Rideshare Accidents
Monroe Rideshare Accident Attorney
Uber & Lyft Accidents in Louisiana
Rideshare services, like Uber and Lyft, provide a convenient, cost-effective way of getting around—but they also pose certain risks to passengers and fellow motorists. According to a study conducted by Rice University and the University of Chicago, rideshare accidents have contributed to an overall 2-3% increase in traffic-related fatalities in the United States.
While there are many possible reasons for this rise in fatality rates, one may be the overall increase in the number of vehicles on the road. Additionally, rideshare drivers do not receive any special training. While they are required to have relatively clean driving records, they are prone to making the same mistakes as any other motorist.
If you were injured or if someone you love was killed in an accident with a rideshare driver, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses—but filing a claim or suing Uber or Lyft is not easy. You need an experienced personal injury attorney on your side, one who can help you navigate the process and fight for the fair compensation you are owed.
Contact Parker Alexander online or call us at (318) 625-6262 for a free consultation with one of our Monroe rideshare accident attorneys.
Who Is Liable in an Uber or Lyft Accident?
Like standard car accident claims, rideshare accident cases are largely dependent on the issue of liability. To recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, you will need to prove that someone else—be it the Uber/Lyft driver or a third party—was at fault for the accident that caused your injuries and damages.
Depending on the specifics of your situation, any of the following parties may be partially or wholly liable for the accident:
- The rideshare driver
- The rideshare company
- Another motorist
- A pedestrian or bicyclist
- The manufacturer/distributor of a defective vehicle/vehicle part
Often, when rideshare drivers negligently cause accidents, victims can seek compensation by suing Uber, Lyft, or another appropriate rideshare company. However, this can be a very challenging process, as major rideshare companies often take steps to limit their liability in the event of a crash.
We encourage you to reach out to our Monroe rideshare accident lawyers as soon as possible to discuss the details of your accident, injuries, and damages. Our team can determine whether we think you have a viable case during a free, no-risk consultation.
What Compensation Is Available for Rideshare Accident Victims?
After an Uber or Lyft accident, there may be several avenues of compensation available to you. While it may be possible to bring a claim directly against Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare company, these entities often limit their liability by classifying their drivers as “independent contractors” rather than “employees.” This means that the rideshare company may deny that it is responsible for the actions of its drivers and, therefore, that it does not owe you any compensation after the accident.
That being said, Uber and Lyft both offer coverage for people who are injured in accidents caused by their drivers. The coverage that may be available depends on the circumstances—Uber and Lyft only offer coverage when the driver has the app turned on. If the driver is not active on the app, he or she is not considered to be “on the clock,” and no coverage applies.
Uber and Lyft offer the following coverage amounts:
- $50,000/$100,000 for Bodily Injury per Person/Accident: This coverage applies when the rideshare driver is logged into the app but has not accepted a ride yet.
- $25,000 for Property Damage per Accident: This coverage applies when the rideshare driver has the app turned on but has not accepted a ride.
- $1 Million: Uber and Lyft offer $1 million in total coverage when the driver has the app turned on and has accepted a ride, regardless of whether the passenger is in the vehicle.
So, if you were injured in an accident as an Uber passenger, you may be able to recover compensation under the $1 million policy. If you were hit by a Lyft driver while driving your own car, and the Lyft driver was looking for a passenger he or she was supposed to pick up, you could be entitled to compensation under the $50,000/$100,000/$25,000 policy.
At Parker Alexander, we help injured rideshare accident victims seek fair compensation for all their economic and non-economic damages, including but not limited to:
- Medical costs
- Future medical expenses
- Lost income/wages
- Future lost earnings
- Lost/reduced earning capacity
- Lost/reduced quality of life
- Pain and suffering
If your loved one died in a fatal rideshare accident, we can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit and seek the justice you and your family are owed. We fight to hold negligent people and parties accountable for the devastation they cause and are ready to aggressively represent you and your rights.
What If the Rideshare Driver Was Not Entirely at Fault?
Sometimes, rideshare drivers are involved in accidents for which they are not completely at fault. If the blame lays entirely with someone else—such as another motorist, pedestrian, or bicyclist—you cannot file a lawsuit against the rideshare company. Instead, you would file a standard personal injury claim against the at-fault person or party.
If, however, the rideshare driver was partially at fault, you may be able to recover compensation from his or her employer. Under Louisiana’s pure comparative negligence rule, injured victims can seek compensation from individuals who share a portion of the blame, even when the injured party is also partly at fault.
These cases are very complex; we urge you to contact our Monroe Uber and Lyft accident lawyers right away to learn how we can help. In Louisiana, you only have one year from the date of the accident to bring your case. Don’t wait until it’s too late!
Call for a Free Consultation
At Parker Alexander, we offer client-focused, results-driven representation. Our team is available to meet with you at the most convenient location, including your home or the hospital. We offer same-day, evening, and weekend appointments and provide free consultations by phone or in person. We also offer contingency fees, meaning you do not pay anything unless/until we recover compensation for you.
To get started with a no-cost, no-obligation consultation, please call (318) 625-6262 today.
