Gone are the days of hailing a cab or calling for a taxi service. With apps like Uber and Lyft, ridesharing has become the new and preferred method of transportation services. Ridesharing certainly makes getting from point A to point B much more convenient and even cheaper than older taxi services. Unfortunately, with the rise in ridesharing services, rideshare-related accidents have risen as well.
If you are injured, and you aren’t the one that was behind the wheel, understanding who was at fault can be tricky. Sometimes, it is obvious whether you or the other driver was at fault when you are the one driving. With rideshare services, however, it is often harder to determine who is liable. For example, was it the rideshare driver, the rideshare company, or another driver?
Due to the complex nature of accidents involving rideshare services, working with an experienced Indianapolis personal injury attorney is recommended. While rideshare services are required to have insurance coverage, it is common for them to deny fault and fight against any charges in an effort to escape liability and having to pay a settlement amount. An attorney experienced in rideshare cases will know how to fight against these companies to ensure you receive the full amount of compensation that you deserve.
Rideshare Company Facts
Ridesharing is a billion-dollar industry, so you can bet that companies such as Uber and Lyft have hefty insurance policies and a team of experts ready to protect them against any potential claims and lawsuits. However, when a driver is transporting or on the way to pick up passengers, these companies have insurance policies that will cover anyone injured in an accident up to $1 million. Unfortunately, despite having these policies in place, insurers will often still try to deny fault or make claims to minimize the severity of the accident or any injuries sustained.
Who is Liable After a Rideshare Accident?
As mentioned above, most rideshare companies have insurance policies that provide coverage up to $1 million if passengers are in the car or being picked up. If you are one of those passengers and you are injured in an accident, you can file a claim against the rideshare company’s insurance. However, if there are no passengers in the car and the driver was not actively on-duty when an accident occurs, the coverage for anyone involved who was injured drops to $50,000 per person.
In some cases, if the driver of the rideshare vehicle is at fault, you may be able to file a claim with the driver’s personal insurance company. The coverage, however, will be limited to that individual’s policy. In Indiana, the minimum coverage is $25,000/$50,000 for bodily injury. Keep in mind that while this is a potential option, not all insurance policies cover drivers who are using their vehicle for rideshare purposes.
Uber and Lyft provide coverage no matter who is at fault, so going after their insurers is your best bet. Despite their million-dollar policy, however, getting a full settlement is unlikely. As with any insurance company, rideshare carriers are known for denying claims and offering quick and reduced-amount settlements. If you want to get the full coverage you deserve, you will need to work with an experienced Indiana attorney.
What Should I Do After Being Injured in a Rideshare Accident?
Following an accident involving a rideshare vehicle, there are three steps you should take:
- Collect evidence: If you are not severely injured and immediately taken to a hospital, you should try to collect any evidence that you can. This includes photos of your injury, damage to the vehicles, any other property involved, and images of the whole scene. Additionally, you should gather any possible witness statements and their contact information. These will all help build a strong case and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
- Seek medical attention: No matter how minor your injuries are, you should always go to the doctor following an accident as soon as you can. If your injuries are severe, you will likely be taken to a hospital—just be sure you obtain copies of any documents related to your injury and any treatments prescribed or given. If you see your primary doctor following the accident, be sure to tell them what happened and that you will be taking legal action so they can provide you with copies of any documents as well. Proof that you sought medical attention after the accident will further help support your case.
- Contact an Indiana personal injury attorney: Rideshare companies are notorious for fighting against injury claims and offering low settlements. They work under the assumption that victims are too scared to fight back. Unfortunately, this happens all too often, but you deserve to stand up for your rights to receive the full compensation that you deserve. Working with an experienced attorney can help ensure that you have someone fighting on your side who is determined to help you win your case.
Consult an Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyer
After a car accident resulting in potentially severe injuries, the last thing you’ll want to deal with is a rideshare carrier trying to get out of paying you what you need to recover in peace. Rarely do rideshare insurance companies pay a fair amount of compensation upfront. If you or a loved one has been injured in a rideshare accident, you may need to work with an attorney to get the full coverage that you deserve.
At Crossen Law Firm, our team has years of experience fighting for the victims of car accidents, including those involving rideshare services like Lyft and Uber. We are dedicated to working tirelessly to get you the compensation that you need. Contact us today or give us a call for a free consultation at (317) 401-8626.
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