Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have widened transportation opportunities for tourists, travelers, and anyone just needing to get from one place to another. Though they are a convenience for many, these fleets add cars to roads often already crowded and increase opportunities for motor vehicle accidents.
Filing injury claims for accidents involving rideshare vehicles is typically more complicated than the process for filing against privately owned vehicles driven for personal use. To avoid mistakes and to ensure you get a settlement adequate to cover your needs, trust your case with a South Carolina car accident attorney from Shelly Leeke Law Firm. Our South Carolina personal injury lawyers are ready to fight for you to make sure you get the most compensation for your Uber or Lyft Accident.
Uber and Lyft Accident Victims
A study included in the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) databases states that since 2010, Uber and Lyft have “facilitated over 11 billion trips” and concludes that ridesharing “contributes to injury burden due to motor vehicle crashes.” All who share the roads with these vehicles are at risk.
Pedestrians
Pedestrians are especially vulnerable at rideshare pickup and drop-off points. Drivers may be distracted, looking for their passengers or checking the rideshare app for directions or other information. South Carolina has laws in place to protect pedestrians and gives guidance to pedestrians to encourage safety.
Rideshare drivers who break these laws and cause injury need to be held accountable.
Passengers
If a rideshare vehicle crashes with another vehicle or is involved in a single-car crash, passengers can be seriously injured or killed. An Uber and Lyft accident attorney in South Carolina will investigate the accident to determine its cause and identify the negligent party.
Occupants of Other Vehicles
When an Uber or Lyft collides with another vehicle, that other vehicle’s occupants are in danger. While these vehicle occupants are at risk at any time during their travels, as with pedestrians, they are most vulnerable at rideshare pickup and drop-off points.
No matter your situation, a South Carolina Uber and Lyft accident lawyer from Shelly Leeke is prepared to take your personal injury case and secure the financial award you deserve.
How Uber and Lyft Insurance Works
In motor vehicle accidents involving privately owned vehicles not used for paying passengers, the injured party typically collects a settlement from the at-fault individual’s insurance. For Uber or Lyft accidents, more than one insurance company may be involved.
Rideshare companies structure their insurance systems similarly.
- When drivers are not active, the rideshare app is off, and the driver’s own insurance covers them.
- When the app is on and drivers await a fare, the rideshare company provides third-party coverage if the driver’s personal insurance does not apply. Typical coverage amounts are $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
- When drivers are en route to a pickup or have passengers in the car, the rideshare company’s insurance provides first- and third-party coverage. Coverage amounts are higher for accidents under these circumstances.
Potential Fault Holders
With any motor vehicle accident case, identifying the at-fault party is a crucial first step. Collecting a settlement can only occur if you can prove the at-fault party’s negligent actions caused the accident leading to your injuries.
There are a variety of possible at-fault parties in a motor vehicle accident, and your attorney will investigate the situation to make the proper identification. Those potentially at fault include:
The Uber or Lyft Driver
Drivers who operate their vehicles recklessly, distractedly, while under the influence, or in any other unsafe capacity have failed to fulfill their “duty of care” to passengers and others on the road. This duty of care is shared by all drivers and requires compliance with all traffic and vehicle operation laws, avoidance of unsafe behaviors, and proactivity in taking measures to promote the safety of all who share the roads.
Rideshare drivers are held to a higher standard regarding driving under the influence. While most states consider a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) as the legal limit for adult drivers, the limit for drivers of vehicles transporting paying passengers is .04%.
The Other Vehicle’s Driver
Sometimes, other drivers breach their duty of care and cause a collision with the rideshare vehicle.
Government Entities
When a broken traffic signal, poor road maintenance, or inadequate street lighting causes an accident, the government entities overseeing those areas may be culpable. It is important to note that the time limit, rules, and process for filing a claim against the government are different from those applying to claims against private individuals or companies.
Ways a South Carolina Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney Will Help Your Case
Having an Uber and Lyft accident lawyer in South Carolina fighting for your interests will make a positive difference in the outcome of your case and your stress level while the case progresses. Instead of attempting to decipher complex laws and insurance policies, you can focus on recovery and leave those important tasks in your attorney’s hands. Your attorney will:
- Examine the circumstances of your accident and identify the party at fault
- Collect evidence to prove the at-fault party’s negligence
- File your claim within the statute of limitations and prepare and submit any additional legal paperwork
- Value your case to ensure your needs are met and your losses are covered. Medical costs, income loss, emotional and physical suffering, property damage, and your reduced quality of life will all factor into your settlement demand.
- Negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance companies and other representatives. It is easy to say the “wrong thing” accidentally or be manipulated into accepting a low settlement by unethical insurance adjusters – when your attorney handles these negotiations, you do not have to worry about making those mistakes.
- Present you with all of your options if the at-fault party refuses to offer a fair settlement. If you go to court, your attorney will provide you with superior representation in all proceedings.
Your Recovery Starts with a Free Consultation
Reach out to the Shelly Leeke law firm to schedule a free consultation today. The sooner you partner with a skilled, compassionate Uber and Lyft accident attorney in South Carolina, the sooner you will experience peace of mind and see financial recovery. You can trust your lawyer to give your case the customized attention it needs so you can receive the settlement you deserve.
