Can I File a Lawsuit Against the Rideshare Driver Directly?

Taking a rideshare may seem like the easiest way to avoid putting yourself in danger. You may have taken an Uber or Lyft following a fun night out with friends, only to be involved in a severe accident. Now, you are devastated and may be unsure where to turn.

When you are injured because an Uber or Lyft driver was careless with your safety, you may have grounds for a lawsuit with the help of the team at Triumph Law. Your Sacramento rideshare accident lawyer can provide guidance and legal experience that will help you overcome the devastating effects of your accident. If you are unsure where to turn, turn to a legal advocate who can help you recover from your injuries.

Rideshare Companies: How Much Responsibility Do They Have When Something Goes Wrong?

When you are involved in a rideshare accident, one of your first concerns is who is responsible for your accident. Determining who caused your accident and who is financially liable is crucial to filing your claim. Without this information, you may not be able to file.

However, filing a claim against a rideshare company can be more complex than filing a claim against other businesses. These companies have specific strategies to avoid being held responsible. Fortunately, we can help guide you when something goes wrong.

Employee vs. Independent Contractor: How Rideshare’s System Can Impact Your Case

Uber & Lyft accidents can be complex because the rideshare companies are not always the ones legally at fault. Typically, when an employee of a company causes an accident with their negligence, the employer is responsible for the accident. Employers are responsible for any accident that happens in the scope of their employees’ jobs. However, rideshare companies may be held to different standards.

Rideshare companies consider their employees independent contractors. In most states, independent contractors do not have the same labor rights as other workers. In your case, that means your car accident may not fall under the company’s liability.

Can I Sue the Rideshare Company?

Your first instinct may be to hold the rideshare company accountable for your injuries. This choice is available to you in most cases, including other instances in which you were injured by a driver, like a commercial truck driver. However, you may find yourself dealing with independent contractor laws in cases involving rideshare drivers.

That means most rideshare accident claims are not filed against companies like Uber and Lyft. The case instead falls on the driver, who may have made a costly mistake and may not have the out-of-pocket funds for your recovery. Fortunately, there are still ways you can be appropriately compensated for your suffering.

Uber and Lyft’s Insurance Coverage Policy

Fortunately, the rideshare companies provide some support following an accident through insurance coverage policies. As long as the rideshare driver has accepted the ride or is in the process of providing the trip, the rideshare company’s insurance policy should be viable. Uber and Lyft require drivers to carry up to $1 million in liability insurance, which they offer through their insurance providers, in addition to the personal insurance coverage they already carry.

You May Be Due Compensation that Covers Your Needs

As you seek out justice and closure following a rideshare accident, one of your biggest concerns may be paying for the many expenses and losses you have suffered because of the accident. Your personal injury lawyer may be vital to getting these answers. We can advocate for you as you pursue compensation through the insurance company or the courtroom.

Potential Damages You Could Be Awarded

Compensatory or economic and non-economic damages are some of the more critical damages you may seek as they cover the specific losses and suffering you experience because of the accident. Your economic damages should cover financial suffering, from medical bills to lost wages. Your non-economic damages cover the intangible suffering you have experienced, also known as pain and suffering.

However, in some cases, you may also be due punitive damages. These damages are rarely awarded, but they may be sought in cases where the driver who injured you was grossly negligent or intended to harm you. Speak with your lawyer about seeking punitive damages to compensate you further and potentially deter future suffering like yours.

Your Rideshare Accident Attorney Will Work to Help Your Claim Succeed

You may want the case to go away when involved in a rideshare accident, but accepting the first insurance settlement offer may not be the right choice. While the amount the insurance company offers may seem high, you may need more than that to cover the expenses for your case. Worst, they may already be delaying or denying your compensation.

Your personal injury attorney is a vital part of your recovery because they are there to advocate for your needs and represent you in court. When you seek out compensation, it is easy to make mistakes and fail to prove you need the compensation you are seeking. Our team at Triumph Law can step in and represent you in the courtroom to build an aggressive defense for the specific needs of your claim.

One of the most important parts of seeking out a legal advocate is the vast wealth of experience and resources they can provide. You may have never set foot in a courtroom before your case began, and it is easy to make mistakes, especially when you are hurt. Our firm can take over the details of your claim while you focus on recovering from the suffering you have experienced.

Reach Out to Get Help from a Rideshare Accident Attorney with Triumph Law

Rideshare accidents can leave you devastated, suffering severe injuries, and with no lifeline to recovery. Fortunately, a rideshare accident attorney can guide you through the details of your claim, pursuing the compensation you are due. With our firm on your side, you can expect results when you take your claim to court.

Are you ready to take action and file your rideshare claim? Our team at Triumph Law is prepared to help your claim succeed. To start with a free consultation, contact us by calling our office or completing our online contact form.