SHREVEPORT RIDESHARING ACCIDENT LAWYER

Shreveport Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney

Car accidents happen every day, and rideshare drivers are not immune to these accidents. Unfortunately, ridesharing accidents can be particularly challenging because of the unique insurance and liability issues involved.

At Greenwald Law Firm, our team of experienced Shreveport car accident lawyers understands the complexities involved in ridesharing accidents. If you have been involved in an Uber or Lyft accident in Shreveport, Bossier City, or the surrounding areas, our personal injury attorneys can help you recover compensation for your injuries. Our Shreveport personal injury attorneys are well-versed in the laws governing rideshare accidents and will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation possible.

Give the Shreveport car accident attorneys at Greenwald Law Firm a call at (318) 219-7867 to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys today.

What is a Rideshare Accident?

A rideshare accident is a type of car wreck that occurs when a rideshare vehicle, such as an Uber or Lyft, is involved in a collision. It’s worth noting that rideshare drivers use their personal vehicles, which can make the insurance and liability issues more complicated in the event of an accident. If you are involved in a rideshare accident, it is important to consult with an experienced Uber accident attorney or rideshare accident lawyer who can help you understand your legal options and seek compensation for your injuries.

Rideshare Accident Injuries

Like any car wreck, an accident involving a rideshare vehicle can lead to serious injuries. Some of the more common car crash injuries include:

Whiplash

Head and/or Traumatic Brain Injury

Back and/or Neck Injuries

Spinal Cord Injuries

Burn Injuries

Amputations

Broken Bones

What to Do After a Rideshare Accident

It is important that you take certain steps after any car or truck accident, but this is especially true when it comes to a rideshare accident. These steps hold a significant weight in terms of how your case proceeds, so it’s best practice to be prepared even before an accident happens. Below, we outline what to do after an Uber accident.

Report the accident – One of the strongest pieces of evidence when seeking compensation is calling the police and having them take a comprehensive report of the collision. Since it’s easy to forget specifics, having everything in writing strengthens your case. Additionally, inform the ride-sharing service about the collision.
Document everything – As stated earlier, memory diminishes with time. Therefore, your personal injury case is more solid the more evidence you have regarding the scene of the accident. Taking pictures of the scene and your injuries can be a good source of proof when fighting for compensation.
Seek medical attention – Even if at first you don’t feel or notice any injuries, you may still be injured in ways that aren’t initially clear through the adrenaline and shock. After an accident, it is best to visit a doctor so that your injuries can be properly diagnosed and treated right away. The relationship between the accident and your injuries weakens the longer you wait, and having medical documentation helps your case tremendously.
Speak to an attorney – Car accidents, especially in cases where rideshare vehicles are involved, are complicated. You have to account for several parties, including the ridesharing driver, other drivers, and insurance companies. Your best bet is having an experienced attorney handle your case.

Who is Responsible for Ridesharing Accidents?

Like most personal injury cases, rideshare accidents can involve multiple parties, including the rideshare company, other drivers, passengers, or the Uber or Lyft driver themselves. An experienced Uber or Lyft accident lawyer can help you understand who is responsible for your injuries and work to hold them accountable.

Ridesharing Company – There are a few ways a ridesharing company might be the liable party. Negligent hiring, inadequate training, failure to maintain vehicles, and failure to screen passengers may all be acts of negligence that hold the rideshare company liable.

Other Driver – If another driver acted negligently and caused an accident with a rideshare vehicle, they may be partially or fully at fault for any injuries or damages caused. Distracted driving and drunk driving accidents are some common examples of this.

Passengers – An accident caused by a passenger can hold them at fault for any injuries caused. Distracting the driver or somehow interfering with the driver’s ability to operate the vehicle might result in an accident where the passenger is held liable.

Ridesharing Driver – A ridesharing driver may be held responsible for an accident if they are found to be negligent in their driving, such as by violating traffic laws, driving recklessly, or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Additionally, if the ridesharing driver fails to properly maintain their vehicle or does not follow company policies and guidelines, they may also be held responsible for any resulting accident.

