Uber Accident Attorney Indianapolis
Uber and Lyft are the leading ridesharing companies in the U.S. and hold an overwhelming majority of the market share. Despite the success of Uber and Lyft, they have been involved in several controversies concerning car accident liabilities. Suppose you have been in a Uber or Lyft car accident. In that case, you can seek the assistance of an Uber or Lyft accident lawyer in Indianapolis to get guidance on how to get compensation for your damages.
Uber And Lyft Insurance Policies
Uber or Lyft drivers are considered independent contractors. This ensures all their drivers are covered with uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage and liability insurance known as the Uber or Lyft Driver Mode coverage in the following scenarios:
- The driver was waiting for a passenger or traveling to pick up a passenger.
- There was a passenger in the vehicle.
- The driver has completed their trip after dropping off a passenger.
Typically Uber or Lyft covers damages, such as property damage or medical expenses, through liability insurance when someone is injured in a ridesharing accident due to the Uber or Lyft driver’s negligence or fault.
Uber or Lyft does not cover drivers who are not on shift. Therefore, if a person gets involved in an Uber or Lyft crash and the driver is using their vehicle for personal purposes, the victim can file a claim with the driver’s auto insurance company or sue them by filing a civil lawsuit.
If a ridesharing accident occurs due to the negligence of a third party and you get injured, Uber or Lyft would not be liable for the damages. Instead, you would file the claim with the insurer of the third-party motorist. If an Ub
er or Lyft driver gets injured due to the negligence of another driver, they can pursue litigation against the at-fault motorist to seek compensation.
In cases where the liable motorist does not have sufficient insurance, Uber or Lyft covers its drivers with uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage. This means they can be fully compensated for any damages resulting from the ridesharing accident. Understanding and establishing liability for a ridesharing accident can get confusing and complex. Therefore, it is best to get legal guidance from an experienced attorney.
What Are The Rights Of An Uber or Lyft Driver?
If you are a passenger in a ridesharing accident and you get injured, there is not much to prove on your part regarding the accident as you were not driving. Therefore, the liability either lies with the Uber or Lyft driver or the other motorists involved in the accident. Determining liability in a ridesharing accident is a bit different than standard motor vehicle accidents for several reasons. For example, Uber or Lyft could hold some liability if the driver was on shift.
In some cases, if the driver is on shift but has not received a ride, the person injured due to the driver’s negligence can contact the driver’s insurance provider to seek compensation. Uber or Lyft can cover the damages up to the policy limits if the driver is underinsured.
Uber or Lyft can be entirely liable for covering the damages when the driver was transporting an Uber or Lyft passenger and got involved in an accident. The company should pay for medical expenses, other losses, and property damage.
However, when the driver does not have the app activated and causes an accident, they or their insurer would be required to pay compensation; in this case, Uber or Lyft would not be liable. In cases where the driver is off duty, they would be considered a non-commercial driver.
If a third party caused the accident, you must contact their insurance company for compensation. A municipality can also be liable if road defects cause a ridesharing accident.
What to Do If You Get Involved In an Uber or Lyft Accident
Your top priority should be to seek medical attention after the accident. After you are in stable condition, you can document all aspects of the accident at the scene, including your injuries, the location of the collision, witnesses, and the extent of the damages. This will help you get full and fair compensation for all your suffering.
Personal injury cases can be won with sufficient evidence, including documentation to prove who was at fault. Ensure that you get the contact and insurance information of the liable driver or any third party responsible for the crash, that’s why an Indianapolis Injury Lawyer at
RileyCate, LLC could guide you through the process correctly making sure you did not miss anything.
Additionally, you should get a police report if you get into an auto accident. The police report can include witnesses’ statements and personal information that would benefit you in a court case and insurance claim.
Compensation For Rideshare Victims
- The liable party can reimburse your medical bills, which include any physical therapy costs, emergency room visits, doctor appointments, and prescribed medications.
- If the accident caused you to lose your earning capacity or spend time away from work, you would be entitled to compensation for lost wages.
- Your pain and suffering can also be compensated if the accident impaired your quality of life and impacted your mental health. For example, if you developed anxiety, depression, or another mental illness due to severe injuries or disfigurement.
- If the Uber or Lyft driver’s behavior was intentionally harmful, you could be awarded punitive damages through the court’s discretion.
How Can an Uber or Lyft Accident Attorney Help?
You increase your chances of obtaining maximum compensation by hiring an Uber or Lyft accident attorney who is well-versed in laws regarding ridesharing accidents and has handled similar cases before. Your attorney can help you recover damages that resulted from the accident, such as any income loss, medical bills, punitive damages, non-economic damages, and more. The attorney can also guide you in collecting evidence to support your court case.
We welcome you to contact us at Riley Cate, LLC. Our rideshare accident attorneys know how to deal with the insurance company and get you a fair settlement. Suppose the negotiations with the insurance company are unsuccessful. In that case, our Uber or Lyft accident attorney can guide you on how to sue the liable party and get a favorable verdict.