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Ridesharing companies can provide a dependable way to get a safe ride for those seeking transportation throughout the Washington, DC metro area. Unfortunately, ridesharing programs do come with the risk. If you get into a ridesharing accident as either a passenger or another driver, who is responsible for your injuries? And will the ridesharing company be paying your medical bills?
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While Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare apps can be convenient and safe transportation options, there are risks when using a ridesharing company. A recent study reported by the University of Chicago and Rice University shows that US traffic deaths have increased sharply with ridesharing services. The study proposes that the increase may be caused by Uber drivers working when they are distracted or fatigued. People often work as rideshare drivers in addition to a full-time job so they can earn extra money. Because many of these drivers are on the road after a full day of work elsewhere, they are often driving while tired, increasing the number of rideshare car accidents.
Just like Uber and Lyft passengers use the rideshare apps to find a ride, the drivers use the apps to find new passengers. Because the first driver to accept a request usually gets the ride, drivers must act quickly. This means that drivers of rideshare companies are checking their phones while driving to make sure they have a passenger lined up. This leads to distracted driving and rideshare accidents.
If you were involved in a ridesharing accident as either a passenger, another motorist, or as a Uber or Lyft driver, you will need an experienced Washington, DC ridesharing accident lawyer to help you through the claims process. Regan Zambri Long will negotiate with the insurance company and the ridesharing company to make sure you get the compensation you deserve following a car accident.
Uber and Lyft offer a $1 million third-party liability policy to those involved in a crash with one of their drivers. Although this sounds like a lot of money, if you suffer catastrophic injuries, your expenses for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses may be a lot more than $1 million. In addition, both companies have strict rules about when the policy can apply to an accident.
Rideshare drivers must carry auto insurance. But one may be an uninsured driver, and many do not carry business insurance for their car because it costs more than regular non-business auto insurance. Unfortunately, ridesharing services do not require their drivers to carry this kind of commercial insurance coverage. This means that if you are involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, and the insurance policy held by your rideshare driver doesn’t provide business liability for personal vehicles, you may not be able to recover compensation for your injuries without a lawyer.
In addition, the drivers’ insurers may argue that the rideshare company’s insurer should pay for your losses or vice versa. This can make it more difficult to receive compensation for your losses caused by ridesharing accidents.
If neither insurer offers you a settlement amount, or if a payment too low to cover your hospital bills and related expenses is offered, the Washington, DC car accident attorneys at Regan Zambri Long can help prove who should be responsible to pay for your losses.
Rideshare lawsuits are unique. Uber, Lyft, and their insurers may only be held financially responsible when the driver is on-duty because they are considered independent contractors. Independent contractors are not employees, so ridesharing companies are not liable for everything they do.
“On-duty” means a passenger is in the vehicle or a request for a ride has been accepted. “Off-duty” means a passenger has been dropped off and no new request has been accepted.
The companies’ liability insurance will only cover damages caused by an on-duty worker. However, if the driver is off-duty, you and your attorneys will need to pursue the driver and his insurance company. In some scenarios, you might be eligible to receive compensation from both the driver’s and the companies’ insurance companies. In others, it may be difficult to collect from either insurance company.
In accidents involving Uber or Lyft, it can be hard to prove who is at fault and who should be required to compensate you for your injuries and property damage. Because rideshare drivers use their personal vehicles for commercial purposes, litigation involving ridesharing accidents is different than those involving a commercial taxi or bus.
Even when it is clear who is at fault – for example, if it is clear the operator of the ridesharing vehicle caused the accident – it can still be difficult to determine who is financially responsible. Sometimes the company’s insurer may deny your claim, arguing they are not financially responsible for your losses. The rideshare accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long are experienced in investigating the traffic accident, building a case to prove who is at fault, and figuring out who should pay you for your injuries. Contact Regan Zambri Long for a free confidential consultation to learn how we can help.
The lawyers of Regan Zambri Long are among the top car accident lawyers in the DC Metro area, with many honors and awards including:
The lawyers of Regan Zambri Long received these accolades for their extensive legal advice in personal injury negotiation and trial experience based upon their years of handling cases involving all kinds of personal injury accidents, birth injuries, medical malpractice, vehicle accidents, and the like. We are also a dedicated group of trial lawyers, able to strongly advocate for clients even when the factual circumstances are unique. Our lawyers serve clients with compassion, always keeping front of mind their goal of helping victims and their families put their lives back together and move forward in the best way possible.
We are also a dedicated group of trial lawyers, able to strongly advocate for clients even when the factual circumstances are unique. Our lawyers serve clients with compassion, always keeping front of mind their goal of helping victims and their families put their lives back together and move forward in the best way possible.
The experienced attorneys in our law firm are skilled at negotiating settlements to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries. While a settlement without courtroom litigation can be the best outcome in some circumstances, it is not always in the victim’s best interest. In those cases, our board-certified trial lawyers are prepared to go to trial to protect your rights to ensure your medical care, property damage, and other expenses are covered by the responsible parties’ insurance policies.
If you were injured in a ridesharing accident, as a passenger, pedestrian, or driver of another vehicle, report the incident as soon as possible using the rideshare app, from the accident scene if possible. Then contact an experienced accident lawyer.
You do not have to speak to the driver, the rideshare company, or insurance companies. In fact, these companies may try to obtain information from you so they do not have to pay you as much for your injuries. It is best to speak with an experienced Washington DC lawyer first and let your lawyer speak for you.
The following injured parties can file a claim against the rideshare company, the driver, or their insurers:
You must file your claim within a time period called the statute of limitations. In DC, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years from the date of the car accident. If you wait more than three years to pursue your claim, you won’t be allowed to file a lawsuit in court and the at-fault party will no longer be required to compensate you. There are exceptions to this rule, so you need to discuss your Lyft or Uber accident with our personal injury lawyers as soon as possible.
Because of this short timeframe, it is imperative that you contact the car accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long as soon as possible for your free legal consultation.
Yes. You may be entitled to receive money for your medical expenses. There are many other types of fees and costs that you may receive. These include:
The amount of money received varies with the circumstances. Our attorneys can provide you with an estimate of the funds you deserve after we conduct an investigation and financial analysis. Issues that affect the amount you may receive include:
In order to be at fault, the driver’s negligence or recklessness must have caused the accident. Proving driver negligence is crucial to a positive outcome in your case. There are many actions that are negligent or reckless, such as:
Yes, almost always, especially if your medical bills are high and your injuries are serious or have lifelong consequences. Because of the two-year window for filing a lawsuit against ridesharing companies, it is important to discuss your options with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Regan Zambri Long can help. We can collect evidence to show who caused your injuries. We also handle all discussions with witnesses, other attorneys, and insurance companies. Most importantly, we will negotiate and advocate for you to protect your rights.
At Regan Zambri Long, we will review your case, determine fault, negotiate on your behalf, file a lawsuit, and represent you in court, without any upfront cost to you. Our lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means that when we accept your case and establish an attorney-client relationship, we don’t get paid until you get paid for your injuries.
If you or a loved one were injured in ridesharing accident, or if a family member was killed, the experienced ridesharing accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long can explain your legal rights and whether you may be entitled to receive funds for your injuries. Pursuing a Lyft or Uber driver, and the companies, for your financial losses can be complicated. The good news is that the lawyers at Regan Zambri Long can help. Call (202) 960-4596 or contact Regan Zambri Long’s personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.
