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If you suffered injuries in an Uber or Lyft wreck in Cleveland County, North Carolina, a Shelby rideshare accident lawyer from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, is here to help. We provide complimentary consultations for those hurt in rideshare crashes. We could help you file your claim and recover compensation for your injuries, medical care, time away from work, and more.
It may be possible to file an insurance claim against the driver, rideshare company, or another party to secure a financial recovery. Our rideshare accident lawyers will handle the often complicated and confusing process of determining fault and identifying the insurance policies covering your rideshare crash.
Recovering Compensation for Rideshare Wreck Injuries and Other Damages
Depending on the unique factors that led to your wreck in south-central North Carolina, the speed and way your crash occurred, and other factors, your injuries could range from relatively mild to catastrophic. While the cost of medical care is often one of the first expenses that comes to mind, this is far from the only loss victims suffer because of a wreck.
You could recover any related expenses or losses incurred in your case, regardless of whether the driver, the rideshare company, or an insurance company pays. Some of the most common we see in these wrecks include:
- Medical treatment
- Follow-up and ongoing care costs
- Lost income because of any time you missed at work
- Reduced earning ability caused by lasting injuries
- Property damage, especially if an Uber or Lyft driver hit your car
- Pain and suffering
- Other intangible losses
- Wrongful death damages if the victim died from their injuries
As a part of managing your claim, our team will work with you to identify all your damages. We will document and value them, ensuring we pursue a fair settlement or have the evidence to prove your losses to the judge and jury at trial if required.
Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, Represents Injured Rideshare Users in Shelby
Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, can handle rideshare accident claims, including:
- Uber and Lyft riders hurt in a collision
- Other motor vehicle drivers hit by a rideshare driver
- Pedestrians and cyclists hurt by an Uber or Lyft vehicle
We know how to protect your rights and build a compelling claim based on the circumstance of your accident. In addition, we provide complimentary consultations and represent clients based on contingency.
Understanding Rideshare Accident Claims and Liability
The rideshare collision attorneys from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, know how to determine which insurance policy or policies were in effect at the time of your wreck and file claims based on them. Unfortunately, this determination is often the most confusing part of these cases because of the unique way these rideshare companies work and how that affects insurance coverage.
Both Lyft and Uber provide insurance coverage for some parts of their drivers’ journeys. However, because these drivers are independent contractors, the legal doctrine of respondeat superior does not apply. Sometimes, we can file an insurance claim based on the company’s policy, but it is much more difficult to sue them.
Here’s a general overview of how these insurance policies work.
When the Driver Is Offline
The driver’s auto liability policy is in effect.
When the Driver Is Available and Waiting for a Request
When the driver is online but not matched with a rider, their policy is the primary coverage. However, the rideshare company also provides contingency coverage if the driver’s policy will not pay or does not cover the total cost. Both companies offer:
- $50,000 in bodily injury per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury per wreck
- $25,000 in property damage per wreck
When the Driver Matches With a Rider or Has a Rider in the Car
As soon as the driver matches with a rider, a $1,000,000 third-party liability policy provided by both rideshare companies goes into effect.
Act Quickly to Protect Your Right to Pursue a Financial Recovery
There are several reasons why we encourage collision victims to connect with our office as soon as possible after a crash.
Investigations Can Take Time
While we cannot file a claim or lawsuit until we understand your prognosis and care needs, we can start our investigation of what happened and who is responsible immediately. Several crucial steps in this process can take weeks or even longer to complete, such as:
- Obtaining police reports, medical records, and other documents
- Identifying and interviewing witnesses
- Getting the opinions of medical experts
- Determining the driver’s status when the crash occurred
You Have Medical Bills and Other Expenses
While this doesn’t always apply, getting started sooner could mean that we can reach an agreement and recover compensation for you faster. We know the stress you must face not having the money you need to pay mounting medical bills. We want to relieve this burden by recovering a fair settlement as soon as possible.
We Must Meet Statutory Deadlines
The statutes of limitations that apply to personal injury cases also apply to rideshare accident lawsuits. We only have a limited time to sign a settlement agreement or begin a lawsuit after a rideshare wreck. Under G.S. §1-52, we generally only have up to three years in North Carolina. Exceptions exist that could limit this period even further.
In wrongful death cases, we may only have two years from the date of death, per G.S. § 1-53.
Speak With Our Firm About Your Legal Options
The car accident team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, can assess your legal options for free today. We offer free consultations for those injured in rideshare wrecks in Shelby and nearby areas. Let us review your rights and options based on what happened and who caused your crash and injuries. We represent rideshare passengers, drivers hit by an Uber or Lyft car, and cyclists or pedestrians injured while sharing the road with these drivers.
Call (704) 482-1112 to get started with your free consultation today.
