Raleigh Rideshare Accident Attorney Working to Secure Full Compensation for Injuries in Uber and Lyft

The popularity of rideshare services like Uber and Lyft has dramatically changed transportation in cities like Raleigh. People who never would have dreamed of calling a taxi regularly plan to get around by rideshare rather than driving on their own.

Rideshare use may have prevented numerous drunk driving accidents because people who plan to go out drinking will often let a paid driver take them home. While that is terrific news, it does not mean that the number of all types of accidents is down. The growing number of rideshare drivers ferrying passengers to unfamiliar locations has led to a rise in rideshare accidents in Raleigh.

If you were injured in a collision involving a driver working for a rideshare company, it is important to understand your rights and the most effective approach for securing compensation for your losses. A Raleigh rideshare accident attorney at Martin & Jones can help. We understand the complex factors that can often make it more difficult to recover damages in a rideshare accident case than in other car accident situations. We are dedicated to obtaining justice and the best possible outcome for accident victims, and we have decades of experience achieving results that enable our clients to move forward after the destruction done to their lives by someone else’s negligence.

Understanding Rideshare Accidents

A rideshare accident is a collision involving a vehicle operated by a driver who is under contract with a rideshare company such as Uber or Lyft. Whether you are a passenger in the rideshare vehicle or you are riding in another vehicle struck by a rideshare driver, your rights and ability to recover compensation may be different from what they would be if the car were not in the service of a rideshare provider.

Rideshare companies are services that match individuals seeking a ride with drivers willing to provide transportation. Rides are booked and paid for through the rideshare company’s app, and the rideshare company sets the price depending on local demand.

Drivers who work through rideshare platforms in Raleigh are considered independent contractors, but they must meet age and driving experience requirements and pass background checks. So, although the drivers are not employees of the rideshare companies, those companies do exercise some control over the drivers and their vehicles.

Steps to Take After a Rideshare Accident

Your actions after a rideshare accident may vary slightly depending on the situation, but your health always comes first. Immediately after the accident, take whatever steps are necessary to keep yourself and those with you safe from further harm. Then someone needs to call 911 to get first responders on the scene.

Even if the collision seems minor and no one appears to be hurt, it is wise to seek assistance from professionals who can assess the situation, set up traffic barricades, and begin emergency medical care if necessary. It is important to get the police on the scene to take an accident report because this can serve as very valuable evidence to prove that someone else caused the accident and that you did not.

You need to ensure that you receive a full medical exam after the collision so that doctors can look for signs of internal injuries, brain damage, or other injuries that are not immediately obvious. Records from your medical exam can serve as evidence that your injuries were caused by the accident, so it is important to see the doctor as soon as possible after the accident.

Once you have taken steps to protect yourself and your health, you also need to think about protecting your legal status. Insurance companies and others involved in the case may start trying to question you right away, hoping they can get you to say something that enables them to blame you for the accident. You need to be ready to anticipate their tactics. In addition, you will need to start gathering and preserving evidence. A Raleigh rideshare accident attorney at Martin & Jones may be able to assist with these and a variety of other matters, so it is a good idea to consult an attorney as soon as you can. If you are able, you can start securing evidence by taking photos of everything, getting contact information from witnesses, and recording everything you can remember about the time before, during, and after the accident.

FAQs About Rideshare Accidents in Raleigh

Is it okay to talk to the rideshare company or their insurance adjuster before speaking with an attorney?

Unless you have considerable experience dealing with corporate liability attorneys and insurance adjusters in personal injury cases, it is wise to seek legal advice before talking to representatives of others involved in the collision. If you were driving at the time of the crash, you may need to report the accident to your own insurance company, and if so, you can state basic facts like the date and time of the accident, but do not offer an opinion about the cause or the extent of anyone’s injuries. Once you start working with a Raleigh rideshare accident attorney, your legal representative can handle all the questions from the insurance companies and rideshare companies so that you don’t have to worry about it.

Can I sue Uber or Lyft?

The rideshare companies try to structure their arrangements with drivers so they can avoid direct liability for anything their drivers do. This makes it difficult to seek compensation directly from the rideshare companies in most situations. However, there may be occasions where Uber or Lyft would be liable. For instance, if they advertise that all of their drivers have passed criminal background checks and yet they have a driver with a history of recent convictions for violent crimes, a Raleigh rideshare accident attorney would probably be able to make a good case that the rideshare company would share in the liability for harmful acts committed by the driver.

Similarly, if the rideshare company advertises that all drivers are licensed and have a certain amount of experience, and a driver who caused an accident never passed the driving test to obtain a license in North Carolina, that is another situation in which the rideshare company could be held liable.

Is it true that rideshare companies provide extra insurance for their drivers?

Uber and Lyft both provide insurance for their drivers that can cover up to $1 million in an accident. However, that insurance is not always available.

How does the rideshare driver’s status on the app affect who pays for my claim?

The rideshare driver’s status at the time of an accident determines whether or not insurance from the rideshare company will be involved with and potentially pay for the claim. If the driver is off-duty and the app is off, only the driver’s personal insurance applies in the event of an accident. If the driver has the app turned on and is actively carrying a passenger or on the way to pick up a passenger, then the insurance provided by the rideshare company should be fully in force, often with a $1 million in coverage. When the driver’s status is in between, meaning that the app is on and the driver is available for passengers but not actively engaged in service, then the rideshare company’s insurance may be partially in force, providing less coverage than if the driver were actively providing service. Coverage limits in this situation are generally similar to state minimums for bodily injury coverage. In North Carolina, those amounts are $50,000 per person or $100,000 per accident for bodily injuries.

How long do I have to file a rideshare accident lawsuit in North Carolina?

The statute of limitations in North Carolina requires you to prepare and file your claim within three years of the date the rideshare accident occurred. If a rideshare accident causes someone to suffer a wrongful death, the claim must be filed within two years of the time of death.

Even if you have a full three years to file your claim, it is wise to begin working on building a solid case as soon as possible because the best evidence is only available right after the accident. The longer you wait, the more the accident scene will change, the harder it is to locate witnesses, and the more likely it becomes that video footage from traffic and security cameras will be overwritten.

Talk to a Raleigh Rideshare Accident Attorney at Martin & Jones for a Free Case Evaluation

Injuries from a car accident usually have long-term emotional, mental, and physical effects that can negatively impact your life for years to come. In addition to the trauma you’ve already experienced, you may be facing years of continuing pain and mental stress.

While a Raleigh rideshare accident attorney at Martin & Jones cannot remove the anguish or restore the time in your life that you’ve lost because of the collision, we can work to recover the maximum available compensation to provide a sense of justice and resources you can use to build your future. To discuss what may be possible in your case, call our team at 800-662-1234 or contact us online now to schedule a free consultation and case evaluation.