Ridesharing Accidents

Ridesharing companies, such as Lyft and Uber, have become a popular means of transportation across the country, especially among visitors to a city like Las Vegas. Laws have been created around these companies, and insurance companies have now made packages to protect rideshare drivers.

As the use of ridesharing grows, so does the number of accidents involving rideshare drivers. Many complicated questions arise when a ridesharing accident occurs. If you’re involved in a ridesharing accident, contact a ridesharing accident law firm to get the answers you need.

What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident

Lyft and Uber won’t readily accept liability for an accident involving one of their drivers. They want to keep a reputation for offering safe transportation. Insurance companies will also fight to avoid paying out compensation. Follow these steps if you are involved in an Uber or Lyft accident.

Step 1: Call 911. If you have any potentially severe injuries, the emergency team will know what to do. Just remember that some injuries won’t surface until possibly a few hours to even weeks later. Be sure to get a health report from your doctor to note any injuries you sustained after the accident.

Step 2: Document the accident. Take a screenshot of your ride information. This information will include your driver’s name and vehicle. Also, be sure to collect your rideshare driver’s contact information. Take photos or videos of the accident scene and any damages. If there are any witnesses, try to get a statement and contact information.

Step 3: Contact a ridesharing accident lawyer. Due to the contracts drivers have with rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber, contacting an Uber accident lawyer is strongly recommended. An attorney will contact the necessary insurance companies, conduct negotiations on your behalf, and, if a settlement isn’t reached, represent you in court.

What to Do in the Days Following the Lyft or Uber Accident

  1. Be sure to hold on to any evidence you may have about the accident and how you were harmed, such as photos, witness statements, and medical records and bills. In the case of lost wages due to injuries, also hold on to employer communications.
  2. The details really matter with any claim. Keep a journal that details treatment for injuries and recovery steps.
  3. Stay off social media. During your rideshare accident case, refrain from using social media if at all possible. What you post on social media can be used against you.

Common Causes of Ridesharing Accidents

Speeding
Lyft and Uber drivers are sometimes encouraged to reach specific goals, such as completing a target number of trips in a certain time frame. Benchmarks like these can cause drivers to want to complete their rides as quickly as possible, which can result in them speeding and causing an accident.

Distracted Driving
Distracted driving can include several different factors: looking at a phone, changing the radio station, drinking, or eating. The most prevalent distraction for rideshare drivers is using their phone, as that is how they find work, find pickup points, and figure out drop-off points. Uber and Lyft drivers are constantly using their phones. With a city as busy as Las Vegas, this poses danger to them, their passengers, other people on the road, and pedestrians.

Drowsy Driving
Driving while drowsy is often considered to be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drivers are sometimes encouraged to drive well beyond their mental or physical capacity due to the financial incentives of the ridesharing company promotions. If your driver falls asleep while driving and causes an accident, call a ridesharing accident law firm as soon as you can.

Inexperience
The idea behind companies like Lyft and Uber, when the ridesharing industry started, was that anybody can become a driver, setting their own hours for work. One downside of this selling point is that it opens the job up to inexperienced drivers. Check the ratings for your driver to ensure your driver is reliable and safe.

Who’s Liable for an Uber/Lyft Accident?

Uber and Lyft carry liability coverage for their rideshare drivers, which is meant to be used to provide compensation for injuries to other persons. While they have this coverage, rideshare companies will do everything they can to ensure they only have to pay as little as possible. This could result in you receiving less than you deserve if you’re involved in an accident caused by an Uber or Lyft driver.

Since rideshare drivers are typically considered independent contractors instead of actual employees of Lyft or Uber, these rideshare companies will often try to argue that they aren’t liable for their drivers. This is why it’s important to hire an Uber accident lawyer.

What To Do If A Dog Bites You

While it can be difficult to think rationally after being attacked or bitten by a dog, if you can remain calm, there are steps you can take following the attack that could help maximize the compensation for your dog bite claim.

  1. Call the police and make sure they create a report for the dog bite.
  2. Ask the dog’s owner if the dog is up-to-date on its shots.
  3. Note the name, address, and phone number of the owner, as well as that of any witnesses to the dog attack.
  4. Take pictures of your dog bite injuries, the dog, the location of the attack, and any damaged clothing or property.
  5. Seek medical attention. This is a good idea even if you don’t feel pain. Some injuries may not surface right away.
  6. Contact an experienced dog bite lawyer to discuss your claim. The lawyer can inform you about the estimated financial compensation of your dog bite claim as well as possible next steps.
  7. Keep a daily journal in which you document the emotional and physical pain you experience, limitations you face due to your dog bite injuries, and any treatment for your injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do after an Uber or Lyft accident?

After an Uber or Lyft accident, prioritize your safety by seeking medical attention and reporting the accident to the authorities. Document the accident with photos and gather witness information. Contact a ridesharing accident lawyer to evaluate your case and protect your legal rights.

Yes, you can take legal action against Uber or Lyft depending on the circumstances of the accident. A ridesharing accident law firm can help determine if the driver, ridesharing company, or another party is liable and assist with filing a claim.

Liability can vary depending on whether the rideshare driver was logged into the app, transporting passengers, or off duty. A qualified Uber accident lawyer can assess the situation and determine liability, whether it’s the driver, Uber/Lyft, or another driver involved.

Yes, Uber and Lyft offer insurance coverage that applies in different situations, such as when a driver is waiting for a ride request, en route to pick up passengers, or during a ride. However, understanding these policies can be complex, which is why a ridesharing accident law firm is essential for navigating insurance claims.

A ridesharing accident lawyer will guide you through the legal process, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure you receive fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress.

You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and property damage. An experienced ridesharing accident lawyer will evaluate your case and fight for the maximum settlement.

The statute of limitations for filing a claim varies by state. In Nevada, you generally have two years to file a personal injury claim. Consult an Uber accident lawyer to ensure you file within the deadline.

Yes, if you were injured as a passenger in a ridesharing accident, you have the right to seek compensation from the driver, ridesharing company, or other parties involved. A ridesharing accident law firm can assist in protecting your interests.