Can I File a Lawsuit Against Uber or Lyft for My Car Accident?
After a car accident, you want to know who will cover your medical bills and other expenses. Determining liability can be more complicated when a rideshare driver is involved. You can file a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft for your car accident if you meet specific criteria. However, besides the rideshare company, you could also file against the rideshare driver or a liable third party.
Most of these cases will settle outside of court. Indeed, most traffic accident victims never need to sue anyone to recover compensation based on the injuries they suffered and the damages they incurred. Still, an insurance claim based on an Uber or Lyft accident can be challenging to develop. However, a rideshare accident attorney can review your case for free to help you understand your rights.
Liability in an Uber or Lyft Car Accident
The circumstances of your accident will determine who you can hold responsible. The factors include whose negligence caused the accident and whether the Uber or Lyft driver had logged into the rideshare app at the time of the crash. In some cases, accident victims may need to pursue damages from multiple parties.
Due to the nature of how rideshare companies operate – with drivers working as independent contractors – liability involving Uber or Lyft drivers can be challenging to determine. However, a rideshare accident lawyer can help you figure out who is responsible for your injuries and what legal options you have to pursue compensation.
One factor that could significantly affect your case is your role in it. For example, you might find it easier to recover compensation in an insurance claim if you were a passenger in an Uber than if that same Uber driver hit your car in an intersection collision.
If You Were Injured As a Rideshare Passenger
Suppose you sustained injuries in an accident that occurred while a Lyft or Uber driver transported you, and your rideshare driver was at fault. In that case, the ridesharing company’s insurance policy may cover your losses. In addition, when there is a rider in the vehicle, the company usually has a substantial liability policy that covers injuries suffered by the app user.
However, if another driver caused your accident, they may be at fault for your injuries, and you would pursue your claim against them. Therefore, proving what contributed to and caused the crash is crucial to building a case and recovering compensation.
If You Were Injured As a Driver by a Rideshare Vehicle
If you drove your vehicle and were involved in an accident caused by a rideshare driver, liability may depend on whether the rideshare driver was working at the time of the accident.
There are several “periods” that both Uber and Lyft recognize for driving:
- When a rideshare driver has logged into the app and awaits assignment to a ride, both rideshare companies offer contingent insurance coverage if the driver’s personal auto liability insurance policy doesn’t cover the accident.
- When a rideshare driver is logged into the app and either enroute to pick up a passenger or transporting a passenger, both companies provide primary liability insurance coverage of at least $1 million.
- When a rideshare driver is not logged into the app, the rideshare company offers no coverage. Instead, the driver’s auto insurance policy must cover accidents they cause.
These layers of insurance coverage can confuse the average person. Indeed, this system can put accident victims in the middle of a dispute between multiple insurance providers. For example, when the victim was the occupant of another vehicle or a pedestrian hit by the rideshare driver, you might be unable to determine the at-fault driver’s status in the ridesharing app.
However, a car accident lawyer will know how to handle this situation and determine which insurance policy was in effect.
If Another Party Caused the Accident
You might have other potentially liable parties in a rideshare accident as well. Consider:
- A multivehicle collision where another driver in their personal vehicle caused the accident
- An accident caused by a defective vehicle part
- An accident caused by a poorly maintained road
You don’t have to struggle to understand the legal issues surrounding a rideshare car accident on your own. A lawyer from our firm can help you navigate the legal aftermath of a rideshare accident and pursue compensation from all potentially liable parties.
Uber and Lyft accidents are not all that different from other collision cases expect for one difference—the rideshare driver’s status at the time of the crash. We’ll investigate the accident, gather evidence, analyze it, and determine:
- What happened
- Any negligent actions that contributed to the crash
- Liability for the crash
- Available insurance coverage
- Damages that you suffered
- The approximate value of your recoverable damages
The Deadline to Sue in Louisiana
Another important factor in your ability to sue is how long it has been since the accident occurred. Per CC Art. 3492, you generally have just two years from the date of your accident to submit a personal injury lawsuit in Louisiana. After this time limit expires, a judge may dismiss your lawsuit. Our firm can help you meet the filing deadlines in your case.
Even with this short period to act, we can often recover a settlement for our client without taking the case to trial. Instead, we’ll present a compelling argument to show negligence and the value of the claim. In addition, the ridesharing companies’ large liability policies often provide enough coverage to pay for most claims, making going to court even less likely. Still, our attorneys have trial experience and will sue if necessary in your case.
The Damages Available in a Car Accident Case
In a successful rideshare accident case, you may be able to recover compensation for these damages:
- Your current and future medical bills
- The income you missed during your recovery
- Reduced ability to earn at the same level because of lasting injuries
- Property damage
- Rental car costs
- Other related expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
There may be other types of damages available in your case. A lawyer from our firm can help you identify your damages and collect evidence of their value to use in your insurance claim or lawsuit. We’ll calculate the cost of current, future, and intangible losses. In addition, we can tell you how much your case is worth and help you negotiate a settlement based on this total.
Get Help Today From Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we understand how the insurance policies of rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft can be confusing. The rideshare accident attorneys from our firm are prepared to handle these types of cases and are willing to take on any party who may be liable for your injuries, from an individual driver to a rideshare company.
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers serves clients in Lafayette and other cities throughout Louisiana. To learn more about your options and if you can file a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft for your car accident, call our client intake team today at (337) 777-7777. We offer free consultations to all potential clients.
