Rideshares services are an easy way to get around town. They are advertised as a safer option to reduce accidents in New Orleans, Louisiana, but often times they come with costly consequences. Passengers that use these rideshare services often need an Uber accident lawyer in New Orleans, Louisiana.
There are many reasons that passengers need legal help, and it is often the fault of an Uber or Lyft driver that is:
- Young or inexperienced
- Tired from their day job and can not pay attention to the road
- In a hurry to pick up their next customer
- Distracted by their cell phone or GPS and fail to see dangers present on roadways
All of these situations happen in New Orleans, Louisiana, especially in its populated areas. Rideshare companies are growing in popularity rapidly, and the number of accidents they are involved in is growing too. There is an immense need for Uber accident lawyers in New Orleans, Louisiana, as a result.
While legislation was in an attempt to regulate these rideshare services in Louisiana, it never made it past the Senate. The Senate decided that rideshare companies would not follow laws that were different than taxicab drivers and the bill died as a result.
This legislation would have regulated driver applications, required background checks for drivers, and incorporated trip record requirements. A standard fee of up to 1 percent per ride would have been enacted as well. But, because the bill did not move forward, New Orleans, Louisiana, continues without rules in place to regulate companies like Uber and Lyft.
Without regulation protecting passengers, New Orleans, Louisiana, residents that are injured or sustain property damages in a rideshare accident, need the help of an Uber accident lawyer. An Uber accident lawyer can file for compensation with these ridesharing companies and fight the complex claim systems they have in place.
Louisiana Injury Lawyers will represent Lyft and Uber accident victims. They know how to fight these large ridesharing companies. Often times, claimants end up frustrated with an injury or property damage claim against Uber or Lyft. These companies promote hefty insurance policies, and victims believe that receiving compensation is easy.
The Challenges of Cases Against Rideshare Companies and the Need for a Knowledgeable Lyft and Uber Accident Lawyer in New Orleans, Louisiana
These rideshare companies often deny any wrongdoing for an accident that was caused by their drivers. This can make it even more challenging for the best of New Orleans, Louisiana, Uber accident lawyers. The easiest way to understand the complexities of these cases is to look at the relationship Uber, and Lyft has with their drivers and their insurance coverage.
The relationship of Lyft and Uber with its drivers is difficult to get your head around. The drivers are not actual employees of these ridesharing companies but independent contractors for these services. For this reason, it is difficult to place liability with these ridesharing companies for the actions of their drivers.
When an accident does occur with a Lyft or Uber driver, the circumstances of the crash are crucial to the case. It is all dependent on driver’s status with the company and what their available coverage is at the time. In addition, the experience and skill set of the Uber and Lyft accident attorney can also make a difference in the settlement amount and if you win your case.
Both Lyft and Uber require that their drivers carry a minimum liability insurance policy that is required in each state to cover an accident. While both of these ridesharing companies offer additional insurance coverage for their drivers, it depends on the driver’s status at the time of the accident whether it will kick in during an accident. There are four statuses of a Lyft or Uber driver, and your New Orleans, Louisiana, Uber accident lawyer will help you determine what status your driver was in at the time of the accident. The four driver statuses are:
Unavailable for Rides
The unavailable for rides status means that the drivers Lyft or Uber app has been turned off and there are not accepting fares. When an accident occurs during this status, the only coverage provided is the driver’s own liability policy, which is often at the state minimum. In New Orleans, Louisiana, this would mean that the driver has $15,000 per person coverage, $30,000 per event for bodily injury, and $25,000 per event for property damage coverage.
The New Orleans, Louisiana, Uber accident lawyer that takes your case will only be able to file a compensation claim with the insurance company of the driver and not Uber or Lyft themselves. You can file a civil suit against the driver just like if you were involved in another car accident.
Available for Rides
When a driver is in available for rides status, this means that they have their app turned on but have not accepted a ride. When an accident happens in this status, the driver is still responsible for the liability of the crash with total coverage coming from their own personal insurance policy.
If you have an experienced Lyft or Uber accident lawyer in New Orleans, Louisiana, working on your case, they may be able to receive additional compensation for the rideshare companies between trip coverage. For this to happen, your accident damages need to have exceeded the total driver’s insurance coverage, and your Uber accident lawyer will have to file for compensation against this claim.
