Choosing to take an Uber or Lyft should be a safe transportation option. Yet rideshare drivers can make all the same mistakes as other motorists – and may also be guilty of reckless and illegal driving practices. Sadly, driver errors can result in automobile accidents and serious passenger injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Seguin, Texas, contact Hill Law Firm Accident and Injury Lawyers for a free consultation about your legal options. Our Seguin car accident attorneys are committed to helping accident victims in Texas achieve justice and fair financial compensation.
Why Choose Our Seguin Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer?
- We are not afraid to go up against challenging defendants, including major corporations such as Uber and Lyft and their insurance providers.
- Our automobile accident attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for our clients, including a $2.925 million jury verdict on a rideshare accident case.
- We represent Uber and Lyft accident clients on a contingency fee basis, which means we don’t charge attorney’s fees unless we win the case.
Why Should You Bring in a Skilled Rideshare Accident Attorney
Uber and Lyft are notorious for avoiding responsibility for rideshare accidents involving their drivers. They classify drivers as independent contractors to protect themselves from employer liability. It is vital to hire an attorney to help you protect your rights as a claimant. Otherwise, the company may succeed in denying financial responsibility for your bills.
Hiring a Seguin personal injury attorney can come with many benefits. Your attorney can investigate the accident and collect evidence of fault to build your claim. Then, your attorney will identify the at-fault party and help you proceed with a case using expert negotiations. With the help of an Uber & Lyft attorney in Seguin, you can focus on healing while someone else does the heavy lifting for you.
What Is a Rideshare Driver’s Duty of Care?
A duty of care is an obligation or responsibility that someone has to act in a reasonable manner to prevent harm to others. The foundation for most personal injury cases is a breach of the duty of care that must be proven based on a “preponderance of the evidence.” In other words, the accident victim must prove that the defendant failed to adhere to the correct standards of care and that this is most likely what caused the injury.
Rideshare drivers in Texas must exercise the utmost care and caution when taking passengers to their destinations. Uber and Lyft are known as transportation network companies, which come with their own set of rules and regulations. A rideshare driver must obey these rules, adhere to traffic laws, and drive in a manner that a reasonable and prudent driver would in the same or similar circumstances.
Understanding who is liable for an Uber or Lyft accident requires determining the cause of the crash under Texas’s fault-based car insurance law. A crash victim can hold the person or party at fault liable, but must prove fault to qualify for financial damages (compensation). This type of claim could be brought against the Uber or Lyft driver, the rideshare company, or a third party, such as another driver or a motor vehicle manufacturer.
Under Texas law, an employer can be held vicariously liable for the actions of its employee. However, Uber and Lyft drivers are classified as independent contractors. This means the companies generally cannot be sued for rideshare driver negligence. However, Uber and Lyft are required to carry insurance to pay for harm caused to passengers because of their drivers. An individual may be able to access this insurance without having to prove fault.
Potential Damages Available After Your Rideshare Accident
You may be entitled to damages for various losses after an Uber or Lyft accident in Seguin. If you suffered a traumatic brain injury in the crash, for example, you may qualify for damages for your medical care, physical therapy and lost wages.
The damages that may be available to you include:
- Past and future medical care
- Lost wages
- Lost future ability to earn due to a disability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage, if you were driving your own vehicle
- Wrongful death damages, for the loss of a loved one
- Punitive damages
Uber and Lyft both maintain insurance policies that offer up to $1 million in coverage for injured passengers. The amount of coverage that is accessible to you will depend on the circumstances, such as the phase or period of your ride.
What Should You Do After a Rideshare Accident?
At the scene of an Uber or Lyft accident in Seguin, there are actions you should take to protect yourself and your legal rights. If you can, here’s what to do:
- Check for injuries. Make sure your Uber or Lyft driver has pulled over in a safe location. Check yourself and others in the vehicle for injuries and seek immediate medical care.
- Call 911. Make sure someone notifies law enforcement and reports the rideshare accident. Write down the report number if the police come to the scene.
- Get the rideshare driver’s information, including a description of the vehicle and license plate numbers. Take a screenshot of your trip information in the rideshare app.
- Take pictures at the accident scene before you leave, including all vehicles involved and the crash location. Take photographs of your injuries as they heal, as well.
- Report the accident to Uber or Lyft through its customer service phone number or the app. When you are ready to file a claim for financial compensation, consult with an attorney.
A personal injury lawyer can guide you through the steps of an insurance claim or lawsuit with advice that you can trust. Your attorney can file a claim on your behalf while you concentrate on healing from serious injuries.
Call Our Skilled Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers Today
Rideshare accident cases can be complex and difficult to navigate on your own, especially if you are also dealing with a serious injury. At Hill Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys, our Seguin Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you hold a rideshare company or another party accountable for your crash-related losses. We are passionate about helping clients protect their rights.
Find out how we can help you by requesting a free case evaluation with an attorney in Seguin. Call (210) 960-3939 or contact us online today.