Rideshare Attorneys Helping Statewide
Available 24/7, Call Sneed & Mitchell now at (866) 434-0014.
Rideshare services are the fastest growing method of transportation in Texas. Unfortunately, as with any new trend, this creates confusion in the law. Uber is a perfect example of this confusion. Uber claims its drivers are independent contractors, rather than employees. This legal distinction might make the company more likely to deny your claim without a knowledgeable lawyer in your corner. Most Texas attorneys do not even know what rideshare is, let alone how to properly litigate a Uber and Lyft cases.
If your accident involved an Uber and Lyft vehicle in any way, contact our Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers to details what occurred, or ask us to call you now. Rideshare companies go the extra mile to avoid having to pay for your injuries, but we know exactly how to change this. Don't risk your recovery on lawyers only used to handling "A & B" collisions defended by local insurance agencies. Our Rideshare Lawyers include a dedicated team of experts that together provide each clients the experienced representation and have recovery record-settling Uber and Lyft victories.
Rideshare Insurance Coverage
Anyone who drives for Uber or Lyft is required to carry their own car insurance. These policies will provide some coverage for passengers, but coverage can be limited. Insurance requirements in Texas require both drivers and rideshare companies to carry liability insurance. For this reason both Uber and Lyft carry their own insurance policies in the event that their drivers are involved in an accident. Uber, in particular, insures its drivers with a $1 million policy, which you can read about here (Uber Insurance Details)
Under this policy, Uber is liable for any damages up to the difference between the at-fault driver’s policy limit and Uber’s $1 million policy limit. In other words, if an at-fault driver’s insurance policy covers $30,000 in damages, Uber is liable for a maximum of $970,000 if such a payout is required. Typically, accidents will not result in $1 million in damages, so reaching Uber’s policy limit in a single accident is highly unlikely.
What Class Of Driver Or Passenger Were Your?
The $1 million in liability carried by rideshare drivers can benefit four separate groups of victims:
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Drivers injured in collisions where an Uber or Lyft driver was at fault;
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Passengers injured in either vehicle where a rideshare driver was at fault;
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Pedestrians injured by a rideshare driver;
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Uber or Lyft drivers injured in an accident where another driver was at fault
If you or someone you love was injured in circumstances like those above, there is a very good chance that he or she might be able to recover all or most of their financial and other loses. While no amount of money can ever fully compensate for the pain and suffering that comes with a serious accident, appropriate compensation can make the recovery process a great deal less stressful, and speed the path to resuming a normal life following an accident.
Common Injuries Uber & Lyft Collisions
When you’re injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, you will need to work with an experienced injury lawyer to build a claim for largest recovery possible recovery. The damages awarded are meant to compensate you for your injuries and restore your life to normal. Here are the most common types of rideshare accident injuries our clients have been compensated for:
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Permanent disabilities
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Wrongful death
At Sneed & Mitchell LLP we focus on the injury. Many vehicle accident lawyers secure low verdicts and settlements because they think "how the injury happened" is the main factor. Our Uber & Lyft Lawyers know that obtaining record-setting results comes from focusing our attention, energy, and firm resources on how you were physically and emotionally impacted now and moving forward into the future.
Medical Treatment After The Crash
Law firms don't often share this, but a law firm is only as great as its network of case experts. In every Uber and Lyft accident we handle, we hire the best Statewide medical and case experts to support each client's claim. It is these experts that provide the evidence required to fight any Defendant, whether in settlement mediation, or in the courtroom.
Our experienced Uber and Lyft injury attorneys will determine which experts should be retained for your specific case. Every case is unique, but some of our experts include:
- Orthopedics
- Neurologists
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Podiatrists
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Rehabilitation Therapists
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Life Care Planners
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Accident reconstruction experts
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Economists (to show lost wages)
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Pain Therapists
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Occupational Specialists
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Mental Heath Care Aids
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Psychiatrists
Our team has spent years finding the most qualified experts, and each expert undergoes a thorough questioning and examination before ever participating in a case. Finding the right expert can prove to be crucial in the success of your claim and our well-credentialed Rideshare Attorneys are dedicated to strengthening your claim to the greatest extent possible.
