The legalities following an Uber or Lyft accident in Conroe, TX can be complex. Luckily, a Conroe car accident lawyer from Blass Law is familiar with the legal system and can get to work for you on your case.
That is, they can help you pursue compensation for your injuries and losses while you recover from the accident and spend time with your family.
Ways an Uber or Lyft Accident Lawyer in Conroe, TX Can Help You Build Your Case
One of the first steps of your case is making an evidence file, which includes:
- The police report
- Witness contact information and statements
- Expert testimony
- Photos of the accident and your injuries
- Video recording of the accident in motion if available
- Cell phone records and data
- Medical records
Once these documents and statements are collected, a lawyer from our team can determine the liable party and prove their negligence. We can then file a claim and send a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance company to request compensation for your damages on your behalf. After the insurer receives this information, you and your Conroe personal injury lawyer will negotiate for a settlement for you or try your case to a jury in court.
We Can File a Lawsuit If You Can’t Reach a Settlement Agreement
Sometimes, negotiations don’t always end in a settlement. In this scenario, we can proceed to file a lawsuit on your behalf. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003 permits two years for claimants to take civil action for personal injury or wrongful death.
We can’t stress the importance of your complying with this deadline enough, as it is strictly enforced. Although there are exceptions, you will most likely be barred from recovering your damages if you don’t file your lawsuit in time.
We Can Help You Recover Damages After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Conroe
When you file your claim or lawsuit, you must note which losses you suffered from the accident. You can typically recover two types of damages: economic and non-economic.
Economic Damages
These losses affected your money. Some of which might have been:
- Medical bills for your current and continued medical treatment
- Lost wages for the shifts or days you missed at work
- Future lost earning potential for the job you can’t return to or for which you have to work fewer hours
- Property damages for the damages or destruction done to your vehicle
- In-home care services for help around the house or with your family members
Non-Economic Damages
These losses, on the other hand, affected your mind and body. Some examples might be:
- Pain and suffering for your inability to participate in activities you enjoy
- Mental anguish for the trauma you have experienced from the accident
- Disability or disfigurement if you lost a limb or have permanent scarring
If your loved one died from the accident, you can also sue for damages that pertain to their wrongful death.
Don’t think you are restricted to only pursuing the listed damages; a Uber or Lyft accident lawyer from our team can determine if you qualify for more.
Information on Uber and Lyft’s Insurance Policies
According to Uber and Lyft, where and when an accident occurs depends on the coverage you will receive.
- If the rideshare driver doesn’t have the application turned on and they get in an accident, their private insurance policy will cover your damages.
- If the rideshare driver has the application on and is waiting for a pickup, Uber or Lyft’s third-party liability coverage will cover your damages.
- If the rideshare driver was on their way to pick someone up or in the middle of a ride, $250,000 to $1,000,000 third-party liability, uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage, and/or collision will cover your damages.
Because accidents can happen so quickly, it might be difficult to distinguish which situation applies to your case. You can leave it to your lawyer from Blass Law to figure that out.
Rideshare Accidents you Can Sue for
Even though driving is their job, rideshare drivers are still prone to making mistakes behind the wheel. They might fall victim to:
- Distracted driving: The rideshare driver might be scouring the road to find their rider or looking at their GPS and forget to pay attention to traffic signals, causing them to strike you.
- Driving while fatigued: Rideshare drivers might work long hours and not take enough breaks. Constantly working can wear them out and decrease their concentration.
- Driving under the influence: A rideshare driver might take substances to help them stay awake at work. While stimulants should make them a better driver, it doesn’t always work that way. Sometimes they take too much, this overstimulation might lead them to lose control of their movements and hit another road user. They could also be drunk or high, we’ve seen it all!
- Reckless driving: Rideshare drivers might be in a hurry to get as many rides as possible. They might disregard the road rules and drive above the speed limit. When they have to stop to yield to other road users, they may not have enough room to do so and end up causing an accident.
- Not keeping up on the car’s maintenance: All that driving can wear on your car, so it is important for the rideshare drivers to regularly take their cars in for a maintenance check. Without them, the driver might not know that they have faulty brakes until it’s too late.
There are many other ways your rideshare accident could have transpired—the driver might not have even been at fault. The City of Conroe or even a third party could have acted negligently and caused the accident.
Connect with the Attorneys at Blass Law Today
After an Uber or Lyft accident in Conroe, let a lawyer with our firm guide you through the legal system. To learn more information about how we can help you, reach out to us today at (713) 664-4000.