If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, the rideshare driver or another party could be at fault for the collision. The party who caused the accident could be liable for covering your damages.
Recovering compensation after a rideshare crash can be complicated without professional legal support. A Boston rideshare accident lawyer will investigate the crash and identify the liable party. You can call today to schedule a free initial consultation.
Identifying the Liable Party for an Uber or Lyft Accident
Identifying the liable party after a rideshare accident determines who is responsible for paying your damages. An experienced attorney will help you better understand Lyft and Uber liability.
Knowing who is at fault allows you to file a claim with the correct insurance provider, which is important for receiving compensation promptly. Liability affects which insurance policies apply, including the rideshare company’s coverage if their driver was actively on a trip.
The Uber or Lyft Driver
Uber or Lyft drivers can be liable for a rideshare accident if their negligence or actions directly caused the crash. For example, if the driver was speeding, distracted, or violating traffic laws, they may be considered at fault. When this happens, their personal insurance or the rideshare company’s insurance may have to cover your losses.
If the driver was not logged in, then only the driver’s personal insurance applies, not the rideshare company’s. Determining the driver’s status during the accident is key to understanding if Lyft or Uber’s insurance will apply to your case.
Another Driver
In a multi-vehicle rideshare accident in Massachusetts, another driver can be liable if their actions caused a chain reaction leading to the crash. For example, if a driver was speeding, distracted, or following too closely, they might rear-end a rideshare vehicle, causing it to collide with other cars.
When a driver’s negligence sets off a series of impacts, they may be held responsible for the injuries and property damage to everyone involved, including rideshare passengers and other drivers. Massachusetts law allows those affected to seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance.
The Rideshare Company
Lyft or Uber can be liable for a rideshare accident in Massachusetts, but it depends on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. If the driver was actively transporting a passenger or on their way to pick one up, the rideshare company’s insurance coverage typically applies.
In Massachusetts, both Lyft and Uber provide liability coverage of up to $1 million when drivers are actively on a trip. However, if the driver was logged into the app but not yet matched with a passenger, the company’s insurance provides limited coverage.
How to Prove Liability After a Rideshare Accident
To prove liability after a rideshare accident, gather strong evidence that shows who was at fault. A rideshare accident attorney will help you gather different types of evidence to establish a timeline for the collision.
Evidence that can help you establish liability for an Uber or Lyft accident includes:
- Police report: The document contains details from the scene, statements from drivers and witnesses, and possibly an officer’s assessment of fault. You could file a claim without a police report, but this official document helps your case.
- Photographs of the accident scene: Take photos of the vehicles’ positions, the extent of the damage to each car, any visible injuries, and relevant surroundings like road signs. Capture close-up shots of vehicle damage as well as wide-angle photos that show the whole scene.
- Dashcam or surveillance footage: Dashcams in your vehicle, the rideshare vehicle, or nearby cars can offer a clear view of the accident. Additionally, security cameras from businesses or traffic cameras might capture different angles that could be helpful.
- Witness statements: Witnesses may be pedestrians, other drivers, or bystanders who can describe the events leading up to the crash, such as whether a driver was speeding or driving erratically. Their statements can support your account of the accident, especially if they observed key details that aren’t clear in photos or other evidence.
- Trip receipts from the rideshare app: These receipts confirm that you were a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the accident and provide essential details like the date, time, and route of the trip. They also include the driver’s name, vehicle information, and the status of the ride.
- Medical records: By providing detailed information about your car accident injuries, such as the severity, treatment required, and any ongoing medical needs, these records strengthen your claim. Insurance companies often require this documentation to assess the extent of your losses and determine the amount of compensation.
By combining these pieces of evidence, you build a clear case for liability, making it easier to pursue compensation from the at-fault party. Work with an experienced lawyer to increase your chances of success. A Lyft or Uber accident attorney can negotiate with the other party or the insurance company to get more money.
A Rideshare Accident Lawyer Will Help You Identify the Liable Party After an Uber or Lyft Accident
An experienced car accident lawyer from Jason Stone Injury Lawyers will investigate your collision and review your options for compensation. Over the years, we have recovered more than $225 million for our clients.
Our legal team works on a contingency fee basis, which means that we only get paid if we win a case. After that, we collect a percentage of the compensation or settlement amount; you never pay us out of your own pocket. That is our Stone Cold Guarantee®.
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