Guiding You Through the Complexities of Rideshare Accident Claims

Rideshare services have gained popularity overnight, and more San Antonians and residents of surrounding areas rely on them for daily transportation. With the significant increase in popularity, there has also been a rise in rideshare accidents that can occur at any time.

Suppose you have been involved in an accident with a rideshare vehicle. In that case, you must understand your legal rights and who can be held liable for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Identifying who is responsible in a rideshare accident can be challenging, and a knowledgeable attorney is often needed to clarify the legal issues.

Barry Deacon Law is a law firm committed to helping clients navigate rideshare accident cases. Contact our law office today to schedule a free, secure, and in-depth case evaluation.

What Steps Should I Take if I Have Been Involved in a Rideshare Accident?

Being involved in any type of motor vehicle accident can be unsettling, and rideshare accidents are no different. If you have been involved in a rideshare accident, there are specific steps you must take to protect yourself.

Contact the Authorities

Contact 911 to report the accident and check yourself and anyone else involved for injuries. If there are injuries, request that emergency medical responders be dispatched to the accident scene.

Exchange Information and Collect Evidence

Other key steps that you should take include exchanging driver’s license and insurance information and gathering the names of any bystanders who may have witnessed the car crash. Also, be sure to take numerous photos and videos of the scene, including vehicle damage and any injuries sustained. If you have been injured, seek medical attention immediately. Be sure to keep a copy of the police reports and medical paperwork, as you will need this documentation if you plan on filing a personal injury claim.

Other Key Points to Remember

Do not post any information on social media regarding the accident or agree to speak to the rideshare driver’s insurance company. Regardless of whether it is an Uber or Lyft accident, you must seek legal representation from a qualified attorney who can assist you with the claims process. Rideshare companies have skilled legal teams whose priority is to look for ways they deny claims or pay significantly less than they are worth.

Whose Insurance Coverage Pays for Compensation After a Rideshare Accident?

One of the most common legal issues many rideshare accident victims face is determining who should pay their damages. Because Uber and Lyft drivers are considered independent contractors, determining which insurance policy should cover the damages can quickly become complicated.

Whose insurance coverage should pay for damages basically comes down to whether the rideshare driver was logged into the app and working at the time the collision occurred. If a third party is found at fault, their insurance provider is responsible for paying damages.

The amount of rideshare insurance coverage available will also depend on the driver’s status at the time of the accident.

Phase 1

During Phase 1, the rideshare driver’s app is off, and if they are involved in an accident, their personal insurance coverage pays for damages. The collision will be treated just as any other car accident case, and the driver’s insurance coverage limits will apply to any compensation you may receive. Texas minimum liability insurance requirements include $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.

Phase 2

During Phase 2, the driver’s app is on, so they are considered to be “on-duty,” but they have not accepted a ride. During Phase 2, Uber and Lyft provide limited coverage, including $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage.

Phase 3

During Phase 3, the rideshare driver is either en route to pick up a passenger or already transporting one when the accident occurs. It is only during Phase 3 that rideshare companies provide the highest level of insurance coverage for accident victims. During Phase 3, both Uber and Lyft provide up to $1 million in liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Why Do Most Rideshare Accidents Occur in the San Antonio Area?

As with other motor vehicle collisions, rideshare accidents happen when drivers least expect them. San Antonio is well known for its traffic congestion and confusing road system, which can easily contribute to auto accidents. Rideshare accidents can leave victims with serious injuries, especially in intersection accidents or rear-end collisions where drivers slow down or stop quickly to make sudden lane changes.

Other frequently cited factors that contribute to rideshare accidents include:

• Distracted driving: Rideshare drivers often are in unfamiliar areas and can easily become distracted while looking at their GPS or impacted by passenger behavior.
• Speeding: Some rideshare drivers speed to increase their trip count and make more money. Driving at high speeds greatly increases the risk of the rideshare driver being involved in a crash.
• Driver fatigue: Many Uber and Lyft drivers also work other jobs and drive long hours, resulting in driver fatigue, which can severely impair their reaction time and ability to make quick decisions.
• Pressure to maintain high ratings: Many drivers feel pressured to maintain their high ratings and often engage in risky driving behaviors such as speeding or failing to obey traffic laws.
• Driver inexperience: Many rideshare drivers are inexperienced or new to the San Antonio area and its roadways. This lack of experience, especially in heavily traveled areas, can easily lead to accidents.

