Uber and other rideshare services have revolutionized the way we travel. Simply open an app on your phone, tap a button, and wait for a driver to show up at your door. They know where you want to go and how to get there. Gone are the days when you need to figure out a bus schedule or try to hail a cab on the side of the road.
Ridesharing services may be convenient, but they’re not always safe. Drivers don’t receive any specialized training. Sure, Uber runs a background and driving record check, but a history of bad driving doesn’t always disqualify a driver from joining the team. You never really know if your driver will use the care and caution necessary to get you to your destination safely.
Car accidents happen in Austin every day, and many involve rideshares. As a passenger, you can suffer severe and debilitating injuries in a crash. You have the right to demand compensation for those injuries. The experienced rideshare accident lawyers at Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers, PLLC can help you. Contact our Austin law firm to schedule a free case assessment and learn more from our rideshare accident lawyers today.
Working With Us Is Easy
Hiring seasoned legal experts to assist in your rideshare injury claim is as simple as calling or clicking from the comfort of your home. Begin your free case review today and find out your options to recover accident-related expenses.
Protecting Your Legal Rights
Filing a claim against an Uber or Lyft driver may be complicated, but you have the right to fair compensation. That’s why Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC is here to stand up for you and help you through the legal process.
You Won’t Owe If We Don’t Win
Our attorneys are paid contingent on the outcome of your case. In other words, if we don’t win compensation for your claim, you don’t pay legal fees. With cost-free consultations always available, everyone has access to affordable representation.
We Are Here for You After a Rideshare Accident
You may be unsure about what your options are and what you can do to secure compensation if you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Texas. Our Texas car accident attorneys at Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers, PLLC understand that car accidents can be emotional and distressing. We also know that victims can be confused as to what steps they should take and what their rights are concerning taking legal action. You should know that you are not alone. If you were harmed in a wreck, an attorney at Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC is prepared to assist you with your claim. Remember, we’re on top of it!
The steps to take after a rideshare accident are not much different than those that should be taken after a crash between private vehicles. If you are injured, call 9-1-1 and seek medical attention, either on your own or by way of an ambulance. If you have the ability, take pictures of the accident scene and see if there are witnesses that you can speak with.
Then, it can be helpful to get in touch with an attorney that specializes in helping victims of Uber or Lyft crashes. There are specific laws that regulate how a rideshare driver can lawfully operate their vehicle and how victims are able to obtain compensation should a crash happen. A knowledgeable rideshare accident lawyer will know how to help victims navigate them for financial compensation.
Do You Have a Case?
Filing a claim after a rideshare crash can be tricky because of how the company is structured. Also, depending on how your accident happened, figuring out the correct insurance provider that is liable for paying for your damages can be another challenge.
An Uber or Lyft driver may have hit your vehicle, or you may have been injured in a crash as a passenger inside a vehicle being used for a rideshare service. Speaking with a rideshare accident attorney at Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers, PLLC will help you better understand if you have a case.
Distractions Are a Leading Cause of Rideshare Accidents
Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents across the country. Drivers are more focused on their phones than the road and traffic around them. Between the cell phone, GPS, and chatty passengers, drivers for rideshare services have a lot more to distract them from the task of driving. Unfortunately, these distractions often result in injury-causing collisions.
Distractions aren’t the only cause of rideshare accidents in Austin. It’s also important to point out that Uber or Lyft drivers aren’t always responsible for a crash. Your driver shares the road with other vehicles, motorcycles, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Anyone who isn’t careful can cause an accident. Negligence that often contributes to Austin rideshare accidents includes:
- Speeding
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Drunk driving
- Fatigued driving
- Dangerous road conditions, and more.
You might be entitled to compensation if your rideshare driver or another third party was negligent and caused an accident. Our experienced legal team can help you fight for the money you deserve. Call our office today to learn more.
Rideshare Accident Injuries
Car accidents in Austin, including those involving a Lyft or Uber driver, have the potential to cause a lot of harm. Some law firms will only agree to accept cases involving catastrophic injuries.
At Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC, no injury is too big or too small. We will aggressively pursue compensation on your behalf for all of your rideshare accident injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Soft tissue damage
- Whiplash
- Degloving
- Back injury
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord damage
- Paralysis
- Amputation
- Wrongful death, and more.
Don’t hesitate to call our law firm today to find out how we can get you the money you need as you fight to get back on your feet.
Statute of Limitations for Texas Rideshare Accident Cases
It’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as you can after your accident. The state of Texas limits the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years.
You will lose your right to obtain compensation if you don’t file your claim within two years of the date of your accident. An attorney can protect your rights and help to ensure that your claim is filed on time.
Were You in an Accident While Using a Rideshare Service? We’re on Top of It!
If you sustained injuries and other damages as a result of the collision, you could recover your losses with an Austin Uber or Lyft accident lawsuit. Contact Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC to find out more.
Damages Available for Rideshare Accidents
As a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, you have little-to-no control over the extent of your injuries in an accident. The most you can do is make sure you’re buckled up and holding on tight. Because of this, injuries in a rideshare accident are often quite severe. It can take days, weeks, or months to get back on your feet. Some injuries can be so extensive that you’re faced with a lifelong disability. You shouldn’t have to shoulder the costs of your injuries on your own. Fortunately, you can demand compensation from a negligent rideshare driver.
When you file a rideshare injury lawsuit, you might be able to recover money for:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages and income
- Disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life, and more.
Our attorneys will aggressively pursue compensation on your behalf. We will fight to get you every dollar you deserve.
