If you have sustained injuries or damages after being involved in a collision with an Uber or Lyft driver, you deserve to be compensated. Collisions involving drivers who work for ride-share platforms are complex and the only way to get fair compensation for all your damages is to rely on the expertise of an accomplished Birmingham Uber rideshare accident lawyer.
You should contact Mike Bell Accident & Injury Lawyers at 205-666-6000. Our car accident lawyers in Birmingham have a wealth of experience in handling these types of collision cases and you can be sure we will do all in our power to ensure they get justice and fair compensation for your loss and suffering.
DO LYFT AND UBER HAVE COLLISION INSURANCE?
Unlike other drivers, the insurance policies for crashes used by ride-share platforms like Lyft and Uber vary depending on the circumstances. The coverage offered by these policies usually depends on the situation at hand. For example, these policies usually consider the location of the ride-sharing driver when an accident occurs.
If a driver who uses a ride-share platform causes a collision when they are not on duty, then the burden of paying compensation for any damages they cause will fall on their shoulders. The insurance company covering the ride-share platform will not pay any amount in such cases.
If a driver who uses a ride-share platform like Uber causes a collision when they are on duty, then the insurance company for the platform will cover for any damages that arise as a result of the collision. For example, for a driver to work for a ride-share platform in Alabama, they should have an insurance liability cover of at least $75,000, a minimum of $150,000 for bodily injuries, and, an additional personal damages liability cover that is capped at a minimum of $25,000.
Before going out on Alabama roads, ride-share drivers also need to take out a $25,000 bodily injury policy for uninsured drivers. They are also required to have a liability cover of $50,000 to cater for any accidental death, $50,000 for every car wreck they cause, and, a $100,000 policy to cover any unintentional death in a collision.
Both Lyft and Uber usually have liability coverage of $1.25 million for drivers who sustain bodily injuries and property damage. However, this cover usually comes into effect only if the at-fault ride-share driver was on the clock at the time of the accident. These ride-share platforms also offer their drivers a cover for personal injuries which is set at $50,000. Further, they also have a liability cover for uninsured/under-insured motorists that is set at $1.25 million as well as a comprehensive policy that can cover damages that occur in a crash up to the value of the car that was involved.
WHY ARE UBER ACCIDENT CLAIMS MORE COMPLICATED THAN OTHER CAR ACCIDENTS?
If you’re carrying passengers at the time of an accident, it is important to know that ride-share platforms also have a liability cover for the passengers that is capped at $1.25 million. However, despite this cover being in effect, when an accident occurs, there are several issues that arise making it hard for injured passengers to acquire the compensation that they deserve quickly.
One of the biggest hindrances to quick payouts for victims is disagreements on whether the at-fault ride-share driver was on the clock at the time of the crash. As a victim in an Uber/Lyft crash, you should know whether the at-fault driver was on duty at the time the crash occurs. This critical information will play a huge role in determining the amount that you get as compensation. As a victim, you should also avail answers to any queries forwarded to you by the ride-share platform the at-fault driver works for.
Another problem when it comes to compensation payouts for victims of an Uber accident usually arises when the total damages in a collision exceed the insurance policy cover. This problem usually arises when there is more than one victim in an Uber crash. If the injuries of the victims are extensive, the $1.25 million liability cover may be insufficient to cover for all damages. If the ride-share driver is to blame for causing the collision, the amount in question will be even less. In such an instance, the at-fault ride-share driver will be forced to depend on a third-party policy to cater for the damages not covered by their ride-share platform.
WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER AN ACCIDENT WITH A RIDESHARING SERVICE?
After being involved in a collision with a ride-share driver, ensure that you contact the police right away so that they can create a police report. If there are any people who have been injured in the crash, ensure that you call emergency medical responders. If you have not been seriously injured in the crash, ensure that you take photos of the scene and collect contact information for all the people who witnessed the collision.
As the victim of an accident caused by a ride-share driver, you deserve to get compensated for the pain, loss, and suffering that you endure. However, to get compensation, you will need to provide proof that the ride-share driver was to blame for the accident. To get the evidence you need to prove fault on the part of the ride-share driver, ensure that you share as much as you can remember about the accident with the authorities.
