Las Vegas Uber Accident Attorney
Both visitors and locals use rideshare services like Uber and Lyft to get around Las Vegas. Not having to drive your own vehicle makes it easy and affordable to get around the city. And of course, you don’t have to worry about having enough cash after a night out like you would with a regular taxi.
But while they are many advantages to Uber and Lyft, challenges can emerge if you get into an Uber and Lyft accident. You will likely need a Las Vegas Uber and Lyft accident attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve. Unlike most other vehicles that are covered by one insurance policy, there may be multiple forms of coverage involved. Since Uber and Lyft only became legal in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2015, many people still don’t understand how all these policies work.
The first thing you need to know is that Uber and Lyft drivers are freelancers and not employees. They drive their own vehicles. Uber and Lyft are simply the middlemen who connect the drivers with passengers. Therefore, sometimes the drivers use their vehicles for their personal use. On the other hand, regular taxi drivers are usually employees of a particular company and they only drive the taxi while they are on duty. This means it’s much clearer whether the vehicle is being used for business or personal use.
Despite the differences, Uber and Lyft drivers are like other drivers in many ways. They may drive carelessly at times, get distracted by their GPS or run a red light. Sometimes their actions lead to accidents which result in injuries. When this happens, contact one of the top-rated law firm’s in Las Vegas to get on the path to recovery, physically and financially.
We Are Here To Answer Your Las Vegas Uber Accident Questions
Easy Navigation
- Who Pays For My Injuries If I’m Involved In An Uber And Lyft Accident?
- What Should I know If I’m An Uber And Lyft Driver Who Got Injured In An Accident?
- How Uber/Lyft Accidents Are Different From Other Car Accidents?
- How Can A Las Vegas Uber Accident Attorney Help Me?
- Steps To Take If You Were Injured In A Car Accident Involving Uber Or Lyft
- Who Should I Contact After An Uber or Lyft Accident in Las Vegas?
Who Pays For My Injuries If I’m Involved In An Uber And Lyft Accident?
As with any accident, if you were injured due to someone else’s negligence you may be able to get compensation. Under Nevada’s laws, the at-fault driver’s insurance company is required to compensate you for injuries and property damage. You may be another driver or a passenger or pedestrian who is traveling along Las Vegas’ roads. Let’s look at the types of insurance coverage which are available for Uber and Lyft drivers.
Uber and Lyft drivers must have personal car insurance. However, the company provides $1 million in liability coverage for drivers involved in accidents along with an additional $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. These $1 million policies are well above Nevada’s minimum requirements which are:
- Bodily injury liability coverage of $25,000 for each person and $50,000 for each accident
- Property damage liability coverage of $50,000
- Optional uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 for each person and $50,000 for each accident
If Uber and Lyft’s policies apply to your accident, you should be able to get adequate compensation for medical bills and lost wages. However, not all accidents are covered, and this is where things can get tricky.
Let’s say you’ve slowed to a stop at a red light and a vehicle comes crashing into you despite the light being red for some time. The jolt causes injuries to your neck and back. You notice an Uber and Lyft sticker on the vehicle’s front windshield, so you assume you will be covered under the $1 million insurance policy. This assumption could very well be wrong as Uber and Lyft has a system for determining what coverage is available.
If the driver was not logged on to Uber and Lyft’s app at the time, you will have to rely on their personal insurance policy. If the driver was logged on, but waiting for a passenger to request a ride, they will only be able to draw on Uber and Lyft’s insurance if they don’t have enough personal coverage. If the driver has accepted a ride and is en route to pick up a passenger or they are already carrying a passenger, Uber and Lyft’s $1 million policies apply.
Of course, the fact that a ride is covered doesn’t mean that your insurance claim will be automatically approved. Insurance companies in Las Vegas often deny Uber and Lyft-related claims which are filed on a driver’s personal policy since ridesharing is deemed commercial activity. In addition, Uber and Lyft often disputes claims made by people who were injured by an Uber and Lyft driver or while in an Uber and Lyft vehicle. If you’ve been involved in an accident with a rideshare vehicle, your best bet is to hire a Las Vegas personal injury attorney to represent you.
Even Uber and Lyft drivers can get caught up in the web of varying insurance policies if they get injured. Since you are an independent contractor, you won’t be covered by the state’s workers’ compensation laws. If another driver was responsible for the accident, you should be able to seek compensation from their insurance company. However, if you were at fault, your driving status at the time is important.
If you were offline, you will have to file a claim with your personal insurer if you have collision coverage. If you were online and waiting for a ride request, Uber and Lyft will only provide limited excess coverage if your personal policy isn’t enough. However, the rideshare company’s $1 million policy may apply if you were carrying a passenger or en route to pick one up.
If you’re a little overwhelmed by all these possibilities, that’s understandable. Sorting through the laws and insurance practices can be difficult. Seek the advice and assistance of an Uber and Lyft accident lawyer so you can make an informed decision. Attorneys have been paying close attention to these matters both in Nevada and throughout the country for a long time.
What Should I know If I’m An Uber And Lyft Driver Who Got Injured In An Accident?
How Uber/Lyft Accidents Are Different From Other Car Accidents?
When it comes to ridesharing companies, there are multiple insurance policies involved – the driver, the company, and others. One of the key reasons you want to work with an Uber wreck lawyer is because there might be extra policies in play that you might not know unless you’re represented.
Plus, just like with any other car accident, the injuries might not always be apparent at first. Insurance companies like to take advantage of this and convince you to settle quickly. But doing this will only have you sign away any rights you have to recover any unforeseen damages from the accident.
Without representation from a personal injury lawyer, you will be at the mercy of large, million-dollar companies that don’t care if you’re well taken care of. They will offer small settlements and delay any payments to their advantage.
Many people are eager to settle quickly and move on from the accident. However, the insurance companies will look at the case very differently if they know you are being represented. You only got this chance to get the compensation you deserve. Let our professional Uber accident lawyers help you.
How Can A Las Vegas Uber Accident Attorney Help Me?
It is important that you collect evidence to support any motor vehicle accident claim. You need to have proof of injuries, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Since multiple insurance companies and attorneys can be involved in Uber and Lyft cases, evidence becomes even more crucial. You will need to:
- Call the police and file a report
- Get medical attention
- Take pictures of your injuries and the accident scene if you can
- Get the driver’s name and insurance information including details of their Uber or Lyft policy
- Ask the driver whether they were logged into the Uber or Lyft app at the time of the accident.
Pass this information on to an experienced Las Vegas Uber and Lyft accident attorney so they can help you build the strongest possible claim for compensation.
Steps To Take If You Were Injured In A Car Accident Involving Uber Or Lyft
Who Should I Contact After An Uber or Lyft Accident in Las Vegas?
If you don’t seek the help of a Las Vegas Uber and Lyft accident attorney, you will likely give up on your claim even if you have a good case. The process of seeking compensation can be confusing, frustrating and time-consuming. If you want to seek damages for your injuries and move on with your life, contact the attorneys at Christian Morris Trial Attorneys for a 100% risk-free consultation today. We are ready to fight for you.
