Since 2009, ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft have grown in popularity with millions of users worldwide. These popular rideshare apps are a great way for locals and tourists to get around a city without having to hail a taxi or rent a car. Uber and Lyft are making it easier for people throughout Louisiana and across the country to get from Point A to Point B. The rise of rideshares, however, also comes with an increased risk of a car accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver, which can raise some complicated legal questions about who is responsible in the event of a crash.

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The Louisiana Injury attorneys at Locke Meredith, Sean Fagan & Associates help people injured in automobile collisions and a wide range of other accidents get the full compensation and justice available to them under the law. We have significant experience in the courtroom and at the negotiating table, whether that involves a negligent driver and his or her employer or a big insurance company.

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For an insightful evaluation of your legal options by lawyers who will not lose sight of your physical and emotional needs, turn to the law firm of Locke Meredith, Sean Fagan & Associates Injury Attorneys. Led by 30 years veteran attorney Locke Meredith, we have obtained sizable recoveries for many accident victims. This success is due to our professional approach, integrity in practicing law, and relationships with numerous experts qualified to reconstruct the accident and establish the cause.

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WHAT IS UBER, WHAT IS LYFT?

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Uber and Lyft are two of the most popular ridesharing apps in the industry. These new ridesharing apps are becoming easier and easier to use through the technology in smartphones. To ride with one of these companies, all you need to do is open the app and follow the on-screen instructions to request a driver. Each app will show your location and the drivers closest to you. Once you confirm your location and request a ride, a nearby driver will accept the request and head your way to pick you up. You will be able to see the name of the driver, the make/model of the vehicle, and the driver's rating. You can also pay for your Uber or Lyft through the app.

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WHAT IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN UBER OR LYFT ACCIDENT?

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Being involved in any type of car accident can be terrifying and stressful. An Uber and Lyft accident is no different. If you are involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, here are some helpful pointers to consider immediately following the accident: 

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• Call the Police: You should report your accident to the local police agency by calling 911. A police report is vital in dealing with the insurance company, and you should make sure you get one. You should also make sure to tell the officer if you are having any physical complaints or injuries.

• Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the main priority after an auto accident. If you are injured or hurt, you should call 911 immediately or go to urgent care, emergency room, or hospital to seek further medical treatment.

• Document the Accident: You should take detailed notes of the accident scene, damages to the vehicles, and gather information of all parties involved in the accident. If possible, you should also take pictures and/or videos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any other important information. You likely have a smartphone with a camera. Use it.

• Speak with a Lawyer and not the Insurance Company: Many times immediately after an accident, the insurance company of the negligent driver will try and get a recorded statement from you. Don’t do it until you have talked with an Uber or Lyft accident lawyer. Call Locke Meredith, Sean Fagan & Associate, Injury Attorneys for a free, no-risk consultation before you speak with the insurance company.  

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UBER & LYFT INSURANCE POLICY

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When you are involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, it is highly likely that different insurance policies may come into play. Know your rights. It is important that you contact a lawyer at Locke Meredith, Sean Fagan & Associate, Injury Attorneys so we can help you navigate how to protect your legal rights and get the maximum compensation you or a loved one needs from the correct party and/or insurance company. 

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For example, Uber’s breakdown of their insurance coverage:

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• Offline or the Driver app is off. The driver’s insurance policy applies and not Uber’s commercial policy. 

• Available or waiting for a ride request. The driver’s insurance policy is primary. If the driver’s insurance policy does not apply, then Uber may provide coverage in the form of $50,000 in bodily injury per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident.

• En route to pick up riders and during trips. Uber’s commercial insurance policy is primary, including up to $1 million in third-party liability as well as a separate Uninsured/Underinsured motorist bodily injury policy (which is different in every state). 

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It’s also important to remember Louisiana law regularly can change, which is why knowing the law and your legal rights are of the utmost importance before signing any settlement documents.

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MONETARY COMPENSATION FOR CAR ACCIDENT INJURIES

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State law gives people injured in car accidents the right to seek compensation from those responsible for the crash.

The monetary compensation typically available in these cases include compensation for medical bills (past, present, and future), property damage (if you have any), pain and suffering, and lost wages while recuperating. In the event that a person is killed in a crash, his or her family may be able to seek similar compensation in a wrongful death action.

 

Ride-Share drivers, like anyone else operating a motor vehicle in Louisiana, owe their passengers and everyone else on the road a duty to operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe manner. That means maintaining safe speeds, complying with traffic laws, and remaining alert at all times. It also means refraining from dangerous activities like drinking and driving, texting behind the wheel, or driving aggressively.

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An Uber or Lyft driver who does not live up to this duty is likely to be considered negligent and liable for any accidents that happen as a result. There are also open questions about whether Uber and Lyft may also be legally responsible under a legal theory called respondeat superior that makes businesses liable for accidents involving workers acting in the course of their normal job activities. However, this is unsettled legal territory because Uber and Lyft treat drivers as contractors instead of employees.

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Call 225-272-5555 Now for Trustworthy Legal Counsel

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If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, the Louisiana car accident attorneys at Locke Meredith, Sean Fagan & Associates are here to serve you. We are committed to helping the people whom we represent through the legal process with passion, professionalism, and proven results.

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Our law firm maintains comfortable, easy-access offices near the parish line, rather than downtown. If you need help with transportation to medical appointments or therapy sessions — or other special services — we can be a dependable resource for managing those challenges.

 

Great careers in the law are built on truthfulness and hard work. Believing in our cases and assembling the facts diligently — with the help of an extensive network of quality medical professionals and experts — enables us to speak with authority on our clients’ behalf. To discuss what happened and what we may be able to accomplish for you, please request a free consultation with a personal injury attorney in Baton Rouge.

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