Dallas Rideshare Accident Attorneys

Are You the Victim of a Rideshare Accident?

Since Uber’s arrival to Dallas in 2012, it and similar rideshare services have only grown their presence in the city. In the past several years, these services, also including Lyft, Yellow Cab via Curb, Alto, Get Me, Wingz, BeMyDD, and the older more established airport shuttles and DART Vanpool program, all show that the consumer desire for on-demand, personalized transportation is strong.

However, the city of Dallas has grown concurrently with these companies, and the entire DFW metroplex is a more densely populated place that it was when these industries were just burgeoning. With the positive changes of growth have come downsides, such as increase to infrastructure strain and more automobile accidents due to higher traffic. Rideshare accidents occur regularly in Dallas, and like any motor vehicle collision, can cause severe injury, trauma, and even catastrophic loss.

If you have experienced a serious ride share accident and need help, reaching out to Thompson Law as your Dallas rideshare accident attorney is the best first step. The expert and compassionate team of accident attorneys at Thompson Law is at your service with a wealth of knowledge and expertise to fight for every dollar of your deserved compensation.

After a frightening accident in your Uber or Lyft, take your power back, and get Thompson Law on your side. Call Thompson Law‘s Dallas rideshare accident attorneys today for a COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION.

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Rideshare Accidents: Causes and Effects

The boom in ride-hailing and similar services certainly represents a wave of change in the way that people and goods move through our cities. Nationally, ridesharing is a $25 billion dollar market, and predictions for 10 years out nearly quadruple this figure. This explosion delivers good and bad effects to users.

In many ways these rideshare services like Uber, Lyft, Alto, and others can make roads safer. Deterring drunk drivers, cutting back on heavy congestion and traffic, and efficiently using our road and vehicle resources are all benefits that users gain.

But in some ways, these providers make things more dangerous. We live in a delivery economy now where Uber Eats cars and Amazon vans deliver the most minor conveniences on a moment’s notice. This explosion of transportation on demand and subscription delivery may offer some benefits and convenience to our area on one hand and increase risk and accident on the other.

Common causes of accidents in ridesharing or delivery drives have much in common with any automobile wreck. However, the elevated usage of technology during the drives does escalate this risk of accident.

Drivers need to stay available on the phone monitoring their current ride and arranging their next pickups. Additionally, since their customers are given a point–to–point transportation experience, drivers are frequently dependent on GPS directions to guide their exact route and location details, further dividing their attention away from the road.

Moreover, drivers are not trained by Uber and Lyft, and many work long, irregular hours, all factors that contribute to greater likelihood of accident. Some examples of cause for accident include:

  • Driver Negligence:  Paying attention to their phone instead of the road
  • Driver Error:  Failure to stay in lane, maintain control of vehicle, or communicate to other drivers
  • Speeding:  Especially unsafe on unfamiliar roads to drivers or in heavy pedestrian traffic areas
  • Nighttime Visibility:  Busy venues and bright lights paired with the challenges of night driving
  • Vehicle Malfunction:  Faulty parts, failure to maintain
  • Road Environment:  Weather Conditions, roadway debris
  • Inebriated Driving:  Avoiding drunk, drowsy or distracted drivers
  • Road Congestion:  High traffic and chaotic areas where there is most incentive for ride-hailing

Even if there are slight differences in the main causes of these accidents, the results are very much like any disastrous motor vehicle crash, resulting in possible rollovers, rear-end crashes, head-on collisions, t-bones, sideswipes and single or multi-vehicle crashes. Any of these outcomes can result in tragic injury or even death. Call Thompson Law‘s Dallas rideshare accident attorneys today!

Determining Liability in Rideshare Accidents

In many ways, the law is still working to catch up to the ridesharing industry and its new technology. One of the main complications to assigning liability in Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare accidents, is definitively confirming whether the rideshare vehicle driver was operating on behalf of the rideshare company (i.e., en route to a passenger pickup, carrying passengers on board), or operating the vehicle as an individual (i.e. going home after completing all their rides).

These delineations are marked in a driver’s travels by their use of the app that monitors and offers their routes, communicates with customers, and operates payment functions. Based on this information, the wronged party can take steps to receive insurance payout from the company’s insurance policy or the driver’s individual policy.

Still, much of the process of determining liability is similar to other accident types. The details of the accident are recorded by participants and police, and determinations and further investigation into additional liability can be investigated after reporting is done and fault is determined.

