If a rideshare driver caused your Auburn, Alabama, collision and injuries, our team is here to help. You may have a case for compensation based on the circumstances that led to your injuries and the insurance coverage available. An Auburn Uber and Lyft rideshare accident attorney from the Morris Bart law firm may be able to help.
Our lawyers offer complimentary consultations for victims of these accidents who want help managing their case or have questions about their next steps. We know how insurance coverage works in these crashes and can help you understand how to navigate the process.
Compensation May Be Available After an Auburn Rideshare Accident
Ridesharing is one of the easiest ways to get around campus, go to a downtown club or bar, run errands, or go out to dinner with your friends. With so many people using Uber and Lyft and so many drivers on the roads, it is no surprise that we talk to victims of these accidents frequently.
While rideshare accident cases do have some differences when compared to most traffic accident cases, the available compensation is the same. With evidence, we can prove the expenses and losses our clients incurred. We can seek damages on your behalf. This could include compensation for:
- Medical bills for your injuries
- Any related expenses or care and support costs, with receipts
- Lost income
- Diminished earning ability if injuries are long-lasting or permanent
- Property damages
- Miscellaneous expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
Wrongful Death Damages in an Auburn Rideshare Crash
Per Ala. Code § 6-5-410, families whose loved ones passed away in an Auburn crash cannot recover their expenses and losses. They are only eligible for punitive damages as awarded by the court and based on the bad behavior of the at-fault driver or another party.
The family cannot file for compensation on their own. The personal representative of the deceased, as named in the will or by the probate court, will need to handle this process. This type of case will recover punitive damages for the estate. They will then be distributed as directed by the will or estate plan.
For a free legal consultation with a Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accident lawyer serving Auburn, call 800-537-8185
Morris Bart & Associates, LLC Knows How to Navigate the Claims Process in Rideshare Accident Cases
The insurance claims process and seeking compensation in an Uber or Lyft accident is not always straightforward. However, our team knows how to take the necessary steps to build a case, identify the insurance coverage available, and demand a just payout for our clients. With more than 40 years of experience and over $1 billion recovered for our clients, we know how to handle your case.
The areas we serve include all parts of Alabama, in addition to Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. We have an office in Montgomery that serves Auburn and greater Lee County.
We work on a contingency-fee basis. We can help your case without any upfront costs or fees. We will only take a percentage of your compensation once we win or settle your case.
How does Insurance Work in an Uber or Lyft Accident Case?
Both Lyft and Uber provide insurance coverage that applies during certain parts of a rideshare driver’s trip. From the moment they sign on to drive for the company until they accept a rider on the app, there is insurance coverage that steps in if their policy denies the claim or cannot cover the victim’s losses.
Once the driver is paired with a rider, the rideshare company’s full liability policy becomes the primary coverage. This policy provides at least $1 million for victims hurt in a collision caused by the driver. This covers:
- Riders using the app and riding in the driver’s car
- Occupants of vehicles hit by the rideshare driver
- Pedestrians or cyclists hit by the driver
If the rideshare driver was not logged into the app during the time of the wreck, they are considered off the clock. Neither Lyft nor Uber will provide insurance coverage in this instance. You would have to file a claim with the driver’s personal insurer.
If the Uber or Lyft driver is logged into the rideshare app and they are waiting to pick up a passenger, both companies will provide the following third-party liability coverage:
- $50,000 in bodily injury protection/person
- $100,000 in bodily injury protection/accident
- $25,000 in property damage/accident
This unique insurance situation can make it difficult to identify which company’s policy was in effect and what coverage is available. We know how to determine this and can file your claim for you.
Click to contact our Personal Injury Lawyers today
Can I Sue the Rideshare Company?
It can be difficult to sue Uber or Lyft for an accident that their driver causes, although it is not impossible.
In many cases, your rideshare driver is not an employee of Uber or Lyft. They are independent contractors. This means that respondeat superior does not apply. Respondeat superior, case law in Alabama since the 1929 decision in St. Louis-San Francisco Ry. Co. v. Robbins, holds employers vicariously liable for the negligence of their employees.
This means that the rideshare company may not be liable for an accident if you have to sue, even if their insurance was in effect at the time. However, there have been successful accident cases against rideshare companies based on negligent hiring, negligently keeping a driver on staff, and other grounds. We will investigate all the details of your case.
Statute of Limitations on Suing in an Uber or Lyft Accident Case
Many Uber and Lyft rideshare accident cases might not need to go to trial. This is, at least in part, because of the large insurance policies available in these cases. However, there may be a reason why suing the rideshare driver or company is beneficial for you. If we believe this is a step we need to take on your behalf, we will generally have two years from the date of the accident to do so.
Under Ala. Code § 6-2-38, we have two years from the crash and your injuries to file the initial paperwork to begin a lawsuit. However, exceptions can shorten this timeline. If necessary, we will prepare this paperwork, file it, and represent your best interests throughout the process.
What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Rideshare Accident
If you were involved in a rideshare collision, you should:
- Call 911: It’s important to have your injuries assessed after a crash. Police and first responders can also complete reports that we can use to help you recover compensation.
- Gather evidence: Take photos of the accident scene and your injuries. Any evidence you have can be used to build your case.
- Collect contact information: Get the names, phone numbers, and other contact information of anyone else involved in the crash.
- Contact the Morris Bart law firm: Once you have received medical care, reach out to our firm. We will investigate your case.
Connect With a Lawyer from Morris Bart & Associates, LLC for Free
You can connect with an attorney from the Morris Bart law office today for free. We provide these complimentary initial consultations so you can learn more about your case and our services, and we can determine how we may be able to help. We will also take this time to answer any questions you may have about the case, our process, or our fees.
If you were hurt in an Auburn Uber or Lyft accident, reach out to us today.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
