Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers in Jackson, MS

Call Us Today to Start a Rideshare Accident Claim

Ridesharing and ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft have become an essential part of our daily lives, as more and more car owners decide to join the growing gig economy. Unfortunately, the drivers and riders in a shared vehicle can still be injured in a serious car accident – and when that happens, you may not be sure exactly where to turn for compensation.

When you contact ‘MAGGIO LAW, our Jackson Uber and Lyft accident attorneys will help you explore all your legal options after a rideshare accident. You shouldn’t have to worry about paying your medical bills and other expenses because an Uber driver (or another vehicle driver) failed to consider your safety as a passenger.

With over 5,000 cases successfully resolved and hundreds of millions recovered for Mississippi accident victims, our seasoned car wreck lawyers can help you get to the bottom of a complex rideshare crash and hold the right parties accountable.

For more information about our legal services in Jackson, call (601) 265-6869 or contact us online today.

Who Can Seek Compensation for a Rideshare Accident?

In the event of a rideshare accident, several parties may be eligible to seek compensation for their injuries and losses:

• Passengers: Passengers who are injured in a rideshare accident can typically seek compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Whether the rideshare driver or another party is at fault, passengers have the right to pursue a claim against the at-fault party's insurance company.
• Rideshare drivers: Rideshare drivers who are injured in an accident while working may be eligible for compensation through the rideshare company's insurance policy. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft typically provide insurance coverage for their drivers while they are logged into the app and actively transporting passengers.
• Other drivers and passengers: If the rideshare driver is at fault for the accident, occupants of other vehicles involved in the crash, as well as pedestrians and cyclists, may seek compensation for their injuries and losses from the rideshare driver's insurance policy.
• Pedestrians and bystanders: Pedestrians and bystanders who are injured in a rideshare accident may also have the right to seek compensation for their injuries. This may include individuals who are struck by a rideshare vehicle or injured due to the negligence of a rideshare driver.

It's important to note that determining liability in rideshare accidents can be complex, especially when multiple parties are involved. Additionally, rideshare companies may have specific insurance policies and procedures that apply to accidents involving their drivers.

If you have been injured in a rideshare accident or if you're unsure about your rights to seek compensation, it's advisable to consult with a knowledgeable rideshare accident lawyer in Jackson.

What Makes an Uber or Lyft Accident Different?

When you are involved in a rideshare accident, it is important to know that this is different from any other type of accident. Uber, for example, does not consider its drivers to be employees but independent contractors. As such, they may be quicker to deny injury claims for this reason.

Uber and Lyft both use smartphone applications that can cause drivers to become distracted and divert their attention away from the road, making many collisions the fault of the driver. When compiled with the fact that nearly anyone can become a rideshare driver as long as they have basic auto insurance and a driver's license, it can be dangerous for these drivers to transport passengers for hours on end without the proper training or experience. Given the higher probability of crashes, it is crucial that rideshare companies take extra precautions to insure their drivers.

Insurance Coverage for an Uber or Lyft Rideshare Accident

Although ridesharing drivers who are repeatedly found at-fault for accidents may eventually be terminated by the company, there’s still always a risk that you could be involved in a crash when you step into an Uber or Lyft vehicle. To account for this risk, ridesharing companies cover all their drivers with company insurance policies in the event of an at-fault accident. However, these policies are limited to specific situations, and the coverage will also depend on the driver’s status at the time of the accident.

Here’s an overview of a typical ridesharing service insurance policy:

• Period 0: If the ridesharing driver is not logged into the appropriate app, the company will provide no coverage at all for accidents.
• Period 1: If the ridesharing driver is active but has not accepted a new rider, the company will provide limited liability coverage for at-fault. This usually includes up to $25,000 for property damage, $50,000 per person, and $100,000 per accident.
• Period 2: If the ridesharing driver has accepted a trip, accidents along the way will be covered for up to $1 million.
• Period 3: If the ridesharing driver has a passenger in the car, accidents will be covered up to $1 million ending at the drop-off point. This also usually includes uninsured motorists’ coverage.

Who Is Liable for a Rideshare Crash?

Uber and Lyft drivers are not the only parties that may be involved in a rideshare accident. If your driver was not at-fault for the crash, you may be entitled to pursue a claim against another negligent driver, or even several other drivers on the road. 

In some cases, your injuries may simply be too severe for the coverage level provided by Uber and Lyft – meaning that you will need to work with the driver’s personal insurance company to obtain fair compensation.

A few of the parties that could be involved in your rideshare accident claim:

• The Uber/Lyft driver
• The insurance company for Uber/Lyft
• An uninsured driver
• Another driver’s insurance company
• Other Uber/Lyft passengers
• The vehicle manufacturer (for auto defects)

What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident

If you find yourself involved in a wreck where you are a passenger/client while riding in an Uber in Mississippi, you need to take a few steps to protect your interests in the event you have to file a lawsuit. 

Here’s what you need to do:

• Either you or someone else needs to call 911 for any necessary medical treatment and to get an accident report documented and filed.
• Take a record of all witnesses, meaning get names and phone numbers of anyone who saw or heard the accident.
• Document the details of your ride—specifically, you need to take screenshots on your phone of your fare to show driver’s name, date of the ride, and route of the trip.
• Get copies of the driver’s insurance information, both personal policy and the ride-sharing company’s commercial vehicle policy.

Why It’s Important to Act Quickly After a Crash

In Mississippi, the statute of limitations for filing a car accident claim is typically three years from the date of the accident. This means that you generally have three years from the date of the car accident to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries and losses.

It's important to be aware of this deadline because failing to file a lawsuit within the applicable statute of limitations can result in the loss of your right to seek compensation. Additionally, evidence may become more difficult to gather, and witnesses' memories may fade over time, making it more challenging to build a strong case.

However, there are certain exceptions and nuances to the statute of limitations, depending on the specific circumstances of the case. For example, if the car accident resulted in a wrongful death, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit may be different.

Given the importance of adhering to these deadlines, it's advisable to consult with a knowledgeable rideshare accident attorney in Jackson, MS as soon as possible after a crash. Our team can assess the specifics of your case, determine the applicable statute of limitations, and ensure that your legal rights are protected. We can also provide guidance on the legal process and help you pursue fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

What Damages Can I Claim in an Uber or Lyft Accident Lawsuit?

If you have been injured while riding as an Uber or Lyft passenger, you may have a claim to the following damages:

• Present and future medical bills
• Lost wages and other income
• Disability and disfigurement
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish

The right thing for a rideshare company to do would be to fully compensate you for your losses, but as we all know, the chances of this are low without a powerful legal advocate on your side. Our firm understands the intricacies of these types of cases and can provide the aggressive representation you need.

Do you have a complex rideshare accident claim in Jackson, MS? Call ‘MAGGIO LAW at (601) 265-6869 today for a free consultation.