Your Uber accident lawyer in New Orleans, Louisiana, has a right to file a claim against the driver’s insurance company or sue them in a civil suit. They then can go after the rideshare company’s insurance policy for the remaining balance of your damages.
Ride Accepted and In Route to Pick Up Passenger
When an Uber or Lyft driver has accepted a ride and is in route to pick up their passenger they are covered by these rideshare companies insurance policies but not to the extent that you would think. These policies only extend to the third party in the accident, covering the driver’s liability and not the driver themselves. Your New Orleans, Louisiana, Lyft and Uber accident lawyer will work to prove that the rideshare driver had accepted a ride and was driving to meet the passenger, which is often a challenge in a case.
Driving With Passengers
When a rideshare driver as passengers in their vehicle goes to a destination and, an accident occurs, Uber or Lyft’s company insurance policy covers the damages. Not only does this include the injuries and property damage of the driver’s but it also covers their passengers. If you have been in an accident as a third party, it would also cover you. In addition, it covers, pedestrians, bicyclists, or passengers in another car at the time of the accident.
Remember any information that you can gather during an accident with a Lyft or Uber driver that was actively using the rideshare company app to pick up a passenger or with passengers aboard will be helpful in your case. A Lyft and Uber accident lawyer in New Orleans, Louisiana, can seek damage claims for these rideshare companies from the following insurance policy coverage.
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Liability:
With liability coverage, the rideshare company’s commercial insurance policy covers any wrongdoing by the driver. This coverage starts from the moment that they start or accept the rideshare to the instant the transaction is over. This policy covers rideshare passengers as well as third-party accidents when an Uber or Lyft driver is at fault. Uber and Lyft each have up to $1 million liability insurance policy coverage per incident.
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Uninsured/Underinsured Driver and Bodily Injury:
These policies are in place to cover an uninsured or underinsured driver or a hit and run accident. This policy would pay for injuries that occurred to passengers in an accident when the driver’s policy is under the state requirement or not present at all.
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Between Trip Policies:
These policies cover the instances when a rideshare driver’s personal vehicle insurance does not offer between trip coverage. The policy would cover driver liability up to $50,000 per person and bodily injuries up to $100,000 per event as well as $25,000 in property damages.
While you may think that receiving compensation after an accident from an Uber or Lyft driver may be easy to obtain, it is not. These rideshare companies’ insurance carriers will work to pay you the lowest settlement possible or avoid paying you compensation altogether. They use excuses such as that their drivers are independent contractors or that they are not responsible for their passengers. This is not the truth, and you do deserve compensation.
A Lyft or Uber accident Lawyer in New Orleans, Louisiana, knows how to fight these claims. They can prove the negligence of a rideshare drive by looking at their previous driving record. They can show how Uber and Lyft put passengers in danger by hiring a driver with a poor record. Also they can establish a case that proves that a driver did not have the proper insurance coverage or they there were driving a different vehicle at the time of the accident.
Investigating Your Injuries
With a Lyft and Uber accident lawyer in New Orleans, Louisiana, you can win your case against these rideshare companies. Your attorney will investigate your injury and property damage claims against these drivers and fight for compensation.
While your Lyft or Uber driver may have been negligent for your accident, your actions at the time of the crash are also key to winning your case. What you say and do can be used against you, so it is important that you understand your legal rights as well as those of the driver and Lyft and Uber.
The circumstances of a Lyft or Uber accident can be particularly stressing, and this can cost your case if you are not careful. Your actions could reduce your total settlement award, making it difficult for your New Orleans, Louisiana, Uber accident lawyer to get your fair compensation for your injuries and property damages. Think about these mistakes that many other passengers have made when dealing with an Uber or Lyft accident.
Steps to Take After Rideshare Accident When Your Lyft and Uber Accident Lawyer is Not Present
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Get medical treatment
Always get medical treatment after a rideshare accident. You may not realize how severe your injuries really are at the time of the accident. Many people refuse medical treatment and regret this later. But small injuries can develop into serious complications without quick medical treatment. Plus, seeking medical treatment immediately can help your case and prevent any liability for your injuries of your own.
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Report the accident
Be sure to report the accident to the authorities. Without a proper accident report from the police, it is difficult to prove who caused the accident. The report will help you connect Lyft and Uber to your accident where you are the victim. Plus, these accident reports are often required by insurance companies and will help prove negligence by an Uber or Lyft driver in your case.