Remember that the police report will form a big part of the evidence you will need to prove blame. After an Uber/Lyft accident, you should expect the ride-share platform to contact you with a compensatory amount with the aim of settling your case quickly. DO NOT accept any offer given to you by the ride-share platform or insurance companies for the at-fault party until you have consulted with a Birmingham rideshare accident attorney who specializes in Lyft/Uber accidents.
Your Birmingham Uber rideshare accident attorney will act as a point-of-contact between you, the ride-sharing platform, and any other insurance companies who may be involved. They will work to build a strong claim on your behalf and negotiate for a favorable settlement with other involved parties. Remember that ride-share platforms will not immediately pay the compensation you are seeking especially if there is any doubt as to who is to blame for the accident. In such cases, your Birmingham Uber rideshare accident lawyer will be responsible for creating a case that it is the ride-share driver who is to blame for the crash.
One of the reasons why it is hard for victims of Uber/Lyft accidents to get compensation is that these ride-sharing platforms try to pass the buck of paying insurance to the driver by arguing that they were not on duty at the time of the accident. By making this argument, they are usually trying to force the at-fault driver to use private insurance to pay for compensation. These tactics usually make it harder for the victims of the crash to get the compensation they deserve.
If you are involved in an Uber/Lyft collision, you should be ready for these delay tactics. After the collision, the ride-share driver may try to pin the blame for the collision on you especially if they have a policy that cannot cover for your injuries and damages. To navigate these delay tactics successfully, it is best that you engage our highly skilled and experienced Birmingham Uber ride-share accident lawyers at Mike Bell Accident & Injury Lawyers. On hiring us, we will do all that is within our power to ensure that you receive just indemnification as quickly as possible.
HOW CAN A BIRMINGHAM UBER ACCIDENT LAWYER HELP MY CLAIM?
As stated earlier, the only way to get fair compensation after a ride-share accident is to prove blame. You can be sure that the other parties involved in the crash will be working day and night to gather any evidence they can use to deny your claim.
To bolster your chances of getting indemnification quickly, it is best that you rely on the extensive expertise of our Uber accident attorneys in Birmingham, AL. On engaging us, our team of lawyers will:
GATHER EVIDENCE TO STRENGTHEN YOUR CLAIM
To set your claim case up for success, our team will immediately start collecting all the evidence we need to prove fault on the part of the ride-share driver. To find this evidence, we will go through police reports, your medical reports, surveillance records of the scene as well as interview any potential witnesses to the crash.
CALCULATE HOW MUCH COMPENSATION YOU SHOULD RECEIVE
We will carefully review your medical expenses, damages you sustained, any other expenses you accrued from the accident as well as any other relevant materials to get an accurate determination of how much you’re owed by the at-fault party.
LIAISE WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES
At no point should you try to deal with insurers without a lawyer. If you do not have a legal expert at your side, they will try to make you say things that may hurt your claim case later on. On engaging us, we will act as a liaison with insurers and do all the negotiations on your behalf.
BUILD A STRONG CASE ON YOUR BEHALF
Insurance companies make profits by denying legitimate claims like yours. To do this, they may try to pin the blame for the collision on you even when it is clear as day that you’re innocent. Should they try this tactic, our team will create a formidable defense to counter any falsehoods the other side may try to peddle.
NEGOTIATE WITH ALL OTHER INVOLVED PARTIES ON YOUR BEHALF
Insurance companies will try to stiff you at all junctures of your claim case by offer low offers that are less than you actually deserve. However, with our team of skilled and experienced negotiators on your side of the table, you can be sure that we will get you the best deal possible.
REPRESENT YOU IN COURT
After a lot of strong-arming from insurance firms, many Uber accident victims usually end up accepting less than they actually deserve. On engaging us, we will fight to the end to get that you get every dollar you deserve even if it comes to litigating your case in court.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN CAUSES OF UBER ACCIDENTS IN BIRMINGHAM?
