Uber Accident Lawyer Phoenix

Phoenix Uber Accident Lawyer

Rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber have grown exponentially in popularity, largely because they offer convenient and accessible transportation options. Unfortunately, with more Uber and Lyft drivers on the roads, car accidents have steadily increased.

If you were injured in a rideshare accident caused by another person's negligence, a Phoenix Uber accident lawyer may be able to recover full and fair compensation for your losses. At Alpha Accident Lawyers, our Uber/Lyft accident attorneys are dedicated to helping injured victims obtain maximum compensation.

Our Phoenix personal injury lawyers can help you prove the other party caused the accident and hold them responsible for your damages. Call us today for a free consultation.

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No Fee Guarantee and Free Consultation

At Alpha Accident Lawyers, we offer a free case review to help car accident victims understand their legal options. This confidential, free consultation allows us to evaluate the viability of your case and provide guidance on how to proceed.

Our Phoenix rideshare attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don't pay any legal fees unless we win your case. Our payment is a percentage of the final settlement, so there are no upfront costs for our legal services.

How Rideshare Insurance Coverage Works in a Car Accident Claim

Uber and Lyft are part of a transportation network company (TNC), a business structure that utilizes mobile applications to connect passengers with drivers who are independent contractors. Arizona law requires transportation network companies to carry liability insurance coverage to help protect the safety of their drivers, passengers and others involved in an accident. Additionally, Uber and Lyft drivers are required to possess their own auto insurance.

When a rideshare driver causes a car accident, they can be held liable for the resulting damages. On the other hand, if a third-party driver strikes a rideshare vehicle, the third-party driver can be held responsible.

Uber and Lyft may also offer bodily injury coverage depending on whether the rideshare driver was using the app at the time of the accident and whether a passenger was inside the rideshare vehicle.

Recoverable Damages After an Accident

Uber's US Safety Report revealed that there were 153 Uber-related motor vehicle fatalities between 2021 and 2022. From 2020 to 2022, Lyft saw a 14% increase in motor vehicle fatalities in rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. Car accident victims can file a personal injury claim to recoup losses like medical bills, lost wages, physical therapy costs, ongoing medical expenses, and pain and suffering. The parties liable for the Uber or Lyft accident will be legally responsible for paying back these damages.

Rideshare accident victims can recover compensation for damages, including but not limited to:

Lost wages from not being able to work while recovering from car accident injuries
Medical bills from treating sustained injuries
Future medical expenses for ongoing treatment
Property damage for belongings that were destroyed
Emotional and physical pain directly caused by the accident
Surviving family members can pursue compensation for wrongful death

Determining Liability After a Car Accident with Lyft and Uber

Determining liability in rideshare accidents can be complex, especially because multiple parties are involved, including the rideshare driver, rideshare company, insurance company, and third-party drivers.

Arizona state laws follow the legal doctrine of comparative negligence, which means that car accident victims can pursue compensation for their injuries and losses in an Uber/Lyft accident claim. If multiple people or drivers are found liable, their damages may be reduced according to their respective percentage of fault. For example, if the plaintiff was found 15% liable and their damages were 80,000, they may be able to recover $68,000 in compensation.

In a personal injury lawsuit, the plaintiff must establish certain elements to prove the defendant's liability, including the duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.

Duty of Care

In personal injury law, the duty of care refers to the legal responsibility individuals, such as drivers, have to act with reasonable care to avoid harming others on the road. Therefore, drivers must follow traffic laws, stay alert, and avoid negligent actions that could endanger others. If they fail to exercise this duty, they could be liable.

Breach of the Duty of Care

A breach of the duty of care occurs when a driver fails to meet the expected standard of care. Examples of negligent behavior from a Lyft/Uber driver or a third-party driver include failure to observe traffic rules, speeding, texting while driving, running a red light, and drunk driving.

