Thanks to the ridesharing revolution, it is possible to get around Columbus, Ohio, quite easily without using your car or resorting to bulky public transportation. And private individuals can earn money on their terms by driving for Uber, Lyft, or some other rideshare business.
Although an overall positive development for society, ridesharing does bring its complications, most notably concerning car accidents and compensation for accident victims.
What happens if you are involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver? How much compensation can you get? These and other questions are common after an Uber or Lyft accident.
At Slater & Zurz, we have the answers you may be looking for and can help you understand what lies ahead in your quest for compensation.
Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents
Uber and Lyft contractors have no specialized driver training. So the reasons they get in accidents are the same as most drivers and include:
- Distracted driving, such as texting or rubbernecking
- Drowsy or fatigued driving, which may occur if the Uber or Lyft driver works too many hours
- Inclement Weather
- Dangerous road conditions
- Driving while intoxicated
- Excessive speed
- Aggressive driving
Another common cause of Uber and Lyft accidents in Columbus is the driver of another car. If you are a passenger, your Uber or Lyft driver may share some or none of the responsibility for an accident with another driver.
In Ohio, the fault for car accidents is divided among the parties. In some cases, your Uber or Lyft driver may not bear any responsibility for a wreck, depending on how the accident occurred.
How Our Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer Can Help You
The rules for insurance and compensation surrounding rideshare accidents are a bit more complicated than the rules for run-of-the-mill car accidents.
With rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber, statutory insurance requirements vary from state to state, which sometimes complicates post-accident affairs. At Slater & Zurz, we are always up-to-date and well-versed in the rules and regulations of ridesharing, so you don’t have to be.
When you choose an Uber and Lyft accident attorney from our firm, you don’t have to worry about learning and sorting through the various compensation rules. You can focus on getting your life back on track while our Columbus Personal injury attorneys fight to get you a compensation payout worthy of the damages you have suffered.
While you are tending to your injuries and property damage, our attorney for Uber and Lyft accidents will:
- Gather and analyze pertinent evidence for your case, including police reports, witness statements, and traffic and surveillance videos
- Handle all legal paperwork and documents and file them promptly
- Keep you in the loop on important issues regarding your case
- Meet and negotiate with insurance adjusters and lawyers
- Take your case to trial in the event the insurance negotiations do not produce adequate results
Our lawyer for Uber and Lyft accidents will also be available anytime you have any questions or concerns about your case. We firmly believe that every client should have answers to their questions and have peace of mind that their case is progressing as it should.
Compensation After an Uber or Lyft Car Accident
Mechanisms are in place to get injured victims the compensation they deserve after an Uber or Lyft accident.
However, because we are dealing with multi-billion-dollar companies, special insurance and procedural rules muddy the standard car accident compensation process, for this reason, it’s a good idea to speak with a lawyer for Uber and Lyft accidents at the beginning of the claims process.
Uber or Lyft Driver’s Insurance Policy
All drivers in Ohio must carry a minimum of $25,000 in bodily injury insurance coverage per person, up to a maximum of $50,000 per accident, and at least $25,000 in property damage coverage.
Uber and Lyft drivers carry these minimums. In the event of an accident while not driving commercially or logged into the app, this required policy will be the source of compensation for injury victims.
Suppose the driver is logged on and causes an injury accident. In that case, Uber or Lyft may cover the injuries and property damages, which is typically the case.
Uber and Lyft drivers do not normally carry any ride-sharing insurance that would cover their liability. The minimum coverage amounts for bodily injury are double the state’s basic minimums, and the same holds true for property damage.
Uber and Lyft Insurance Policies
In most situations, employers are on the hook for their employees’ actions committed on the clock. However, drivers are not considered employees but independent contractors with ridesharing companies. So, drivers would normally be responsible for all of the damages they cause. However, in the ridesharing industry, things are different.
Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing companies must provide insurance coverage for their drivers when working. When the driver is on their way to pick up a passenger or is carrying one, Uber and Lyft must provide up to $1 million of coverage for bodily injury and property damage.
Compensation Amounts
There is no average compensation because every accident is different. However, it is generally true that the more severe injuries require higher insurance payouts. Sadly, car accidents often leave victims facing serious and catastrophic injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severe injuries to organs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Disfigurement
In some cases, injury victims need long-term care and years of physical therapy. Tragically, some die.
The expenses are typically overwhelming, but sometimes, the victim faces obstacles in getting compensated, such as a lowball offer or a denial from an insurance company. When this happens, a Columbus Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can help.
Slater & Zurz Can Get You the Compensation You Deserve
At Slater and Zurz, our personal injury lawyers have provided clients in the Columbus area with years of quality legal services, helping them get compensation to help them get relief from the damages that have upended their lives.
As a client, you are a Slater & Zurz family member. Accordingly, your needs are paramount, and you will always have a direct line to the attorney for Uber and Lyft accidents assisting you.
After decades of serving the community, we understand our clients’ pressures, and we know how far a just award for compensation can go in healing their lives. So, we use every resource at our disposal to help alleviate the struggles our clients face.
Over the years, we have recovered millions of dollars from individuals and businesses who have caused our clients harm in some way.
For straightforward and compassionate legal representation, reach out to our personal injury lawyers in Columbus, Ohio. Call us at (614) 756-2714 to schedule a FREE consultation where we can evaluate your case and determine the best course of action.
When your Uber or Lyft driver gets in an accident, the extent of the damage will determine what happens next, along with when the accident occurred. If there are any injuries, medical attention will be required as well as a police report. A police report is also required if an accident causes more than $1,000 in damage.
What happens next will depend on whether you were a passenger or were waiting for a ride. As explained, Uber and Lyft passengers have access to more insurance coverage when being ferried about than when awaiting a ride.
Yes. If you are involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, you can sue the Uber or Lyft driver who caused it under certain circumstances. When an Uber or Lyft driver injures you, and it is their fault, insurance will cover your losses up to a point.
If your losses exceed the policy amounts or your claim is denied, you can contact an Uber and Lyft accident attorney and sue the driver through a personal injury lawsuit.
If a driver is carrying a passenger or en route to pick one up, Uber and Lyft are liable if the driver injures you. If the driver was logged on but did not have customers, Uber or Lyft may provide the necessary insurance coverage for the accident if the driver’s policy does not.
It is important to remember that Uber and Lyft are giant companies whose directors and officers owe fiduciary duties to shareholders. Hence, minimizing payouts or reassigning blame to a third party or even the victim are common tactics, which means a third party and not the rideshare company may actually be the one who is at fault for your losses.
If you have been in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver, call Slater & Zurz at (614) 756-2714 to speak with our Columbus Uber and Lyft lawyer and learn what compensation is available to help you recover from your losses.