In recent years, rideshare companies have altered the landscape for transportation in Huntington and across the country. The two largest rideshare companies—Uber and Lyft—provide the vast majority of rides in the industry. Drivers for Uber and Lyft might offer convenient transportation at a cost that’s less than a taxi, but they also represent a serious danger on Huntington roadways.
If you have been injured in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, our firm is ready to help. You might be entitled to compensation through several insurance policies, and our team could ensure you are treated fairly by the adjuster. Let a Huntington Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer fight for your financial recovery after a collision.
Understanding Insurance Coverage in a Rideshare Accident
Dealing with the insurance companies after a rideshare accident can be confusing. Thankfully, both Uber and Lyft have similar coverage levels. This means the advice your attorney gives is valuable regardless of which company was involved in your accident.
While rideshare company policies might cover your accident, it is vital to note that their policies provide secondary coverage in most accidents. Before you could recover benefits from Uber or Lyft, you would first need to make a liability claim with the driver’s policy. Only once those benefits are exhausted will coverage from the rideshare kick in.
The most important factor in determining the level of insurance coverage in your accident is how the driver was using their rideshare app at the time of the crash. There is a sliding scale of coverage depending on if:
- The driver was not actively using their app
- The app was on, but they had not yet picked up a passenger
- They were actively transporting a passenger
The Driver Was Not Using the App
If the driver was not using their app to find or transport passengers, the rideshare’s coverage will not apply. In these cases, your only option is to file a claim on the driver’s policy.
The Driver Was Seeking a Rider
If the driver was using their app to locate a passenger but had not yet arranged for a ride, Uber and Lyft will provide a degree of coverage. This coverage is capped at $75,000 for bodily injuries per person, $150,000 for bodily injuries per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident.
The Driver Was Transporting a Passenger
The policy limits increase dramatically when a driver is transporting a passenger to their destination. Under these circumstances, Uber and Lyft offer as much as $1.25 million in coverage. These policies include bodily injury, property damage, and even coverage caused by uninsured motorists. Rideshare passengers will always have the highest limits following an accident.
How an Attorney Could Help With Your Case
Unsure what to do if an Uber driver hits your car? From investigating your accident to negotiating a settlement and all points in between, an attorney from our firm could assist you in many ways.
Investigating Your Accident
Before filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit, you need to understand how your accident happened. This involves carefully looking at the factors that caused the crash and the other important circumstances surrounding the collision.
Identifying Insurance Coverage
Navigating the web of insurance coverage after an accident can be complicated in general. Rideshare accidents add an extra layer of complication, given that Uber and Lyft might also provide coverage for a loss. Any attorney could review the facts of your case and your own insurance policy before advising you on what coverage options might be available.
Negotiating a Settlement
Once your attorney serving Huntington has investigated the Uber and Lyft rideshare accident and identified any potential insurance coverage, the next step typically involves settlement negotiations. Settlements are common in these cases, given the presence of insurance coverage, but a fair offer is never guaranteed. Your attorney could work to secure a reasonable offer that provides you with the damages you deserve.
Pursuing Litigation
There are times when the only option for securing a monetary award is through filing a lawsuit. While some lawsuits settle, others will inevitably go to trial. Your attorney could work to resolve your case as it proceeds through the court system while also preparing you for the possibility of a trial.
You Have a Limited Amount of Time to Sue
Not all rideshare accidents will result in a trial. In fact, it is often possible to resolve these injury cases without the need for filing a lawsuit at all. However, keep the statute of limitations in mind as you proceed with your injury case.
The statute of limitations is the deadline that applies to your injury lawsuit. If the rideshare driver or the company they work for refuses to settle your claim, you must file your lawsuit before this deadline expires. The failure to do so could leave the court with no option but to enter a dismissal and end your case forever.
Generally speaking, the statutory period for a car accident lasts for three years under CVP § 214. This three-year window begins to count down the moment your accident happens. Unless you can use a rare exception, waiting until after the statute expires to bring your case could result in a disappointing end to your lawsuit.
You Could Obtain Financial Compensation Following a Rideshare Accident
A serious injury in a rideshare accident could turn your life upside down. With long-term injuries, you could struggle to earn a living or meet your own basic needs. While money cannot erase the hardships you have faced, it could ease your financial challenges and make moving forward easier.
If you are ready to proceed with your Huntington injury case, the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP is here to help. Our firm understands the challenges of living with a debilitating car accident injury, and we look forward to helping you pursue the compensation you need. To learn how a Uber and Lyft rideshare accident attorney could help, call (516) 358-6900 for a free consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a rideshare accidents lawyer serving Huntington, call 516-358-6900
The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information and may not be applicable in your jurisdiction.
