Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law can help you if you’ve been hurt in a car accident with a rideshare service in Norman. Whether it’s to or from the Sooner game or just out for a night with your friends, Uber, Lyft, and other rideshares are usually a safe option. But that can all change when there’s an accident. We can help you untangle things and answer your questions. Set up a free consultation today.
Why a Lawyer Makes Sense After a Rideshare Accident
When there’s a car accident, there’s usually a lot going on—confusion, uncertainty, pain, car repairs, and doctor’s appointments. When the other driver is working for a rideshare service, there can be even more questions about who’s responsible and which insurance company is supposed to pay.
That’s usually when talking to our team makes sense. We can help you:
- Understand your rights
- Get answers to your questions
- Figure out what options you have
We can also help with the things that can make these claims more complicated, including:
- Gathering evidence
- Dealing with insurance companies
- Figuring out who might be responsible for your injuries and losses
Most importantly, we want to understand what the accident has actually done to your life. The days and weeks after a rideshare accident can be stressful enough without having to figure everything out on your own. We’ll help make the process as straightforward as we can so you can focus on getting better.
Who Pays for Your Injuries and Losses After a Rideshare Accident?
This is probably the biggest question with a rideshare accident, just like it is with any other car accident. And while the legal standard is the same, it works a bit differently when the other person is driving for a rideshare service.
Everything starts with showing negligence, or that:
- Someone did something—or failed to do something—that led to the accident and your injuries.
That obviously brings in the other driver in a collision. But here’s where the rideshare service part comes in. Drivers for rideshare services like Uber, Lyft, and certain others don’t work for the company directly—they’re independent contractors. That means, in most cases, their own personal car insurance policy is the one that’s in effect.
However, if they were actively on a trip, rideshare companies might be partially responsible under certain circumstances. At that point, they have additional liability coverage that could kick in (though it’s actually rare).
Keep in mind that the rideshare driver probably won’t be the only one who shares some of the fault for what happened. That could bring in others like:
- Another driver involved in the accident
- A government agency responsible for maintaining the road or traffic signals
- The company that made the vehicle or its parts
Ultimately, a car accident with a rideshare driver isn’t any different in real-world terms. They leave you with the same injuries and challenges that come from other kinds of accidents. At that point, the focus turns to the claims process and what you can recover.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Rideshare Accident?
There can be a lot to sort through after a rideshare accident. But for you, the bottom line is pretty simple. You’re left dealing with the injuries, medical bills, lost income, vehicle damage, and everything else that comes with the accident. Those things are what make up your “damages”, but you get them through the claims process—specifically by either:
- Filing an insurance claim
- Filing a lawsuit
Most claims start with the insurance company. Sometimes, that leads to a fair settlement and the case can be resolved without going any further. But insurance companies don’t always offer what you deserve. When that happens, filing a lawsuit may be necessary. Depending on your situation, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current lost income or loss of earning potential in the future
- Repair/replacement costs for your car
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Wrongful death expenses in a fatal accidents
Obviously, every accident is different. But knowing what you may be able to get when you file a claim gives you a better idea of what your claim is actually worth and what information can help you show that.
What Information Can Help Strengthen Your Rideshare Accident Claim?
Although rideshare accidents can be a little different in real life, they’re still car accidents at their core. That makes it a little easier to narrow down the information that can help with your claim. The difference is that there are a few additional things you’ll want to keep track of because a rideshare service was involved.
But before you worry about gathering evidence, the first thing you should do is important:
- Call 911 to report the accident and get medical help if you need it. You should also report the accident to the rideshare company through the app. The driver will likely have their own reporting process, too.
While you’re waiting for the police or an ambulance, you can start getting some of the basics, including:
- Pictures of the vehicles, your injuries, road conditions, traffic signals, and anything else related to the accident
- Contact information from witnesses or bystanders
- Insurance and contact information for the other driver and your rideshare driver
- Screenshots of your trip receipt, the driver’s profile, pickup and drop-off locations, route, and any messages exchanged through the app
Of course, there’s important information that won’t be available right away. You’ll still want to keep track of it as you move forward. This usually includes:
- The police report. This can help document when and where the accident happened, who was involved, and what the responding officer saw at the scene.
- Medical records. ER visits, follow-up appointments, imaging, prescriptions, physical therapy, and other treatment can help connect your injuries to the accident.
- Surveillance or dashcam footage. Video from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, or dashcams can be especially helpful when there’s a disagreement about what happened.
With a rideshare accident, information can feel like it’s coming from everywhere. Between the police, medical providers, insurance companies, the rideshare app, and the drivers involved, there can be a lot to keep up with. Don’t worry if you can’t get all of this information yourself right away. Focus on what you can get, take care of yourself, and our team can help fill in the gaps later.
Ylla Gosney Helps Rideshare Accident Victims in Norman
Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare services have become a normal part of getting around Norman. With so many students, visitors, and other people around town constantly going back and forth between campus, neighborhoods, restaurants, sporting events, accidents are bound to happen. That doesn’t make what you’re going through any easier, but our team can.
At Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law, we understand how frustrating these accidents can be. We can help you understand what happened, figure out what insurance coverage might apply, and let you focus on getting better. Set up a free consultation today.