Ridesharing has become a fast, easy – and popular way to travel. It has given people a convenient way of getting around town and provided a great source of income for its drivers.
But like all other motorists, Uber and Lyft drivers are frequently involved in motor vehicle accidents, causing injury to their passengers and others. Because Uber and Lyft accident cases can be more complex than other injury cases, we highly recommend seeking legal assistance from an experienced and reputable Rideshare injury attorney.
The Akron Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at Slater & Zurz have over 100 years of collective experience fighting for justice on our client’s behalf. We utilize our dedication, knowledge, and resources to hold at-fault parties responsible for their careless actions and secure maximum compensation for accident victims and their families.
Uber and Lyft Accident Cases in Akron
With the increased popularity of rideshare services, Ohio has seen a significant increase in Uber and Lyft accidents in recent years. Although most rides occur without incident, some end in serious injury and even death, leading to ridesharing accident lawsuits.
The Akron ridesharing accident lawyers at Slater & Zurz have successfully secured compensation in cases involving the following scenarios:
- Crashes where another motorist injured the Uber or Lyft driver or their passengers
- Victims injured or killed by an Uber or Lyft driver, including other motorists or their passengers, ridesharing passengers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
- Wrongful death cases involving a victim killed as a result of the Uber or Lyft driver’s actions or the actions of a third party.
Compensation After an Uber or Lyft Accident
If you were injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle or hit by a rideshare driver while in another vehicle, riding your bicycle, or walking, you might be eligible for compensation for your losses.
The damages you receive will depend on your case’s circumstances. However, compensation that is commonly awarded to injured victims includes:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Costs for rehabilitation, including physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Property damage
- Assistive care
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment
- Disability or disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages (if you lost a loved one in a ridesharing accident)
Uber and Lyft’s $1 Million Liability Policy
Uber and Lyft require their drivers to carry their own auto insurance policy, which covers the driver and their passengers in the event of an accident. In Ohio, rideshare drivers must maintain the following coverages:
- $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident
- $25,000 in property damage coverage
Rideshare companies also carry additional insurance to cover their drivers and passengers should they incur considerable losses following a motor vehicle accident. If the driver is using the app at the time of the collision, meaning they are picking up or transporting a passenger when the accident occurs, the Uber or Lyft liability insurance policy will pay up to $1,000,000 in damages.
What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Vehicle Accident
No one ever expects to be involved in any motor vehicle accident. So when it happens, victims are often stunned, left wondering what they should do next. If you are involved in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft car, take the following steps to ensure your safety and protect your right to pursue financial compensation.
Get to Safety – If you are in your vehicle, move your vehicle out of the path of any oncoming cars if possible. If it is safe to do so, help others to safety as well.
Call 911 – Let the police know you were involved in an accident and whether anyone was injured in the crash. If there were injuries, both the police and emergency medical technicians would be dispatched to the scene.
Tell the police what happened – Give an honest and detailed account of what happened before, during, and even after the accident. Make sure you get a copy of the Akron police report, as it will have important information, such as:
- The contact and insurance information of those involved
- Eyewitness information and statements
- Details of the accident scene
- Diagram of the accident
- Statements of all parties involved
- The officer’s determination of what happened
- The details of any citations given by the officer
Document the scene – Be sure to take pictures and video of the accident scene and the vehicles involved. As soon as possible after the crash, write down every detail of the accident to ensure important facts are not forgotten as time passes.
Seek medical attention – Even if you were treated at the scene, getting a thorough medical examination following an accident is always best. With the shock and adrenaline of an accident, symptoms are often masked. That is why having a medical assessment is critical in ensuring all injuries are promptly diagnosed and treated.
Keep records – Compile any documentation relating to your Uber or Lyft accident. Medical bills, treatment plans, and property damage repair or replacement estimates are important documents.
Contact an Akron rideshare accident lawyer right away – Uber and Lyft accident lawsuits can be complex. We highly recommend consulting with a qualified accident injury lawyer to ensure your rights and ability to secure compensation are protected. They will handle all communication with the insurance company and other third parties, letting you focus on the recovery process.
Akron’s Top Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys
Being involved in a motor vehicle accident can be life-changing – and frightening. If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident while driving or riding in an Uber or was struck by an Uber as a third-party driver, passenger, or pedestrian, our accident injury attorneys in Akron can help.
We will first ensure you have access to the medical care you need to recover as fully as possible from your injuries. Our legal team will then fully investigate the circumstances of the accident, identify all at-fault parties, and develop an effective strategy for seeking full and fair compensation.
When you work with Slater & Zurz, you become a member of our family. We will continually update you with any happenings in your case, and you can count on us for our thoughtful guidance and heartfelt support throughout the process. We will continue to be there for you and your family even after your case is resolved.
When experience matters, choose the Akron personal injury lawyers at Slater & Zurz. To begin, call (330) 762-0700 to schedule your FREE, no-obligation case review.
If you were riding in an Uber or Lyft and were injured in a crash, you can seek compensation from the party or parties responsible for the accident. Both Uber and Lyft have a 1 million dollar policy to cover damages sustained by passengers injured while riding with one of their drivers. This includes damages, such as medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
You can file a lawsuit against all responsible parties if you sustained injuries in an Uber accident. So, if you were riding in an Uber or Lyft at the time of the accident and it was caused by your driver, you can seek compensation from the company’s million-dollar liability insurance policy. If another driver caused your accident, you would seek damages from their insurance company.
If you are a pedestrian injured by an Uber or Lyft driver, who you sue would depend on who caused the accident. If the driver were at fault, it would then depend on whether they were logged into the rideshare app at the time. If so, you could seek damages from Uber or Lyft. If they were not transporting or picking up a passenger at the time of the crash, you would seek damages from the driver.