Many people in people in Birmingham love using ride-sharing platforms and this translates to a lot of Uber/Lyft drivers on the road. Data shows that in the region, many of the reported accidents can be traced back to these ride-share vehicles. Some of the main causes of these accidents include:
- Driving past the speed limit
- Driving while using electronic gadgets
- Driving too close to lanes being used by other drivers
- Taking unsafe turns
- Improper parking
- Driving under the influence
- Bad roads
- Driving recklessly in heavy traffic
- Poor weather
WHO CAN BE FOUND AT-FAULT FOR AN UBER ACCIDENT IN ALABAMA?
Alabama operates under contributory negligence laws, so determining fault after an Uber/Lyft accident can be daunting. It is important to note that a ride-share driver may be involved in a collision but this does not automatically mean that they are to blame for the accident. Under Alabama State Laws, the at-fault party in a collision should compensate the other victims in the crash for their pain, loss, and suffering.
Some of the other parties who may also be at-fault in a collision include:
- Pedestrians
- Users of motorcycles and bicycles
- Bus and truck drivers
- Manufacturers of defective car parts
- Negligent ride-share drivers
- Government agencies
To find the negligent parties quickly after an accident, you should get your case reviewed by an independent third-party like the Birmingham Uber rideshare attorneys at Mike Bell Accident & Injury Lawyers. On coming to us, we will carefully review your case, identify all liable third parties, and ensure that they offer you the compensation that you deserve.
HOW DO I FILE A CLAIM FOR AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY A RIDE-SHARE DRIVER?
If an Uber/Lyft driver was responsible for your accident, you can successfully claim and receive compensation. However, there are certain factors that come into play such as:
1. Was the driver using the app from their ride-share platform?
You can only pursue compensation from a ride-share platform if their driver was logged into their app at the time of the accident. If they were logged off, you can only pursue compensation from the private insurer who covers the at-fault driver.
2. Did the driver have a wait request at the time of the incident?
If the ride-share driver had a wait request at the time of the accident, then you can pursue compensation from their ride-share platform. However, you can only pursue the platform if you are seeking compensation for damages that are more than the privacy policy held by the at-fault driver.
CAN I SUE LYFT OR UBER AFTER AN ACCIDENT WITH ONE OF THEIR DRIVERS?
Generally, you will not be able to bring a lawsuit against a platform like Uber if you are involved in an accident with one of their drivers. Uber drivers are usually employed as independent contractors so as to limit liability for the company. However, each case is different and your ability to bring a suit against the parent company should be evaluated based upon the facts surrounding your individual case.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON INJURIES SUSTAINED IN UBER COLLISIONS?
Ride-share accidents can leave one with debilitating injuries. To get as much as possible for your suffering, pain, and injuries, it is best that you rely on one of our highly proficient Birmingham Uber rideshare accident lawyers at Mike Bell Accident & Injury Lawyers. If you have sustained any of the injuries listed below, we can help ensure that you are fairly compensated.
- Injuries to the head, eyes, neck, or chest
- Burns
- Broken limbs or bones
- Paralysis
- Injuries to the brain
- Whiplash
- Injuries to the soft tissue
- Concussion
- Spinal cord injuries
- Wrongful death
After an accident, we know that it may be hard for you to visit our offices physically but this does not mean that you should give up on your fight for justice and compensation. On contacting our law firm, we will make arrangements to meet up with you at a location that you find convenient. We will then hear you out, review your case, and offer the most appropriate advice on the best way to proceed with your case.
WHAT DAMAGES CAN YOU GET IN AN UBER/LYFT ACCIDENT CLAIM?
