A rideshare trip shouldn’t end with a trip to the ER. However, Lyft and Uber drivers can make the same mistakes other drivers make. Unfortunately, these mistakes sometimes result in accidents that cause injury and property damage. When that happens, victims may seek the services of an Egan rideshare accident lawyer.
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we have a long track record of helping rideshare accident victims seek compensation. Our personal injury lawyers use their knowledge and experience in
rideshare accident laws to help our clients receive fair compensation to cover their damages.
Injuries Resulting from Rideshare Accidents
With the increasing popularity of ridesharing apps, more rideshare drivers are on the road than ever before. Unfortunately, this also means that rideshare accidents have also increased. Like other car accidents, these accidents can cause traumatic injuries to accident victims. Injuries suffered in ridesharing accidents may include:
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Lacerations
- Internal bleeding
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Back and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
Apart from these physical injuries, victims may also experience mental health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression, due to the accident and their injuries.
If someone is hurt in a rideshare accident that was not their fault, they have the right to seek compensation for their injuries.
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Who Is Liable in an Egan Rideshare Accident?
When someone suffers injuries from a car accident, they should be able to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions. The at-fault party should legally compensate the injured victim. However, liability in rideshare accidents can get complicated.
Unlike traditional cab companies, rideshare drivers are not the ridesharing company’s employees. As a result, it may be challenging to hold the rideshare companies responsible for their drivers’ actions.
Nevertheless, several parties may be held responsible for compensating the victim of a rideshare accident. These parties may include:
- A negligent rideshare driver
- The driver’s insurer
- Another negligent motorist
- A passenger responsible for causing a distraction that led to the accident
- The rideshare company
- Any other road user who might have caused the accident
If Uber or Lyft is found liable for the accident, these companies have insurance policies in place to cover victims’ damages, with up to $1 million in liability coverage in certain situations.
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Recoverable Damages After a Rideshare Accident
Car accidents can have devastating effects. As a result, accident victims have a legal right to seek compensation for their losses. Although each case is unique, our car accident lawyers have worked on many rideshare accident cases, and we understand what types of damages victims can typically claim. Your recoverable damages may include:
- The cost of the ambulance ride
- Medication and medical procedure expenses
- Property damage
- Assistive devices such as wheelchairs and crutches
- Property damage
- Loss of wages and benefits
- Home modifications, like ramps or a hospital bed
- Pain and suffering
Wrongful Death Damages
If someone suffers severe injuries in a rideshare accident and does not survive, their family members may recover compensation with the help of a wrongful death lawyer. Some of the recoverable damages in a wrongful death case may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of consortium or companionship
- Medical expenses the decedent incurred before their death
- Wages and benefits previously provided by the deceased
- Loss of protection and support
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How Can Egan Rideshare Accident Victims Recover Compensation?
There are numerous ways rideshare accident victims in Egan can seek compensation. First, your attorney will examine your case’s details and determine the best legal option to pursue. In some cases, they can use more than one avenue of financial recovery. The most common ways to recover compensation are insurance claims and civil lawsuits.
Insurance Claims
In Louisiana, when a person is injured in any car accident, they should typically file a claim with the responsible driver’s insurance provider. However, it can get trickier when dealing with rideshare drivers because they are independent contractors.
There are a few instances when the rideshare company’s insurance will take effect. These include:
- When the driver is actively transporting a rideshare passenger
- When the driver is en route to pick up a passenger
- When the driver is in “driver mode,” waiting for a passenger
Once a driver is out of “driver mode,” they are no longer working for the rideshare company. This means the company’s insurance policy is not active. If an accident occurs at this time, the driver’s personal auto insurance policy should take effect.
In most cases, the insurance company is only required to compensate the accident victim for economic damages, such as medical bills and property damage, up to the limits of the applicable insurance policy. Insurance claims typically do not compensate victims for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
Civil Lawsuits
Even if a victim is awarded compensation through the insurance company, the insurance settlement may not cover all their losses. In that case, the victim’s attorney might file a civil lawsuit to cover the losses the insurance company didn’t meet.
You and your lawyer may also choose to file a lawsuit if the liable party’s insurance company is unwilling to offer you a fair settlement to cover all your damages.
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Contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Rideshare accidents may be tough to navigate without an Egan rideshare accident lawyer. At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, our lawyers invest their legal resources and skills to help rideshare accident victims seek the compensation they deserve.
If you or your loved one has been involved in a rideshare accident, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free case evaluation. Our lawyers prioritize every case and will get to work for you immediately.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