How Insurance Covers Ridesharing Accidents

Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have complex insurance policies that can be difficult to understand. However, both companies provide the same level of insurance coverage in the event of an accident.

Still, insurance coverage for ridesharing accidents can vary depending on the specific circumstances and the insurance policies of the involved parties. Generally speaking, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft provide liability insurance coverage to their ridesharing drivers while they are working on the platform, which includes coverage for injuries and damages that may occur in accidents.

Here’s how it typically works. When the driver is not logged into the rideshare app, their personal auto insurance policy would be the primary coverage in the event of an accident. When the driver is logged into the rideshare app but has not yet accepted a ride request, the rideshare company’s liability coverage would apply, with limits typically ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 per person injured in the accident, and $25,000 to $50,000 for property damage.

When the driver has accepted a ride request and is actively transporting passengers, the rideshare company’s liability coverage and contingent comprehensive and collision coverage would apply. The third-party liability insurance limits are higher, typically maxing out at $1 million.

It’s important to note that while rideshare companies do provide insurance coverage for their drivers, there may be gaps in coverage or disputes between insurance providers about which policy applies. To ensure that you are adequately protected, it’s recommended to review your own auto insurance policy and hire an experienced Shreveport ridesharing accident lawyer to help with your case.

Louisiana Ridesharing Accident Statute of Limitations

Like most personal injury claims, a person suffering bodily injury from a rideshare car accident in Louisiana has a statute of limitations of one year to file a claim. This means that if you have been injured in a ridesharing car accident in Louisiana, you must file a personal injury lawsuit within one year of the accident or you may lose your right to seek compensation for your injuries. It’s important to note that the statute of limitations may vary depending on the circumstances of the case, and there are certain exceptions that may extend the deadline for filing a lawsuit. For example, if the injured person was a minor at the time of the accident, the statute of limitations may be extended. It’s important to consult with an experienced Louisiana rideshare attorney who can advise you on the specific statute of limitations for your case and help you navigate the legal process to seek the compensation you deserve.

Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer for a Rideshare Accident?

If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, including Lyft and Uber accidents, it can be extremely beneficial to your personal injury case to equip the help of a skilled attorney. An experienced accident lawyer can help you navigate the often complex legal process while advocating for your rights as an injured victim. Personal injury attorneys also possess the legal knowledge and resources it takes to obtain maximum compensation for their clients, helping pay for things like medical bills and lost wages.

It’s important to remember that insurance companies are in the business of making money, which means they may try to offer you a low settlement to avoid paying out more money. If the insurance company refuses to offer you a fair settlement, you may need to file a lawsuit to recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries. In either case, it is important that you have an experienced Uber accident attorney on your side to maximize your compensation and ensure the other vehicle, rideshare driver, or company responsible is held accountable for your injuries.

A Shreveport personal injury lawyer like Joseph Greenwald can help you navigate these policies and ensure you receive the maximum compensation available for your injuries. Call our Shreveport office at 318-219-7867 today to speak to an experienced attorney about your case.

If You’ve Been Injured in a Rideshare Accident in Shreveport, Call an Experienced Rideshare Accident Lawyer at Greenwald Law Firm for a Free Consultation Today

At Greenwald Law Firm, our Louisiana personal injury lawyers have been pursuing compensation for injured clients across North Louisiana for decades now. Our legal team knows that you and your family need to focus on recovering physically, financially, and emotionally after suffering injuries in a Shreveport ridesharing accident. We also know, however, that doing so can be difficult when you’re also battling to receive proper compensation through an insurance claim. Attorney Joseph W. Greenwald, Jr. takes over this burden for you while ensuring the liable party is held responsible for their actions, whoever that may include.

For a free legal consultation with a skilled Lyft or Uber accident lawyer in Shreveport or the surrounding areas, call our law office at 318-219-7867 today or complete our online intake form.