Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are incredibly popular in cities throughout the U.S. Their appeal makes sense, as they allow anyone with a smartphone to easily hail a driver and get a ride to any destination in the local area. However, even though rideshare drivers provide a convenient service, they can still cause serious collisions and injuries.
If you’ve been injured in an auto accident caused by a rideshare driver, you might not know how to pursue compensation for your medical bills and other expenses. What you’re feeling is normal, as it can be difficult to determine whether you should file a claim with the driver’s or the rideshare company’s insurance provider.
Fortunately, a rideshare accident attorney from Heninger Garrison Davis LLC can determine your best course of action and fight for the financial remedies you deserve. Contact one of our experienced car accident lawyers today
How a Rideshare Accident Lawyer Can Help You
If you’re dealing with an injury from an auto accident, you’re probably unable to go to work, let alone file a personal injury claim. Fortunately, our attorneys can handle the entire claims process for you. They’ll see your case through from start to finish, ensuring that the following steps are performed correctly:
Evidence Collection
The first step in any auto accident case is to collect evidence. Your rideshare accident lawyer can use evidence to build a solid claim on your behalf and convince insurers that you deserve a fair settlement. Your lawyer can use the following records and statements as evidence for your claim:
- The accident report from local law enforcement
- Photos and footage of the collision
- Eyewitness testimony
- Statements from accident reconstructionists
- Medical records that provide information regarding your injuries
If you’re able to, you’ll want to collect some evidence immediately after the accident. Use your smartphone to take photos of the vehicles involved in the collision, your injuries, and any signs or guardrails that were damaged in the incident.
You’ll also want to take down the names and phone numbers of anyone who witnessed the crash. Your lawyer could use testimony to push your claim across the finish line and get the results you deserve.
Determine the Best Path to Compensation
Rideshare accident victims often pursue compensation from the driver’s or the rideshare company’s insurance policy. To determine which insurer you should seek damages from, our rideshare accident attorneys will have to find out whether or not the rideshare driver was technically working during the time of the crash.
Since rideshare drivers are contracted employees, they aren’t always covered by their employer’s insurance coverage. For example, if the driver wasn’t logged into the Uber or Lyft app or if they had just finished dropping off a passenger, the rideshare company’s policy won’t cover your losses.
In that situation, you’d have to file a claim with the driver’s personal insurance plan. However, if the accident occurred when the driver was on their way to pick up a passenger or while they were transporting someone, you’ll be able to file a claim with the rideshare company’s insurer.
Fight for Your Compensation
Once our rideshare accident lawyers have determined which insurance company should cover your losses, they’ll file a claim with it. Unfortunately, filing a claim doesn’t ensure you’ll receive a fair payment for your injuries and accident-related expenses.
Your attorney will have to work with the insurance provider and negotiate with insurance adjusters until a fair offer is made. Once your lawyer has reached a fair settlement with the insurance provider, you could receive any of the following compensatory damages:
- Medical expenses
- Cost of ongoing and future medical care
- Cost of hospitalization and ambulance transportation
- Cost of assistive medical devices, medications, ad physical therapy
- Vehicle repair costs
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
For a free legal consultation, call (205) 326-3336
Don’t Skip Medical Treatment After a Rideshare Accident
If you’ve been involved in a rideshare collision, you’ll want to get checked out by a physician as soon as possible. Doing so will help you prevent further health issues and identify complications that may have been masked by the initial shock of the crash.
In addition, seeking medical attention right away will signal to insurers that your injuries are legitimate. This is important, as insurance companies receive fraudulent claims all the time. Showing you sought immediate medical treatment will dramatically increase your chances of receiving a fair settlement.
Your Time to File a Rideshare Accident Lawsuit Is Limited
Once you’ve received medical treatment, your next priority should be hiring an attorney to help you with your claim. Getting in touch with a lawyer ASAP is crucial to the success of your claim, as Alabama has a strict statute of limitations for personal injury suits.
According to the statute, which can be referred to in Alabama Code § 6.2.38, you have two years from the date of your rideshare accident to hire a lawyer and file a civil suit. If you fail to take legal action in that timeframe, you won’t be able to benefit from financial compensation.
Fortunately, our attorneys are well-versed in Alabama’s statute of limitations and can make sure your suit is filed on time. So as long as you reach out to us soon, we’ll ensure your case goes as smoothly as possible.
Meet With an Attorney from Our Firm to Discuss Your Case
Seeking compensation after a bad accident can be confusing and difficult. Luckily, an experienced attorney can guide you through the claims process and make sure everything is done by the book. They’ll do everything they can to maximize your compensation, so you can get the financial support you need to recover from your injuries.
Contact Heninger Garrison Davis LLC to meet with a rideshare accident attorney and find out if you’re eligible to file an insurance claim or personal injury suit. If a lawyer from our team agrees to take on your case, they’ll work tirelessly to get the best outcome possible for you.