Rideshare Accident Attorneys

If you’re facing serious injuries in or Texas due to another person’s or corporation’s negligence, recklessness, dangerous actions, car or truck accident, or faulty products, it’s crucial to get legal representation from Dunham & Jones, the Trusted Texas Personal Injury Attorneys. Dunham & Jones can help you recover compensation for medical costs, income losses, pain, suffering, and other damages through a meticulously crafted personal injury or wrongful death claim in Texas. Call 888-222-9746 now for your free injury case review and discuss your case in detail.

Texas Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers

Whether commuting to work, heading to the airport, or enjoying a night out, Texas residents and tourists often turn to Uber and Lyft for their transportation needs. These services offer potential savings in travel costs and the convenience of quickly arranging for a driver via smartphone, making them increasingly popular. However, if you’ve suffered an accident involving a ride-hailing service, the confusion and stress can be tremendous. In the aftermath, you may be struggling with serious injuries and expenses. You may also be unclear about your options for covering the steep costs. That’s why you need a Texas Uber or Lyft accident lawyer.

Why Choose Our Texas Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers?

At Dunham & Jones, Attorneys at Law, we have dedicated years of experience to helping individuals who have been injured due to driver negligence. We understand the complexities involved when dealing with Uber and Lyft insurance claims, and we are prepared to take your case all the way to trial if necessary.

Benefits of Hiring a Texas Uber & Lyft Accident Attorney

A rideshare accident lawyer can help victims in various ways, starting soon after the accident occurs. An attorney can:

• Managing the paperwork involved in initiating a claim can be overwhelming. An experienced attorney will ensure all necessary documents are filed correctly and on time.
• A thorough investigation is crucial to building a strong case. Your lawyer will gather evidence, such as accident reports, witness statements, and medical records, to support your claim.
• Understanding your legal rights and options is essential. An attorney will provide clear, detailed explanations of your potential courses of action.
• Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging. Your lawyer will handle all communications with the insurance carriers involved, ensuring your best interests are represented.
• Negotiating a fair settlement requires skill and experience. An attorney will negotiate with the insurance companies to secure the compensation you deserve.
• If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer will be prepared to file a lawsuit in civil court and represent you throughout the legal process.

What Are the Three Phases of Rideshare Programs?

Both Uber and Lyft provide insurance coverage on a “tiered” basis, which consists of three distinct phases. Each phase determines the level of insurance coverage involved:

• Rideshare Driver Not Logged In:
  • Description: The driver is not signed into the app to work.
  • Insurance Coverage: In this phase, if the driver causes an accident, their own personal insurance carrier will be responsible for compensating the victims.
• Driver Logged In but No Passengers:
  • Description: The driver is signed into the app and available for rides but does not yet have a passenger or is not en route to pick one up.
  • Insurance Coverage: During this phase, both Uber and Lyft provide supplemental coverage. This includes:
    • $50,000 per person for bodily injury
    • Up to $100,000 per accident for bodily injuryThis coverage is secondary and only kicks in after the driver’s personal insurance limits have been exhausted.
• Driver Logged In and Has a Passenger or is En Route to Pick One Up:
  • Description: The driver is signed into the app and either has a passenger in the vehicle or is on the way to pick one up.
  • Insurance Coverage: In this phase, both companies provide up to $1 million in coverage for all parties involved in an accident.

Understanding these phases is crucial for determining the applicable insurance coverage in the event of an accident involving a rideshare vehicle. If you’ve been involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, contact Dunham & Jones, Attorneys at Law, to discuss your case and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Call Dunham & Jones at 888-222-9746 to schedule a free consultation with an injury attorney and learn how we can help you with your Uber Accident case. Dunham & Jones was established in 1989 and is dedicated to helping it’s clients get the best results.

What Does Lyft & Uber’s Accident Insurance Cover?

Insurance limits vary depending on the tier of coverage involved. All drivers in Texas are required to carry minimum coverage by law, which includes:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability: $25,000

This is the only coverage available in the first tier and serves as the primary line of compensation for incidents in the second tier. If a rideshare driver’s personal insurance limits are exhausted in the second tier, Uber and Lyft provide supplemental coverage.

Potential Compensation Available in Your Case

At all levels of coverage, victims of accidents should be able to receive certain types of compensation if their claim is successful. There is no set amount of compensation paid to victims, as various factors related to each particular incident can affect compensation amounts. However, our goal is to recover compensation for a victim’s:

• Medical Bills: Coverage for all past, present, and future medical expenses related to the accident, including emergency room visits, surgeries, and hospital stays.
• Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation: Compensation for ongoing physical therapy and rehabilitation needed to recover from injuries.
• Medications and Medical Devices: Costs for prescription medications, medical devices, and any other necessary medical equipment.
• Lost Wages: Reimbursement for income lost due to the inability to work during recovery.
• Loss of Future Earnings: Compensation for the loss of earning capacity if the injury results in long-term or permanent disability affecting the ability to work in the future.
• Property Damage Expenses: Costs for repairing or replacing property damaged in the accident, including vehicles.
• Physical and Emotional Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and resulting injuries.
• Disfigurement Damages: Compensation for permanent scars, disfigurement, or other lasting physical changes resulting from the accident.