Causation

Causation links the breach of duty to the accident. In motor vehicle accident cases, it must be proven that the defendant’s breach of duty directly caused the car accident and the resulting injuries.

Damages

The victim must have suffered damages because of the accident. This can include medical expenses, lost income, and other losses. Proving damages is essential to personal injury claims, ensuring victims are compensated for their harm.

Get the Compensation You Deserve

In a personal injury claim, a plaintiff would need to prove the other party's liability with evidence, including, but not limited to, photos and video footage, police reports, medical records, and witness testimonies.

An experienced personal injury lawyer from Alpha Accident Lawyers can investigate your Uber/Lyft accident case and help you recover compensation. Begin by scheduling a free consultation with our Phoenix law offices, and we can begin building your winning case.

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What Qualifies for Uber and Lyft Insurance

After an Uber/Lyft accident, different insurance policies may be utilized. This is all dependent on details of the crash, including how the Uber/Lyft accident took place. Because rideshare companies hire drivers as independent contractors, the available insurance after an accident will vary based on the "period" during which the crash took place.

No Period

The driver does not have the application turned on.

When an Uber or Lyft driver gets into an accident and is not logged on to the app, they are considered to be off duty. In that case, the rideshare companies will not be held liable for damages.

However, the rideshare driver's insurance will have to cover damages. If another driver contributed to the crash, then his or her insurance coverage will also be utilized.

Period 1

The driver has the application turned on but has not accepted a ride.

During this period, rideshare drivers are waiting to be matched with a ride request.

When an Uber or Lyft driver gets into an accident and is logged on to the app, they are considered to be on duty. Therefore, the rideshare company could be held partially liable for damages.

If the Lyft/Uber driver is involved in a crash without passengers, liability coverage includes up to $50,000 in bodily injury per person, $100,000 total in bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident.

However, the at-fault driver's insurance company (Uber/Lyft driver or another driver) will be the primary source of covering damages. The rideshare company's insurance will only kick in if the driver's coverage maxes out.

Period 2

The driver has the application turned on and is on the way to pick up passengers.

When an Uber or Lyft driver gets into an accident, is logged on the app, has accepted a ride, and is en route to pick up the rideshare passengers, the accident may qualify for Uber and Lyft's $1 million policy.

Insurance coverage also includes uninsured motorists (UM), underinsured motorists (UIM), and personal injury protection (PIP).

The insurance company of the at-fault driver (Lyft/Uber driver or another driver) is liable for the damages. The rideshare company's insurance only kicks in if the driver's coverage maxes out.

Period 3

The driver has the application turned on and has picked up the passengers.

When an Uber or Lyft driver gets into an accident, is logged on the app, has accepted a ride, and has already picked up the rideshare passengers, the accident may qualify for Uber and Lyft's $1 million policy.

Insurance coverage also includes uninsured motorists (UM), underinsured motorists (UIM), and personal injury protection (PIP).

The at-fault driver's insurance company (Lyft/Uber driver or another driver) will be the primary source of covering damages. The rideshare company's insurance coverage only kicks in if the driver's coverage maxes out.

Steps to Take After an Accident with an Uber/Lyft Driver

It's crucial for rideshare accident victims to take certain steps to protect their rights and best interests.

1. Call 911

Whether you are an Uber/Lyft passenger or another driver, immediately call the police to get an emergency response team on site. Always contact the police, regardless of whether one of the involved parties tries to discourage it.

Provide factual information to the police. Do not allow a negligent driver to speak on your behalf. Officers will maintain the rideshare accident scene and document their findings in a police report. Ensure you get a copy of the police report.

2. Seek Medical Attention

Even if you don't think you were hurt, it's advisable to get a medical evaluation after a car accident. Serious injuries, such as internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries may not show symptoms right away.

A medical professional can diagnose any latent injuries and prescribe a treatment plan. Any medical bills the victim incurs from hospital stays or other medical treatment can be reimbursed after a claim is filed with the other driver's personal insurance company.

