Ridesharing Accidents with Lyft or Uber: What You Need to Know

Rideshare apps are becoming more common in Texas – and so are rideshare accidents. If you were injured in one of these accidents, you might be struggling with serious injuries that demand immediate treatment. You might also face weeks, months, or years of missed work. In addition, psychological issues like PTSD or disfigurement may leave you feeling unsure about the future. If you find yourself in this situation, you can file a personal injury lawsuit alongside a qualified rideshare accident lawyer in Texas.

If you’ve been hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident in Irving, Texas, you need experienced legal representation. Call David Sanchez Law Group, PLLC today at (972) 529-3476 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our caring team is ready to listen, advise you of your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve. You don’t have to go through this alone – let us help you move forward.

You Can Sue as a Passenger

You can file a personal injury lawsuit even if you were not driving your vehicle at the time of the crash. If you were injured while riding as a passenger in an Uber vehicle, you may have numerous potential sources of compensation to consider. As soon as an Uber vehicle pulls up to the curb, the driver owes you a “duty of care.” If they allow you to suffer injuries at any point during the ride, you can hold Uber accountable.

The obvious example is a crash caused by a negligent Uber driver. However, you can also sue as a passenger in more subtle situations. Some Uber passengers have sued after being unceremoniously dumped in unsafe locations. For example, your Uber driver may have forced you to get out of the vehicle in the middle of a highway. If you were hit by another vehicle after a dangerous drop-off, you could file an injury lawsuit. You might also sue for dangerous pick-ups. For example, a driver might pull over too far from the curb, causing you to lose your footing and fall onto the pavement.

Rideshare Drivers are Often Distracted

Rideshare drivers are capable of the same mistakes as any other driver – including intoxication, speeding, running red lights, and so on. However, they are particularly likely to become distracted because of the inherent nature of their work. An Uber driver must always keep one eye on their smartphone or touch screen. Why? Because if they do not monitor the app, they may lose potential fares.

This creates a situation where Uber and Lyft drivers are constantly distracted while driving. Crashes are therefore inevitable, and it should be relatively easy to prove this type of negligence.

You Might Need to Find Out What the Driver Was Doing When the Crash Occurred

While rideshare accident lawsuits are similar to normal auto accident cases, there are a few notable differences. Uber and Lyft have tiered insurance policies that provide different levels of coverage depending on what the driver was doing at the moment of the accident.

For example, Uber and Lyft may attempt to avoid all liability if the driver was not engaged in “work-related duties” at the time of the crash. For example, the driver who caused your accident might have lurched out of a McDonald’s drive-thru with no warning whatsoever. Uber may then claim that the driver was taking a lunch break and that their insurance policy does not cover your accident. This is obviously something you should push back against if possible because Uber’s insurance policy is an attractive source of compensation.

Alternatively, the driver may have been actively logged in to the app – but without a passenger. In this case, the “mid-tier” insurance policy might apply. Full insurance coverage applies when Uber or Lyft drivers are actively carrying passengers. In this situation, you can pursue the maximum level of compensation from a rideshare app.

You Can Sue Uber or Lyft if You Were “Doored” While Riding Your Bike

Cyclists face unique risks from Uber and Lyft vehicles. A particularly common incident involves “dooring.” This occurs when a rideshare passenger opens the car door into the path of a cyclist. The impact ejects the cyclist onto the pavement, causing potentially catastrophic injuries. You can sue a rideshare company for this type of accident.

Work With an Experienced Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Texas

The last thing you need to know about rideshare accidents is simple: Hiring a rideshare lawyer in Irving is a smart choice. These legal professionals have extensive experience with rideshare accidents – and they have dealt with major companies like Uber and Lyft before. Choose David Sanchez Law Group, PLLC, to work with experienced rideshare accident lawyers in Texas. We have helped numerous injured plaintiffs – including those harmed by negligent Uber drivers. Book your consultation today to discuss your next steps.