It’s now easier than ever to get a ride. In the past, taxi services were often unreliable or even unavailable, depending on where you lived. Today, you can easily get a ride with just a smartphone and an app.
However, apps like Uber and Lyft offer convenience but don’t always guarantee safety. These companies manage millions of rides annually, yet their drivers receive no special training and use their vehicles.
When a rideshare driver causes an accident, determining who is responsible for your losses can be complicated.
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of injury victims. Our team has extensive experience resolving the common insurance issues in these cases.
To learn more or to speak with a Greenville personal injury lawyer, call us to schedule a free consultation with a member of our legal team.
How Our Greenville Rideshare Accident Law Firm Can Help?
Any type of car accident can lead to complex, confusing legal issues. Determining who compensates your losses can be even more challenging when the at-fault driver works for Uber or Lyft.
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we are committed to fighting for your right to full compensation.
We understand how difficult the weeks and months following a motor vehicle accident can be. You may be struggling to overcome injuries, dealing with emotional trauma, and worrying about finances.
Our goal is to make filing an insurance claim as straightforward and stress-free as possible for our clients.
Here’s how we can help:
- Free Initial Consultations: We offer free consultations to discuss your case and explain your legal options.
- No Fees Unless We Win: You won’t pay any fees unless we successfully recover your money.
- Expert Legal Representation: Our experienced attorneys will handle all aspects of your claim, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies so that you can focus on your recovery.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment with a Greenville rideshare accident attorney, call us for all your legal needs.
What Compensation Can You Expect From Our Greenville Rideshare Accident Law Firm?
If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident in Greenville, you may be entitled to various types of compensation. Victims can collect compensation through the rideshare company’s insurance, the at-fault driver’s insurance, or by pursuing damages in a lawsuit.
Expenses that should be compensated in a rideshare accident settlement include:
- Medical Expenses: Costs for hospital visits, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and other medical treatments.
- Lost Income: Compensation for wages lost due to missed work while recovering from injuries.
- Reduced Income-Earning Ability: If your injuries impact your ability to earn income in the future, you may be entitled to compensation.
- Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages for physical pain and emotional trauma resulting from the accident.
- Disfigurement: Compensation for permanent scarring or disfigurement caused by the accident.
- Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace damaged property, such as your vehicle.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence, you may be awarded punitive damages to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior.
The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm can help you secure maximum compensation after a car crash. Contact our personal injury firm right away for assistance.
What Are Some Causes of Rideshare Accidents In Greenville, SC?
A rideshare accident in Greenville, SC, can happen for various reasons. Due to the high traffic volume and ongoing construction in the area, drivers must exercise extra caution to avoid accidents.
If you’ve been involved in a Lyft accident, a knowledgeable lawyer from our firm can help identify the cause of the incident and guide you on the best path to seek compensation.
Here are some common causes of rideshare accidents:
- Driver Fatigue: Operating the vehicle while tired can significantly impair judgment and reaction times.
- Intoxicated Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a major cause of accidents.
- Inadequate Training: Mistakes can occur if drivers lack proper training or experience.
- Reckless Driving: Aggressive behaviors like tailgating and speeding increase the risk of accidents.
- Distractions: Using cell phones or conversing with passengers can divert attention from the road.
- Adverse Weather Conditions: Heavy rain, fog, and night driving can create hazardous conditions.
- Third-Party Negligence: Accidents can result from another vehicle’s reckless or distracted driving.
- Traffic Violations: Failing to obey traffic signals or yield the right of way can lead to collisions.
- Vehicle Maintenance Issues: Poorly maintained vehicles can malfunction, causing accidents.
Knowing these factors can help identify the liable parties and seek the rightful compensation for damages or injuries.
What Damages Available in a Lyft or Uber Accident Claim?
If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, such as with Uber or Lyft, you may be entitled to several types of damages (compensation) in a claim or lawsuit.
Potential damages include:
- Medical Bills: Compensation is typically available from the at-fault driver’s insurance company to cover treatment expenses. These include hospital visits, ambulance rides, doctor’s appointments, surgeries, physical therapy, medications, and home care costs.
- Lost Wages: You may also be able to recover compensation for lost wages if you are forced to take time off work during your treatment.
- Loss of Future Income: If the accident is so severe that you cannot return to your previous work, you may qualify for compensation to compensate for your future earnings loss.
- Pain and Suffering: These non-economic damages include compensation for emotional trauma, loss of consortium (companionship or sexual relations with a loved one), permanent scarring or disfigurement, and more.
- Punitive Damages: In rare cases, a jury may award these damages to punish the at-fault party and discourage similar behavior in the future. Punitive damages are only available in cases where the defendant is proven to have engaged in gross negligence.
Who Is Liable in a Greenville Rideshare Accident?
Ridesharing car accident cases can be quite complex, as multiple parties could be liable for the collision. Understanding who is responsible is essential for pursuing compensation.
- The Rideshare Driver: If the driver is an independent contractor and engages in reckless or distracted driving, they could be held personally responsible for the accident.
