(561) 375-9500
The ever-increasing popularity of Uber and Lyft has made our lives much easier in many ways. We now have multiple options to get us where we need to go. However, that also means that determining liability becomes very complicated if you are involved in a rideshare accident in Stuart.
Contact us at Kogan & DiSalvo, a full-service law firm that takes cases on a contingency basis. We could help you throughout your case by providing legal advice, representing you in court proceedings, and fighting hard so that you have the best chance of recovering financial compensation for your rideshare injuries and damages.
Why You Need a Lawyer after an Uber or Lyft Accident
Rideshare accidents often cause serious injuries. Victims of these crashes may find themselves overwhelmed by medical bills, pain, and emotional trauma. You might feel confident that your insurance will cover your losses. However, insurance companies are singularly focused on the bottom line. Therefore, they will do everything possible to minimize the amount of your financial recovery.
Rideshare crash victims who do not hire an attorney often receive lowball offers from the insurance company. Hiring an experienced attorney communicates to the insurance company that it needs to take your claim seriously and that you are prepared to go to trial–if you do not receive a fair settlement offer. Sometimes this has the effect of nudging the insurance company to make a reasonable offer to you to settle out of court.
Potential Liability Issues in Rideshare Accident Claims
If you are involved in an Uber accident, you may have been a passenger in the Uber vehicle, or you may have been an occupant of another car that crashed into it. The crash may have been the Uber driver’s fault, but it could have been the other driver’s. If it’s the latter, you will pursue financial compensation from their insurance policy.
However, if the accident was the Uber driver’s fault, several issues may affect which insurance policy will cover your injuries:
- If the rideshare driver did not have the app turned on at the time of the crash, then they may be held liable for your injuries, but their company’s insurance policy may not apply.
- Suppose the rideshare driver had the app on to respond to ride requests but was not transporting anyone or driving to pick up a customer. In that case, the rideshare company’s insurance policy may cover your damages. In this case, the rideshare driver is insured for $100,000 for death and bodily injury per crash, $50,000 for death and bodily injury per person, and $25,000 for property damage.
- If the rideshare driver had the app turned on and was either transporting a customer or on the way to pick up a customer, then the rideshare company’s insurance policy would likely cover your injuries. The policy would cover up to $1 million in damages for all parties involved during this period.
Compensation for Your Injuries after an Uber Accident
If you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, you may be eligible to receive a significant amount of financial compensation if you file a personal injury lawsuit. Every case is different, but several factors will impact the financial value of your claim. These factors may include the severity and permanence of your injuries, whether or not liability is disputed, and whether the rideshare driver was on the way to pick up a customer or transporting a customer at the time of the accident.
If you can prove that the rideshare driver was negligent in causing the crash in which you were injured, you may be eligible to receive both economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Past, present, and future medical expenses related to the accident
- Rehabilitative therapies
- Lost wages and future lost wages
- Medical devices such as a walker or a wheelchair
- Prescription or over-the-counter drugs
Contact Kogan & DiSalvo for a Free Consultation
At Kogan & DiSalvo, we give our clients the individualized attention they deserve. For our ridesharing accident clients, we investigate and build their cases, consult with potential expert witnesses, interview eyewitnesses to the crash, communicate and negotiate directly with the insurance company, ensure all legal filing deadlines are met, and prepare to win at trial if necessary. We proudly offer award-winning personal injury representation to Stuart residents on a contingency fee basis. That means we only get paid if we secure compensation on your behalf. Contact our firm today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a Stuart car accident attorney committed to your success.
