You expect to reach your destination safely when you call for an Uber or Lyft. Additionally, other drivers on the road may be surprised by the danger that rideshare drivers present. If you have been injured in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Reach out to the family at Inzina Law Injury Attorneys for legal advice and help to get the settlement that you may deserve.
Why Rideshare Vehicles Are so Dangerous
There is no denying that companies like Uber and Lyft provide a convenient service for passengers. While rideshare companies have definite benefits for the economy, they do pose risks to passengers and other drivers on the road.
Rideshare drivers can pose dangers for a variety of reasons:
- Rideshare companies use drivers who may have very little training or experience.
- Drivers are often in unfamiliar locations and do not know where they are going.
- Rideshare drivers often perform their duties after a full day of work at another job and may be fatigued.
- Drivers may speed so they can maximize the amount of time they are transporting passengers and making money.
- Rideshare drivers are often looking at the app, both to see where they are going and to take ride requests, taking their eyes off the road.
Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents in Louisiana
After you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, your attorney will conduct a complete investigation of the crash to determine who was responsible and why. Common causes of rideshare accidents in Lafayette include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Carelessness
- Inexperience
- Drunk driving
Your lawyer will gather evidence that can show what happened in the accident and can be used to prove fault when you file an insurance claim.
Rideshare Insurance Companies May Get Away with Denying Your Claim
Rideshare companies do business with large insurance companies, which they refer to as “partners.” Their partnership is often to your detriment. Rideshare companies pay their insurance providers large premiums, and insurance companies want to maximize what they keep. Paying out money for your claim is the last thing they want to do.
Rideshare insurance companies may deny your claim for a number of reasons. If you are a motorist who was involved in an accident with a Lyft driver, the insurance company may believe you either have not presented the evidence or you were at fault yourself for the accident.
Hiring an experienced rideshare accident attorney is the best way to keep the insurance companies honest and hold them accountable. These insurance companies know that you have the capacity to file a lawsuit, raising their own cost of doing business. When they see that you have hired an attorney, they will deal with you differently to stay out of court.
Can I Sue a Rideshare Company After a Lyft or Uber Accident in Lafayette?
There are very few circumstances under which you can sue the rideshare company for your injuries. Uber and Lyft are very clever in how they structure their business operations to protect themselves from liability. They classify their drivers as independent contractors who are not company employees. You can only file a claim against the driver themselves.
State law requires rideshare companies to maintain a minimum amount of insurance coverage for drivers. You would need to file a claim against that insurance policy. Rideshare companies provide insurance coverage of up to one million dollars when there is a passenger in the car or the driver has accepted a ride request through the app. Uber and Lyft are not involved in the claims process, and you have to negotiate directly with the insurance company.
You can generally sue Uber and Lyft directly when you have been injured in a sexual assault, and they have failed to properly screen the driver before hiring. They could also be liable if they cut corners in the background check process and bring dangerous drivers on board.
What Types of Compensation Can I Receive in an Uber or Lyft Injury Claim?
Once you establish that someone else was negligent in your accident, you then have a legal right to full financial compensation for your injuries. The responsible party has the obligation to make you whole by paying you.
Your rideshare accident compensation could include:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Embarrassment and humiliation
How Long Do I Have To File a Rideshare Accident Claim in Louisiana?
Louisiana law imposes a very strict time deadline on filing personal injury victims. The time limit to file is only one year after the time where you were injured or should have known you were injured. The shortened time frame means you need to get to work as soon as possible to have enough time to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company. They know you are operating under a compressed clock and may try to drag out your claim as much as possible.
You do not want to miss the deadline nor do you want to let much time go by before contacting a lawyer.
Helping You Seek Compensation for Your Uber or Lyft Accident Injuries
Insurance companies feast on claimants who try to deal with them directly without the help of an experienced lawyer. They know you have little to no recourse when they give you the runaround, so they persist with that conduct.
An Uber or Lyft accident lawyer knows how to speak in a language the insurance company can understand. They will begin by investigating your accident and gathering evidence you need to prove that someone else was at fault. Your lawyer will review your situation and quantify the damages you are seeking before they draft and submit the claim on your behalf. Your attorney will negotiate compensation with the insurance company, taking your case to court if it is necessary to get you the money you are due for your injuries.
Contact a Lafayette Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer Today
The family at Inzina Law know how insurance companies can take advantage of accident victims because we have seen it firsthand. We passionately believe in fighting for the rights of accident victims, especially when a powerful insurance company is trying to stand in your way.
The best thing that you can do for yourself is realize that you need the help of an experienced attorney. You can schedule a free initial consultation with Inzina Law Firm Injury Attorneys by sending us a message through our website or by calling us today at 337-243-1237.
