If you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident as a result of a negligent or reckless driver, Mama Justice is here for you. Schedule a free consultation with our rideshare accident lawyers in Southaven to get started on your case.

Since 2009, we have seen a drastic increase in the number of people who turn to rideshare services for their transportation needs. These services are ideal because they are convenient, affordable, and generally safe and reliable. With the simple click of an app, people can request rides to nearly anywhere in Southaven.

Although ridesharing has led to a dramatic decrease in the number of alcohol-related collisions in the United States, we are seeing more injury accidents involving rideshare vehicles. Rideshare accidents are more complex than standard collisions in that they involve several insurance companies, all of which deny any liability for your injuries and damages

If you have been hurt in a rideshare accident, it is crucial that you are aware of the legal options available for you. The Southaven rideshare accident lawyers at Mama Justice can meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss your case and legal options that you may have to recover the compensation you need to move forward with your life.

Our lawyers will help you by guiding you through the entire legal process so you are always aware of what is going on and what to expect moving forward. Contact our Southaven personal injury law firm today to get started on your case.

Why People Choose Rideshare for Transportation

Uber and Lyft were both designed to allow people to request rides at the click of an app. This system provides consumers various benefits over driving their own vehicles or requesting taxi services. Some of the advantages of rideshare include:

  • Cheaper costs for transportation when compared to taxis
  • Available in a more timely manner than most other types of transportation
  • Offer cheaper carpool-like travel options
  • You do not need to wait outside in inclement weather to request rides
  • You can prearrange payments to be deducted from a credit card
  • You do not need to have cash on-hand to tip

Both Uber and Lyft have successfully offered rides to millions of people since they came into services. Most people can depend on these companies to have drivers who are safe and reliable due to the driver requirements set by each company.

Requirements to Be an Uber or Lyft Driver

In order to drive a rideshare vehicle, a person must meet specified criteria. This includes:

  • Being at least 21-years of age or older at the time of the application
  • Have a valid United States driver’s license
  • Have at least three years of experience driving
  • Have a clean driving record
  • Be able to pass a background check
  • Have a car that seats four or more people, excluding the driver
  • Have a vehicle that passes the company inspection
  • Have an in-state license plate and a current valid registration

Although rideshare companies take numerous precautions to ensure they have only the most trusted and responsible drivers, using their services does not come without risk. The chances of being severely injured in a motor vehicle accident remain all-too-real.

If you are injured in an accident, you must seek legal guidance right away. There are some differences between typical auto collisions and those involving rideshare drivers. A skilled personal injury lawyer in Southaven can help you sift through the difference and pursue legal action against wrongdoers.

How are Rideshare Accidents Different?

When it comes to comparing rideshare accidents to other types of collisions, there are various similarities and some differences. If you are involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, you will still need to determine fault. You should still seek medical attention immediately and work with the insurance companies in order to recover the compensation you need and deserve.

The main difference with a rideshare accident is the fact that there are multiple parties involved means there are several insurance companies that you may have to deal with. For example, if you are driving your own vehicle and you are involved in a crash with an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you will go through the same process as you would for any other type of accident.

The at-fault driver will be responsible for all of the resulting damages and injuries from the accident. If the driver’s personal insurance company denies the claim, the rideshare company’s insurance policy can take over and cover all of the resulting injuries. This same principle applies to situations where you are a passenger in a rideshare vehicle.

What to do as a Passenger in a Rideshare Accident

If you are harmed in a rideshare accident as a passenger, there are various steps you should take to ensure your legal rights and best interests are protected. This includes:

Taking steps to ensure your safety

Your driver should move the vehicle out of active lanes of traffic. This will help to ensure you are not involved in any subsequent crashes while waiting for law enforcement and emergency vehicles to respond. If the driver does not take these actions, do not hesitate to remind them to pull the vehicle off the road. Check yourself for injuries immediately if you are out of harm’s way and feel well enough to do so.

Contact emergency services

You will want to contact 911 immediately. Have law enforcement and medical personnel respond to the site of the crash as soon as possible. You will want to obtain a police report from the responding officer. You will want to get medical attention even if you do not feel like you are injured. It may still be too soon to tell if you have internal organ injuries or other injuries that are not visible.

Gather evidence if possible

You will want to make sure you have the name, insurance information, and license number of the rideshare driver and any other party to the accident. If any witnesses are present, gather their contact information as well. Take pictures of the scene of the crash. Photograph the vehicles and the points of impact. Finally, take pictures of your injuries.