No matter the cause of the accident, Barry Deacon Law is passionately committed to holding negligent rideshare drivers and their companies accountable for their actions. Contact us today to schedule a free case assessment.

Why Should I Consider Hiring a Rideshare Accident Lawyer to Handle My Case?

If you were injured due to a rideshare driver’s negligence, a skilled attorney can help you move forward with a strong claim. Texas personal injury law can be overly complex, especially when commercial insurance coverage is factored in. One of the most important legal services that rideshare accident lawyers provide to clients is determining liability after a crash has occurred. Depending on the circumstances of the rideshare accident, multiple parties may be involved, so determining liability will play a significant role in the compensation you ultimately receive.

Rideshare companies face countless lawsuits annually and have highly trained legal teams whose main objective is to avoid paying full compensation. When you hire an attorney, they will act as your legal advocate and handle all interactions with the insurance provider, and work to help you recover maximum compensation for your damages.

One of the lesser-known benefits of hiring a lawyer is that allowing them to deal with the insurance company allows you to focus on your recovery and alleviates stress. Your lawyer will address your concerns and keep you informed as your claim makes its way through the legal process.

Should I Accept the First Settlement Offer Presented By the Insurance Company?

When medical expenses and other bills start piling up, it can be tempting to want to accept the insurance company’s first settlement offer. Nevertheless, in most instances, the insurance provider’s initial offer does not account for future medical bills, pain and suffering, or emotional distress.

If you or a loved one has suffered spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries, you will most likely need lifelong medical care that a quick settlement will not provide. Lifelong skilled nursing care can quickly become cost-prohibitive, quickly sending families into a financial crisis.

The most effective option is to allow a rideshare accident attorney to negotiate fair compensation with the insurance company. Your attorney will gather critical evidence and build a compelling case that will withstand the insurance provider’s legal scrutiny and their efforts to try to deny or reduce your settlement.

To safeguard your rights and protect yourself from inadvertently making a statement that jeopardizes your case, you should never agree to speak to the rideshare driver’s insurance company. Instead, allow our San Antonio Uber and Lyft accident attorney, who is familiar with the legal nuances involved in handling personal injury claims, to recover the maximum compensation you deserve.

How Can the State’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule Affect My Rideshare Accident Claim?

Texas law follows a modified comparative negligence doctrine, meaning that if you are found to share liability for a rideshare accident, your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be 51% or greater at fault, you will be barred from trying to recover compensation.

Unfortunately, insurance companies often look for ways to blame rideshare accident victims to maintain profitability. If an Uber or Lyft driver has injured you, you need a lawyer who has experience fighting against insurance companies and their bad faith practices.

Barry Deacon Law has a proven track record of protecting car accident victims from insurance companies. If we agree to take your case, our legal team will gather essential proof to strengthen your case and refute any claims that you share responsibility for the accident.

Our goal is to help clients hold ridesharing services accountable and ensure they can confidently face the future by obtaining appropriate restitution for their injuries and losses.

Contact Barry Deacon Law Today to Learn More About Our Rideshare Accident Legal Services

Barry Deacon Law has extensive experience helping injury victims seek compensation for Uber and Lyft accidents. When you come to us for help with your personal injury case, our rideshare accident lawyer, Barry Deacon, will handle your case from start to finish and give it the one-on-one attention it deserves.

Unlike other San Antonio Uber accident lawyers, we never encourage clients to accept settlements that do not adequately address their needs. If you want to secure the fair compensation you deserve after being injured by an Uber or Lyft driver, contact our San Antonio law firm at (210) 985-8398 for English-speaking clients and (210) 796-4933 for Spanish-speaking clients. For your convenience, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.