Ridesharing is a common method of transportation, but due to its increase in popularity over the past few years, it has also resulted in an increased number of motor vehicle collisions around Tennessee. When you were hurt in an Uber/Lyft/rideshare accident in Bartlett, now is the time to discuss your options with knowledgeable legal counsel.
A seasoned car accident attorney from Reaves Law Firm, PLLC, could review your case and help you understand what legal options for pursuing compensation may be available. Our team will tirelessly advocate for you from the start to the end of your claim.
Holding rideshare companies, like Lyft or Uber, accountable for an accident through a personal injury lawsuit is not always possible because these companies treat their drivers as independent contractors. This means that the rideshare companies are not directly responsible for the negligent actions of their freelance operators.
However, legal action is appropriate in specific scenarios. If the company is directly responsible for causing an accident through negligent hiring practices, an injured person may be able to seek compensation from them successfully. Discussing these options with an attorney in Bartlett following an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare accident is crucial. Even if litigation is not appropriate, the company might be responsible for the cost of a collision through its insurance policy. The law requires these entities to offer supplemental liability coverage to their drivers in certain circumstances.
The maximum benefits available under Uber or Lyft policies depend primarily on whether the driver has a passenger or is looking for one when the collision in Bartlett happened. While an insurance company might pay as much as $1 million for a claim, many injured drivers can access much less.
A company is not obligated to provide coverage for someone driving for their own purposes. If a driver has their mobile app off and is not looking to match with potential customers, they will not be able to take advantage of the supplemental insurance. However, coverage is available to drivers as soon as they log in and begin to look for rides. While the limits on these policies are relatively low, they are intended to fill the gaps when the independent contractor’s coverage is inadequate to resolve a claim.
Maximum benefits of up to $1 million for property damage and bodily injuries are available as soon as a ride begins. This remains the case from the point where the passenger is identified until they are dropped off at their destination.
Even though the rideshare company might not be a potential defendant in a lawsuit, there is always the possibility of suing the other driver. To secure a favorable outcome in these cases, it is necessary to comply with the statute of limitations.
An injured person only has one year to file a lawsuit. This is a short period to act, making it vital to seek legal counsel in Bartlett right away after sustaining an injury in an Uber or Lyft collision. The consequence of bringing legal action after the deadline is dismissal with prejudice, which is a worst-case scenario for an injured person.
When you were hurt in an Uber/Lyft/rideshare accident in Bartlett, do not put your claim at risk by handling it on your own. An experienced attorney from Reaves Law Firm, PLLC, could examine the facts of your claim to see if there is a possibility for a favorable outcome.
Our diligent attorneys are well-versed in handling carpool collision cases and could help you seek justice. Call today for a free consultation.