If the accident in question was not your fault, then you can pursue the at-fault party for compensation by taking legal action. To get started on your claim case, you can contact Mike Bell Accident & Injury Lawyers to get a free consultation with some of the best legal minds in the nation. We can help you get fair indemnification for:
- Lost earnings
- Disability
- Stress and anxiety
- Pain and suffering
- Damage to your property
- Treatment expenses
- Diminished quality of life
Even if you have a straightforward case, you can be sure that the insurance company will fight tooth and nail to deny you fair compensation. However, with the skilled legal representatives from our firm, you can avoid being low-balled by insurers. On contacting Mike Bell Accident & Injury Lawyers, you will work with a team of in-house and outsourced professionals to ensure that you have an extremely formidable claim case.
HOW MUCH IS MY UBER/LYFT ACCIDENT CLAIM WORTH?
There are a lot of factors that determine how much you get on filing a compensation claim after a ride-share accident. For example, the value of your claim may hinge on who was driving the vehicle at the time of the incident and the status of the driver. If you are the victim in a Birmingham collision, you can sue the at-fault party and receive compensation for:
- A lost pregnancy
- Loss of limbs
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Broken bones
- Wrongful death
Additionally, the law in Alabama also allows you to file a compensation claim for financial loss if you sustained minor damages or cumulative losses that exceed $50,000. Remember that Alabama has a two-year statute of limitations when it comes to filing car accident claim cases. To start your journey to getting fair compensation, call Mike Bell Accident & Injury Lawyers today to speak to one of our skilled Birmingham personal injury lawyers right away.
Navigating Your Rideshare Accident With Your Uber Lawyer
If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident, a Birmingham, AL Uber accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve. Read on to learn more, and get in touch with the team at Mike Bell Accident & Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation.
Since Uber’s inception in 2009, the transportation industry has witnessed a significant shift. Millions of people have been getting convenient rides, and millions of people have started driving for Uber and Lyft. However, like any other vehicles on the road, there’s still a risk of accidents.
In the unfortunate event of an Uber or Lyft accident, it can be complicated and frustrating to navigate the aftermath. In this article, we’ll guide you through the complexities of rideshare accidents, and shed light on the vital role an Uber accident lawyer can play in helping you navigate this challenging situation.
- Rideshare Accidents Can Be Complicated
Rideshare drivers operate their personal vehicles, which allows them to forgo commercial licenses and insurance. Unfortunately, this also means that their personal insurance may not cover them while they are using their vehicle for commercial purposes.
In the aftermath of a car accident involving a rideshare vehicle, the situation can become more complicated due to the involvement of various insurance providers and different people at fault. Fortunately, a Birmingham uber accident lawyer can walk you through the process.
- Rideshare Company Insurance Can Help
Fortunately, Uber and Lyft provide insurance coverage for their drivers – to the tune of up to $1 million in liability coverage. If you sustain injuries in an Uber or Lyft accident, you may be eligible to collect compensation from the insurance provider. However, obtaining this compensation requires meeting specific requirements.
- Not Everyone Is Eligible For Insurance Compensation
To be eligible for a rideshare company’s insurance compensation, certain conditions must be met:
- The rideshare driver must be logged into the app. A logged-in driver makes you eligible for up to $50,000 in liability insurance.
- If you want access to more compensation, the rideshare driver must be on the job. This includes being logged into the app, carrying passengers, or en route to pick up a passenger.
- Every Accident Is Different
No two accidents are alike, and the level of complexity varies depending on who is at fault. Dealing with several insurance companies simultaneously can be overwhelming, especially while recovering from your injuries. All the more reason to get in touch with a legal team you can trust.
- An Uber Accident Lawyer Can Help
An Uber accident lawyer possesses the knowledge and experience to handle your case with precision and efficiency. They can thoroughly investigate your accident to determine liability and identify the party at fault. Additionally, a skilled lawyer will fight tirelessly on your behalf to ensure you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Get In Touch With Mike Bell Accident & Injury Lawyers Today
Rideshare accidents present unique challenges due to the involvement of multiple insurance companies and varying circumstances behind each accident. If you find yourself in such a situation, it is essential to seek the assistance of an Uber accident lawyer.
At Mike Bell Accident & Injury Lawyers, we understand that a rideshare accident can be complicated and frustrating. Get in touch with us today, and see how a Birmingham Uber accident lawyer from our office can help.
