Pittsburgh Rideshare Accident Lawyer | Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Rideshare Accident Lawyer: Uber and Lyft Accidents

Rideshare services are one of Pittsburgh’s most popular forms of transportation: you call an Uber to meet your friends at a restaurant, order a Lyft to take you to the best sightseeing spots, or even use a rideshare company to get to and from work. But what if the unthinkable happens – a catastrophic car accident that leaves you with painful injuries and unexpected bills? If you’ve been hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident in Pittsburgh, remember one thing – you’re not alone. A Pittsburgh personal injury lawyer at Munley Law is here to help.

Munley Law is a family-owned law firm that has been serving Pennsylvania residents since 1959. Our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers have helped countless rideshare accident victims get the compensation they deserve. We have a proven track record of success and are unafraid to go to trial if necessary. Schedule a free consultation today to discuss your case. An experienced car accident attorney will answer your questions and help you understand your legal options.

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Who is At Fault in Pittsburgh Uber Accident Cases?

In any personal injury case, determining fault is the most important component. Think about it – it’s impossible to file a claim if you don’t know which party caused the accident. The at-fault driver can be decided quickly in a regular car crash between two single drivers. However, rideshare accidents are more complicated.

Despite MIT research linking rideshare services to a sharp rise in US traffic deaths, insurance coverage denials are still common. They will question everything about your case – was the accident caused by the Uber driver? Was a third party involved? Was the Lyft driver even on duty? And if so, how can you prove any of it?

In these cases, when you’re going up against powerful tech companies with aggressive insurance policies, it is in your best interest to have a Lyft accident lawyer by your side. We will investigate the accident scene, obtain the police report, and go through logs, driving history, eyewitness testimony, and more to determine who caused the car crash. Once we identify the negligent party, we will build a rock-solid Uber accident case to secure maximum compensation.

How Does Pennsylvania’s No-Fault Insurance Affect Uber and Lyft Accidents?

In Pennsylvania’s no-fault insurance system, you typically file a claim with your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, regardless of who the at-fault driver is. This applies to rideshare accidents in Pittsburgh, too. Your initial medical bills and lost income may be paid out by your insurance coverage, regardless of whether the Uber driver was at fault.

Uber and Lyft Insurance Coverage

So, what happens if your medical expenses and property damage are more significant than what your insurance policy covers? That’s where the rideshare companies’ insurance kicks in. Uber and Lyft offer $1 million in third-party liability coverage, covering medical expenses and property damage if their driver was at fault in the accident. This includes:

Bodily injury coverage: Up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for your medical bills and pain and suffering.
Property damage: Up to $25,000 to repair or replace your car.

What If An Off-Duty Rideshare Driver Hit You, and You Need a Pittsburgh Lawyer?

Then, you may have to seek compensation from the Uber driver’s personal insurance policy. An individual’s liability insurance, collision coverage, and property damage coverage will likely be much lower than Uber or Lyft’s.

In this case, an Uber accident lawyer will do two things. First, they will build a case against the negligent driver who caused your injuries. Secondly, your attorney will determine if Uber or Lyft can be held responsible for the accident in any way. If so, we will pursue a claim against the rideshare company.

What Are the Requirements To Driver For a Rideshare Service?

In Pittsburgh and across the US, rideshare services like Uber and Lyft require drivers to meet specific 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 where 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 specific standards. Generally, they must be four-door vehicles in good condition, less than 10-15 years old.

What Are Some Causes of Uber and other Ride Share Accidents in Pittsburgh?

Although Uber and Lyft vet their drivers with background checks, rideshare drivers are still prone to the same accidents as anyone else on the road. The five most common causes of Uber and Lyft accidents are:

Drowsy driving. Uber and other rideshare drivers often work multiple jobs, making them 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.
Distracted driving. As we know, ridesharing is based on smartphone apps. Drivers rely on smartphones for directions, tracking their time on duty, and arranging their next pick-up. This means they are even more likely to be on their phone while driving, which creates an environment ripe for driver distraction.
Speeding: The pressure to pick up the next fare can tempt drivers to exceed speed limits, which increases the risk of collisions.
Unfamiliar roads: Uber and Lyft drivers may have to navigate unfamiliar routes, increasing their chances of errors and accidents, especially at night or in bad weather.
Vehicle maintenance issues: Faulty brakes, worn tires, or other vehicle damage can contribute to Uber and Lyft accidents if the vehicle owner does not address them.

What Types of Injuries Result From a Car Accident?

