In an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, you need an injury lawyer to protect your rights and seek compensation. The insurance process is complex when dealing with rideshare companies, and it is challenging for victims to get an answer from the at-fault party representatives. After an accident, you need to speak with a Beaufort car accident lawyer. Our Beaufort personal injury lawyers are ready to help you get the compensation you deserve after an Uber or Lyft accident.
Requirements for Uber and Lyft Drivers
Rideshare companies have minimum requirements for their drivers, including they must be 25 years old. Drivers must have a valid driver’s license, with Uber requiring at least one year of experience.
Both companies require proof of auto insurance, driver profile photos, vehicle registration, and a vehicle inspection report. They will also check the person’s driving history. Lastly, drivers will undergo a criminal background check.
South Carolina has taken additional steps for rideshare drivers to keep the public safe. In South Carolina, drivers must have their license plates on the front of their vehicles. They also make it illegal for anyone to pose as a rideshare driver.
Uber and Lyft Insurance Policies
The most significant complication with Uber and Lyft accidents is their insurance coverage. Both companies carry insurance policies with high limits. The insurance policy will protect drivers and passengers during an accident.
However, accessing these insurance policies is difficult. They both have the same limits for accidents when the app is on and the driver is working. Coverage limits are:
- $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
- $50,000 bodily injury per person
- $25,000 for property damage
Drivers also have personal insurance policies. When either policy does not cover your accident, there are third-party policies that could apply.
Uber and Lyft provide $1 million in third-party liability. One difference is how each company addresses comprehensive and collision coverage. Uber has a deductible of $1,000, and Lyft has a $2,500 deductible.
The Status of the Driver
Rideshare companies offer insurance policies but have agreements for the driver’s status and how the policy applies. When the driver is not logged into the network and is in an accident, their personal policy will apply to accident losses. When the driver is logged in without a passenger in tow or any pending requests, policies will cover excess coverage for what the driver’s policy does not cover.
Lastly, the rideshare policy applies if the rideshare driver is picking up, dropping off, or transporting a passenger. While it seems straightforward, rideshare companies will fight to avoid payment. Uber and Lyft often try to pin full responsibility on the rideshare driver directly so they do not have to take any responsibility.
Common Carrier Laws
Another complication in rideshare accidents is common carrier laws that apply to taxis and other public transportation. Common carriers address the rideshare company’s duty to the passenger being transported from one location to another. When the rideshare company cannot fulfill its duties, they are responsible for injuries and damages.
Ridesehsre can fit into this category and, therefore, will have a higher duty of care.
Injuries in Rideshare Collisions
Like other car accidents in Beaufort, you can suffer minor or severe injuries. The cause of the accident and other reckless actions can contribute to the severity of your injuries. People can suffer these and other injuries after a rideshare accident:
- Fractures
- Paralysis
- Traumatic brain injury
- Sprains
- Muscle strains
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Neck injuries
When you suffer an injury, South Carolina gives victims three years to start a legal claim against the defendant. The statute is the same for wrongful death claims. It begins the day of the accident and cannot be extended. Wrongful death claims start on the death date.
Liability for Uber and Lyft Accidents
Liability in rideshare accidents is very complex, especially with the different statuses of the driver. Your Uber and Lyft accident lawyers must review the evidence to prove the rideshare company is liable for the accident. The more evidence they can collect and provide for your case, the better chance you have.
Your success can be contingent on the evidence you can provide. Negligence can fall onto several parties, including:
- Driver
- Rideshare company
- Another driver
- Local government
- Third-party
Proving Liability in a Rideshare Accident
Proving liability using the evidence you have is essential to your case, and you should understand what Beaufort Uber and Lyft accident lawyers will look for and present when seeking a settlement. Shelly Leeke Law Firm will:
- Identity who was in the collision
- Determine liability
- Decipher which insurance policy applies to your claim
- estimate your compensation based on losses
- Speaking to relevant parties on your behalf
- Negotiate with the insurance companies
- Staying within all applicable deadlines
- Advise you on your legal options
Damages You Can Seek
You can seek damages for all the losses you have suffered. Working with an Uber and Lyft accident attorney in Beaufort can help determine what damages apply to your case. Examples that typically apply include:
- Property damage
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment
- Emotional distress
After a rideshare accident, you will have many losses, and they aren’t all listed here. You need an individual approach to calculate your damages. Occupants of the rideshare can seek damages, but they are not the only injury victims.
Other drivers, pedestrians, occupants in other vehicles, and many others can suffer injuries and seek damages.
Call Shelly Leeke Law Firm Today
The legal process for Uber and Lyft accidents is complex, with these companies having teams of attorneys fighting claims. When you sign up for our law firm, we will investigate your claim and fight for compensation.
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm team can review your cases and determine if you are eligible to seek damages. We will give you further information on the next steps if we deem your case viable. Call to speak to our Uber and Lyft accident lawyer in Beaufort, SC, today.
