Whether you are headed to work, running errands, going to the doctor, or out for a night on the town, you have options to avoid driving under the influence. Those options include requesting an Uber or Lyft rideshare vehicle. Even though these services help you avoid drunk driving charges and are relatively safe, you can wind up in an accident when in a personal injury lawyer in Bartlett can help you recover compensation when injured in a rideshare crash.
Bartlett Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accident Injuries
An accident involving an Uber or Lyft rideshare vehicle can be devastating to anyone involved. You can suffer injuries as minor as cuts and bruises or as serious as paralysis and even death. The Bartlett Uber & Lyft rideshare accident lawyers at Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi PLC have represented clients who suffer the following injuries in a crash:
- Road rash
- Paralysis
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord trauma
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Amputation
The Dangers of Using Uber or Lyft Rideshare Services
Even though millions of people use Uber and Lyft rideshare services to reduce the wear and tear of their own vehicles, save money on gas, and protect themselves from drunk driving accidents, rideshare services are still dangerous. Rideshare users can experience the following dangers when in an Uber or Lyft:
- Violence on the part of the rideshare driver or someone else
- An impersonated driver
- A driver with poor ratings
- A vehicle that has not been properly maintained
- A driver without auto insurance coverage or a gap in their coverage
- Being involved in an accident with other drives who might be impaired, distracted, or drowsy
Rideshare Services Have Led to an Increase in Accidents
Believe it or not, accidents have increased by 3% across the country since rideshare companies were born. Rideshare accidents accounted for almost 60 (58) deaths across the country in 2019.
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Three Scenarios That Play into Holding Rideshare Drivers and Companies Accountable
There are three main scenarios that often play out when an Uber or Lyft accident happens in Bartlett, Tennessee. These three scenarios determine whether or not you will be able to hold the rideshare driver and/or the rideshare company accountable for your injuries. Both Uber and Lyft hold $1 million bodily injury insurance policies for their drivers, but these policies will not automatically pay out to injured victims.
Scenario #1
In the first scenario, the Uber or Lyft driver has not logged into their company’s app and is therefore not technically operating for the company. If the rideshare driver is involved in an accident while not logged into the company app, you will only be able to file a claim against the driver’s personal auto insurance policy.
Scenario #2
In the second scenario, the rideshare driver was logged into their respective company’s app but had yet to pick up a passenger. In this situation, you can file a claim against either the rideshare driver’s insurance policy or the rideshare company’s insurance policy when an accident happens.
Scenario #3
In the third scenario, the rideshare driver was actively driving to pick up a passenger or had a passenger in their vehicle when the accident occurred. In this situation, you can hold the rideshare company responsible for the crash that left you injured.
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The Tennessee Statute of Limitations
Tennessee has the shortest statute of limitations for filing a claim in a personal injury case in the country. It is a period of one year from the date of the accident that left you injured. This does not leave you much time to build a case against the at-fault parties, which is why you should seek legal representation from a Bartlett Uber & Lyft rideshare accident attorney as soon as possible following a crash.
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Determining the Value of a Rideshare Accident Claim
Every rideshare accident claim is different from the last, which means it can be nearly impossible to put a value on your claim. Your lawyer will explain that there are a number of circumstances that play into determining the value of a rideshare accident claim, including the following:
- The level of negligence on the part of the at-fault driver
- If you share any responsibility for the cause of the accident
- The impact of any third parties in the crash
- The seriousness and extent of your injuries
- If the doctors expect your injuries to last the rest of your life or be fatal
- If you lost a loved one in the accident
Punitive damages also play a role in the value of a rideshare accident claim. If the defendant in the case acted on purpose, the judge might award you punitive damages in an effort to punish them. Punitive damages will be on top of the compensation you receive in a claim filed against the rideshare driver, the rideshare company, or any third party.
Seeking Damages from a Third Party
If a third party, such as another driver, was involved in the rideshare accident that left you injured, you can file a claim against them for damages. A claim against a third party does not exclude you from filing a claim against the rideshare company or rideshare driver. It is a separate claim that can help you acquire additional compensation for your injuries.
When you have questions about filing a third-party claim, you should speak with a Bartlett Uber & Lyft rideshare accident lawyer as soon as possible in the days following the crash.
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Schedule a Consultation with an Uber & Lyft Rideshare Accident Attorney in Bartlett Today
Were you injured riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle? Were you injured while in your own vehicle but by a rideshare driver? Either way, a Bartlett Uber & Lyft rideshare accident lawyer from Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi PLC can investigate the crash and build a case for compensation so you are not paying for medical bills yourself.
Call our office, or submit our contact form to schedule an appointment today.