- The Rideshare Company: You may be able to pursue compensation from the rideshare company if they fail to properly vet or train their drivers. Additionally, the company could be held liable if the accident was caused by improper maintenance or a defect in the rideshare vehicle.
- Third-Party Driver: A third-party driver may sometimes be responsible for the crash. If this is the case, you could recover damages from the third party’s insurance coverage or sue them for negligence.
Contact our personal injury lawyer to understand your legal rights as a rideshare passenger injured in an auto accident. Our attorney can investigate the incident, determine who was at fault, and negotiate fair terms under the at-fault driver’s insurance policy.
How to Prove That the Uber or Lyft Rideshare Driver Is Liable?
A rideshare driver is not automatically responsible for injuries resulting from an accident. The party that must pay damages is the one whose negligence caused the collision.
According to the American Bar Association, proving liability involves demonstrating all four of these elements:
- Duty of Care: The defendant must have owed you a duty of care. Every driver on public roads should operate their vehicle safely and obey traffic laws.
- Breach of Duty: Negligence occurs when a person’s conduct fails to meet the legal standard of care. For example, if an Uber driver drinks alcohol before picking up passengers and exceeds the legal blood alcohol limit, this violates their duty of care by driving under the influence.
- Causation: The negligent act must have caused or contributed to the collision. If the Uber driver’s intoxication slowed their reflexes and reaction time, causing them to run a red light and crash into another car, their negligent behavior directly caused the accident.
- Quantifiable Damages: The plaintiff must have measurable losses, such as physical injuries, to satisfy this element of liability.
You can hold the Uber driver responsible for the damages incurred by proving these four elements.
Suppose you find yourself in such a situation. In that case, it is mandatory to consult with a personal injury attorney who can investigate the incident, gather evidence, and build a strong case to prove liability and secure the compensation you deserve.
What Evidence to Gather in Rideshare Accident Case?
If you’re involved in an accident while traveling in an Uber or Lyft in Greenville, gathering the necessary documentation is crucial before leaving the scene. This information will help ensure you can contact the individuals and companies responsible for your claim.
- Police Report: The reporting officer’s notes and observations are compiled into an official crash report, which is essential for your case.
- Personal Information: Request the name, address, phone number, and insurance information from all parties involved, especially the at-fault party. Additionally, get the name, badge number, and agency of the officer taking the report.
- Witness Information: Collect personal information from witnesses willing to testify about what they saw during the accident. Their statements can be crucial to your case.
- Visual Documentation: Take pictures of the vehicles involved in the accident. While you may not seek compensation for automobile damages, these images can demonstrate the accident’s severity to the insurance company.
Gathering this documentation can ensure you have all the necessary information to support your claim and seek appropriate compensation for your injuries and losses.
Do Uber Drivers in Greenville Carry Insurance?
In South Carolina, Uber drivers are typically considered employees of the rideshare company. This means Uber is responsible for providing insurance coverage for its drivers, but only when the driver is on duty.
If a driver is not on duty during the accident, they must rely on their insurance to cover any injuries or damages resulting from the incident. Like all motor vehicle operators, Uber drivers must carry the appropriate insurance for the state of South Carolina.
If you are involved in an accident with an Uber driver, contacting an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible is important. Our knowledgeable lawyer understands the laws related to rideshare accidents and can work on your behalf to secure the best possible settlement to cover your injuries and damages.
Attempting to negotiate with an insurance company on your own can be challenging, and having an experienced attorney will ensure your rights are protected.
Contact Our Experienced Greenville Accident Lawyer for Assistance!
If you’ve been injured in an Uber accident, it’s important to have an advocate who understands the legal landscape and can fight for your rights. At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we represent clients involved in Uber and Lyft accidents.
Our experienced Greenville accident lawyers are well-versed in your state’s specific laws regarding accidents and compensation. We employ our extensive resources to thoroughly investigate your case and effectively negotiate with insurance companies, ensuring that your medical bills and other expenses are properly addressed.
Attempting to challenge a major insurance company on your own can be overwhelming. Instead, let us handle the legal complexities while you focus on your recovery.
To discuss the details of your case and have all your questions answered, contact the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm at (864) 664-3865 today. Let us take on your fight and advocate for the compensation you deserve.
FAQs:
- What should you do immediately after being involved in a rideshare accident in Greenville?
Immediately following a rideshare accident, ensure your safety and the safety of others. Call 911 if there are any injuries. Document the scene by taking photos of the vehicles, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries. Exchange contact and insurance information with all parties involved and collect contact information from witnesses. It’s also recommended that the rideshare company be notified through their app.
- How is liability determined in a rideshare accident in Greenville?
Determining liability in a rideshare accident involves investigating the circumstances of the crash, including driver negligence, vehicle conditions, and adherence to traffic laws. In some cases, the rideshare company may also be liable, depending on the driver’s status (active ride or waiting for a passenger) at the time of the accident.
- What compensation can you claim if you’re injured in a rideshare accident?
Compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. If the injury results in permanent disability or disfigurement, additional damages may be claimed. It’s important to discuss your specific situation with a rideshare accident lawyer to understand all potential claims.
