Ridesharing Accidents
Battle-Tested Advocacy for the Injured
Lyft and Uber Accident Lawyers in South Louisiana
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have changed the face of metropolitan transport as we know it. There’s no need to memorize taxi numbers or worry about paying ridiculous fares. With Uber and Lyft, members of the community can be paid to drive people all over the city. Whether you’re trying to get to work after car trouble or you need a safe and reliable way home after a night of fun, a rideshare service can help you out. Unfortunately, these drivers are still humans who can make mistakes. Car accidents can happen to a rideshare service as easily as any other vehicle. In fact, rideshare services are associated with a 3% increase in fatal accidents.
If you or a loved one has sustained injuries during a rideshare accident, it’s important to contact an experienced Baton Rouge rideshare accident attorney as soon as possible. At Joubert Law Firm, we know the extreme impact that car accident injuries can have on victims. Our Baton Rouge personal injury lawyers have the extensive experience needed to fight aggressively for the compensation you deserve. We fight for successful results, so we don’t get paid unless we recover compensation for you. What’s more, we only handle personal injury cases and have been fighting for our clients for more than 25 years, so you can trust that we have the knowledge and experience to fight for you. Contact the rideshare accident attorneys at Joubert Law Firm for a free consultation at (225) 777-8853.
What is Ridesharing?
Ridesharing is a relatively recent feature that’s available in most U.S. cities. Ridesharing allows people to request a ride from their phones. It’s like a taxi service, but you don’t have to hail a cab from the street. Ridesharing has become very popular in the United States because it allows people to use their personal vehicles to pick up and drop people off. Customers use rideshares for everything from grocery shopping to doctor appointments.
The two biggest rideshare services are Uber and Lyft. They both have been around for roughly the same amount of time (2009 and 2012) and they both have requirements for their drivers.
Uber
To be an Uber driver, you have to have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Drivers also have to pass a driving screening and background check. Drivers have to meet the minimum age to drive and have at least one year of driving experience (or three years if the driver is under 25).
An Uber driver uses their personal vehicle, so that has to meet requirements as well. The vehicle has to be 15 years old or newer, have four doors, have no cosmetic damage, and pass a vehicle inspection.
Lyft
To be a Lyft driver, drivers have to pass a driving screening that looks at their driving history. Drivers also undergo a criminal background check, must be at least 25, and possess a valid driver’s license.
Lyft drivers also use personal vehicles. Their vehicle has to be newer than 2011, have four doors, 5-8 passenger seats, and it cannot be a taxi.
Other
Big cities often have competing rideshare companies, but in Baton Rouge, other rideshare companies aren’t as popular as Uber or Lyft. In Baton Rouge, taxi companies can be an option besides Uber or Lyft. Unlike these rideshare companies, a taxi driver is an employee of the taxi company and drives a taxi cab.
How Often Do Ridesharing Accidents Occur?
As previously mentioned, rideshare services are associated with a 3% increase in fatal accidents since 2011. This is nearly 1,000 more fatal accidents per day. Researchers discovered a pattern after the launch of these rideshare services: each city saw increased accident rates, fuel consumption, and miles traveled. Uber and Lyft cannot be blamed directly for these increases, but there was a correlation.
Causes of Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare accidents and car accidents can have the same causes, but there are different risks associated with rideshare drivers. Common causes of car accidents involving ridesharing vehicles include:
Distracted driving. Uber and Lyft drivers rely on their phones for directions, accepting payment, and accepting new passengers. This means that a rideshare driver is more likely to be distracted than a regular driver.
Driver fatigue. Driving while tired can have the same effect as driving while drunk. Reaction times are slower, maintaining focus is more difficult, and it’s harder to judge the speed and distance of other vehicles. Most ridesharing drivers are doing the job for extra income, which means they already work one or more additional jobs. They may also be working unusual hours, which increases the chances of being fatigued.
Inexperience. Unlike other commercial vehicles, rideshare services don’t give any extra training to their drivers.
Negligent behavior. Like any regular car accident, Uber and Lyft accidents can be caused by driver negligence. Reckless or impaired driving and poor vehicle maintenance can all be the cause of an accident.