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Contact a Lyft and Uber accident lawyer
You do need a Lyft and Uber accident lawyer in New Orleans, Louisiana. They can fight the complex claim system these rideshare companies have in place. Without a Lyft and Uber accident lawyer on your side, you could compromise your case. Anything you say will be used against you and without an attorney to help, you could wind up affecting your total settlement award.
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Exchange information
It is your responsibility to get all the information after a Lyft or Uber accident. This means that you need to gather the names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance provider, policy number, driver’s license number, vehicle make and model, and any other details that would be pertinent to your case. Without this information, it will be a challenge trying to identify the driver in your accident case. Write down all the details and contact your Lyft and Uber accident lawyer about your case.
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Take photos
Be sure to take photos of the accident as this will be helpful in proving the events of the crash. Photograph the vehicles as well as the surrounding area. Be sure to include anything and everything that may have contributed to the accident. Look at the speed limit, how the vehicles impacted and any signs of fluid leaks or skid marks. Identify your driver and the condition they are in; this could prove valuable as you move forward with your case.
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Talk to witnesses
Having witnesses that saw the events of the accident can be beneficial to a rideshare crash case. These witnesses can back up your version of the accident and help to prove negligence of a rideshare driver. Always talk to anyone that is at the scene of the accident at the time of the crash and find out what they saw. Get their contact information as they can prove to be valuable witnesses if your case needs to go to court. Your Lyft and Uber accident lawyer in New Orleans, Louisiana, will help you to contact these witnesses and provide you with the testimony you need to win your rideshare accident case.
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Don’t accept blame
While it can be easy to instantly apologize for an accident even if it wasn’t your fault, but it is best if you say nothing about the crash. Your words and actions can be taken out of context and used against you in court. Admitting blame for an accident can put you at fault and cost you a precious amount of your total settlement award. If the exchange with your Uber or Lyft driver gets heated, step aside and wait for the police to arrive. It is better to remove yourself from the situation than say something that you will later regret.
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Don’t agree to a lowball settlement
After a rideshare accident, Lyft or Uber’s insurance company may offer you a settlement quickly. These lowball offers will not cover your damages after an accident and are an attempt to get you to settle quickly. You should never accept a settlement offer from an insurance company without first talking to your New Orleans, Louisiana, Uber accident lawyer. They can determine if you are receiving a fair settlement offer and whether or not you should accept it. Your Lyft and Uber accident lawyer can negotiate on your behalf with an insurance company. They will not give in to the pressure of these companies and will fight to get you fair compensation.
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Don’t wait to speak to your Lyft and Uber accident lawyer
It is imperative that you speak to your Lyft and Uber accident lawyer in New Orleans, Louisiana, as soon as possible about your case. They can determine where you can receive compensation from your rideshare accident and will fight for this settlement from the right party. Waiting to file your rideshare accident case could mean dismissal if you do not file within the deadline of the state. These cases most often do not receive a settlement award as the judge will dismiss them before they go before a jury. Let your Lyft and Uber accident lawyer fight for your legal rights against a rideshare company and get you the compensation you deserve. They are there to support you and work for your compensation.
Speak to a Lyft and Uber Accident Lawyer Today to Receive Compensation for Your New Orleans, Louisiana, Rideshare Accident Case
When you are involved in an accident that is the fault of a rideshare driver, you need to speak with a Lyft and Uber accident lawyer in New Orleans, Louisiana, immediately about your case. Your Lyft and Uber accident lawyer can help you determine what your legal rights are as a passenger or third party. They can calculate your total compensation and help you file your injury and property damage claims. They will manage your case and provide you with the legal guidance you need to seek compensation from a rideshare company.
When you are looking for a Lyft and Uber accident lawyer, you need to contact Louisiana Injury Lawyers in New Orleans, Louisiana. They will fight to win your case and get you the fair compensation you deserve for your injuries and property damages. The Lyft and Uber attorneys at Louisiana Injury Lawyers work for you, and they will help answer all your legal questions about your case.
Contact Louisiana Injury Lawyers now to schedule your consultation. They can help you receive the settlement you deserve after a Lyft or Uber accident has injured you or damaged your property. They are ready to assist you now. Do not delay your compensation any longer. Call us today.
