Rideshare services have largely replaced taxis and public transportation as a way to get around. They are convenient, but if a rideshare vehicle gets into an accident, obtaining appropriate compensation can be complicated.
A local car accident attorney with deep roots in the community could be a big help when you get into an Uber/Lyft/rideshare accident in Mesa. Reach out immediately to preserve your rights and learn about your legal options.
Car Accident Basics
Arizona uses a fault-based system for managing car accident claims. Everyone registering a vehicle must have liability insurance coverage. When the insured driver is at fault in an accident, their coverage pays the losses of others who suffer injuries and property damage.
Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-4009 requires drivers to have a minimum coverage of $25,000 for injuries to one person, $50,000 for injuries to multiple people, and $15,000 for property damage or destruction. When insurance coverage is insufficient to compensate an injured person’s losses, the insured is personally liable.
This state allows people who bear partial responsibility for an accident to claim compensation from other responsible parties. However, they cannot collect the full amount of their losses. The judge instead decreases the amount a partially responsible claimant receives by a percentage equal to their degree of blame for the incident.
Special Considerations in Collisions with Rideshare Vehicles
All the principles that apply in other car accident claims also apply to rideshare accidents, but there are some additional complexities. The amount of insurance coverage available in a rideshare accident depends on the driver’s status when the accident happened.
If the driver was not logged onto the app when they got into an accident, the driver’s personal insurance coverage applies. If the driver has minimum coverage and the accident produced significant injuries, the coverage might not be enough to pay the injured person’s losses. However, the rideshare company’s insurance will not honor a claim if the driver was not logged in. A Mesa attorney could subpoena data from the rideshare app to determine the driver’s status when the accident occurred.
Rideshare Companies Sometimes Provide Additional Coverage
If the driver was logged in and waiting for a fair, the rideshare company provides coverage in addition to the driver’s personal policy. Rideshare companies provide $50,000 in personal injury coverage and $100,000 to cover multiple injured people.
The rideshare company’s full coverage takes effect the moment a rideshare driver accepts a fare on the app. When the driver is traveling to pick up a fare or is transporting a passenger who booked a ride, the rideshare company’s $1,000,000 commercial policy applies.
Your Rights if You Were Injured as a Rideshare Passenger
Rideshare passengers who booked their ride through the app are always covered by the commercial insurance policy. However, obtaining appropriate compensation can be challenging, because the insurers do their best to pay as little as possible. If another party was at fault for the accident, the rideshare company’s insurer might force you to claim against their insurance first. Our Mesa attorneys could provide necessary legal guidance to combat the insurer’s reluctance to meet their responsibility.
Tips if You Were Injured in a Lyft or Uber Wreck
The way a passenger behaves during and after a rideshare accident can impact their claim for damages. To preserve their rights, passengers should do the following:
- Document the scene if you can
- Do not rate the driver on the app
- Get immediate medical treatment
- Report the incident to the rideshare company immediately
- Accept ambulance transportation to the hospital if offered
- Do not share anything about the incident on social media
It is critical for someone injured as a rideshare passenger to avoid speaking to the insurer for any involved party before consulting a local accident attorney.
Additionally, people sometimes delay seeking medical care because they do not notice symptoms immediately. The best thing a rideshare passenger could do for their case and their health is to seek a screening from a healthcare professional as quickly as possible.
Work With a Mesa Attorney to Get Compensated After a Rideshare Accident
Getting appropriate compensation after an accident with a rideshare vehicle can be complicated. If you are not familiar with the rules, you might accept less than you are entitled to receive.
Our experienced local attorneys have been representing people with claims arising from Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents in Mesa for years. Reach out immediately to get a committed attorney working for you.
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