Rideshare drivers are a growing presence on the road, particularly in urban areas. Most rideshare drivers take their work seriously, ensuring they protect their passengers and others on the road by being safe behind the wheel.
However, this is not always the case. Rideshare services do not have any particular training program or special requirements that drivers have to follow that would provide an extra level of safety. For example, the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) states that truck drivers in Louisiana must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to prove competency. Rideshare drivers do not have similar requirements. They only need a regular driver’s license.
If a rideshare driver made an error behind the wheel and caused an accident in which you suffered injuries, you have the right to seek compensation. A Baton Rouge Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer from the team at the Morris Bart law firm can review your case, and determine if you are entitled to compensation. Contact us at (225) 341-5694 today for a free case review.
Injured Passengers of Rideshare Drivers
When you are riding in a car as a rideshare client, you have protection through any liability insurance the rideshare company carries on behalf of its drivers. Should the driver have an accident and you are injured, you can claim compensation through this coverage.
For example, Uber provides liability insurance coverage that protects passengers if the Uber driver causes an accident. Lyft has a very similar insurance package for its drivers when they are transporting clients. If you end up in an accident, you can seek compensation for the following:
- Emergency medical care
- Current medical bills
- Estimated future medical bills
- Lost wages while you recover
- Estimated future lost wages
- Costs for prescription medications
For a free legal consultation with a Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accident lawyer serving Baton Rouge, call (225) 341-5694
We Are Ready to Help with Your Case
Due to the way that insurance works for rideshare companies, cases in which one of their drivers causes a collision can be confusing for victims to understand. This is where a personal injury lawyer can provide assistance.
At the Morris Bart law firm, our team takes pride in advocating for victims of others’ negligence. We can sort through the most complex accident situations to determine what happened and which parties to hold liable for your injuries. For a free review of your collision case, contact us at (225) 341-5694 today.
When a Rideshare Accident Injures Other Drivers
If a rideshare driver is behaving negligently behind the wheel and hits your car, you have the right to seek damages from that driver’s insurance policy, just as you would from any other driver who hits you and is found to be at fault for a crash.
Which insurance policy you will use to cover your pain, suffering, and medical bills can be hard to pin down when a rideshare driver is involved. Your Baton Rouge Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer can help you sort this out.
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The Rideshare Driver’s Personal Insurance
For both Uber and Lyft, the rideshare driver’s personal auto insurance policy is in play if the rideshare app is not active, meaning they are not officially waiting for, traveling to, or carrying a client. The rideshare company does not take responsibility for any crash that the driver causes when they are not at work.
You and your attorney can request the app logs and smartphone records for the driver to show whether they were actively working for the rideshare company at the time of your collision.
The Rideshare Company’s Liability Insurance
If the Lyft or Uber driver who hit you was actively using the rideshare app to search for or carry passengers, the rideshare company’s insurance company could then be responsible for your compensation. These situations include the following;
- Waiting for a ride request: If the driver is active but does not yet have a ride request, his or her own auto insurance policy will handle the compensation for you, unless that policy specifically excludes this situation. If so, the rideshare company’s insurance takes over.
- Verified passengers: If the driver is traveling to pick up passengers or has passengers in the vehicle, the rideshare company’s insurance policy would then be responsible for compensating you for your injuries.
Holding a Negligent Rideshare Driver Responsible
Some people may feel unsure about whether they want to bring a personal injury claim after an accident that a rideshare driver causes. Filing a claim while trying to recover from injuries can be difficult, especially considering the complexity of cases like these.
However, doing so can allow you to receive the compensation you need to recover both physically and financially. It may also help you hold the driver who caused the accident responsible for his or her actions. Some drivers may continue to make the same mistakes on the roads if they do not face the consequences of a personal injury claim.
Let Morris Bart, LLC Help You with Your Case
When you hire the Morris Bart law firm to represent you, we can take care of the day-to-day work involved in a personal injury claim. We will take over negotiations with the insurance company for the responsible party and communicate on your behalf to seek fair compensation.
A Baton Rouge Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer from our firm can help to ensure your case meets all the necessary deadlines and remains on track toward a satisfactory settlement. For a free consultation, call us at (225) 341-5694 as soon as possible.
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