Ridesharing has become a common part of daily life in San Marcos and throughout Texas. Almost every time you leave your home, you’re bound to come across a vehicle with an Uber or Lyft decal. But what happens if you get in an accident with one of these vehicles as a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian?
If you were in a rideshare accident, you may have suffered serious injuries. Through an auto insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, you can seek the compensation you need and deserve for your injuries. Contact Burch Law Firm for a free consultation with an experienced San Marcos rideshare accident lawyer from our legal team.
How a San Marcos Rideshare Accident Lawyer Can Help
A San Marcos car accident lawyer can help with your rideshare accident case in a few key ways. First, they’ll investigate the accident to identify all liable parties and collect the evidence to hold them financially accountable for your injuries and property damage.
Next, they’ll help you file the paperwork necessary for your auto insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. And after that, they’ll represent you in settlement negotiations with the insurance companies. Insurance companies often use underhanded tactics to deny or reduce the value of personal injury claims, so it’s crucial to have an experienced Uber crash attorney on your side who can fight for your rights.
If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement that covers all your losses, your San Marcos personal injury lawyer can take your case to trial and seek the maximum compensation available.
Learn more about how an experienced personal injury attorney can help after a motor vehicle accident when you call for a free case review.
What to Do Immediately After a Rideshare Accident in San Marcos, Texas
Immediately after an Uber or Lyft accident, there are several steps you should take to protect your right to seek full and fair compensation for your injuries and other losses. These include the following:
- Report the Accident – Always report the accident to the police and request a copy of the accident report. You may need a copy of this report when filing your insurance claim.
- Document the Scene – Take photographs of the damaged vehicles, skid marks on the road, and relevant traffic signs and signals. If there are any witnesses, collect their names and contact information so your lawyer can follow up for their statements.
- Obtain Insurance Information – Make sure to get insurance information from the rideshare driver and any other driver involved in the crash.
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention – Always seek medical treatment after a car accident. Even if you initially feel fine, you may have internal injuries that haven’t yet displayed symptoms. Taking your injuries seriously will also benefit your claim for medical expenses later on. Keep all of your medical records.
- Contact a Car Accident Lawyer – The best way to protect your right to seek compensation after a rideshare accident is to contact a San Marcos Uber and Lyft accident attorney. They can conduct a thorough investigation, provide legal support, and guide you through the legal complexities of such accidents.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in San Marcos, TX
Proving the cause of the San Marcos rideshare accident that harmed you is an essential step to successfully recover compensation for your injuries. The leading cause of car accidents, including rideshare accidents, is driver negligence. This can take the form of speeding, failing to yield the right of way, driving while fatigued or distracted, or failing to be aware of one’s surroundings.
Additional factors that may have contributed to your rideshare accident are:
- Defective vehicle components that fail
- Poor vehicle maintenance that leads to part failures
- Poor weather conditions, often combined with drivers traveling too fast for conditions
- Poor road conditions, including damaged pavement, faded lines, and blind turns
Our experienced personal injury attorneys can investigate the accident, determine the contributing factors, and identify all at-fault parties.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Rideshare Accident?
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, a few different parties could be liable for your losses. Some of the parties most frequently found liable in rideshare accidents include:
- Rideshare Drivers – Driver negligence is the leading cause of rideshare accidents. Drivers may speed to make as many trips as possible or be distracted by their rideshare app.
- Rideshare Companies – If the driver was active on the app when the collision occurred, the rideshare company may be liable for your injuries. Uber and Lyft provide insurance coverage for their drivers, and you may be able to file a claim to recover compensation for your injuries.
- Third-Party Motorists – Other drivers can be liable for your injuries and losses if their negligence contributed to the accident. For example, if you were in a rideshare vehicle that was rear-ended by another driver, that driver may be at fault.
- Vehicle Manufacturers – Defective vehicle parts and safety equipment can leave vehicle manufacturers open to liability.
- Government Entities – In some cases, the government entity responsible for maintaining the roads could be liable if poor road maintenance contributed to the crash.
Our experienced attorneys have an in-depth understanding of personal injury law and the legal process involved in rideshare accident cases. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Rideshare Accident Case?
In a rideshare accident case, you can seek compensation for your various losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, disability accommodations, and physical pain and emotional suffering. However, the extent of liability insurance that covers your losses depends on when the accident occurred.
If the accident that harmed you occurred while the rideshare driver was not using the app, the driver’s personal liability insurance might cover your losses. In Texas, the minimum requirements for auto liability insurance are:
- $30,000 per person for bodily injury
- $60,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
If the accident occurred while the rideshare driver was online on the Uber or Lyft app and available for a trip, Uber and Lyft both provide liability coverage. Their maximum limits are available if the accident occurred while the rideshare driver was en route or on a trip.
Contact Our San Marcos Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today for a Free Case Review
If you were injured in a San Marcos rideshare accident, contact Burch Law Firm for a free case review with our experienced Lyft and Uber accident lawyer. Attorney Troy Burch has practiced law in New Braunfels since 1990, representing residents of the surrounding communities. Contact us today for immediate legal assistance.