What To Do Following An Uber Or Lyft Accident
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Screen Shot Your Trip Information. Take a picture of the Uber or Lyft passenger information (if possible) showing the trip, driver's name, vehicle, expected route, and the estimated time of arrival. Store this information on your phone for our Rideshare Accident Legal team.
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Request The Other Driver's Information. Uber drivers are monitored by the company. There is an app that monitors their vehicle’s speed, braking, G forces, and location. If your Uber driver caused an accident by speeding, this data will have been recorded during your trip. However, such information is not usually available to the public. Your lawyer can request that this data be preserved at the onset of litigation and sent over for review.
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Seek Medical Care Right Away. Of course, the most important tip we can provide accident victims is to seek medical attention right away. Many injuries do not fully present themselves until weeks or even months after an accident. A physician’s report will highlight these injuries and alert you to the treatment and follow-up care you need.
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Take Photos Of The Scene. The sooner you contact us after the accident has occurred, the earlier we can work to obtain and preserve all needed information. This also allows us to can communicate with the insurance companies, negotiate settlements, and represent you in court.
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Contact A Rideshare Accident Attorney. Your health is the number one priority. Next, is ensuring you have the financial resources to cover medical expenses, lost income and any emotional trauma. You don’t have to fight this alone. We are standing by to help you understand your rights and choose the best path forward.
Pedestrians Hit By Rideshare Drivers
One of the most dangerous accidents involving an Uber or Lyft is when a pedestrian is struck by a reckless rideshare driver. A car weighs several tons and can cause catastrophic injuries to a human being.
Pedestrians have the right of way in Texas. If a pedestrian enters the roadway, cars are expected to stop and allow them to cross safely, even if they are not crossing at a crosswalk. Even if a pedestrian steps out onto the roadway without looking both ways, any driver who strikes them is still generally liable for their injuries. Uber and Lyft drivers are no exception.
If you are a pedestrian who was struck by an Uber or Lyft driver, you should contact a personal injury attorney immediately (after seeking medical attention!). Don’t accept any offer made by the driver’s insurance company until you’ve met with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Insurance companies often offer small settlements to accident victims in an attempt to avoid litigation. These settlement offers are normally a fraction of the total amount you may be entitled to.
While these settlements often cover your medical expenses, they usually fail to cover your pain and suffering, or lost income from missed days at work. If you need ongoing medical treatment, these low-ball settlement offers get used up very quickly. Sneed|Mitchell can help to ensure that you are adequately compensated by the driver’s insurance company and, if necessary, Uber/Lyft’s insurance policy.
Rideshare Companies Could To More To Protect Victims
Rideshare vehicles are statistically proven to be involved in more accidents, and this goes beyond the hours spent on the road. There are several reasons for this, among them include Rideshare company's being relatively lax about vetting its drivers, the drivers not going through specific training on to safety watch the road while using devises that provide navigation, drivers not being trained to minimize additional distractions present in the vehicle, and drivers being allowed to exceed safe driving hours or drive longer through use of multiple driving accounts.
Texas Uber & Lyft Car Accident Attorneys
If you were hurt in any kind of an accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver, contact Sneed|Mitchell LLP Firm today. Our experienced personal injury lawyers specialize in Uber and Lyft accidents and detect when the insurance company is engaged in bad faith. We understand that recovering from any kind of injury can be exhausting, time-consuming, and overwhelming. Let us take some of the weight off your shoulders and fight for the compensation that you deserve!
How Were You Hurt In The Crash?
One of our attorneys can contact you immediately!
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"As one of the Case Managers, I'll walk you through how we'll fight for your greatest return."
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