If you’re a rideshare driver or passenger, you know that using these platforms can be risky. You may find yourself injured while riding one of the rideshare companies, which might lead to severe injuries requiring immediate medical attention.
In such a circumstance, it’s crucial to protect your rights and seek compensation from all at-fault parties. An Iota rideshare accident attorney will help you understand your rights and help you file a claim.
How an Iota Rideshare Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Ridesharing services are an excellent resource for commuting, provided you find a safe and trustworthy driver. On the other hand, the rising popularity of ridesharing services means an increase in drivers on the road.
Not everyone driving for a ridesharing service has been screened as thoroughly as a taxi or limo driver. There are increased risks of injuries or even death from related accidents. When an accident happens while you’re riding as a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, you might be confused and wonder what to do next.
Taking legal recourse is one of the best actions after seeking medical care. An Iota rideshare accident lawyer is beneficial to your case in many ways, including:
- Helping you know the legalities of your situation
- Assisting you in getting the maximum compensation possible
- Assisting with insurance claims and coverage issues
- Negotiating a settlement for you if the need arises
- Helping you navigate through hit-and-run accidents
- Offering you legal options and representation if your case goes to court
For a free legal consultation with a rideshare accident lawyer serving Iota, call (337) 777-7777
The Difference Between Rideshare Accidents and Other Car Accidents
There are many differences between a typical car accident and a rideshare accident. Not many rideshare companies provide their drivers with insurance coverage for personal injury protection. Their drivers provide this insurance for themselves. This can present a unique challenge to the injured party because it’s difficult to determine where the liability for an accident would fall.
Liability is more complex and harder to pin down in a rideshare accident because the driver is technically working as a contractor and not an employee of the company. The company itself might not be liable for your injuries, depending on when during the trip you were injured. In most cases, there is no evidence left at the scene of a rideshare accident because once the passenger exits the car, then there’s nothing to show that it was used as a vehicle for hire.
The driver’s personal insurance policy may refuse to cover an accident that occurred during or due to their work as a contractor. However, if you were injured while taking a ride in an Uber or Lyft or other similar services, you might be entitled to compensation from both the driver and the company. To strengthen your claim, our Iota rideshare accident lawyer could help prove that the driver was intoxicated, distracted, or unqualified.
Iota Rideshare Accident Lawyer Near Me (337) 777-7777
Requirements to Qualify as a Rideshare Driver
There are certain requirements you must meet to become a rideshare driver. The specific requirements vary by company and by state. For example, Uber requires a driver to be at least 21 years old, but you need three years of driving experience if you are under 25. Lyft needs a driver to be at least 25 years old with a valid driver’s license.
Here are some requirements that most companies have in common:
- Drivers are required to undergo a background check and DMV check for driving records and criminal history
- You must have an in-state driver’s license and car insurance that matches your vehicle registration
- You need an eligible four-door vehicle, which is 2007 or newer for Uber and 2011 or newer for Lyft
- You need a working smartphone that can run the app and support GPS navigation
When applying for insurance coverage through their partner general insurance agencies, you must submit your social security number to drive for Lyft. If you do so, Lyft will share your information with commercial credit reporting agencies like Experian and TransUnion, which everyone isn’t comfortable doing (especially if they have bad credit).
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Causes of Rideshare Accidents
The causes of rideshare accidents are the same as any other motor vehicle accident. However, some unique circumstances can lead to an Uber or Lyft accident, including:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of all motor vehicle accidents, and rideshare drivers are not immune to this issue. Like many other drivers, they can be distracted by their cell phones, GPS systems, and even passengers. Eating, drinking, and grooming while driving also contributes to distracted driving.
Weather Conditions
Weather can increase the chances of an accident. For example, rain decreases visibility and makes roads slippery, making it difficult for anyone to drive safely. In addition, snow and ice can also cause issues with traction and visibility.
Road Conditions
Dangerous or poorly maintained roads sometimes make it difficult or impossible for a driver to avoid an accident. For example, potholes can create tire blowouts, and road debris can force drivers to swerve into oncoming traffic. In addition, a lack of proper signage on the road may lead to confusion about how to navigate a roadway safely.
Speeding Drivers
Although it may be tempting to pick up as many riders as possible during peak hours, speeding can be dangerous. It may result in an accident with another vehicle or a pedestrian. Speeding is one of the most common causes of auto accidents in the U.S. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding was a factor in more than 26% of all traffic fatalities in 2019.
Unsafe Turning and Merging
Drivers may turn unsafely if they’re distracted or unfamiliar with the area and fail to yield the right-of-way correctly or at all. Unsafe merging can lead to sideswipe collisions when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions attempt to merge into the same lane at the same time or when a vehicle merges directly into another vehicle’s path without enough clearance.
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Contact Our Rideshare Accident Lawyer for Legal Help
When you get injured in an accident, it’s often a stressful and trying time. The best way to help the anxiety is to obtain legal counsel. Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you through the difficult times that follow a rideshare accident.
We can explain your rights and represent you throughout your case until we get a fair settlement. Contact us today to get started on your case.
Call or text (337) 777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
