If you were in a rideshare accident, either as a customer or as a driver, you might qualify to seek compensation for your expenses and losses. If we believe your case supports action against the rideshare driver or company, a Biloxi ridesharing accident lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm may offer to represent you.
You can learn more about your options following an Uber or Lyft accident in Biloxi by calling the Morris Bart law office in Gulfport today. A team member is available to discuss your collision with you at (228) 357-9621.
Understanding Liability and Insurance Coverage in a Rideshare Accident Case
Rideshare companies are unique because they do not employ full-time drivers. Instead, drivers are independent contractors who utilize the app to connect with riders. The companies claim they are just a technology that links the two. However, this relationship can make pursuing damages after an accident more complex.
Rideshare companies evaluate drivers based on their driving history and other factors. They also provide liability insurance coverage for injuries to riders or victims of accidents their contracted drivers cause. These factors make them potentially liable in some collision cases. As such, determining the insurance coverage that applies at the time of the accident can be complicated.
The two most popular rideshare companies in Harrison County and throughout the country are Uber and Lyft. Both Lyft and Uber provide insurance coverage for their drivers, but only in specific situations. For example:
- When a driver is “on the app” but not yet paired with a rider, the company’s coverage serves as a backup if the driver’s own policy denies the claim.
- When a driver pairs with a rider, the rideshare company’s $1 million auto liability coverage is in effect from that moment until the ride is complete.
If you were a rideshare passenger at the time of the accident, the rideshare company’s liability policy applies. However, if you were hit by a rideshare vehicle without a passenger, it can be difficult to figure out the insurance coverage available to you.
Here at the Morris Bart law office, we know how to assign liability, determine insurance coverage, and take action in a rideshare accident case. Call (228) 357-9621 to learn more about your claim for compensation during a complimentary accident review.
For a free legal consultation with a Ridesharing Accident lawyer serving Biloxi, call (228) 357-9621
Pursuing Damages in a Biloxi Rideshare Accident Claim
You can likely file an insurance claim based on the rideshare driver’s liability policy or the rideshare company’s coverage if one of the following is true:
- You suffered injuries in an accident as a rideshare passenger.
- The rideshare driver caused your accident and collided with your vehicle.
- A rideshare driver hit you in a pedestrian or bicyclist accident.
In any of these situations, it will be important to have a solid understanding of the injuries and damages you suffered before filing a claim. You cannot know what a fair settlement might entail unless you know the value of your losses and expenses. When we represent a traffic accident victim, we document their injuries, prognosis, treatment, future and ongoing care expenses, property damages, and more.
Biloxi Ridesharing Accident Lawyer Near Me (228) 357-9621
Estimating the Value of Rideshare Accident Damages
If we take your case, we will use the value of your losses to seek a fair settlement that adequately compensates you for your accident. The recoverable damages could include the following:
- Initial care, stabilization, and transportation to the hospital
- Rehabilitation and related expenses
- Ongoing care costs
- Current and future lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property losses
- Other related expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Additional intangible losses
Occasionally, it is not possible to reach a settlement that compensates our client fairly. The insurer or rideshare company may refuse to accept responsibility or issue a reasonable offer, requiring us to take additional action to recover a payout for our client. Mississippi law gives us three years to file a civil suit when this occurs, per Mississippi Code Annotated §15-1-49.
This period begins on the accident date and generally expires on the third anniversary of the collision. If necessary, we can file a lawsuit in a Harrison County civil court against the driver, rideshare company, or another liable party in your case, as long as we take action before this time limit passes.
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Morris Bart, LTD Handles Rideshare Accident Cases Based on Contingency
When you choose a Biloxi ridesharing accident lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm, we will outline a fee schedule based on contingency. Our team will explain this to you in more detail during your initial consultation. In general, this means we will not ask you to pay us any upfront or out-of-pocket fees.
Instead, our attorney fees are contingent on our ability to secure a settlement or financial award in your case. We request a portion of your financial recovery at the end of the proceedings. If we do not recover compensation for you in your case, we will not receive attorney fees.
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Talk with a Team Member from Our Office Today
A Biloxi ridesharing accident lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm might be able to hold the rideshare driver or company accountable and recover compensation for your damages. We can represent you if your case supports legal action against the driver or company.
Discuss your accident case with a team member from the Morris Bart law firm for free today. Call (228) 357-9621 to get started with your complimentary consultation. We help rideshare accident victims throughout Mississippi as well as in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Alabama from 16 offices conveniently located around the Gulf South.
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