Common Uber or Lyft Accident Injuries
Being a passenger in a rideshare vehicle can result in serious injuries. Like motor vehicle accidents, rideshare accidents can cause injuries such as:
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident involving a ridesharing driver, contact an experienced Uber accident lawyer from the Joubert Law Firm today. We provide a free consultation for every case, so call us today at (225) 777-8853.
Any kind of car accident can be disorienting and scary. An accident involving an Uber and Lyft follows the same process as most car accidents when it comes to steps to take following the accident. Accident victims should:
Call 911. Emergency operators can dispatch a police unit and any necessary medical team to your location. Police can make a report of the incident and get statements from everyone involved in the Lyft or Uber accident.
Obtain Medical Care. Seek medical treatment as soon as possible after the accident. Shock and adrenaline can hide or delay symptoms of injuries, so be sure to get checked out even if you don’t feel any immediate pain.
Gather Information. Get the name and contact information of everyone involved in the accident. Get a copy of the police report as well.
Call the Uber Accident Attorneys at Joubert Law Firm. When you contact Joubert Law Firm for a free case evaluation, we can advise you on the next steps moving forward.
Who is Liable in a Ridesharing Accident?
Uber and Lyft both have rules for when an accident claim can be filed through the rideshare insurance policy or the driver’s own insurance company. In most of these car accident cases, if the Lyft or Uber app is on and the driver is currently transporting a customer, en route to a customer, or waiting on customer requests, the accident claim can be filed through the rideshare insurance.
Uber and Lyft both have liability insurance for their drivers, but they do everything they can to avoid paying a claim. After an Uber accident or Lyft accident that involves driver negligence, the rideshare company may claim that their drivers are independent contractors. This means that they can refuse an Uber or Lyft accident claim and make the driver fully responsible for the auto accident. Part of the requirements for being a rideshare driver includes having personal auto insurance, so you can try to file a claim through the driver’s personal insurance policy, but if the driver’s insurance doesn’t have enough coverage to cover your injuries, you may be caught in a tricky situation.
Lyft and Uber are relatively recent services, which means that there aren’t many laws or regulations over them. As such, the legal process may be difficult to navigate, which is why you need a competent Uber accident attorney from Joubert Law Firm. We will fight aggressively for the compensation that you are legally entitled to.
Rideshare Accident Lawsuit
The rideshare company’s insurance adjuster may try to offer you a settlement outside of court to avoid a personal injury lawsuit, but they will not offer you fair compensation for the extent of your injuries. If you have injuries from a car accident, insurance companies will rely on you being unfamiliar with the legal process or your recovery being incomplete. If you are not completely healed, you have no idea the true cost of your medical expenses, which is why you should never accept a settlement or even talk to an insurance company without legal representation.
With the experience of a Baton Rouge car accident lawyer, you can have a fair chance at recovering compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and much more.
When Should I Get A Lyft/Uber Accident Attorney?
If you were a passenger in a rideshare vehicle during an accident, you can pursue compensation from the at-fault party. So, if your Uber or Lyft driver was negligent, you have every right to pursue legal action against them. If you choose to pursue a claim after being injured in an accident, it is in your best interest to retain the help of a local rideshare accident attorney.
At Joubert Law Firm, we understand that financial recovery is more than just lost wages and medical bills. We will investigate your case and make sure all potential avenues for compensation are being pursued. In previous cases, our qualified Baton Rouge motor vehicle accident attorneys have won multi-million dollar settlements for injured victims. We can answer all your questions about your personal injury claim.
Why You Need a Louisiana Rideshare Accident Lawyer from Joubert Law Firm
At Joubert Law Firm, our South Louisiana personal injury attorneys know how accident victims can suffer at the hands of others. In many cases, the settlement from the rideshare driver’s personal insurance company or the rideshare insurance coverage will not begin to cover the damage you sustained during a rideshare auto accident. However, your focus should be on recovering from the trauma of your accident, not fighting for your losses.
No matter how the accident occurred, you can trust the Joubert Law Firm to fight for the maximum compensation for your personal injury case. Contact a skilled Baton Rouge Uber accident lawyer at Joubert today! You can reach us by calling (225) 777-8853 or via our online intake form.
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