Philadelphia Rideshare Accident Lawyer | Munley Law Uber and Lyft Attorneys

Were You Injured in a Philadelphia Rideshare Accident and Now Need an Uber Accident Lawyer?

If you or someone you love was injured in a rideshare accident, it’s important to have an experienced rideshare accident lawyer on your side to fight for the compensation you deserve. Rideshare accident claims can be difficult to navigate on your own and you may not be sure who should be paying your medical bills. That’s why it’s important to speak with an experienced Philadelphia rideshare accident attorney right after your accident.

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How Dangerous is a Rideshare?

While these apps help us get from point A to point B more efficiently, they can also contribute to a growing safety issue. When you choose to take an Uber or Lyft, it’s often for either convenience or safety if you plan on drinking. But you are putting trust in that driver, and these rideshare apps are also contributing to a growing danger in the United States.

According to researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), “Uber and Lyft are behind a sharp rise in US traffic deaths.” These collisions can also cause thousands of passengers to suffer serious injuries, tremendous pain, and astronomical expenses. Nevertheless, you must understand how they treat lawsuits against rideshare apps and drivers.

Regardless of how the accident happened, you should report the incident to Lyft or Uber through their app as soon as possible. Then, hire an expert personal injury lawyer who can help you navigate building your case so you get the compensation you deserve.

Why Are Rideshare Accident Cases So Complex?

Litigating rideshare accidents can be tricky because these collisions are treated differently than an accident with a regular passenger vehicle or traditional commercial vehicle.

Rideshare companies that operate in Philadelphia, like Uber and Lyft, offer $1 million in liability insurance. However, there are some limitations regarding when this coverage applies and who will be covered. Liability may change depending on your unique circumstances.

Your injuries will likely be covered by the company insurance policy. However, even if your ridesharing driver is at fault and on duty at the time of your accident, the ridesharing company may still fight the claim and try to deny liability. This is why it’s important to have an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer who will fight on your behalf.

It’s also important to note that even if an Uber or Lyft driver does not have a passenger in the vehicle, they are still considered “on duty” from the time they accept a ride until they drop their passenger off. This includes the time they are “en route” to pick someone up.

If you were hit by an off-duty Uber or Lyft driver, you may have to seek compensation via the driver’s personal insurance policy, rather than the company policy. Still, an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys will investigate the rideshare accident and pursue every possibility to make sure you get the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

Why You Need a Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Philadelphia

There are no laws saying you need to hire a Uber or Lyft accident attorney if you were involved in a rideshare accident. However, there are benefits to doing so.

By hiring a rideshare attorney you will have an experienced team on your side to help you through the following elements of your claim:

Calculating the total value of your claim
Negotiation of a settlement on your behalf
Guiding you through the laws, regulations, and procedures specific to Philadelphia car accident cases
Utilizing their own legal team and professional experts on car accidents and recreation specialists
Represent you in court if the case cannot be settled

The insurance companies for Lyft and Uber will try to push the blame onto others to avoid paying out a dime to the victims. This is why it is so beneficial to have a Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Philadelphia rideshare attorney on your side before the settlement process begins. Do not accept anything from the insurance company until you have called us as it may be too late to collect further compensation or negotiate a fair settlement.

What Caused Your Philadelphia Rideshare Accident?

Although they are vetted by driving history background checks, Uber and Lyft drivers in Philadelphia are prone to the same accident risks as anyone else on the road. However, there are some additional dangers that may affect Philadelphia rideshare accidents and Uber and Lyft drivers specifically.

Because rideshare drivers often work multiple jobs, they may be especially prone to driver fatigue. Drowsy driving has been shown to affect alertness and reaction time as much as driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Furthermore, ridesharing is, of course, based on smartphone apps. Drivers rely on smartphones for directions, for tracking their time on duty, and for arranging their next pick-up. This close tie to their ridesharing apps creates an environment ripe for driver distraction.

Other causes of Philadelphia rideshare accidents include:

Aggressive driving
Dropping off and picking up passengers in dangerous areas
Failing to yield the right of way
Running red lights and stop signs
Distracted driving
Drunk driving
Fatigued driving
Reckless driving like tailgating
Hazardous road conditions from debris
Poor weather conditions

Uber and Lyft Driver Standards and Vehicle Requirements

In order to help ensure the safety of the apps’ users, and avoid rideshare accidents in Philadelphia, services like Uber and Lyft require their drivers to meet certain standards. Both Uber and Lyft require their drivers:

Meet the minimum age requirement. For Lyft, drivers must be at least 21 years of age; for Uber, drivers must meet or exceed the minimum age for the city in which they work
Have a valid driver’s license
Have at least one year of licensed driving experience (Uber requires three years if the driver is younger than 23)
Provide proof of insurance, vehicle registration, and valid inspection
Pass a safety screening and driving history background check

In addition, vehicles used for Uber and Lyft must meet certain standards. In general, they must be four-door vehicles in good condition, less than 10-15 years old.

