Lyft and Uber Attorneys In Billings to Assist with Rideshare Accident Claims
Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have become a mainstay of our gig economy. It is hard to argue with the convenience and value ridesharing provides. But there are safety issues that every rideshare passenger should know about. If you have been injured while a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, were injured while a passenger in another vehicle involved in a rideshare operator accident, or were the driver of a car that was hit by an Uber or Lyft vehicle, it is important to understand your rights. As explained by our Billings Uber and Lyft accident lawyer, below, there are reasons to be concerned about rideshare safety, as well as about finding the right professional to represent you if you are injured by the negligent driver of one of these vehicles.
Ridesharing Safety Concerns Explained by a Billings Uber Accident Lawyer
Anytime you are a passenger in a car is that you are not only at the mercy of the person driving, but you could also be in danger from other motorists on the road. Similarly, every time you get behind the wheel of a car, you put your safety in the hands of other drivers.
Even though rideshare drivers are supposed to drive in a professional and safe manner. rideshare car accidents appear to be common. Uber, in the U.S. Safety Report it released in 2019, confirmed that 107 people were killed during rides in 2017 and 2018. Surprisingly, the Uber report did not include details or statistics on the total number of crashes or non-fatal injuries, leading some analysts to conclude that these figures could be quite high.
What Happens When You Are in an Uber or Lyft Car Accident?
If you have been injured in a car accident, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Keep in mind that not every injury is apparent right after an accident, which is why it is important to see a doctor whether or not you have visible injuries. You will want to get a medical professional to document your examination and any possible injuries, and then schedule a follow up to see how and if your condition has changed.
As soon as possible after the accident, it is important to discuss your legal options with a Billings Lyft accident lawyer who has specific experience with rideshare accident cases. There are a number of different parties who could be considered at fault, and who should be held responsible for what portion of your damages is going to depend on the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Recovery After Accidents Caused by Negligent Uber and Lyft Drivers
Uber and Lyft each have commercial insurance policies that provide as much as $1 million in third-party liability coverage in the event that one of their drivers causes an accident while on duty as a driver — providing a ride to a customer or on the way to retrieving a passenger. If you incury personal injuries as the result of the negligence of a rideshare driver operating as an Uber or Lyft contractor, then you should be able to recover damages under the relevant company’s policy.
However, if it turns out that the at-fault driver is someone other than the Uber or Lyft driver, you would need to file a claim against that driver’s insurance policy. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you could end up with a situation where liability is shared between the rideshare driver and another driver, requiring you to make claims against both parties in order to recover under the two respective policies. Of course, those claims could be challenged by any of the parties, creating a scenario where you end up in complex settlement negotiations or even more complicated lawsuits to collect the damages you are due. If there is ever a time to seek representation from legal counsel after a car accident, it is in a case when an Uber or Lyft driver is involved.
Contact a Billings Lyft Accident Lawyer Today for a Free Consultation
At Ragain & Clark, PC our Billings Uber accident and Lyft accident lawyers are experienced in the type of complex cases that can occur when a third party rideshare company is involved. To learn more about how we can help, please contact us online to schedule a consultation. Your initial consultation is free and confidential.
To call our offices directly, call:
Billings Office: 406-651-8888
Worland Office: 307-388-6400