Seek legal assistance

You will want to reach out to a knowledgeable rideshare accident lawyer in Southaven right away. A skilled legal team will help you take action quickly to ensure you are able to get justice.

Our lawyers at Mama Justice will advise you about legal options available to you and what to expect moving forward.

Injured in a Rideshare Accident as a Pedestrian

If you are harmed in a rideshare accident as a pedestrian, you have the same legal rights as a passenger harmed in an Uber vehicle crash. You should prioritize your safety following an accident. Pedestrians who are struck by vehicles, rideshare or otherwise, often suffer serious injuries.

If you have been harmed in a rideshare accident, you must seek medical attention immediately. Reaching out to a rideshare accident lawyer in Southaven should be your next step. Ensuring your legal rights are protected is critical after tending to your mental and physical health and wellbeing.

Common Injuries from Rideshare Accidents

Like other types of motor vehicle accidents, people who are involved in rideshare accidents are at risk of suffering severe injuries that demand immediate medical care. Some of the most common injuries were see reported in Southaven rideshare accidents include:

  • Whiplash
  • Brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Loss of limbs
  • Scrapes, cuts, and lacerations
  • Bruises
  • Broken bones and bone fractures
  • Concussions
  • Back injury
  • Internal injuries
  • Paralysis
  • Death

If you suffered these or other serious injuries in a rideshare accident, or your loved one has lost their life while traveling in an Uber or a Lyft vehicle, you may have legal options available to help you move forward.

Rideshare Insurance Policy Limits

If you are injured in an accident involving a rideshare vehicle, the time when the accident occurred will play a critical role in determining what insurance coverage you will have access to. There are four periods in which these accidents can occur. These include:

Offline

If you are harmed in an accident with a rideshare driver when they are completely offline and not logged into their rideshare company’s app, the accident will be covered by the personal insurance policy of the driver.

Period One

If the accident occurred while the driver is logged into their app, but have not yet accepted a rider, the driver is typically covered by the following insurance policy limits:

  • $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person involved in the accident
  • $100,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
  • $30,000 for property damages sustained in the accident

Additionally, rideshare companies like Uber provide up to $200,000 in additional coverage if accidents take place during this period.

Period Two

This period describes the time when a driver has accepted a trip and is en-route to pick up the passenger(s).

Period Three

This period describes when a driver is actively transporting a passenger. In both period two and period three, the rideshare company’s insurance policy is n effect. This policy includes:

  • $1 million for commercial auto insurance coverage
  • $1 million for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

Although it may seem like these are generous amounts of coverage, rideshare companies will do whatever they can to deny liability for your accident. If you are injured in a rideshare accident, you must reach out to our law firm right away. You may be entitled to compensation that you can use to cover various costs you face moving forward.

Damages for Victims in Rideshare Accidents

Being injured in a rideshare accident can have an overwhelming impact on your life. Dealing with painful injuries is truly only half the battle. Most people who are harmed in accidents while traveling an Uber or Lyft vehicle incur significant financial consequences as well.

When people are harmed in rideshare accidents, through no fault of their own, they may be able to recover compensation to help cover some of the economic and non-economic damages they face.

Our Southaven rideshare accident lawyers at Mama Justice will help you maximize the amount of compensation you receive for various damages, including:

  • Medical expenses
  • Long-term care expenses for therapy, rehabilitation, care facilities, and more
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earnings and benefits
  • Mental anguish
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Attorneys’ fees
  • Scarring and disfigurements
  • Vehicle repairs/replacement

Our lawyers firmly believe that people harmed in motor vehicle accidents should never have to spend their own hard-earned money covering expenses they face due to the negligence of others. For this reason, we fearlessly fight to ensure our clients are able to get justice and collect the maximum amount of compensation available for their claims.

Protect Your Legal Rights with Mama Justice

Not being able to return to work and pay your bills while dealing with painful injuries can be extremely overwhelming. You may have problems making it to your appointments to receive the medical care you need. Dealing with these and other challenges can be incredibly disheartening.

With Mama Justice by your side, you can rest assured knowing your legal rights and best interests will be protected every step of the way. Our law firm will provide you with aggressive and trusted representation that represents your unique needs and best interests. Our Mississippi rideshare accident lawyers will never leave you alone when it comes to getting justice.

Our lawyers are available to meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss your case and to help you move forward and get justice. Our law firm offers free, no-obligation consultations in Southaven or any of our thirteen offices across Mississippi. Contact our Southaven rideshare accident lawyers today by calling (888) 484-1476.