Fargo Rideshare Accident Injury Attorneys
The consequences of a rideshare accident can be just as horrible as a so-called “regular” car wreck. However, uber/lyft accidents can be a lot more complicated from a legal perspective. Even though riders use their own vehicles, obtaining compensation from the insurance companies that cover Uber and Lyft, as well as the personal insurance policy that covers the negligent driver, can be much harder than you think.
So, what’s the best thing you can do in order to get the money you deserve for the injuries you’ve suffered? You’ll need the help of a Fargo rideshare attorney who knows the complexities involved in this kind of case. That’s exactly what you’ll find when you work with Sand Law. Not only do we have a lot of experience in this area, we also have a strong track record of success.
If you would like to learn more about how we may be able to help, contact us online or call 701-609-1510 to schedule a free consultation.
How Common are Uber/Lyft Accidents?
You might think that with the incredible popularity of ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft, accidents involving their drivers would happen all of the time. However, that’s not necessarily the case, since rideshare drivers still only make up a small percentage of all motorists on the road. It’s estimated that only about 3% of car wrecks can be attributed to rideshare drivers. However, accidents involving rideshare drivers have led to more than 1,000 fatalities.
Understanding the Rights of Rideshare Passengers
As a rideshare passenger in Fargo, North Dakota, you have the right to a safe journey. If involved in an accident, you’re entitled to compensation for your injuries, regardless of whether the rideshare driver or another party is at fault.
You also have the right to access information about the accident, including the rideshare driver’s insurance details. It’s crucial to be aware of these rights to ensure you’re adequately protected and compensated.
Rideshare Drivers: Rights and Responsibilities
Rideshare drivers, while offering their vehicles for commercial use, have both rights and responsibilities. They have the right to be protected by their rideshare company’s insurance when the app is on, but they also have the responsibility to maintain their vehicle, drive safely, and report any accidents promptly.
In Fargo, North Dakota, rideshare drivers should be aware of local regulations and ensure they adhere to them, ensuring both their safety and the safety of their passengers.
How Do Ridesharing Companies Handle Accidents?
Both Lyft and Uber have similar insurance coverage structures. Whether or not you’ll be able to get paid by that insurance will depend largely on whether or not the negligent driver had their app on or off at the time the accident took place. You’ll learn more about the different app-related scenarios in the next section.
Rideshare company insurance coverage is typically as follows:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
Uber will cover up to $1 million in underinsured/uninsured bodily injury and third-party liability. It may also cover the cash value of any other car involved in a wreck caused by a Uber/Lyft driver. But there are a lot of gray areas involved with all of this coverage, and their websites don’t do a very good job of clearly spelling it out.
It’s also important to note that, while rideshare companies do have coverage, they will typically only pay out if the personal insurance of the driver isn’t sufficient to cover the accident victim’s damages.
Types of Ridesharing Accidents
Rideshare accidents fall into one of three basic categories listed below. The amount of compensation you will be able to pursue will depend on which category applies to your wreck. The categories are as follows:
App On, Waiting for Rider
This can be a particularly complex scenario. Suppose the rideshare driver’s app is on, and the driver is waiting to pick up a passenger and gets into an accident. The insurance policies of Lyft and Uber pay a lower level of compensation in this instance.
App On, Rider Onboard
If the driver’s app is online, a passenger is in the car, and an accident occurs. That’s where Lyft and Uber insurance coverage increases substantially. The passenger may not only be eligible for compensation from the rideshare company, but also the insurance company of the other driver – if that driver is at fault.
App Off
If the rideshare driver’s app is offline and that driver causes an accident, neither Uber nor Lyft insurance will come into play. The reason is that the driver isn’t “on the clock,” so to speak. This will be treated like a typical car accident. The injury victim will have to pursue compensation from the driver’s personal insurance policy.
Rideshare Accidents vs. Traditional Taxi Accidents
While rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have surged in popularity, traditional taxis still operate in many cities, including Fargo.
When it comes to accidents, there are distinct differences between the two. Traditional taxis often have commercial insurance policies with higher coverage limits, while rideshare vehicles might rely on a combination of personal and company-provided insurance.
The claims process can also differ, with taxi claims often being more straightforward than the layered approach in rideshare incidents. It’s essential to understand these nuances to navigate the claims process effectively.
What to do After a Ridesharing Accident
One area where rideshare and “regular” car accidents are similar is what victims need to do afterward. Here’s a brief look at just a few of the things you should do if possible.
- Call for help. Check to see if everyone involved is okay. If anyone isn’t responding, or appears to be seriously hurt, immediately call 911. If you’re the one severely injured and you can’t call, ask someone else to do so on your behalf.
- Get medical attention. Even if you don’t think you’re badly injured, get medical attention anyway. There are many types of car accident injuries that aren’t readily apparent, but could have severe consequences. If you don’t see a doctor, that could also damage your case.
- Take photos and talk to witnesses. If you can, use your phone to get photographic or video evidence of the accident scene. This could make the difference between winning or losing your case. If anyone saw what happened, get their contact information.
- Contact a personal injury attorney. This will be almost as important as getting medical attention. An experienced car accident attorney will be your best chance of obtaining the fair and full compensation you have coming to you.
Liablty for Rideshare Injuries
Liability for the injuries you’ve suffered will depend, of course, on who is responsible for the accident. If you and your attorney can gather the evidence to prove your case, then whoever is to blame will be liable. But even if you think the accident might be your fault, never admit that’s the case. That will ruin any chances you have of obtaining compensation.
Do I Sue the Ridesharing Company or the Individual Driver?
More than likely, you will be taking action against the rideshare driver’s insurance company if they were at fault. If that person’s coverage won’t cover your medical treatment and other accident-related financial losses, you may be able to sue Uber or Lyft’s insurance carrier. A Fargo automobile accident attorney will know exactly who you’ll need to take action against so you can get the money you deserve.
Contact a Fargo Auto Accident Attorney ASAP After Your Accident
You simply must talk to a Uber/Lyft accident attorney in order to have any chance of winning your case. The complexities are just too numerous not to have legal representation. Learn how a Sand Law attorney may be able to help by calling 701-609-1510 or using our online contact form.