Time Limits to File a Texas Uber or Lyft Accident Claim

Victims of rideshare accidents in Texas should file their claims as quickly as possible. The personal injury statute of limitations in Texas is two years from the date an injury occurs. Failing to file a claim within this time frame will likely result in a case dismissal.

Additionally, insurance carriers have their own tight deadlines for filing claims. To avoid denial or delay of your claim, it is crucial to initiate the process promptly after an accident.

Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Texas

When an accident occurs involving a ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft, there are several key questions you need to address:

• Were you being transported by the Uber or Lyft driver at the time of the accident?
• Was the Uber or Lyft driver using the ride-hailing app when the accident occurred?
• What sort of insurance does the Uber or Lyft driver personally carry?

Why Are These Questions Important?

Understanding the answers to these questions is crucial for determining the appropriate insurance coverage:

• Driver Not Using the App: If the driver was not logged into the app, only their personal auto insurance will apply. This means you may need to file a claim against their personal insurance policy.
• Driver Logged into the App but Without a Passenger: If the driver was logged into the app but not carrying a passenger or on the way to pick one up, Uber and Lyft provide supplemental insurance coverage:
  • $50,000 per person for bodily injury
  • Up to $100,000 per accident
• Driver Transporting a Passenger or En Route to Pick One Up: If the driver was actively transporting a passenger or on their way to pick one up, Uber and Lyft offer up to $1 million in coverage for injuries and damages.

Call Dunham & Jones today at 888-222-9746 to schedule a free consultation with a Texas Lyft Accident lawyer. Lyft Accident cases need an experienced injury law firm such as Dunham & Jones. Dunham & Jones was established in 1989 and is dedicated to helping it’s clients get the best results.

Driver History and Vehicle Standards

Investigating the Uber or Lyft driver’s record is also essential. While both companies conduct background checks and require vehicles to meet certain standards, these checks are not foolproof. Additionally, rideshare drivers do not need the special licenses required for limousine or taxi drivers, which can sometimes lead to oversight of crucial details.

A Texas rideshare accident lawyer can help you:

• Construct a Coherent Picture of the Incident: They will thoroughly analyze what occurred during the crash and determine liability.
• Explore All Compensation Options: Your attorney will identify all available sources of compensation, ensuring you are not shortchanged.
• Avoid Unfair Settlements: With legal representation, you are less likely to accept a settlement that fails to cover your losses adequately.

What Might a Car Accident Cost You?

Your Texas Lyft accident lawyer or Uber accident lawyer will help ensure that you account for all costs associated with your accident. Accurate calculations are critical to ensure you’re compensated fairly and aren’t struggling to pay for medical treatments, vehicle repairs, and other expenses in the aftermath.

Medical Costs

• Ambulance Rides
• Emergency Room Visits
• Hospitalizations
• Surgeries
• Outpatient Care
• Physical Therapy
• Mental Health Therapy
• Cognitive Rehabilitation

Lifestyle Changes Due to Permanent Injuries

• Costs for wheelchairs or other devices needed for mobility.
• Expenses for making your home accessible, such as installing handrails or widening doorways.

Property-Related Expenses

• Costs to repair or replace your vehicle.
• Expenses for damaged items in your vehicle, like laptops and smartphones.

Other Costs

• Increased Insurance Premiums
• Lost Wages
• Unemployment

What to Do at the Scene of a Rideshare Accident

If you find yourself involved in a rideshare accident, taking the following steps is crucial to ensure the integrity of your claim:

1. Check for Injuries and Seek Medical Care
2. Call the Police
3. Document the Scene
4. Exchange Information
5. Notify the Rideshare Company
6. Seek Legal Assistance

Additional Considerations After Any Car Accident

Besides the rideshare-specific questions, you must address standard issues that arise after any car accident:

• Who is responsible for the crash? Is there a shared fault among multiple drivers?
• Were you a passenger, driver, or pedestrian during the incident?
• Did anything unrelated to driving behavior, such as a mechanical failure, contribute to the accident?

Call on a Texas Uber Accident Lawyer

Due to the complicated details surrounding accidents involving rideshare companies such as Uber or Lyft, it’s imperative that you contact a Texas rideshare accident lawyer as quickly as possible following the crash. Call Dunham, & Jones, Attorneys at Law at 888-222-9746 today to setup a free consultation, and let us fight for your fair compensation.