If you or your loved one was hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash, you may be entitled to compensation from the driver or the rideshare company. However, determining responsibility and how much compensation you deserve can be a long, arduous process filled with many roadblocks. Speak with a Lake Charles rideshare accident lawyer from Shamieh Law to help you calculate and pursue the fair compensation you deserve.
Seeking compensation for a Lyft or Uber accident can be more complicated than other car crashes. Even though rideshare companies have insurance policies covering injuries from accidents involving their drivers, coverage depends on the unique circumstances of your accident. On top of that, insurance companies will still use tactics to pay as little as possible.
If you’ve been injured in an Uber or Lyft as a passenger or another motorist, you can pursue compensation for your damages. Schedule a free consultation with the award-winning Lake Charles ridesharing accident lawyers from Shamieh Law to learn more about your case and determine the best way forward. When you trust us with your case, we start working quickly because your claim is as important to us as it is to you. Our personal injury attorneys are waiting for your call and ready to pursue the justice you deserve.
How Common Are Rideshare Accidents?
Even though rideshare companies have changed how we get from one point to another, studies show the introduction of Uber and Lyft has led to a slight increase in the number of fatal crashes across the country since 2010. This rise has been attributed to the increase in the overall number of cars on the road.
According to a safety report by Uber, there were 101 fatalities in 2019 and 2020 involving the Uber application. Speeding, intoxicated driving, and wrong-way driving were the top three major causes of these accidents. However, Uber insists that “third-party drivers” caused most of these crashes.
Regardless of how your rideshare accident occurred, the Lake Charles car accident lawyers at Shamieh Law have handled and won hundreds of similar cases, and we are ready to get to work for you.
Who Can I Sue After a Rideshare Accident in Lake Charles?
Louisiana has a fault-based system for negligence actions. Thus, car accident cases generally involve suing the person or entity at fault for the accident, whether directly or indirectly. In most cases, this is either the rideshare driver or the company they work for, such as Uber or Lyft. For example, if the driver ran a red light and hit another car, you can sue them for the injuries resulting from the accident.
A rideshare company may be liable for its own negligence. For instance, you can also hold the company responsible for negligent hiring. Suppose the rideshare driver has a history of diving while intoxicated and causes an accident while driving drunk. You could sue Uber or Lyft if the company knew of the driver’s past reckless driving offenses or failed to conduct a proper background check.
Other parties potentially responsible for an accident include third-party motorists, car manufacturing companies, and government agencies responsible for road maintenance.
Recovering Damages Through a Rideshare Accident Lawsuit
Louisiana requires each driver to carry minimum car insurance amounts to cover any third-party injuries they may cause.
Rideshare companies do have liability insurance policies that kick in after an accident, depending on the driver’s status:
- The driver is not logged into the app: If you were injured by an Uber or Lyft driver who is not logged into the app, the rideshare company is not liable for your injuries. In this case, you must seek compensation from the driver’s personal car insurance.
- The driver is online and waiting to match with a passenger: Uber or Lyft liability insurance policy will cover your injuries but on a limited basis as follows:
- $25,000 per accident for property damage,
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury,
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury.
- The driver is en route to pick up or driving a passenger: Rideshare companies have $1 million in liability coverage. This policy also covers victims’ injuries when the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured.
Damages You Can Pursue in a Rideshare Car Accident Lawsuit
You can recover both economic and non-economic damages after a rideshare accident. Economic damages are the actual monetary losses incurred from the accident. In contrast, non-economic damages are all intangible ways the accident has impacted your life, especially mentally and emotionally.
Economic and non-economic damages include the following:
- Past, current, and future medical treatment costs
- Lost wages when recovering
- Loss of earning potential
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of the ability to enjoy life
- Burial fees and survival benefits in case of wrongful death
Common Injuries in Rideshare Accidents
The compensation you can receive after a rideshare accident depends on the severity of your injuries. Serious injuries cost a lot of money to treat and thus result in a high settlement value.
Common injuries in Uber and Lyft car accidents include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Skull fractures
- Internal bleeding
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
What Should You Do After Being in a Rideshare Accident in Lake Charles?
If you are in a rideshare accident, determine whether you or any other party has been injured. Call 911 for help. A police officer with the LCPD might also arrive on the scene, depending on the circumstances of the accident.
Once you ensure the safety of those involved, take the following steps to further safeguard your well-being and your right to pursue compensation:
- Document the accident scene and gather evidence, such as pictures and videos of the vehicles, injuries, and road conditions.
- Collect the driver’s contact details and their insurance information.
- If there are eyewitnesses, take down their contact information. You may need them to testify about their account of the events.
- Report the accident to the ridesharing company as soon as possible, either through its mobile application or customer support team.
- Get an immediate medical evaluation even if you’re not in pain or have no physical symptoms.
- Consult an experienced rideshare accident lawyer in Lake Charles before speaking with the insurance companies to avoid mistakes that may cost your settlement.
How Long Do You Have to File a Rideshare Accident Lawsuit in Louisiana
The deadlines to file lawsuits for various civil actions are known as prescriptive periods in Louisiana. You have only one year from when a crash occurred to file a rideshare accident claim for your injuries in this state. Louisiana law clearly states all lawsuits are barred after more than a year has passed, with a few exceptions, such as when the victim is a minor.
If you have been involved in a rideshare accident in Lake Charles, contact Shamieh Law as soon as possible to preserve your right to pursue compensation.
Legal Representation for Lake Charles Rideshare Accident Victims
If you or your loved one has been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, the skilled rideshare accident attorneys from Shamieh Law can evaluate your case and determine if you can take legal action.
With more than a decade of experience helping injury victims recover, our lawyers understand how a car accident that wasn’t your fault can impact your life. That’s why we work fast and fight aggressively for your rights to bring tangible results to your case.
To get started with your claim, call our offices in Lake Charles at 337-477-7222 or fill out our online contact form.
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