3. Collect Evidence at the Rideshare Accident Scene

Collect the rideshare driver's contact information, insurance company, and license plate number. If other vehicles were involved, ensure you also get other drivers' information. Take pictures of the rideshare accident scene and any visible injuries.

In addition, get the contact information of any witnesses and ask if they are willing to provide a statement. Witness statements are valuable evidence that can significantly strengthen the value of a claim.

4. Report the Accident to Uber or Lyft

Uber and Lyft passengers can report the accident in real-time online. Third parties can go to the company's website and report the crash on the site. Rideshare accidents should be reported as soon as possible. Being proactive improves victims' chances of recovering maximum compensation and reaching a timely resolution.

5. Notify Your Insurance Company

If you were hit by an Uber/Lyft vehicle, you will need to report the accident to your insurance company. Inform the company about the accident and share the main points, like where the accident occurred and where your vehicle was struck. However, do not go into full detail. The insurance company may try to use your words against you to minimize your case. It's best to speak with an experienced attorney first.

Additionally, if the rideshare driver's or rideshare company’s insurers contact you offering a settlement, consult a Phoenix Uber accident lawyer before signing anything. An initial settlement offer is typically the lowest amount the insurer is willing to pay.

Initial settlement offers often do not consider the full scope of the damages, such as lost wages from being unable to work and medical expenses for ongoing physical therapy. It's highly recommended to let an experienced attorney handle communications with all insurance adjusters. A personal injury lawyer will work tirelessly to recover full and fair compensation for your losses.

6. Reach Out to Our Phoenix Lyft Accident Attorney

The top priority for insurance companies is to protect the brand and prevent it from losing money. Therefore, insurers will attempt to avoid paying out the full extent of damages, regardless of fault. If your car was hit by an Uber/Lyft driver, insurers may even try to place fault on you instead of the rideshare driver.

It's best to contact an experienced Phoenix Uber/Lyft personal injury attorney for a free consultation to review your legal options. At Alpha Accident Lawyers, our legal team will ensure your rights are upheld. We offer a free case evaluation to get started. Schedule yours here.

Why Hire an Uber/Lyft Accident Lawyer in Phoenix, AZ?

Alpha Accident Lawyers will help you get the full compensation you deserve and prove that your injuries were a result of the other party’s negligence. We will not settle for an unfair offer from the other party's insurance company.

We will help you file a personal injury lawsuit to recover the compensation you deserve. Our Phoenix personal injury attorneys maintain a 99% success rate and have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. We proudly serve Phoenix, Arizona, and the surrounding areas and communities of Chandler, Flagstaff, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Tucson. Call us today for a free case evaluation.

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Alpha Accident Lawyers — Phoenix, AZ

Address: 2828 N Central Avenue Suite 1033, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: (602) 812-2027

How We Deal with the Insurance Companies

Dealing with insurance companies after a car accident can be stressful and overwhelming. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, which can result in unfair settlement offers. We take a proactive approach by thoroughly investigating your accident, gathering evidence, and building a strong case to negotiate with the insurer on your behalf.

If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we’re prepared to take your case to court if necessary. We have the resources and experience to deal with any insurance company and recover the compensation you deserve.

When you choose our personal injury law firm, you can rely on us to:

Perform a thorough investigation into the details of your accident
Collect and assess all relevant evidence to identify the party at fault
Manage all negotiations and documentation with the insurance companies on your behalf
Accurately assess the true value of your injury claim
Defend you if the insurance company attempts to shift the blame onto you
Gather expert witnesses to strengthen your case
Represent you in court if your case goes to trial

Contact an Experienced Phoenix Uber Accident Lawyer Today

If you've been injured in a rideshare accident, contact our experienced Phoenix Uber accident lawyer today. Our Uber/Lyft accident attorney will thoroughly explain your legal options and guide you throughout your claim. We handle the legal details so you can focus on recovery. Call us for a free consultation.