A car accident can cause a wide range of injuries that range from minor bruises to life-altering trauma. While no two car accidents are the same, some of the most common injuries include:

Whiplash: A neck injury caused by sudden back-and-forth head movement.
Traumatic Brain Injury: A violent blow to the head that affects how the brain functions.
Soft tissue injuries: Muscles, ligaments, and tendons can suffer strains, sprains, and tears, resulting in pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
Broken bones: Fractures can occur anywhere in the body, from fingers and toes to ribs and collarbones, causing intense pain and requiring casts or surgery.
Spinal cord injuries: These devastating injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis, with a life-altering impact on mobility and independence.

What is the Statute of Limitations on Uber and Lyft Accident Claims in PA?

The statute of limitations, or the time limit to file a personal injury claim in Pennsylvania, is two years from the accident date. It’s important to know that even though two years seems like a long time, medical and property damage bills do not wait until you recover damages from the accident.

Accidents are always out of the blue. There is no way to plan for or predict when they will happen. That means most people are not financially prepared for their sudden expenses after a car accident.

The best way to stay out of debt following an Uber or Lyft accident is to file a car accident claim to recover damages for your losses. If you win your case, you will recover compensation to help offset all new costs associated with the car crash.

What Damages Will I Recover From an Uber or Lyft Accident?

The compensation awarded to accident victims depends on the severity of the injuries and the extent of the damage. However, a Pittsburgh Uber accident claim may result in the following damages to the victim:

Current and future medical expenses
Property damage
Lost wages
Loss of future earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Wrongful death

What Steps Should I Take After a Pittsburgh Uber Accident?

The aftermath of an Uber or a Lyft accident can be chaotic. Thinking on your feet is challenging when you’re on a busy street and dealing with immediate medical concerns. The following steps will help keep you and the other injured victims safe.

First thing’s first – call 911. Do not allow the other driver to stop you. The police will be able to facilitate medical care and begin an accident report, which is essential for your case.
If your immediate medical needs are handled, start documenting the accident scene. This will include photos and video of all the damage, the street you’re on, license plate numbers, and eyewitness accounts. There is no such thing as too much information.
Report the collision to Uber or Lyft right away. You can do this through the app.
Go to the doctor. Some severe injuries do not present themselves right away. For example, a traumatic brain injury can be invisible but deadly.
Call a Pittsburgh Lyft accident lawyer to talk about all your legal options. You should not speak with any insurance agent until you seek counsel from an experienced Lyft accident lawyer.

Partner with the Uber Car Accident Attorneys at Munley Law

Navigating an Uber accident claim can be challenging. Big companies, complex insurance policies, and unique legalities can overwhelm you. That’s where a Pittsburgh rideshare accident lawyer can help.

What to expect with Munley Law:

Free case evaluation: Discuss your case and get expert advice.
Experienced team: We understand the ins and outs of Uber and Lyft accidents and fighting companies with contract drivers.
Maximizing your financial recovery: We’ll work to ensure you get fair compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and lost wages.
Holding all parties accountable: We’ll investigate, gather evidence, and fight for you to hold the responsible parties accountable.

How Much Do Pennsylvania Car Accident Attorneys Cost?

At Munley Law, our Pittsburgh car accident attorneys work on a contingency basis. That means you pay nothing upfront and will not have any fees unless we win your case.

Your Munley legal team will invest time, resources, and expertise into your case – from hiring accident reconstruction experts to uncovering crucial evidence through independent investigations – and only collect a fee if we secure a favorable settlement or verdict.

This includes covering the costs of:

Accident reconstruction experts to meticulously analyze the car crash scene and determine fault.
Medical consultants: to evaluate your injuries and translate medical jargon into understandable terms.
Expert witnesses: to bolster your case with specialized testimony.
In-depth investigation: to gather evidence, witness statements, and other crucial details.

Remember, you will have a free case evaluation with a Munley personal injury attorney to start. During this meeting, our experienced Uber and Lyft accident attorneys will assess your case, answer your questions, and explain your options clearly.

So don’t let financial concerns prevent you from seeking justice. Contact Munley Law today and let us fight for financial compensation so you can move past your car accident.

Types of Pittsburgh Personal Injury Claims We Handle

There are many different types of personal injury cases. When choosing a Pittsburgh injury lawyer to represent you, it’s important to find someone who has handled cases like yours. Munley Law has successfully secured compensation for victims of the following types of personal injury cases:

Do I Have A Case?

If you think you may have a personal injury case, contact us now for a FREE consultation.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

510 Third Avenue
2nd Floor,
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
+14125345133