“¡Es cierto lo que dice su cartelera que definitivamente es El Abogado que Trabaja!”
Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have completely changed the way we travel, including in Texas. If we don’t have our own cars , we no longer have to check public transportation schedules or rely on our friends and neighbors for rides. We simply have to open our apps and request rides. This is also a convenient option if we go out for drinks and can’t drive ourselves. Unfortunately, this increase in convenience also means an increase in car accidents, as Uber and Lyft drivers can get involved in crashes like all other drivers. Getting the compensation you need to heal after an accident can be challenging when rideshare companies are involved, but Chris Morrow Law, PLLC has the experience and resources to help. With more than 25 years of litigation experience, our rideshare accident attorney in Austin can be trusted to help you file your injury claim and get your bills paid after an injury.
Need to file a claim or get your injuries assessed? Call our Austin rideshare accident lawyer at (512) 520-8100 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with Chris Morrow. We’re available 24/7 and can help you file an Uber or Lyft accident lawsuit.
If you were injured in a rideshare accident, whether as a paying customer or as a driver or passenger of another vehicle, it’s possible the rideshare driver was responsible. Uber and Lyft drivers can be just as negligent as any other driver, though there are also unique rideshare-related factors that can contribute to crashes.
Some specific causes of rideshare accidents involving Uber and Lyft drivers include:
Many ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have ways of reporting an accident using their app. However, before you get too far into the process of filing an accident claim it’s important to remember that the rideshare company’s top priority is to protect their own bottom line. This means that they may try to minimize your injuries or convince you that you aren’t seriously hurt, even if you may be. It’s extremely important that you see a medical professional to receive treatment and an official diagnosis for your injuries. You should also consider speaking to an Uber or Lyft accident lawyer about your case before contacting the rideshare company.
In 2020 alone, there were 367 deaths and over 2,200 serious injuries related to distracted driving accidents in Texas. As mentioned earlier, nearly one in every five crashes in Texas is caused by distracted driving (according to the Texas DOT). In 2021 distracted driving was reported to still be #2 on the list for traffic-related crash causes.
Contact Chris Morrow online or call (512) 520-8100after a rideshare accident. We can help you seek treatment and a fair Uber or Lyft accident settlement.
Where rideshare accident cases become tricky is in establishing liability. Rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber purposefully classify their drivers as independent contractors and not employees so they don’t have to be responsible for the injuries and damages their drivers cause in accidents. However, both Uber and Lyft have their own insurance policies whose limits depend on whether the driver was logged into the app at the time of the accident.
Policy limits are classified as follows:
Offline: If the driver who caused your accident wasn’t logged on their app at the time of their accident, their personal auto insurance will have to cover all damages.
Period 1: If the driver was logged into their app but hadn’t yet accepted a ride, then the rideshare app’s insurance includes $50,000 for bodily injury per person injured and $100,000 per accident, as well as $30,000 for property damage.
Period 2 and 3: Period 2 occurs when the driver has accepted a ride and Period 3 applies to drivers who have picked up passengers and were transporting them at the time of the crash. In these instances, the company provides drivers with $1 million in auto insurance and $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Determining which period the driver was in can be difficult, and rideshare companies have been known to completely deny liability and take advantage of victims in the past. After your accident, in addition to collecting information from witnesses and other drivers and passengers involved, you may also want to collect the driver’s rideshare information, as well as the route they were taking at the time of the crash. This information can be used to strengthen your claim.
All of this illustrates just how essential it is to hire a personal injury attorney who can calculate your damages and protect your rights to full and fair compensation. Rideshare companies are powerful and protected by their own teams of attorneys, but a compassionate and knowledgeable rideshare accident lawyer in Austin like Chris Morrow can help you navigate this stressful time.
Seek guidance from a professional rideshare accident law firm with the help of Chris Morrow Law, PLLC.
At Chris Morrow Law, we work for you and we won’t stop until you get the compensation you deserve.
7703 N Lamar Blvd
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Austin, TX 78752
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