The number of rideshare vehicles is continuously increasing on roads in and around Walterboro. An unfortunate consequence of this growing travel convenience is the growing number of rideshare accidents.
An accident with a rideshare vehicle brings consequences typical of any other motor vehicle accident. However, holding the at-fault party accountable for paying your damages is a more complicated process best managed by an experienced rideshare accident attorney in Walterboro. Our skilled Walterboro personal injury lawyers are ready to fight for you to get you the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare drivers are under pressure to get from one fare to the next and must frequently take their eyes off the road to check the app for ride requests or to follow a travel route. These behaviors are forms of distracted driving, a major cause of accidents.
According to a recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report, rideshare accidents are most common at destination pickup and drop-off sites, when drivers are likely to be most distracted and looking for their fare or finding a place to pull over. As with any other motor vehicle accident, rideshare accidents can be caused by driver error, obstacles in the road, or another driver’s carelessness. Determining the cause is essential for identifying the at-fault party, and your rideshare accident lawyer in Walterboro will investigate to ensure you name the correct party in your claim.
What to Do After an Accident with a Rideshare Vehicle
If anyone needs emergency care, call 911. If not, call the non-emergency number so an officer can come to the scene and make an official report. Then, collect the information you can later give to a Walterboro rideshare accident attorney from Shelly Leeke Law Firm to aid them in their investigation of your accident.
- The rideshare driver’s information: name, license plate number, and insurance
- Insurance and contact information for others involved in the accident
- Contact information of accident witnesses. If any witnesses took photos or video of the accident, ask them to share those files with you
- Photos of the vehicles involved in the accident, the accident scene, and your injuries. If the accident produced skid marks, debris, or other damage, take photos of those details
- If possible, determine the rideshare driver’s status on the rideshare app when the accident occurred. This status is important for identifying the insurance company responsible for covering damages
Get Follow-Up Medical Care
If you do not have emergency medical needs, you should still see a doctor after the accident. Adrenaline or shock can mask symptoms, and some effects just take time to appear. Keep reports of all doctor visits and bills, and be sure to follow your doctor’s care instructions for the sake of your health and your injury claim.
Reporting the Accident to Rideshare Companies
You need to report the accident to your insurance company and the rideshare company. Uber and Lyft have online forms you can complete and will follow up with a phone call. Only offer the bare facts of the accident, such as where and when it occurred, who was involved, and who witnessed the event.
Do not discuss your injuries or potential compensation. Make your basic report and then secure legal representation with a rideshare accident attorney from Walterboro who will handle all discussions with involved parties going forward.
Unfortunately, it is common practice for the at-fault parties to use your words against you, use dishonest or intimidating tactics to assign you unfair fault for the accident, or convince you to believe you do not deserve a settlement. With an experienced lawyer speaking on your behalf, you do not have to worry about accidentally saying the “wrong” thing or being coerced out of deserved compensation.
Insurance Coverage for Rideshare Drivers
Rideshare drivers are not direct employees of rideshare companies. They are independent contractors, a company model established mainly to protect the rideshare companies from accident liability.
Companies require their drivers to carry personal driver’s insurance. They also provide insurance when drivers are active on the app, to varying degrees. Though there may be slight differences depending on the company, most rideshare insurance follows this system:
- Companies provide no coverage when the app is off, and drivers are off duty. Accidents occurring under the circumstances fall under the driver’s private insurance, and some private policies allow drivers to purchase ride-sharing “endorsements,” increasing the amount of coverage.
- Companies provide liability insurance if drivers are logged into the app and available to take jobs and if the driver’s personal insurance does not apply to the accident. Coverage is $50,000 for bodily injury per victim, $100,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
- Companies provide coverage of up to one million dollars plus additional coverage for damage to the rideshare driver’s car if a driver has accepted a request or is transporting passengers. Companies also provide uninsured motorist coverage in these circumstances.
Filing Against Rideshare Companies
Rideshare companies do a good job of protecting themselves from liability through the independent contractor system and by requiring passengers to agree to terms of service that offer additional protection, though riders are probably unaware of what the agreement actually states.
However, based on the specific cause of your accident, your lawyer may see fit to argue the rideshare company was negligent in screening or supervising the driver whose recklessness caused your accident and pursue damages from the company itself.
Let Your Walterboro Rideshare Accident Attorney Navigate the Insurance Possibilities and Secure Your Settlement
Filing a claim and building a personal injury case following a rideshare accident potentially involves multiple insurance companies and at-fault parties. To see a favorable outcome, you need an expert Walterboro rideshare accident lawyer managing your case. A settlement can include coverage for:
- Medical costs, including future accident-related care
- Property damage
- Emotional trauma and physical pain
- Missed wages and lost future earnings if you cannot return to work
- Other costs incurred by your injuries
This coverage is essential for a stable financial future. Do not put it at risk by attempting to handle your claim on your own.
Securing Expert Legal Representation is Simple
To schedule a free consultation and start working towards financial recovery today, just open our contact link and either call or send an electronic message. Shelly Leeke Law Firm is available to answer your requests all day, every day. A skilled Walterboro rideshare accident attorney will listen to your situation and fight for you until you receive fair compensation for your losses.