Frequently Asked Questions About Philadelphia Rideshare Accidents

Due to the number of rideshare users in major cities, many passengers have questions about what they can do if they’ve been hurt because of an Uber or Lyft driver.

Learn the answers to these frequently asked questions for Philadelphia rideshare accidents.

Q. What Do I Do After a Rideshare Accident?

Following a rideshare accident, whether you are a passenger, or the other driver involved in the collision, you may wonder what you need to do to preserve your case.

After a rideshare accident, you’ll want to call the cops, just like any other Philadelphia car accident. Then, if you are a passenger of Uber or Lyft, you’ll want to report the accident on the app as soon as possible, preferably while still on the scene.

The company or their insurance will likely contact you to gather information about the accident. You do not have to tell them anything other than the facts of the case presented in the police report.

In many cases, the rideshare company will try to cover as little as possible for the injuries you sustained, so be sure to contact a Philadelphia rideshare attorney quickly.

You’ll also want to take photos of any evidence, collect witness statements and be sure to seek medical attention, even if you do not think you were hurt.

Q. Who Is At Fault for the Rideshare Accident and Who Will Cover My Losses?

While Uber and Lyft do provide $1 million in liability insurance, these are often met with limitations. Below are the insurance limitations for Uber and Lyft.

Uber

Uber only provides coverage during certain parts of the driver’s commute. For example, if the driver is not logged into the app, the driver’s own insurance company and coverages apply if they are involved in an accident.

But, if the driver is available or waiting for a ride request, Uber provides some third-party liability insurance for accidents if the driver’s personal insurance does not apply:

$50,000 in bodily injury per person
$100,000 in bodily injury per accident
$25,000 in property damage per accident

If the driver is en route to pick up riders or has passengers and is in the middle of the trip, Uber provides the following coverage:

$1,00,000 third-party liability
Uninsured or underinsured motorist bodily injury and/or first-party injury insurance
Contingent comprehensive and collision up to actual cash value of the car with a $2,500 deductible

Lyft

Lyft follows similar insurance coverage options as Uber for drivers involved in car accidents.

If the driver is not logged into the Lyft app, their own personal insurance is applied for collisions. If the driver is in the app and waiting for a ride request, Lyft will provide third-party liability insurance for accidents if the driver’s personal insurance does not apply. This includes:

$50,000/person for bodily injury
$100,000/accident for bodily injury
$25,000/accident for property damage

If the driver is in the app, and picking up passengers or is in the middle of a ride when the accident occurs, Lyft provides:

$1,000,000 for third-party auto liability
Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury
Contingent comprehensive and collision up to the actual cash value of the car with a $2,500 deductible
How long does it take to settle a rideshare accident?

There is no set time frame to determine how long it will take Uber or Lyft to settle a rideshare accident.

In general, accidents that do not result in significant damages or injuries will be settled much sooner than those that are severe. This is because the estimated value of the case is likely to be that of the property damage rather than calculating long-term medical recovery.

In some cases, a rideshare accident can be settled in weeks to months or could take a year or more.

Q. What Can I Recover From an Uber or Lyft Accident with a Lawyer?

If you were a passenger or another driver involved in a Philadelphia rideshare accident, you are entitled to compensation so long as you were not completely at fault for the collision.

The Philadelphia car accident attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help you recover the compensation you need to move forward from a Lyft or Uber accident including:

Medical bills
Rehabilitation and physical therapy
Long-term care
Lost wages
Lost earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Wrongful death

Who Can be Held Responsible for My Uber or Lyft Accident?

You may think the only parties you can go against for compensation for your injuries and damages following a Philadelphia rideshare accident are the rideshare company and the driver. However, there may be other parties to be held responsible for your accident. This includes:

The Lyft or Uber driver
The driver’s personal insurance provider
The rideshare company’s insurance company
Drivers of other vehicles involved in the collision
Bicyclists, pedestrians, etc.
Negligent third parties
Government agencies for poorly maintained roadways
Car manufacturers

Call Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys for a Free Uber or Lyft Accident Case Review Today

With more Philadelphians utilizing rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft, it’s important to understand what your rights are should you be involved in a car accident while in a rideshare, or if you are hit in a collision with an Uber or Lyft driver. Because of the nuances in Uber and Lyfts insurance policies for their drivers, it can be difficult to determine who is responsible for your losses.

We know that getting proper compensation for your injuries after an Uber accident or a Lyft accident can be complicated. A Philadelphia rideshare accident lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys will review the details of your accident, answer your questions, and make sure the appropriate parties are held responsible. There is no risk to have a lawyer review your case. At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we only take payment if we win a settlement for you. For a no-obligation, free consultation, chat with us live now, or give us a call for a consultation.

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Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

1617 John F Kennedy Blvd
Suite 1690,
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 515-7747