Auto accidents are always unexpected. Yet, they are even more surprising when a rideshare driver is the person behind the wheel. If you were injured in a rideshare accident, you likely suffered losses that would be difficult or impossible to recoup on your own.
That is why Mississippi rideshare accident victims should always leverage the services of an experienced Olive Branch personal injury lawyer. Rideshare accident cases are complex by nature. Therefore, you should look to a law firm to represent you throughout the proceedings.
Gatti, Keltner, Bievenu & Montesi PLC is here to take on your case. Simply fill out the contact form on this page to get started with a free consultation.
Rideshare Accidents vs. Normal Car Accidents
You may believe that a rideshare accident is the same as any other car accident. While this may be true at the surface level, uncovering who is actually at fault can be tremendously difficult in cases that involve rideshare drivers. While a normal car accident only involves the other drivers and their insurance, rideshare accidents bring the rideshare companies and their insurance into the picture as well.
Regardless of whether your accident was a rideshare accident or not, you will still need to seek medical attention and assess your damages. Though, with rideshare accidents, who you seek to recover damages from may vary. Many times, instead of seeking compensation directly from the at-fault driver’s insurance, you instead need to make a claim directly with Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare company.
Fortunately, rideshare companies always offer some form of liability insurance to riders that use their applications to request rides. Whether you can have a claim accepted through these liability policies depends on the specific circumstances of the rideshare accident.
Filing a Rideshare Accident Claim
Successfully filing a rideshare accident claim can be a tricky task to accomplish. Sometimes, you will need to first file a claim with the rideshare driver’s personal insurance, then wait for it to be rejected before you can file a claim with the rideshare company. This extra step exists because Uber and Lyft aim to minimize their financial liability in most instances.
Understanding that rideshare companies hire their drivers as independent contractors can help you see why filing with their insurance may be necessary. As far as the rideshare company is concerned, the actions of their contractors are not specifically their responsibility. Still, rideshare companies are willing, in some cases, to provide backup insurance when personal claims are denied.
If you are denied a settlement from the rideshare driver’s personal insurance or the rideshare company’s insurance, you definitely need a lawyer to help negotiate on your behalf. Even if they do accept your claim, they may try to offer a low settlement in order to keep costs low. That is why you need an Uber & Lyft rideshare accident lawyer in Olive Branch to take your case to court if necessary.
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Damages Commonly Recovered in Rideshare Crashes
Now that you understand how to file a rideshare accident claim, you are probably wondering what potential outcome to expect from filing. While we are unable to provide you with a specific number for the expected compensation, we can share with you what types of damages you stand to recover through a rideshare accident claim. The damages that can be included in your claim are:
- Medical costs related to treatment and care for injuries sustained in the rideshare accident
- Income lost due to injuries related to the rideshare accident
- Future wages that may be lost due to injuries related to the rideshare accident
- Property damage to your vehicle or other personal belongings
- Replacement transportation, such as a rental car
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
In instances where the rideshare accident victim died due to injuries sustained in the crash, you have the right to pursue wrongful death damages. Though, this option is only available to certain family members that are close to the deceased.
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Rideshare Lawsuit Time Limits
The victims of Mississippi rideshare accidents only have three years to bring their case to be heard in front of a judge. If you wait until after this time limit to file, you lose your opportunity to sue the liable party, the rideshare company, or either’s insurance. Waiting is also a bad idea because the longer you wait, the less likely you are to recover valuable evidence that can be used to prove your case’s validity.
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Uber and Lyft’s Insurance Policies
As stated previously, drivers do have some coverage through Uber and Lyft. Though, this coverage is not always the same. For example, when the driver’s app is on and there are no passengers, coverage for bodily injury liability has a $100,000 maximum.
Yet, if the driver is going to pick a passenger up or there is a passenger in the vehicle, total bodily injury liability coverage jumps up to $1 million. This is why knowing the exact circumstances of your rideshare accident can be incredibly helpful during the process of planning your claim. To get a solid perspective on what type of coverage was active when the accident occurred, speak to an Olive Branch Uber & Lyft rideshare accident attorney.
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Who you have to handle your rideshare accident case matters. If you choose an ill-equipped attorney to represent you, you stand to lose out on potential compensation that you rightfully deserve. Think carefully about who you select to represent you because once your claim is settled, you will not be able to file another claim for the same accident.
Gatti, Keltner, Bievenu & Montesi PLC have tried hundreds of rideshare accident cases, often with positive outcomes. You can trust us to present you with a fair opportunity to claim compensation and seek justice from the insurance companies. With our team working with you, there is no need to participate in lengthy negotiations or legal proceedings.
Instead, you can rest and focus on recovering. To learn more about what we can do for you, use the contact form on this page to schedule a free legal consultation.