry. Ordering an Uber or a Lyft is easier than calling a taxi. But there are risks involved.
Of course, the injuries someone suffers in a rideshare accident are often the same as in any car accident. But holding the responsible parties accountable can be much more difficult.
Common car accident injuries include:
- Neck and spine injury
- Whiplash
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal injuries and bleeding
- Emotional trauma
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Death
Injuries sustained in a rideshare accident may cause pain and suffering. You may not be able to return to work resulting in lost wages. And you may incur significant hospital and medical bills.
But when you were hurt in a rideshare accident, securing compensation for your injuries and financial losses can be more complex.
Obstacles to Fair Compensation for a Rideshare Accident Injury
Certain characteristics of ridesharing arrangements make their drivers more likely to be involved in accidents. For example, both Uber and Lyft require that their drivers operate a cell phone and routing apps while driving. This is often an unsafe condition where drivers are distracted and take their eyes off the road.
There are also unique insurance coverage questions to consider.
Like any motorist, rideshare drivers must carry automobile insurance. But rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have additional insurance coverage that may be available to compensate you if you are injured in a rideshare accident.
When Uber and Lyft drivers are “off the clock” they are covered by their personal automobile insurance policy. But once they are on their way to pick up a passenger, the rideshare company’s insurance policy may apply.
If the rideshare driver was at-fault for causing the accident, their insurance company may deny the claim because the driver was using their vehicle for a business purpose. In this case, you might need to fight with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to extend coverage. But you might also be able to pursue a claim under the rideshare company’s insurance policy directly.
Uber and Lyft carry additional insurance policies that offer up to $1 million in liability and $1 million in underinsured / uninsured motorist coverage.
Because rideshare drivers are independent contractors and not employees of Uber or Lyft there may be difficulty triggering coverage under their insurance. Sorting out who caused the accident and which insurance policy will cover the losses can be complicated. Resolving a rideshare accident injury claim often involves three insurance companies: the rideshare driver’s insurance policy, the other driver’s insurance policy, and the insurance policy for the rideshare company itself. Unfortunately, the insurance companies will often find ways to try to deny the claim and avoid responsibility for providing coverage.
To receive fair compensation, you need an experienced rideshare attorney on your side who understands how these corporate insurance policies work. You need an attorney who will fight to ensure that you and your family receive the compensation you are entitled to. You need the attorneys at Rosen Law Group.
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident
When a rideshare driver is involved in an accident, they should make a police report. But there may be additional information available, too. Rideshare companies will have GPS, cellular, and electronic data that should be preserved. This evidence can be used to show the identity of the passenger, prove that the passenger was in fact in the vehicle, and where the driver was located when the accident occurred. Depending on the nature of your case, these factors may be important.
Other information may also be available, such as whether the driver was distracted at the time of the crash. In many cases, the smartphone software can show whether the driver was using the app or texting at the time of the crash. Rideshare GPS information can also be used to prove that the driver was speeding at the time of the crash. The rideshare company has a duty to preserve this evidence, and to share it upon request.
In addition to driving data, rideshare companies have information about the driver that may be useful. Rideshare companies conduct background checks on their drivers. This usually includes information about driving histories, accidents, insurance information, and the make, model, and condition of the vehicle.
To ensure that you have access to this information, your rideshare accident injury attorney should send notice to the rideshare company requesting that they preserve any evidence.
How Rosen Law Group Helps People Hurt in Rideshare Accidents
If you were hurt in a rideshare accident, you need a skilled and experienced attorney on your side who will fight for the compensation you deserve.
Your rideshare accident injury attorney will start by contacting the insurance carriers for both the at-fault driver as well as the rideshare company. Unfortunately, the insurance companies will often try to deny your claim. They may dispute who caused the accident. The driver’s insurance carrier may claim that coverage doesn’t apply. And the rideshare company’s insurance company may try to avoid responsibility by claiming the driver was an independent contractor. Rosen Law Group will fight to overcome these obstacles and help you get the compensation you deserve.
Rosen Law Group. Fighting for Victims of Houston Rideshare Accidents.
Negotiating with both the at fault drivers and rideshare insurance companies can be complex. The experienced rideshare accident attorneys at Rosen Law Group has the knowledge and experience to deal with the insurance companies. Rosen Law Group will keep you informed and provide you with clear information about your claim and your rights to compensation. We will fight to maximize your financial recovery from all responsible parties.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a rideshare accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- The costs of past and future medical care
- Lost wages and loss of future wage-earning capacity
- Emotional trauma
- Pain and suffering
- Temporary or permanent impairment
- Punitive damages
Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have been successful. They and their insurers can afford to hire big-name defense lawyers who will aggressively defend their clients. This means that you need an experienced, tenacious attorney on your side who has the experience, resources, and expertise to go toe-to-toe with these companies, and who isn’t afraid of their big-name insurance lawyers.
Rosen Law Group has what it takes to win. From our offices in Belaire, Texas, we work with people in and around Houston and throughout the State of Texas who have been injured in rideshare accidents. We fight to protect your rights and for the compensation you deserve.
Learn why clients choose Rosen Law Group, read testimonials from other people we’ve helped, and contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.