Uber And Lyft, Car Accident Lawyers, Serving Louisville
Our Kentucky Law Firm Can Handle Your Rideshare Injury Claim
Ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft have become increasingly popular in Kentucky and nationwide. More than 2 million people nationwide drive vehicles for both rideshare companies as well as others like Blacklane and Carmel. They can be an easy way to get around Louisville and other cities throughout the state.
Unfortunately, car accidents caused by Uber or Lyft drivers sometimes occur. And when they do, injury victims need to fully understand their legal rights. Otherwise, they might not get the money they rightfully deserve for medical bills, replacement income, and other injury-related expenses.
Fortunately, you’re not alone. We can help. An experienced Louisville Uber accident attorney at The Whaley Law Firm can help you every step of the way. We know how the legal system works in Kentucky, especially when it comes to ridesharing accidents. We know how to investigate such crashes and what strategies work. That’s why we consistently obtain sizable settlements and verdicts for injury victims. We know how to get the job done right.
What Happens If You’re Injured While Riding In An Uber Or Lyft Vehicle?
It’s important to understand what to do if you’re injured as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle. This includes Uber X and Uber XL vehicles, as well as Lyft XL and Lyft Lux premium vehicles.
When this happens, you may need to file an injury claim with the driver’s insurance company. Our Uber accident lawyer/Lyft accident attorney can help. While this is similar to other car accident claims, rideshare accidents are different. That’s because drivers working for Uber or Lyft need to have supplemental insurance that covers them while they are “driving for profit” (and often not covered by their personal insurance).
Rideshare driver insurance policies often have higher policy limits than personal car insurance policies. However, there are many different types of insurance policies. That’s why it’s important to talk to a rideshare accident attorney who understands how the claim process works for rideshare accidents.
What Happens If An Uber Or Lyft Driver Crashes Into My Car?
When a rideshare driver crashes into your vehicle, it’s important to determine whether the driver was on duty when they caused your accident. This crucial piece of information can dramatically influence the outcome of your accident claim. That’s because whether or not the driver was on duty will determine which insurance policy covers your accident.
What you might not realize is rideshare drivers are considered on duty in many different situations. This includes:
- Awaiting a ride request with the rideshare app open.
- Driving with a rideshare passenger in the vehicle.
- En route to pick up a passenger.
- Looking up directions to pick up a passenger or make a dropoff.
- Delivering food for Uber Eats or another delivery service.
If any of these situations apply, our rideshare accident lawyer can help you file a claim with the rideshare driver’s insurance company and get a copy of the Lyft/Uber accident report. However, don’t be surprised if you have a hard time getting the money you rightfully deserve. That’s because many rideshare accident claims often turn into complicated legal cases.
Who Pays For My Rideshare Injury Claim?
If a rideshare driver caused your collision, your passenger injury claim will likely be covered by one of these two companies:
- The rideshare driver’s insurance company
- The rideshare company’s own insurance.
Seeking compensation from a rideshare company like Uber and Lyft can be very complicated. These large corporations insist that rideshare drivers are independent contractors as opposed to full-time or part-time employees. However, the rules and regulations often change when it comes to rideshare drivers. This is why it’s important to talk to an attorney about the legal options available to you.
Can I Sue Uber Or Lyft After An Accident?
Depending on the circumstances of your Uber or Lyft accident, you may be able to file a lawsuit or take other legal action against the rideshare driver or the ridesharing company itself. The key to success in such cases is proving that the company or its driver acted in a negligent or reckless manner.
You might also want to consider taking legal action if your injury claim is denied or if you do not receive the full compensation you deserve for your injury-related expenses. Otherwise, you could end up paying for your accident-related expenses out of your own pocket.
It’s also important to understand that you only have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit in Kentucky. The deadline (known as the statute of limitations) is two years from the date of your accident. Two years might seem like a long time. But the longer you wait, the harder it often becomes to build a strong legal case.
What Should I Do After My Accident?
If you have been involved in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver in Kentucky, take the following steps right away:
- Call the police and ask them to respond to your accident.
- If someone saw your accident, get the witness’ full name and contact information.
- Take pictures of your accident.
- Get the rideshare driver’s name, address, driver’s license number, and insurance information.
- Don’t discuss the accident with the rideshare driver or anyone else.
- Have a doctor examine you as soon as possible, even if you feel fine.
- Call a lawyer right away to learn more about your legal options.
Get The Louisville Law Firm That Gets Results. Contact Us
Our Uber accident attorney knows how to handle such complicated car accident claims. We won’t hesitate to demand access to evidence that could be critical to your rideshare accident claim. This includes the rideshare driver’s cellphone history at the time of the crash, whether the rideshare app was on at the time, and dashcam footage (or traffic camera footage) if available. We leave no stone unturned in pursuit of the truth.
Our detailed approach consistently produces results. Insurance companies and rideshare companies often negotiate a settlement offer with us in good faith. If not, we will not hesitate to file a lawsuit or take other legal action on your behalf.
After you report a Lyft accident or other rideshare crash, contact us to learn more about how The Whaley Law can help you. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation with a Louisville car accident lawyer you can count on when it matters most. You can reach us online or call 502-532-2340 to schedule an appointment.