Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are now staples of transportation, serving everyday commuters, tourists, and anyone who just needs a ride. However, as with any vehicle, drivers are susceptible to accidents. If you are involved in a rideshare accident, you have rights and deserve compensation. Consider hiring a Denver rideshare accident lawyer to help you with your case.
In Denver, North Carolina, rideshare drivers are required to carry liability insurance. Unfortunately, sometimes insurance companies do not offer a reasonable settlement. The lawyers at Grimes Yeoman, PLLC, will push hard to negotiate a fair settlement and even go to court if necessary to fight for your case.
In 2023, there were 74,161 crashes that resulted in injuries in North Carolina, and over 280,000 overall. If you are in a rideshare accident, your safety is the priority. Therefore, if you are the driver, you should immediately pull your car over if possible, to prevent a further accident or damage. If you are pulled over, follow these steps:
No matter the extent or nature of the accident, you should always remain at the scene and collect as much information as possible from the other driver. Your specific steps are determined by whether a police officer was present at the scene. If an officer is present, you may not need to provide or obtain information, as they will often do this. However, if they were not present, you may want to file a crash report and collect the following information from the other driver:
Once you contact the other driver’s insurer, you can begin the process of receiving compensation. It may be helpful to contact a Denver rideshare accident lawyer during this process to ensure you are navigating the process correctly.
Being involved in a rideshare accident, whether you are the driver or a passenger, can be a highly charged and devastating situation. However, it is important to remain calm, as any information provided can either be used against you or used for your benefit in the claims process. First, you want to record the other driver’s personal and insurance information and then initiate the claims process with their insurance company.
If you file a claim with an insurance company, you may receive compensation for medical bills and expenses, damages incurred, lost wages, or pain and suffering. Your lawyer can help you ascertain the amount you can recover based on your experience.
As an at-fault state, North Carolina requires the rideshare driver who causes accident to also hold responsibility for paying for damages and injuries.
As it pertains to insurance, in North Carolina, drivers who work for transportation network companies (TNCs), such as Uber or Lift, are required to have liability insurance. Insurance coverage requirements depend on the nature of the rideshare. For example, coverage is different when the app is on, waiting for a request, and en route to a pickup.
If the TNC rideshare driver is logged into the rideshare app but not providing a rideshare service, the minimum amount for liability insurance applies, following the 50/100/50 rule for personal insurance of $50,000, $100,000, and $25,000 for death or bodily injury and property damage. Once a rideshare driver has accepted a ride or is actively transporting a passenger, TNCs are required to provide up to $1,000,000 in liability coverage per incident, along with uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
If you get in an accident while riding Uber or Lyft, you should remain calm and check for serious injuries. Your safety is of utmost importance. After calling the police and receiving medical attention, you should collect any evidence at the scene that may help you with your claim. This may include photos or other documentation.
North Carolina is an At-Fault state, and whoever is responsible for the accident is required to pay for damages or any personal injuries that may be sustained. In fact, if a driver has any fault in an accident, they may be ineligible to receive compensation under contributory negligence laws. To find out how your unique details may impact any potential settlements, be sure to speak with your lawyer.
If your Uber crashes, you may or may not receive compensation, depending on the nature of the accident and your insurance. Each case is different, so it is important to speak with your lawyer to determine if and how much you may receive if involved in an Uber accident. If you do receive compensation, however, you can recover damages from medical expenses, car damage, loss of wages, and even pain and suffering in some cases.
The amount of money a rideshare accident lawyer charges depends on the lawyer, their level of experience, the complexity of the case, and whether the case is litigated in court. Your specific lawyer can provide an accurate idea of their fees, though many clients find that the cost of the lawyer pales in comparison to potential missed compensation from not having one.
Being in a rideshare accident can be scary and overwhelming. It is difficult enough to endure a serious accident, but this can be augmented by unexpected expenses. At Grimes Yeoman, PLLC, we take pride in helping you with your case and recovering damages and losses.
Contact us today for a consultation and learn how we can fight for you. Whether inside or outside of court, when you need a Denver rideshare accident lawyer, we have the knowledge and experience you can depend on.