Any car accident can be painful and life-changing, but those involving a rideshare vehicle are some of the most difficult from which to obtain fair compensation due to the complexities of insurance coverage and the multiple parties involved.
This is why working with a Southfield rideshare injury lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is a key way to ensure you get the settlement you deserve.
Why You Should Work With Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
Working with a Southfield ridesharing accident attorney from our team gives you the best possible chance of receiving compensation, as we have the resources and experience necessary to advocate for you. We’ve recovered millions on behalf of those who have suffered serious injuries and work to ensure every accident victim receives a just settlement.
Fatal rideshare passenger accident
Rideshare passenger shot by driver
Pedestrian hit by a rideshare vehicle
Rideshare driver sexual assault case
Motorcyclist hit by a rideshare vehicle
Hip and foot injury exiting a vehicle
When you contact our law firm for a free case evaluation, we will thoroughly investigate your case to determine who can be held liable, whether that is the rideshare driver or another motorist. We will determine how the car accident happened according to the evidence we gather, which often includes information that can be difficult for an individual to find on their own.
With evidence in hand, a Southfield rideshare injury attorney from our law firm will consult with trusted experts from our network of professionals in order to prove your injuries resulted from the circumstances of the car accident. They can also assist us in identifying how much your injuries may be worth.
Your rideshare accident lawyer will handle all negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf. Many insurance companies will make a low settlement offer to protect their bottom line and prevent rideshare services from losing money due to higher premiums.
However, our attorneys are highly skilled in negotiation and will come to the table with evidence showing you deserve our settlement proposition.
While most personal injury cases are settled out of course, if necessary, your rideshare accident lawyer will take the case to court, holding rideshare drivers and companies responsible for their negligence.
What Makes a Rideshare Accident Claim Challenging
Cases involving rideshare companies are more difficult to settle because there are multiple insurance policies, each of which has certain conditions before it is applicable.
It must be established that the rideshare driver was taking a fare at the time in order for the car accident to be covered by the rideshare company’s insurance; otherwise, it is the responsibility of the driver’s own insurance. Each company will attempt to diminish its liability.
This is why it is crucial for victims to work with a Southfield rideshare accident attorney who can demonstrate who is liable for accidents involving rideshare cars and communicate with all parties involved to make sure everything that should be covered is compensated.
Common personal injuries from an accident in a ridesharing vehicle include:
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Lacerations and contusions
- Facial injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Strains and sprains
- Eye injuries
- Death
Leading Causes of Rideshare Accidents
Common causes of accidents with Uber and Lyft drivers include:
- Distracted Driving – In 2022, there were 22 accidents involving distracted driving in Southfield Township [1]. An Uber or Lyft driver may be checking for new ride requests, texting, or looking at a map while driving, leading to a crash.
- Drunk Driving – 5 of the 219 accidents occurring in Southfield in 2022 involved drunk driving [2]. While ridesharing has resulted in a 6% reduction in drunk driving, many still decide to get behind the wheel while intoxicated [3].
- Reckless Driving – In 2022, 17 accidents in Southfield involved a lane departure by a single vehicle; 3 involved multiple vehicles; and 1 involved hitting a parked car [4].
- Speeding – While Uber and Lyft drivers are monitored to see if they are following the speed limit, this does not mean other drivers follow the rules. 11.57% of all fatal accidents in Michigan involved speeding [5].
- Drowsy Driving – Rideshare driver drowsiness is considered a serious issue in the industry, especially as there is no screening to check for sleep disorders [6].
- Disobeying Traffic Laws – 83 car accidents happened in Southfield at an intersection with a signal in 2022, showing that signals do not always prevent accidents [7].
- Weather Conditions – Southfield averages 35 inches of snow per year, which can make operating a rideshare vehicle very dangerous [8].
How Insurance Coverage Works for Uber and Lyft Drivers
Insurance coverage for an Uber or Lyft driver works differently than for a taxi or personal vehicle, as they are independent contractors who use their private vehicle for commercial purposes.
The ridesharing company does not have the same vicarious liability as a taxi company, though they do offer insurance for drivers in specific circumstances. These include the following.
