Oakville Uber & Lyft Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Rideshare companies have become widespread throughout the country, and Oakville, Tennessee, is no exception. Rideshare companies like Uber & Lyft allow people to travel anywhere they need to go without the hassle of driving themselves. They have helped prevent drunk driving accidents as people can request a rideshare after they have been out for a night on the town.

An Oakville personal injury lawyer from Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi PLC can assist you when injured in such a crash.

The Dangers of Riding in an Uber or Lyft

Even though rideshares are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, save money on gas, and safely enjoy a night out on the town, they are still dangerous. Some of the dangers associated with using a rideshare like Uber or Lyft include the following:

• Driver impersonation
• Riding with low-rated drivers
• Gaps in insurance coverage for the driver
• Drowsy or impaired drivers
• The possibility of violence

While the addition of ridesharing companies has helped with preventing drunk driving accidents, there is no telling if the rideshare driver will be sober or not when they pick you up for a ride. Since the advent of ridesharing, traffic accidents have increased by three percent across the country. In 2019, there were 58 deaths reported in the United States in relation to rideshare accidents.

Determining Liability in an Uber or Lyft Accident

Should you suffer an injury in an Oakville Uber & Lyft rideshare accident, you might be able to file a claim against the rideshare company or the rideshare driver’s personal insurance policy. Both Uber and Lyft have insurance policies for bodily injury of $1 million, but these policies only activate under some circumstances. Those circumstances include the following:

Scenario One

The rideshare driver had not yet logged into their respective app. Rideshare drivers must have their own auto insurance in order to drive for either Uber or Lyft. The app might not be active if the driver had recently dropped off a passenger or their dashboard sign was activated.

In this circumstance, the claim would need to be filed against the driver’s personal auto policy, where limits can vary greatly.

Scenario Two

The rideshare driver was actively logged into their respective app anticipating a request to come through. In this instance, you might be able to hold the rideshare company accountable or the driver. For the most part, the rideshare company will likely not pay for your damages unless the driver’s own auto policy cannot cover them.

Scenario Three

The rideshare driver was in the process of picking up a passenger or already transporting a passenger. The rideshare driver is covered under the policy of Uber or Lyft from the minute they pick up a passenger until the passenger is dropped off at their requested destination.

Injuries Caused by Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare passengers can suffer serious injuries, including the following:

• Broken bones
• Internal bleeding and damage to organs
• Amputation
• Road rash
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Paralysis

The Worth of a Personal Injury Claim

The severity of your injuries will help to determine the value of your claim. The amount of negligence on the part of the rideshare driver will also go into determining the value of your claim. Every rideshare accident is different, which means that no two claims will be worth the same amount of money.

That is why you need to speak with an Uber & Lyft rideshare accident lawyer in Oakville as soon as possible following a crash.

Filing a Third-Party Claim

It might be possible to also file a claim against a third party involved in the Uber or Lyft accident. If the rideshare driver was not the one who caused the crash, you can file a claim against the at-fault driver. This will help you obtain compensation for your injuries.

Filing a third-party claim does not bar you from filing a claim against the rideshare company or the rideshare driver either.

Deadline to File a Personal Injury Claim

Tennessee has the shortest deadline to file a personal injury claim in the United States. You have just one year from the date of the crash to file a claim. If you fail to file by the deadline, you risk losing out on the chance to recover compensation for your injuries.

A lawyer will be able to help you file by the deadline and request an extension to file if something unprecedented happens. For example, the defendant left the state before you could file, or you were incapacitated when the filing deadline arrived.

Why You Need an Oakville Uber & Lyft Rideshare Accident Attorney

As with any legal matter, it is always in your best interest to consult with a lawyer. You do not know the intricacies of the law, which can come back to hurt your case if you decide to represent yourself. When you work with a lawyer, you only have to worry about recovering from your injuries and nothing else.

A lawyer will handle all of the following for you:

• Craft and send demand letters
• Communicate with defense attorneys and insurance companies on your behalf
• Speak to witnesses and depose them
• Acquire evidence of the crash
• Obtain your medical records and the police report
• Secure expert witnesses to testify on your behalf
• Negotiate a settlement with the at-fault party
• Represent you in court should the case go to trial
• Ensure that all filing deadlines are met

When you work with an Oakville Uber & Lyft rideshare accident lawyer from Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi PLC, you will be cared for like you are a member of the family.

Call an Uber & Lyft Rideshare Accident Attorney in Oakville Today

Were you or a loved one injured in a rideshare crash? You can hold the rideshare driver and the other driver accountable for their actions. At Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi PLC, we work hard to ensure that our clients’ rights are protected and that they receive the compensation they deserve.

Call our office, or submit our contact form, to schedule a consultation with an Oakville Uber & Lyft rideshare accident lawyer today.