As Asheville has grown in size, rideshare companies have been able to get a larger foothold in our city. In most instances, this has been a net positive for the area. More people using Uber and Lyft after a night on the town means fewer drunk drivers. However, Uber or Lyft vehicles can get into motor vehicle accidents that cause injuries to their passengers. It may have been your rideshare driver’s fault, the other driver’s fault, or some mix of the two. As the passenger in the rideshare vehicle, it definitely was not your fault.
If you’re injured as a result of an Uber or Lyft accident in Asheville you’ll need an attorney experienced with handling rideshare claims. These claims are unique, and these major rideshare companies do not make it easy to navigate their claims process. Contact our firm today at (828) 452 – 3141 for a free case evaluation to help you consider your options for recovery for your serious personal injuries. Our case consultations have no strings attached, and you can decide to go with whichever law firm best suits your individual needs.
What if I am in an Uber or Lyft Accident?
There are a few steps you should take immediately after being in any car accident, and a rideshare car accident is absolutely no different:
Call the Police. It is of the upmost importance that a police accident report is generated to accurately describe the collision. It’s possible that your Uber driver may be reluctant to call the police himself, especially if he was partially at fault for the collision. There is an (understandable) fear of repercussions, but you must take every action necessary to protect your right to get a financial recovery for your injuries.
Take Photographs. If you are physically able, it is helpful to take photographs of the involved vehicles and the scene. You should also get photographs of your injuries. Juries generally award more money in personal injury damages if they are able to see the injuries when they are fresh.
Seek Medical Attention. If you were at all injured in a rideshare accident, you should get immediate medical attention. While it is understandable to be concerned about the cost of medical bills, contemporaneous medical treatment is a key way to document the severity of your injuries. If you decline to be taken by EMS to the hospital, or decide to wait a few days to be seen at an urgent care, the jury may not believe you were as badly injured as you say you were.
Collect Contact Information of Witnesses. If there were witnesses that say they saw the collision, get their phone numbers and names. The lawyer you hire will want to speak with them, and these witnesses could be a very good advocates on your behalf. Do not talk to an insurance adjuster without first talking to a lawyer.
Speak with a Lawyer. Every Uber or Lyft accident is unique. It is prudent to speak with a lawyer as soon as practicable after an accident that caused you or a loved one serious injuries. We can help make sure you don’t say anything you shouldn’t to a representative of Uber, Lyft, or any other insurance company.
Is the Rideshare Company or the Driver Responsible for Your Injuries as a Passenger?
The simple answer is that Uber and Lyft both provide insurance coverage for your injuries if your Uber or Lyft driver was at fault for the accident. Both Uber and Lyft provide insurance coverage for their drivers while they have passengers in their vehicles, and also provide some coverage for other drivers on the road.
The rideshare’s insurance company will defend the rideshare driver in court if it becomes necessary for an attorney to file a claim on your behalf in civil court. Sometimes the insurance company will settle and pay you fair compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages, but if the insurance company won’t be fair, our law firm is experienced in pursuing these rideshare claims through to a jury verdict if necessary.
If the collision involved multiple vehicles, it is also possible that your rideshare driver was not at fault for the collision, but in-fact the other driver was completely at fault. An experienced rideshare accident lawyer can help investigate the facts of the collision to determine who the responsible parties are, and pursue claims against the negligent drivers.
Types of Injuries in an Uber or Lyft Collision
Some of the potential harms you may suffer in a rideshare collision include:
Lost Wages: If you missed work as a result of a collision in which you were a rideshare passenger, the at-fault party is responsible for reimbursing you for your lost wages. This includes any paid time off you used to attend doctors’ appointments.
Medical Bills: The reality in Asheville and the United States in general is that healthcare is expensive, even if you have health insurance. Deductibles are high, and if you were traveling from out of town you might even be hit by out-of-network charges. The negligent driver and their insurance company are on the hook to pay for your medical expenses.
Permanent Injuries: If you or a loved one were involved in a serious collision involving a rideshare vehicle it is imperative that you reach out to an experienced personal injury law firm to help you with your case. We can help you collect medical testimony to show the severity of your permanent injuries, and you are entitled to recover for your permanent losses.
Pain and Suffering: Even if you make a full recovery from your injuries, there will still be a period of time where you were forced to deal with the pain and discomfort of injuries you suffered as a result of someone else’s negligence. You are entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. If the insurance company is unwilling to offer a fair amount of recompense, we will take your case to a jury and let the jury show the insurance company the error of their ways.
How Long Do I Have to Bring a Claim for Rideshare Accident Injuries?
Under North Carolina law, you have three years from the date of the collision to bring a personal injury claim. This is a hard limit that cannot be extended for any reason. If someone died as a result of an Uber or Lyft collision, their family only has two years to bring a claim instead of three years. You should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to review your case and they can advise you on exactly how long you have to bring a claim.
Please contact Melrose Law today at (828) 452 – 3141 for a free case evaluation. We do not take a fee on rideshare collision cases unless we make a recovery on your behalf.
