Uber Accident Lawyer in Lafayette

Do you know how to pursue compensation after a crash involving an Uber driver?

If you were a passenger, can you sue the driver? What if you were in another car that was hit by an Uber driver?

These are just a few of the questions victims of Uber crashes may have, which is why talking to an experienced attorney may be an important step. The licensed Lafayette Uber accident lawyers at Galloway Jefcoat offer a free consultation to answer your questions and discuss how we may be able to assist you. We have extensive knowledge of how to seek compensation after a Louisiana car crash, including a crash involving a ridesharing service.

For more than 25 years, we have been assisting crash victims and have obtained millions on behalf of our clients. Partner and founding member Rusty Galloway has managed more than one thousand injury cases. There are no upfront fees or obligations and we do not get paid unless you get paid.

Why You Should Consider Hiring a Lawyer

Victims of Uber crashes often have many questions about what to do next. Discussing the situation with the insurance company without the help of a knowledgeable attorney could be a bad idea, as the insurance company is looking for reasons to devalue or deny your claim. Their goal is to pay out the smallest settlement possible.

You are already dealing with an injury; you do not need the added stress of the legal process. You also need someone you can talk to without hurting the value of your case.

Galloway Jefcoat’s Lafayette Uber accident attorneys are focused on recovering maximum compensation for victims. There are no upfront fees for our services and the initial consultation is free. Unlike the insurance company, our focus is on your best interests, not the insurance company’s bottom line.

We have the resources and legal knowledge to launch a thorough investigation. We can also refer you to doctors to help treat your specific injuries and help you schedule appointments. We want to help you make the best recovery possible.

We know how to seek compensation after an Uber accident, as we have detailed knowledge of the insurance coverage provided by Uber.

Filing a Claim After a Crash Caused by an Uber Driver

If you were injured in a crash caused by another driver’s negligence, our Lafayette Uber accident lawyers may be able to assist you.

What is Negligence?

Negligence is a legal theory that is used to establish fault for an injury, such as an injury that results from a car accident. Negligence refers to a failure to uphold a duty of care owed to someone else. For example, if another driver was speeding and caused a crash in which you were injured, you were a victim of negligence.

If your Uber driver caused a crash by failing to operate the car the way a reasonable person would, he or she may be liable for your damages.

There are many examples of negligence, and it is important to discuss the situation with an experienced attorney. The attorneys at Galloway Jefcoat have the resources to thoroughly investigate a crash to determine if negligence occurred.

Claims for Uber Passengers

If you were injured while riding in an Uber and another driver is to blame, you should be able to file a claim against this person’s car insurance just as you would if you were injured while driving your own car. Louisiana is an at-fault state, so the at-fault driver and his or her insurance company are liable for your damages.

Louisiana requires drivers to carry a minimum of $15,000 for injuries to one person and $30,000 for injuries to more than one person. Drivers often carry more than the minimum coverage.

If the accident was caused by your Uber driver, you may be able to file a claim against Uber’s liability coverage. Uber provides $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage during trips. This coverage applies to passengers and occupants of other vehicles who are injured because of the Uber driver’s negligence. For example, you may have a valid claim if the Uber driver was distracted, ran a red light, tailgated another car or violated another driver’s right of way.

Claims for Other Motorists or Pedestrians

What if you were hit by an Uber driver while you were in a vehicle or while you were a pedestrian?

You should be able to file a claim against the $1,000,000 third-party liability coverage provided by Uber, if the Uber driver was transporting someone or on the way to pick up someone who had requested a ride.

However, if you were hit by an Uber driver when the app was off, you should be able to file a claim against the driver’s personal liability insurance. If the Uber driver was available to give rides and waiting for a request, meaning the app was on, Uber provides the following third-party liability coverage:

• $50,000 per person
• $100,000 per accident
• $25,000 in property damage

What Compensation May Be Available?

Typically, liability insurance covers medical expenses for the treatment of your crash-related injuries and property damage. However, the value of every claim must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

If you contact our firm and we find you have a case, we are prepared to pursue maximum compensation for physical, financial and emotional damages.

What if the At-Fault Driver Does Not Have Insurance?

If you were injured by an Uber driver who was offline or had the app off and he or she does not have personal car insurance, you may still have options for recovering compensation.

If you were in another vehicle, you may be able to file a claim against your uninsured motorist coverage. Many drivers have this coverage since insurers are required to offer it, and it can only be rejected in writing. This provides compensation after a crash with a driver who lacks insurance. This coverage can also be used if you are injured in a crash with a driver who does not have enough coverage to pay for your damages.

If you were in an Uber and the crash was caused by another driver who did not have insurance, Uber also has uninsured motorist coverage you may be able to file a claim against.

It is important to note uninsured motorist claims can be very complicated, which is why you should strongly consider working with an attorney. The licensed Lafayette Uber accident lawyers are prepared to help.

Can You Sue Uber to Recover Compensation?

As part of its terms of use, Uber has an arbitration agreement in which users agree that any claims brought against the company must be settled through binding arbitration. This means that you may not file a lawsuit against Uber to recover compensation.

Binding arbitration works much like a jury trial, except the person who makes the decision in the case is usually a private individual called an arbitrator. Arbitrators are usually retired judges or former lawyers who have knowledge of civil disputes.

Since Uber users agree to binding arbitration, the decision may not be appealed the way a jury decision may be if the verdict does not end in your favor.

The process of arbitration may be complex and the stakes high. Which is why it is important to have someone on your side who has the legal knowledge and experience fighting for your rights as an injury victim.

Is There a Deadline for Taking Legal Action?

It is important to file a claim as soon as possible – if you wait it may make the insurance company suspicious about how you were injured.

Although you may not be able to file a lawsuit against Uber, you may still be able to do so against the at-fault driver. There is also a statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in Louisiana – lawsuits must be filed within one year of the date of the crash. Investigating a crash takes time, so it is important to contact a lawyer right away so he or she can determine if you may have a case and get started.

The experienced attorneys at Galloway Jefcoat are committed to trying to obtain a recovery as quickly as possible. We know this is a difficult time for you and we have seen how important compensation can be when crash victims are looking to move forward.

Steps to Take After an Uber Crash

You should treat the aftermath of an Uber crash the same way you would the aftermath of a crash that did not involve an Uber:

Causes of Uber Accidents

Uber accidents are caused by many of the same dangerous behaviors as other car crashes, including:

If negligence was involved, you may be eligible to seek compensation for the damages you suffered.

Call a Lafayette Uber Accident Lawyer for Legal Help

A car crash can upend your life, leaving you with long-term injuries and lost income from missing work. During this difficult time, you should give serious thought to contacting a lawyer.

Crash victims often have a difficult time recovering compensation on their own – research has shown crash victims who hire attorneys often recover more than those who do not. However, you need to find an experienced attorney with a history of obtaining compensation, like the attorneys at Galloway Jefcoat.

Our firm has been helping car crash victims for more than 25 years and we have secured compensation in a wide variety of cases. There are no upfront fees or legal obligations and we do not get paid unless you get paid.

There is no risk in giving us a call to see how we may be able to help. You cannot rely on the insurance company to provide the compensation you need.