Hailing a rideshare vehicle from Uber or Lyft typically means you have peace of mind. Your driver can take you from point A to point B, leaving you free from the hassles associated with driving yourself. Unfortunately, a car crash can still happen when you’re a rideshare passenger. Being involved in an Uber or Lyft accident presents unique challenges and obstacles when it comes to recovering compensation, largely due to the complex role of insurance coverage in these cases.
At The Patel Firm, our attorneys have experience handling rideshare cases for clients in the greater Coastal Bend region and throughout the state of Texas. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation, where a Corpus Christi Uber & Lyft accident lawyer can review your case and let you know your legal rights and options. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
How Can a Corpus Christi Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney Help Me?
Working with a lawyer after an Uber crash or Lyft accident on I-37 or Padre Island Drive can make a significant difference in your experience and influence the outcome of your case. Without legal guidance, you could face challenges dealing with insurance companies, which could mean severely underestimating the potential value of your Uber/Lyft accident claim.
An Uber car accident attorney from The Patel Firm can help protect your rights from the start by doing the following:
- Investigating the collision to identify all potentially responsible parties, including the rideshare driver, the rideshare company, another motorist, or an outside party like a government agency or construction company whose actions contributed to the crash
- Collecting and preserving critical evidence,such as traffic camera footage, rideshare app data, driver background information, and witness statements
- Reviewing applicable insurance policies to determine which coverage applies, depending on whether the driver was logged into the app, waiting for a ride, or transporting a passenger
- Communicating and negotiating with the insurance companies on your behalf to prevent low settlement offers or unfair claim denials
- Working with professionalssuch as medical/healthcare experts, accident reconstructionists, and financial specialists to build a strong case for your losses
- Filingan Uber/Lyft accident lawsuit if settlement negotiations do not result in fair compensation
- Keeping you informed at every stage of the process, so you understand your options and can make informed decisions about your case
- Never charging you anything upfront or out-of-pocket, with no fees unless we successfully resolve your case
Contact us today to speak with a qualified Uber & Lyft lawyer in Corpus Christi. Your case review is free and fully confidential.
What Compensation Could Be Available for an Uber or Lyft Accident?
You may be entitled to recover compensation for all your accident-related losses resulting from a rideshare accident. Your Uber/Lyft accident compensation should cover the full impact of the crash, from tangible financial hardship to intangible physical and emotional suffering. Compensable losses in these cases may include the following:
- Medical expenses, such as hospital bills, rehabilitation, and future treatment costs
- Lost income and loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical impairment or disfigurement
- Property damage, including vehicle repair or replacement
How much compensation you might recover depends on the specific facts of your case. These include the severity of your injuries, how long recovery takes, whether you can return to work, and how the crash affects your quality of life. The limits of insurance coverage and the degree of fault assigned to each party will also play a major role in determining the amount of compensation you can obtain.
At your free, no-obligation consultation, an Uber & Lyft accident lawyer in Corpus Christi can assess your situation to determine the compensation you could qualify for.
Who Could Be Liable for a Corpus Christi Rideshare Accident?
When it comes to determining who bears liability, an Uber/Lyft accident case presents a more complicated situation than a typical car crash. Liability in these cases often depends on whether the Uber or Lyft driver was using the rideshare app at the time of the collision and whether another driver, a third party, or the rideshare company itself contributed to the crash.
Your rideshare accident attorney must undertake a careful investigation to identify every potentially responsible party and pursue the maximum possible compensation. Liability typically goes as follows:
- The rideshare driver may be responsible if they were distracted, impaired, speeding, or otherwise careless or irresponsible behind the wheel.
- Another motorist could be liable if their careless driving caused or contributed to the crash.
- The rideshare company, such as Uber or Lyft, might bear liability if company policies, background check failures, or negligent hiring practices contributed to the incident.
- A vehicle manufacturer or parts maker could be responsible if a defective component, such as brakes or tires, led to the collision.
- A maintenance provider could bear responsibility if they performed substandard repairs or failed to identify safety issues.
- A government entity or contractor may be responsible if they failed to maintain a dangerous roadway, fix a malfunctioning traffic light, or post adequate signage.
- Pedestrians or bicyclists whose actions caused the rideshare driver to swerve or collide with another vehicle could be responsible.
How Long Do I Have to File an Uber or Lyft Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
Personal injury claims in Texas must be filed within two years of the date of the crash, including those arising from accidents involving Uber or Lyft. If you don’t file on time, you risk jeopardizing your right to compensation.
While some cases could involve exceptions that give you more time, it’s always best to act quickly because doing so helps preserve evidence. Contact The Patel Firm as soon as possible to protect your ability to pursue compensation and ensure you’re able to meet important filing deadlines.