Mesa Rideshare Accident Attorneys

These days it’s possible to get to any place you need to be with the simple touch of a button. Rideshare apps like Lyft and Uber allow consumers to use their smartphones to hail a driver in just minutes, meaning we no longer have to rely on bus schedules or our loved ones’ availability to get to our destination. By 2021, it’s projected that 540 million people worldwide will be using rideshare apps. The increase in the number of rideshare drivers and app users, however, also means there is an increase in the number of rideshare accidents. If you’ve been injured by an Uber or Lyft driver, you may be wondering whether the driver or the company can be held financially responsible for damages. It’s the norm for these large companies to evade liability, but when you call Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience, PLC, our Mesa rideshare accident attorneys can stand by your side throughout your case and fight for your rights. We’ve successfully handled thousands of car accident claims and can help you navigate the complex legal system at a pace that you’re comfortable with.

Contact our team for a free consultation online or by phone at (480) 999-9181 today. When you hire our firm, you’re not just getting an attorney – you’re getting our five decades of experience and knowledge.

Common Types of Accidents & Injuries

After a car accident, your first priority should be seeking medical treatment for your injuries. Even if you’re experiencing minor symptoms like whiplash or a headache, injuries can worsen over time. The sooner you get checked out by a doctor, the faster they can diagnose you and treat you so you can heal.

Rideshare accidents can be caused by the same factors that cause any other car accident, and they can result in the same types of injuries. Common injuries drivers and passengers can suffer from after an accident include cuts and abrasions, whiplash, broken or crushed bones, head and brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and back and neck injuries. Besides the physical injuries that can occur in these accidents, psychological damage may also be involved, as car accidents are often frightening and traumatic experiences.

Common types of car accidents include:

• Rear-end collisions: One of the most common types of accidents, this occurs when the front end of one vehicle collides with the back end of the vehicle in front of it. This can happen when cars tailgate, or drive too closely behind other cars, or when drivers are distracted and not able to respond to slowed or stopped traffic in a timely manner. Uber or Lyft drivers, for example, could be busy looking at their app for directions.
• T-bones: This type of accident is dangerous and mainly occurs at intersections. A T-bone involves a vehicle hitting the side of another vehicle and can happen when a car attempts a left turn as oncoming traffic approaches. If the driver who was hit failed to yield to oncoming cars, they may be responsible for damages.
• Head-on collisions: These accidents occur when the front ends of two cars collide and typically result in catastrophic injuries that may include head and brain damage and spinal cord injuries. These accidents can happen when drivers veer into opposing lanes as a result of losing control of their vehicles.

While people may worry about whether Uber and Lyft drivers are repeat traffic offenders, the good news is that people who apply to be drivers must undergo a screening process. This process, which requires drivers to give information like their name and date of birth, vehicle registration and insurance, and proof of inspection, is designed to check for criminal charges and a safe driving record. However, drivers with a safe record can still drive recklessly and cause accidents at any time.

Who is Liable in a Rideshare Accident?

After accidents with taxis and buses, determining liability is relatively clear-cut, as at-fault drivers are employees of the company and the company often takes responsibility. Uber and Lyft drivers, on the other hand, are independent contractors, not employees. This means that companies can position themselves more like middlemen and evade the legal responsibilities that come with having employees.

All of this means that if the rideshare driver who caused your accident was behaving negligently, such as if they were drunk or distracted at the time of the accident, they most likely will be personally responsible and have to access their own insurance.

Passengers do have some protections, however, if they’re involved in an accident. Uber and Lyft have similar insurance policies that kick in when their drivers are on the job.

These policies include:

• No insurance when the driver isn’t logged into the app. This means if you’re a passenger and the driver isn’t using the app, there is no insurance from the company to cover you.
• $50,000/$100,000 bodily injury and $25,000 property damage when the driver is logged into the app but hasn’t accepted a ride request.
• $1 million when the driver has logged in and has accepted a ride request

Because each situation is unique, it’s impossible to apply a past rideshare accident claim to your own. Only an experienced law firm can assess your damages and determine whether a driver or the rideshare company can be held financially accountable.

Call our Mesa rideshare accident attorneys today at (480) 999-9181 to get started on the recovery process. We’ve helped countless clients heal after devastating car accidents and are ready to get to work for you.

Recommended Reading

• Uber Accidents: Everything To Know About Settlements, Policies, Claims, and Lawsuits
• The Effects of a Serious Car Accident
• Are Car Accident Reports Public Record?
• How Long Do I Have to Report a Car Accident in Arizona?