A car accident can turn your life upside down. Suddenly, you’re injured with expensive medical bills piling up, and your vehicle is damaged. Your injuries might even prevent you from performing important duties like going to work or caring for your family.
You have the right to compensation for your injuries and expenses, but who is liable when the other driver was a rideshare operator? Our Lafayette rideshare accident lawyers can help you sort out the complicated relationship between rideshare companies and their drivers.
Our team at Galloway Jefcoat Injury Attorneys has been helping injured accident victims since 1996. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and find out what our Lafayette car accident lawyers can do for you.
How Our Attorneys Can Help
If you are in an accident with a rideshare driver, whether or not the rideshare company has any responsibility in your case is a complicated issue. In many situations, you’ll need to deal with the driver and their insurance company.
That’s because drivers for rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft are not employees; they are contractors. They use their own vehicles and work hours of their choosing, and rideshare companies have limited control over their actions.
Our Lafayette personal injury lawyers can investigate your accident and find out who is liable. Both Uber and Lyft have significant insurance policies that cover their drivers, along with specific requirements that drivers must satisfy for their own personal insurance policies.
"I have used Galloway Jefcoat a few times and have always been very satisfied. Furthermore, all of the people who work there are very professional, nice, and courteous."
Determining Liability in a Rideshare Accident
It is always smart to consult with an attorney whenever you are injured in an accident, especially if it involves a large company like Uber or Lyft. A skilled lawyer has the experience and knowledge to offer advice that can make a tremendous difference in your case.
By determining who is responsible for your accident, we can form a strategy for your case.
When the Rideshare Company Is Liable
Whether the rideshare company is liable for your damages depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash. Uber and Lyft both have apps that their drivers use when performing company business.
If they are signed into the app, they are on the clock, and the rideshare company may be liable for their actions. Usually, this means the driver was:
- Waiting for an assignment
- On their way to pick up a passenger
- Transporting a passenger
The rideshare company may also be liable in cases where it failed to train new drivers properly, did not perform adequate background checks, or ignored customer complaints regarding its drivers.
When the Driver Is Liable
If the driver is not signed into their app, they are considered off the clock. You’ll need to file your claim using their insurance policy, not the rideshare company’s. Both Uber and Lyft require their drivers to carry minimum liability insurance. In the state of Louisiana, that means:
- $15,000 for bodily injury to a single person
- $30,000 for bodily injury to more than one person in a single accident
- $25,000 for damage to someone else’s vehicle or property
Your Lafayette rideshare accident attorney can help you file your claim and work to get the compensation you need after your accident.
Additional Liable Parties
Sometimes, the person responsible for your accident may seem obvious, but through their investigation, your attorneys may uncover additional responsible parties. Examples can include:
- Another reckless or negligent driver
- A pedestrian or cyclist who caused the rideshare driver to swerve
- A construction company that set up dangerous obstacles
- A mechanic who allowed a hazardous vehicle on the road
It’s also possible that you may be partially responsible. If so, Louisiana’s comparative fault law means you can still recover compensation, though it is reduced by your percentage of fault for the accident.
"Galloway Jefcoat are amazing professionals who are very client focused. They will guide you thru all the details to help get your litigation solved. I was involved in a crash that ultimate required a knee replacement"
What Is a Rideshare Accident Case Worth?
As with any car accident, your award or settlement in a rideshare accident case will depend on the extent of your injuries and damages. Both Uber and Lyft have robust policies to cover their drivers in case of an accident, up to $1 million in some situations.
If your damages exceed that, or if the insurance company denies your claim, our rideshare accident lawyers in Lafayette can calculate your damages and fight for a fair settlement that lets you pay your bills and care for your family.
Your Injuries
While it sounds somewhat overly simplistic, more serious injuries often translate to larger settlements. If your injury requires a long recovery time, expensive medical intervention, or leads to lifelong complications, you could see a large award.
Economic Damages
The expenses and costs you have incurred due to the accident and injury will factor into your compensation, as well. While each case is unique, economic damages often include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future medical care
- Property damages
You can help your lawyer keep track of all your expenses by keeping detailed records of your costs and debts after the accident.
Non-Economic Damages
In some circumstances, you might be entitled to non-economic damages that address the emotional, mental, and social hardships you have suffered because of the accident. These are hard to prove and often referred to as pain and suffering.
Your attorney can advise you if they might apply to your case.
"As a client of Galloway Jefcoat for over two years I want to take a minute to say how much I appreciate the team handling my case."
Get Help From a Lafayette Rideshare Accident Attorney
It is never easy to deal with the aftermath of a car accident, and it is especially frustrating when you aren’t sure who is responsible. When the other driver is a rideshare operator, it may be the rideshare company or the driver.
Either way, you’ll be dealing with an insurance company that may not be eager to cooperate. Our Lafayette rideshare accident attorneys can review your case, explain your rights, and help you get the compensation you need to begin to put your life back together.
At Galloway Jefcoat, our mission is to help injured victims by turning wrong into right. Call today to set up a free consultation and discuss your case.
"Galloway Jefcoat helped me at a time when I felt lost and taken advantage of by my employer."
