Have you sustained injuries in a rideshare accident that was caused by an Uber or Lyft driver? Contact the Decatur rideshare accident lawyers at Mama Justice to learn about your legal options and right to compensation.

If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, the Decatur rideshare accident lawyers at Mama Justice can help you get compensation for your injuries, property damage, and other costs associated with your accident. The rideshare attorneys at Mama Justice are experienced in dealing with Uber and Lyft accidents and will work hard for you to make sure you and your family receive fair compensation for the damages you have suffered.

Schedule a free case evaluation with the Decatur, Alabama rideshare accident lawyers at Mama Justice at your earliest convenience to see how a personal injury claim can help you move forward.

What are the Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Decatur?

While the exact number of injuries and deaths is not known, rideshare drivers cause an unsettlingly percentage of accidents. Some of these accidents are caused by:

  • Distracted Driving: The risks of distracted driving are elevated when a driver uses their phone or fiddles with the radio. The National Safety Council estimates that an average of 1.6 million car accidents each year are caused by distracted driving.
  • Speeding: Drivers who drive excessively fast can cause serious accidents, causing victims to suffer severe injuries.
  • Drunk Driving: If you’re riding with a driver who has alcohol or drugs in their system, you’re putting yourself and others in danger. Driving while under the influence is illegal and dangerous. If you or a loved one were injured by an Uber or Lyft driver who was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, contact a personal injury attorney in Decatur, Alabama right away.
  • Tailgating: A driver’s primary task is to get you to your destination as safely as possible. Your driver should leave plenty of space between them and the car in front of them. If they are driving too close, it could put you at risk in the case of an accident.
  • Fatigue: Uber and Lyft drivers do not have set schedules. They are often working several jobs at once, as well as carrying passengers. This can lead to fatigue, and a fatigued driver can cause accidents.
  • Disobeying Traffic Laws: A driver must follow traffic signals and signs. If they fail to obey these rules, they may face civil and criminal penalties if their actions cause injuries or death.
  • Lack of Maintenance: Vehicle maintenance has a direct impact on your safety. A driver’s vehicle should be regularly maintained to ensure all mechanical and electrical systems are properly working.

If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident, contact an Uber or Lyft accident lawyer to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Schedule a free consultation with our team today to get started.

Common Injuries that Occur in an Uber or Lyft Accident

An Uber accident can be a devastating experience, no matter how minor the injury suffered may seem. Severe injuries, such as spinal cord damage can have lifelong consequences. It is important to seek immediate medical care after an accident.

Some common injuries sustained by victims injured in rideshare accidents, include:

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries, known as TBIs, can happen in seconds or minutes after impact. These injuries have serious effects on the way you see and interact with the world.
  • Spinal Cord Injuries: The spinal cord is the brain’s pathway for transmitting signals to the rest of the body. Injuries can disrupt this communication, resulting in paralysis and other serious problems. Spinal cord injuries caused by car accidents are devastating. Victims typically require extensive surgery and physical therapy.
  • Whiplash: Sustaining whiplash from a Lyft or Uber accident can cause severe and debilitating injuries to the neck, back, and spinal discs. The type of injury sustained from whiplash depends on how hard the head is jolted forward, backward, or sideways and the duration of the force. These injuries can result in pain and suffering for many years.
  • Broken Bones: The violent impact of a car crash can exert enough force to break bones. It can also damage ligaments, tendons, and muscles.

When you’re in pain and don’t know what to do, you need an attorney who will fight for your rights. Our Decatur, Alabama rideshare accident lawyers at Mama Justice can help you get the compensation you deserve from the insurance company of the Uber or Lyft driver so you can focus on recovering and getting back to your life.

Schedule a free consultation with our Decatur, Alabama rideshare accident lawyer today to discuss your injury claim and the legal options available to help you move forward.

Compensation Available to Victims of Rideshare Accidents in Decatur

You could be entitled to financial compensation if you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident. Insurance claims can take time, and legal battles are always challenging, so you need an experienced attorney who will represent you and your best interests. Some of the types of compensation you could be entitled to include:

  • Lost Wages: If your injuries caused you to miss work, you might be able to receive the income you have missed as part of a settlement. This amount can include future wages you may lose because of your injuries.
  • Medical Bills: If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, you might have incurred medical bills for the treatment of your injuries. Your attorney can help you to determine if you have a valid claim for recovery as part of your settlement. All medical expenses are recoverable within a personal injury settlement.
  • Pain and Suffering: The injuries you sustain in a Lyft or Uber accident are often more than just physical. Rideshare accidents can also cause pain and suffering. You deserve compensation for both past and future pain and suffering. A rideshare accident lawyer can help you to calculate the value of your claim, which is based on: the severity of your injuries; how your injuries impact your quality of life; and how long it takes you to make a full recovery.
  • Punitive Damages: A driver may be required to pay punitive damages when an accident is severe. This type of compensation goes above and beyond a settlement award. It is typically awarded to punish the driver of your accident for reckless behavior and negligence.

It is important that you schedule a free consultation with our rideshare accident lawyer at Mama Justice right away. Our team can help you pursue a compensation claim against the insurance company for the driver responsible for your Uber or Lyft accident.

Do Lyft and Uber Compensate Accident Victims?

Determining liability in a rideshare accident claim is complex, and several factors must be considered. Uber and Lyft drivers are classified as independent contractors instead of employees.

Uber and Lyft provide only limited insurance coverage for drivers and passengers in the event of an accident. Unlike commercial insurance policies, these policies do not cover you when somebody else is at fault.

Instances in which Uber and Lyft provide insurance coverage are:

  • When the driver is logged into the app but has not yet accepted a ride. When drivers are on the app but waiting for requests, they have access to limited liability coverage that covers claims up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.
  • When the driver is on the way to pick up a passenger. When the driver has accepted a trip and is on the way to pick up a passenger, the liability coverage can be as high as $1 million.

Rideshare companies do not provide insurance coverage when the Uber or Lyft driver is not connected to the app.

What Should You Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Decatur?

Protecting yourself and your legal rights when involved in a rideshare accident is important. Here are five steps you can take after a rideshare accident in Decatur, Alabama:

  • Contact the Police: Calling the police should be a priority after an accident. It will allow you to get appropriate documentation and record the incident. The police report will serve as evidence when you want to file a car accident claim.
  • Seek Medical Attention: If you have suffered an injury following an Uber or Lyft accident in Decatur, it is important to get medical treatment immediately. Medical reports can also prove that the injuries and damages sustained from the accident did indeed occur during the time of the collision.
  • Take pictures of the accident scene: Try to get photos of the accident scene and any injuries you sustained. Photographs are an easy way to document the accident. The pictures will provide evidence that can be valuable in preparing your case and defending your claim.
  • Report the crash to Uber or Lyft: If you were involved in a collision as a Lyft or Uber passenger, you should immediately report the incident to the rideshare company. If you cannot get a response from your rideshare about your collision, you should report the accident to your insurance carrier. This can be done by calling the insurance company or filling out a form. Getting compensation for damages will depend largely on evidence and paperwork.
  • Hire an experienced personal injury attorney: If you’ve been involved in an Uber or Lyft accident in Decatur, you need to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to ensure you get fair compensation. The personal injury attorneys at Mama Justice are highly skilled at maintaining positive attorney-client relationships and will ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Contact our Decatur rideshare accident attorneys today to schedule a free consultation to get started on your case.