Rideshare is amongst the most popular, convenient & affordable means to commute within the city. While it saves money and time, at the same time, it is also environmentally friendly because more people travel via a single vehicle. It is because an excessive number of cars, bikes, and other motor vehicles have a harmful effect on human health and nature.
However, every vehicle on the road is prone to accidents and mishaps. Car accidents have become quite common these days, and rideshare mishaps are becoming a part of it.
So, to help the victims, the state governments have created laws to protect passengers who are hurt, injured, and bear any loss in such accidents, especially in case of someone else’s negligence.
This gets us to the burning question: ‘what are these laws, how can I leverage my right as a passenger, and more.’
Don’t bother; we’re here to assist you with all the information.
Let’s cut the chase and dig in to learn more.
1. What factors act as grounds for determining who the liable party is?
Compensation for a sharing ride mishap depends on multiple factors. Rideshare claims are a relatively new practice. Therefore, you should check only for reputed and experienced firms when looking for a rideshare accident lawyer. These people are aware of the complexities of the laws and can assist with the case in the best possible way.
One of the main parts is to understand who stands liable for the injuries. It largely depends on what the river was doing during the collision. There could be three scenarios:
- Suppose the driver is active on the rideshare app and is en route to pick up a passenger or drop them off. In that case, the liability will fall on the company’s commercial insurance coverage.
- If the driver is waiting to be booked while keeping the app, the liability will fall on his insurance cover and the company’s contingency policy.
- The liability will be on their insurance if the driver is driving but has turned off the app.
The trick here is to know that insurance companies play smart and try to settle for a lower than the actual amount. An experienced attorney here will assist in getting the deserving amount:
2. Which damages are covered in an Uber or Lyft mishap?
The laws are made to provide relief to injured people in all aspects. When one gets hurt in a mishap, there is not only the present suffering, but it also impacts the capacity to earn and live in the future. Therefore, your attorney will evaluate the conditions before pitching a settlement amount. It will include the following losses:
- Medical bills
- Loss of wages
- Mental and emotional suffering
- Loss of capacity to earn more in the future
- Property damage
- Suffering to the family
- Loss of enjoyment in life
The compensation amount may differ from party to party depending on their medical conditions. If you are left with a life-long illness or disability, you also have the right to claim that loss.
3. Should you sign or give any statement at the accident site?
According to expert legal practitioners, the best way to make a strong case against the liable parties is to prevent giving any statements. Do not use self-guilty terms or blame anyone or anything in those situations. Instead, you should refrain from speaking to any insurance representative or opposing legal advisor without consulting your lawyer.
You have the right to stay silent and tell them that you must talk to your attorney first. Discuss the case and only let your counsel represent you. Instead of getting defensive or lashing out in anger, you should act more responsibly and do the following:
- Collect as much evidence as possible
- Contact the attorney
- Document the scene
- Write down your experience
- Get medical assistance
- Speak to the police and get a copy of the reported incident
- Talk to eye-witnesses and gather their information if possible
Understand that these things will further help you maintain your case and not worsen. It is suggested not to say anything construed as an admission of fault.
4. How long do you have to sue the liable parties?
Every state has a different set of rules and regulations for accident cases. For instance, you must file a lawsuit within four years from the accident date in Florida. In addition, you can only claim the medical bills if you have received assistance within 14 days of the mishap.
Likewise, each state may have a different limitation. However, experts suggest that one should never delay talking to a lawyer. Nobody should bear physical, emotional, mental, and financial losses because of somebody else’s negligence. Thus, ensure to contact a lawyer at the earliest.
Bottom line
If you or your loved ones have been injured in an accident, it is the right time to consult an attorney and file a case against the responsible party. Talk to the local lawyers and get the timeline from them. If you still have time, you must recover your losses.