Many people in the U.S. prefer to use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft rather than regular taxis, partly because they offer door-to-door convenience and are easily accessed through a simple app.
However, you can sustain severe injuries and other damages in a rideshare accident in Rayne. If you’re in such an accident, it would be best to seek legal advice from a Rayne rideshare accident lawyer.
Why Should You Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer?
With millions of people using rideshare vehicles for transportation every month, accidents are not uncommon. According to Tech Crunch, between 2017 and 2018, Uber drivers were involved in 97 fatal crashes that took 107 lives. The accident victims that survive these crashes are often injured and face thousands to tens of thousands of dollars in sudden medical bills.
Navigating the aftermath of a rideshare accident is a challenge. You may be entitled to monetary compensation from the rideshare service, but getting these damages in full won’t be easy, especially without a lawyer by your side. Your Rayne rideshare accident lawyer can take care of the legal and insurance matters on your behalf while you recover.
When you hire a lawyer, you get someone with a wealth of knowledge regarding car accident claims. Your lawyer will leverage this knowledge to build you a solid personal injury case and negotiate with the insurance providers to get you a fair settlement. Your attorney will also represent you in court if negotiations with the insurance representatives aren’t successful.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientCan Passengers Be Held Liable for a Rideshare Accident?
If you’ve recently been involved in a rideshare accident in Rayne, you may be wondering whether you could be sued by the rider or another motorist for monetary compensation. Fortunately, the passengers are rarely held accountable for car accidents as they aren’t behind the wheel and don’t control the vehicle.
If you were seated quietly and minding your own business when the crash occurred, you won’t be held liable for the collision. However, there are instances where passengers can receive partial blame for a car crash, usually if they’re acting in a way that makes it difficult for the driver to concentrate on the road or operate the vehicle.
How Passengers Are Liable in Accidents
You could be held partially liable for a rideshare accident if you do the following:
- Distract the driver from concentrating on their surroundings by arguing with them, striking them, or talking to them. This also applies to any action that pulls the driver’s focus from the road, such as showing them text messages, emails, videos, or postings on social media
- Limit the driver’s ability to control the vehicle by hitting or moving their legs, pulling their hands from the steering wheel, and obstructing their line of sight
- Provoke or encourage the driver to behave recklessly by speeding or drifting. Younger drivers are more likely to give in to such encouragement
- Offer alcohol and drugs to drivers and encourage them to drive while under the influence
- Any negligent or reckless action compromises a driver’s concentration and makes it difficult or impossible for them to control the vehicle
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientWhat You Should Do After a Rideshare Accident
After an accident involving a rideshare vehicle, you’re most likely dealing with some injuries. Getting treated as soon as possible prevents the wounds from worsening and becoming more severe. Seeking emergency care and sticking to your treatment plan will bolster your case as it shows that your injuries were severe enough to warrant immediate and consistent treatment.
Call the paramedics and police if you’re still conscious. The paramedics will offer any car crash victims emergency medical treatment while the police collect evidence from the site. Injuries like concussions and internal bleeding may not have any external symptoms until they’re much more severe, so ensure you receive medical care even if you have no visible injuries.
In the meantime, the police will collect all the evidence they need to generate a report. This includes pictures of the crash, prevailing traffic and weather conditions, and eyewitness accounts. Once you have received adequate medical care, you can now reach out to a Rayne rideshare accident lawyer to begin fighting for the compensation you’re owed.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientDamages from Rideshare Accidents
Damages refer to the monetary compensation provided to accident victims by the at-fault party’s insurance company. In this case, you may have to sue the rideshare driver for compensation if their actions caused the accident. Fortunately, Uber and Lyft, the two most popular rideshare services globally, provide their drivers with $1 million in third-party liability coverage.
This coverage is meant to help you recover from all the disruptions caused by the accident. If your injuries leave you hospitalized for months and out of work, the driver must compensate you for more than just your immediate medical bills.
Damages Covered by Insurance Claims
The following are some of the damages you can get after a rideshare accident:
- Current and future treatment costs, including emergency treatment, ambulance rides, and hospital stays
- Therapy and rehabilitation
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
- Lost income and loss of earning capacity
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
- Wrongful death (if the victim dies due to their injuries). This includes burial and funeral expenses, their treatment costs, and loss of consortium
The person you decide to sue and the types of damages you receive will depend on your case. After studying your case in detail, your attorney will determine who is liable for the crash and the total amount of damages they should provide.
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientContact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
Accidents involving rideshare services are becoming more common. Uber and Lyft accidents have taken hundreds of lives and injured thousands of people.
Reach out to Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers if you were in a rideshare accident in Rayne. We have recovered over $1 billion through cash settlements and jury verdicts for our clients, and we will put our hard work and knowledge to use in your personal injury case. Contact us today for a free case review and more information.