Working with your accident attorney at Thompson Law to unravel the complications of liability in these accidents brings enormous benefit. Expert litigators have the experience and resources to investigate and understand the full scope of all parties’ responsibilities and work on your behalf for your highest rightful compensation.

If you were hurt in a rideshare crash, call our Dallas rideshare accident attorneys today for a FREE CASE REVIEW.

At Thompson Law

We offer committed and determined legal representation for victims of rideshare car accidents, guaranteeing that you receive a fair settlement for your claim. Our team of Dallas rideshare accident attorneys will construct a robust case backed by compelling evidence to help you obtain the compensation you rightfully deserve.

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The Role of Insurance in Rideshare Accidents and Settlements

The role of insurance in negotiating and litigating rideshare accidents is uniquely complex. The standard private individual car accidents, or even wrecks with more traditional commercial vehicles (e.g., 18 wheelers, delivery vans, construction vehicles) that we see in the personal injury space are highly regulated by existing state and federal laws, and legal precedent surrounding these events has a rich history stretching back decades.

The newness of the rideshare industry, coupled with the developmental technology that it utilizes, presents new scenarios and resulting questions about the finite limitations of coverage in a given incident. The way that insurance coverage works for rideshare vehicles is a little complicated. Uber and Lyft are the most common providers of this service in the nation, so looking at their arrangement is a good example to show the insurance variables you may be facing after the accident.

Uber and Lyft have very similar requirements for their drivers’ insurance policies, with a couple key differences:

Uber Insurance Coverage

Base Coverages:

  • $50,000 – driver’s liability for bodily injury per person case of a covered accident
  • $100,000 – total per covered accident
  • $25,000 – property damage for which you are responsible for in a covered accident
  • Coverages en route to pickup and during ride
  • Third-party liability coverage – $1,000,000.
  • Uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) bodily injury coverage – $250,000
  • Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage – $1,000 deductible, and then pending requirements, Uber’s insurance will provide physical damage coverage for the cash value of your vehicle.

Lyft Insurance Coverage 

Base Coverages:

  • $50,000 – driver’s liability for bodily injury per person case of a covered accident
  • $100,000 – total per covered accident
  • $25,000 – property damage for which you are responsible for in a covered accident
  • Coverages during “Driver Mode” for your pickup vehicle and “During Ride”
  • Third-party liability coverage – $1,000,000
  • Uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) bodily injury coverage – $250,000
  • Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage – $2,500 deductible, and then pending requirements, Uber’s insurance will provide physical damage coverage for the cash value of your vehicle.

Restrictions and exceptions apply to these coverages, so reach out to us at (844) 308-8180 for help navigating your claim and case. 

Woman looking at her phone after a car wreck - Dallas Rideshare Accident Attorneys

Although it may sound impressive that Uber and Lyft both provide $1 million in liability coverage for their drivers, the coverage varies depending on which “period” the driver is in. Uber and Lyft’s insurance policies are also contingent, so they will only apply if you have made a claim on the driver’s policy first.

In Lyft’s insurance coverage arrangement, a driver’s time is divided into 4 different periods:

  • Period 1:  When the driver is not logged in on the Uber or Lyft app, no coverage is provided, although the driver’s personal auto insurance might apply.
  • Period 2:  When the driver is logged into the Uber or Lyft app but has not accepted a ride request. Uber and Lyft provide liability coverage for any accident that’s the fault of the driver up to $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $100,000 in total bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 property damage (excluding the driver’s car). Claims first go to their auto insurance carriers, with rideshare policies kicking in only if the damage exceeds the policy limits on the driver’s personal auto insurance policy.
  • Period 3:  When the driver has accepted a trip and is in-route to its destination (pick-up location), liability coverage increases to $1,000,000 in bodily injury per accident. This insurance covers the injuries and vehicle damage sustained by anyone who is hit by a Lyft or Uber driver when the rideshare driver is determined to be at-fault. Liability coverage does not cover injuries sustained by the rideshare driver. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Coverage (UM and UIM) kicks in for any incident in which the driver is liable. Comprehensive and Collision coverage also kicks in at this point in a rideshare policy, meaning the driver is covered for physical damage to the vehicle, regardless of who is determined to be at–fault.
  • Period 4:  When the customer is in the car, liability coverage up to $1,000,000 is applied, plus limited coverage for damage to the driver’s car AND uninsured motorists’ coverage (UM/UIM).

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare vehicle, contact our Dallas rideshare accident attorneys today for a FREE CONSULTATION.

What Compensation Can I Get for A Rideshare Accident in Texas?