Liability for Uber Accidents
Who’s going to be responsible for paying you the money you need after your accident? In the case of an accident involving an Uber driver, the answer often depends on how the Uber app was being used at the time of the crash. You might be able to get money from your Uber driver, their insurance company, or Uber’s insurance company.
Uber App Not in Use: When the Uber app is offline or not in use, you can seek compensation from the Uber driver and/or their insurance company. The driver’s personal car insurance policy covers the driver when they are not engaged as a rideshare driver via the Uber app.
Uber App Active, Searching for Fares: The Uber driver’s insurance policy is the primary source of compensation after an accident. However, many insurers refuse to cover drivers when they are driving for hire. Uber’s insurance policy kicks in when an Uber driver’s policy doesn’t apply as long as the driver is logged into the app and waiting for a ride request. Uber’s policy offers limited coverage for the driver and third-party victims, including:
- $50,000 bodily injury per person
- $100,000 bodily injury per accident, and
- $25,000 property damage per accident.
App Active, Passengers Waiting or On-Board: Uber’s insurance policy coverage increases when the driver accepts a ride request. The coverage applies when the driver is traveling to pick up the passenger and while the passenger is in the car. The policy offers coverage for the driver, passengers, and third-party victims, including:
- $1,000,000 third-party liability
- Uninsured and underinsured bodily injury, and
- Contingent comprehensive and collision, up to the actual cash value (ACV) of a vehicle.
Rideshare accidents can cause a victim to suffer several losses. Navigating a legal claim after a crash can be challenging, but with an experienced attorney's help, the process can be much less stressful. If you sustained injuries in an Uber or Lyft wreck in Austin, you may be able to file a claim to account for your damages.
Next Steps
Contact Us for a Complimentary Case Review
The first step is for you to contact us for your free case evaluation. We want to ensure that we have all the necessary details to determine the legal circumstances of your case and advise you on the best course of action. During this stage, we take the time to listen to your unique concerns and gather all relevant information about the accident.
We Start Building Your Case Immediately
Once we have a deeper understanding of your situation, we start building your case right away. Our team of legal experts conducts thorough investigations and gathers all evidence related to the accident, including eyewitness accounts, police reports, and medical records. We use this information to build a strong claim for compensation in your favor.
Your Attorney Handles the Insurance Company
Our team understands how insurance companies operate, and we know they are often more concerned with protecting their bottom line than providing fair compensation to our clients. That's why we have savvy attorneys who are skilled negotiators and know how to deal with insurance companies to get our clients the compensation they deserve.
Accepting the Final Settlement Offer
Our team will carefully review any settlement offers made by the insurance company and ensure that our clients are receiving fair compensation for their injuries and losses. If necessary, we are prepared to take the case to court to fight for our client's rights and get the compensation they deserve.
Austin Rideshare Accident FAQs
How Does a Rideshare Accident Lawsuit Differ From a Regular Car Accident Lawsuit?
A rideshare accident lawsuit differs from a regular car accident lawsuit in that there may be multiple parties involved. Additionally, rideshare companies may have their own insurance policies and coverage limits that are different from those of regular drivers.
At Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC, we have experience handling rideshare accident lawsuits and can help our clients navigate these challenges.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Rideshare Accident Lawsuit?
Multiple parties may be held liable for an accident involving rideshare services, depending on the circumstances of the accident. This may include the rideshare driver, the rideshare company, other drivers on the road, or even the manufacturer of a defective vehicle or part.
The truth is, every case will be different and a competent attorney will be able to tell you who is responsible for your accident so that you can recover your damages in full.
Do I Need an Attorney To File a Rideshare Accident Lawsuit?
You might be entitled to compensation if you’ve been injured in an Austin Uber or Lyft crash. However, it can be challenging to actually get the money you deserve. Your claim could involve multiple parties, including your driver, the driver’s insurance company, or even Uber or Lyft’s insurance company. They’ll fight you every step of the way and do anything they can to prevent you from getting the money you need. Hiring an attorney can level the playing field and put you in the best position to obtain a fair settlement or award.
Here’s why you should call the injury lawyers at Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC for help with your rideshare accident case:
- You may not realize that several factors contributed to your rideshare accident. As a result, more than one person may be liable for your injuries.
- With us by your side, insurers won’t be able to rely on their manipulative tricks and tactics.
- It can be tough to know how much your case is worth. We work with experts to make sure that your claim is valued properly.
- You might be blamed for your injuries. We’ll work hard to prevent these meritless claims from hurting your financial recovery.
Our goal is to force negligent rideshare drivers and their insurance carriers to take responsibility for your injuries. In the past, our aggressive approach has allowed us to recover substantial monetary damages for our injured clients. We can help you get the money you deserve after your rideshare accident too. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
What Should I Do If the Insurance Company Denies My Claim After a Rideshare Accident?
If the insurance company denies your claim after a rideshare accident, don’t give up just yet! It’s in your best interest to speak with an attorney from our team as soon as possible.
Insurance companies may deny claims for various reasons, but we can help determine if the denial was lawful and if there are other options for compensation.
How Long Does It Take To Resolve an Uber or Lyft Accident Lawsuit?
The length of time it takes to resolve a lawsuit against a rideshare company or driver can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case. Some cases may settle relatively quickly, while others may take several months or even years to resolve. Factors that can impact the timeline include the severity of the injuries, the number of parties involved, and the complexity of the case.
Negotiations with the insurance company or litigation in court can also affect the length of time it takes to resolve a rideshare accident lawsuit. At Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC, we work diligently to resolve our clients' cases as quickly and efficiently as possible while still ensuring that they receive the maximum compensation possible.