Driver Is Offline
When the app is off and the driver is not working, their own insurance company is responsible for any personal injuries resulting from a collision.
App Is On
A driver who is waiting for a ride request has limited insurance for an auto accident from either Uber or Lyft. For both companies, this is $50,000 per person per injury, $100,000 per accident for injuries, and $25,000 per accident for property damage.
Driver Is En Route or Has a Passenger
When heading to pick up a passenger or transporting a passenger, an Uber or Lyft driver has insurance up to $1,000,000 per accident for personal injury and contingent comprehensive collision coverage up to the price of the vehicle after a $2,500 deductible.
Additionally, they have first-person coverage for injuries to the driver, and uninsured motorist coverage.
A Southfield ridesharing accident lawyer from our firm may determine a number of parties are accountable, which includes:
- Rideshare Driver – The Uber or Lyft driver is frequently the one held responsible for negligence, whether they were texting and driving or speeding.
- Other Drivers – Another at-fault driver, such as a passenger vehicle who went through a stop sign, may also be held responsible.
- Other Companies – If your rideshare is hit by a company vehicle, that company may have vicarious liability.
- Vehicle Manufacturers – If faulty parts contributed to the accident, the vehicle manufacturer may have been negligent.
- Pedestrians – A pedestrian who caused unsafe conditions by jaywalking may also be held responsible.
- Uber or Lyft – Because ridesharing drivers are independent contractors, it is not always possible to sue the rideshare company. However, if it can be shown they ignored serious safety issues or allowed a driver to continue working after a previous accident, they may be responsible.
What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident
- Stay at the Scene – After rideshare accidents, it’s important that you stay in place and wait for first responders to arrive.
- Call 911 – Contact 911 and wait for the police.
- Exchange Information – Get the names and insurance information of all drivers, and the contact details of any witnesses.
- Take Photos – Document the accident scene by taking photos of the vehicle damage and your own injuries.
- File a Police Report – Michigan requires that you immediately report any accident that caused over $1,000 in damage.
- File an Insurance Claim – Get in touch with the responsible party’s insurance company as soon as possible. They have 30 days to respond to you after you contact them [9].
- Contact a Southfield Rideshare Car Accident Lawyer – You can contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for a free consultation at any time.
You Have a Limited Time to File a Rideshare Car Accident Lawsuit
The statute of limitations for personal injury, product liability, and wrongful death is 3 years in Michigan. However, if it can be established that the liable party acted with intentional malice, the statute of limitations is only 2 years.
The Time It Takes to Settle a Rideshare Auto Accident Case
Settling an accident claim involving a rideshare can take anywhere from 6 weeks to over a year. A car accident with serious injuries or that implicates the rideshare company rather than a driver may take longer due to more extensive negotiation.
Insurance companies may also wish to wait until you have reached maximum medical recovery before assessing how much you are owed.
It’s crucial to get in touch with a rideshare accident lawyer as soon as possible to be sure we can attempt to reach a settlement before the statute of limitations closes.
Submitting an Accident Report to the Rideshare Company
Uber and Lyft allow you to report an accident through their apps. With Uber, click the blue shield and select “Report a crash.” You can also submit this online.With Lyft, tap “Report a safety issue,” then “Accident, damage, or unsafe ride.” Select “accident,” and they will guide you through providing further details. You can also visit their website.
Economic damages compensate you for financial losses, including:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Property damages
- Loss of earning potential
- Future medical bills
- Burial expenses in the case of wrongful death
Non-economic damages are for the social and emotional impacts of a car accident, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Inconvenience
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are committed to securing the maximum compensation for clients involved in rideshare accidents in Southfield. We meticulously investigate every aspect of your case to ensure that all medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering are fully covered. Our Southfield car accident attorneys have helped recover millions for our clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we are able to win your case.
To schedule your free consultation, contact us at (888) 424-5757 or use our online form.
References: [1] Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, [2] Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, [3] National Bureau of Economic Research, [4] Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, [5] The Detroit News, [6] Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, [7] Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, [8] BestPlaces, [9] Michigan Department of Insurance