In Texas, individuals involved in a rideshare accident may have different avenues for pursuing compensation compared to a typical car accident. This is due to the involvement of rideshare companies which provide additional insurance coverage.

Here are some potential forms of compensation our Dallas rideshare accident attorneys pursue for rideshare accident victims:

  • Medical Expenses: Coverage for medical treatments related to injuries sustained in the accident, including emergency care, surgeries, and rehabilitation.
  • Lost Wages: Compensation for the income lost if injuries from the accident prevent the victim from working either temporarily or long-term.
  • Property Damage: Reimbursement for damage to the victim’s personal vehicle or property due to the accident.
  • Pain and Suffering: Monetary compensation for physical pain and emotional distress endured as a result of the accident.
  • Punitive Damages: In certain cases with egregious circumstances, damages meant to punish the responsible party and deter similar conduct in the future.
  • Coverage Under Rideshare Insurance Policies: Depending on the status of the driver (actively accepting passengers or driving between fares), the rideshare company’s insurance policy may cover additional expenses beyond the driver’s personal insurance.

Understanding how these different elements work in the context of rideshare accidents is critical to ensuring all possible avenues for compensation are explored.

Common Injuries Suffered in Rideshare Accidents

Injuries from rideshare vehicle accidents are similar to injuries seen in other types of automobile accidents. Even in a seemingly minimal fender bender, passengers can suffer whiplash or cuts and bruises from seatbelts and object flying through the car. Certainly, injuries can be much more severe, especially when the intensity of the crash is greater.

The possibility of severe injury in ride-hail crashes may also be increased due to people often using the services during high–risk times:  after drinking, late at night, in areas of concentrated attractions and traffic, etc. These factors mean that Uber & Lyft drivers are navigating challenging roadways rife with visibility and DUI concerns. If they are not operating the vehicle carefully and with their full attention, their passengers can sadly suffer the consequences.

If this tragic misfortune has happened to you, do not hesitate to take care of yourself and fight for your deserved compensation. Contact Thompson Law’s Dallas rideshare accident attorneys right away if you have been involved in an accident with a rideshare service driver.

Our skilled team is prepared to take your call 24/7/365, and we can get to work guiding your treatment and negotiations processes right away. Our accident attorneys are passionate about fighting for justice for our clients, and have helped people with motor vehicle accident injuries including, but not limited to:

Contact our Dallas rideshare accident lawyers today if you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident.

Why You Need a Lawyer After a Rideshare Accident

After a ride share accident, it is essential to make sure the event is documented:

  1. Call 911 and immediately request emergency assistance to the scene, for serious injuries especially,
  2. Document information about the drivers, vehicles, passengers, witnesses, and any others involved to the greatest extent you can, or in cooperation with police direction.

This information after all motor vehicle accidents is essential to ensuring justice is served and victims receive just compensation for their losses.

Call our Rideshare Accident Attorneys for a FREE CASE REVIEW

It is also good idea to be represented by an accident attorney after any car accident. Based on the information we know about complications to liability and insurance in rideshare accidents, these events are a particularly critical time to engage the assistance of a rideshare lawyer.

If you have been hurt in an accident by an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare, delivery or commercial driver in Dallas, the time to seek help from our Dallas rideshare accident attorneys is now. Call us today for a free consultation.

No Upfront Costs Charged by Our Dallas Rideshare Accident Lawyers

Call Our Dallas Rideshare Accident Attorneys Today!

The Dallas rideshare accident attorneys at Thompson Law work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we do not receive a penny unless you do for your rideshare injuries. You will pay nothing upfront, and we only earn a percentage of the compensation that you are awarded.

We want to help you get back on your feet, and our bilingual staff is always on hand ready to help. We offer support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and are ready to represent you from the minute you are injured until the minute you have a settlement in hand.

Man with No Win No Fee sign - Dallas rideshare accident attorneys

If you need a Dallas rideshare accident attorney today, give us a call let us do the fighting with the insurance company for you. Hopefully, you never need an attorney for a rideshare crash, but it never hurts to have one saved in your phone so you are not searching for “rideshare accident attorney in dallas tx” when you most need one. It does not matter whether you live in Dallas or were just visiting Dallas when your accident happened – we can help.

Thompson Law Guarantee

Thompson Law charges NO FEES unless we obtain a settlement for your case. We have put over $1.9 billion in cash settlements into our clients’ pockets.

Contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your accident, get answers to your questions, and understand your legal options. State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an injury accident, so call today.