The Reading rideshare accident lawyers of Munley Law know that rideshare accidents can be extremely complicated, especially when determining fault and liability. However, you have options and a right to pursue compensation for your losses and injuries. With an experienced rideshare crash attorney at your side, you will get the compensation necessary to cover your losses.
For a no-obligation, free consultation, contact the Reading rideshare accident lawyers of Munley Law. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis which means you pay nothing upfront and you don’t owe us a dime until your claim is settled. And, if we don’t win, you don’t pay. Time is of the essence so act quickly to begin the claims process for your Reading rideshare accident.
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How a Reading Rideshare Accident Attorney Can Help
Our rideshare accident attorneys will help you file a ridesharing accident claim or take the at-fault parties to court. We do this by:
- Conducting a thorough investigation of the accident. This includes accident recreation, working with experts, and gathering evidence.
- Determining the value of your claim. Several factors will determine the value of your claim. This includes your physical injuries, lost income, property damage, etc.
- Establishing liability. When you hailed your Uber or Lyft, you expected to make it to your destination safely. But when your driver engages in reckless behavior resulting in your injuries, you need to be able to move forward from your losses.
- Handling communications. Be it with the insurance companies, the rideshare company, or your own insurance provider, Munley Law will handle the communication so you can focus on your physical recovery.
- Leading negotiations. The rideshare company and insurance companies are going to want to lowball the value of your claim. Munley Law will handle negotiations so you get the compensation you need to pay for your losses.
- Taking your case to court. Sometimes the accident is just not able to be settled in negotiations and may require court intervention. Our trial lawyers are ready to put in the time to ensure you get what is yours.
Getting Compensation for a Reading Rideshare Accident
Both Uber and Lyft require drivers to carry personal insurance, but they also hold some forms of liability coverage if a driver is involved in an accident while in driver mode.
For Lyft drivers, if the app is off, your personal insurance applies. If you are in the app and waiting to receive a ride request, Lyft has third-party liability insurance for covered accidents when the drivers’ personal insurance does not apply to at least:
- $50,000/person for bodily injury
- $100,000/accident for bodily injury
- $25,000/accident for property damage
If the app is on and the driver is on their way to pick up passengers or during rides, Lyft has the following forms of coverage:
- At least $1,000,000 for third-party auto liability
- First-party coverages (uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, PIP, MedPay, and/or Occupational Accident coverage)
- For drivers with comprehensive and collision coverage on their personal auto policy, Lyft maintains contingent comprehensive and collision coverage up to the actual cash value of the car with a $2,500 deductible
Uber also provides some forms of liability coverage. If a driver is offline or the driver app is off, the driver’s personal insurance company and coverages apply. If a driver is available or waiting for a ride request, Uber provides the following auto insurance:
- Third-party liability if your auto insurance doesn’t apply
- $50,000 in bodily injury per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 in property damage per accident
If a driver is en route to pick up riders and during trips, Uber provides the following forms of coverage:
- $1,000,000 third-party liability
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury and/or first-party injury insurance
- Contingent comprehensive and collision
- Up to the actual cash value of the car with a $2,500 deductible
Knowing these insurance policies is important as the cause of the accident will determine who is at fault and where you can recover compensation. Keep in mind that the rideshare driver may not be at fault for the accident, and it could be another party. This is why you need to contact a Munley Law Reading Uber accident attorney as soon as possible to give yourself the best chance at financial recovery.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Reading, PA
As rideshare accident lawyers, we have seen our fair share of claims for accidents involving Uber and Lyft drivers across Pennsylvania. And while you may have opted to utilize a rideshare service after a night on the town or as a more economical means to get from point A to B, as a rider or a driver on the road, there are certain dangers you need to be aware of.
Common causes of rideshare accidents in Reading include:
- Fatigued driving: Though recent trends show that most rideshare drivers are full-time drivers or delivery workers for Uber and/or Lyft, there are still drivers who work multiple jobs, working long hours and increasing the risk of driver fatigue. Driving drowsy can impact reaction time similarly to driving under the influence. Because of this, accidents can occur.
- Distracted driving: Despite laws meant to limit the use of cell phones while behind the wheel, rideshare drivers must rely on their smartphones to arrange passenger pickups and drop-offs, find directions, etc. Further, some passengers may try to converse with their driver, making it more difficult to focus on the road and any obstacles that may appear.
- Aggressive driving: If a rideshare driver is pressured to make a specific deadline for deliveries or passenger pickups/drop-offs, they may engage in risky driving behaviors such as speeding. Unfortunately, these aggressive driving tactics can become dangerous to passengers and other roadway users, especially on roadways the driver may be unfamiliar with.
- Poor weather conditions: Reading weather may lead you to experience multiple seasons in one day, making roadways challenging to navigate. From rain and snow to sleet and black ice, drivers who do not exercise safety precautions can be in disastrous situations.
- Driver inexperience: Despite driving requirements for Lyft and Uber, some drivers may just be inexperienced which can lead to fatalities when behind the wheel.
Common Injuries in Reading Uber and Lyft Accidents
Despite rideshare services being intended to prevent accidents and serious injuries, they still occur. Common injuries in rideshare accidents, such as those involving Uber or Lyft, include:
- Neck and back injuries and soreness
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Soft tissue injuries
- Bruised and broken ribs
- Cuts and lacerations
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage or internal bleeding
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputation
- Loss of hearing
- Loss of vision
- Whiplash
Not all of these injuries will be apparent immediately, so it is important to get medical attention as soon as possible. As a victim of a rideshare accident, you’ll also want to keep track of any medical treatment, changes in health, and medical bills accumulated as a result of the accident to ensure you get the proper compensation needed to move forward.
Call the Reading Rideshare Accident Lawyers at Munley Law Today
If you or a loved one were hurt in an accident involving a rideshare company such as Uber or Lyft, you’ll likely have questions about who is at fault, who is responsible for your losses, and where you can go for help. That’s where Munley Law comes in.
Our rideshare accident lawyers work diligently to determine what went wrong during your ride, figure out what insurance companies will be picking up the tab for your losses, and help you bring your case to court if needed.
Unfortunately, many victims of rideshare accidents, worry they cannot afford legal representation. At Munley Law, our attorneys work on a contingent fee basis. This means that there is no fee for our services unless we win your case. The contingency fee protects you from financial risk in pursuing your case while ensuring you get all of the resources necessary to build the strongest case. And if we don’t win, we don’t get paid meaning you are having to lose.
Getting the compensation you need to recover from the events of a rideshare accident in Reading, PA can leave you feeling vulnerable and afraid. But you don’t have to. For a no-obligation, free consultation, contact the Reading accident lawyers of Munley Law. The insurance companies will work fast to mitigate your losses. But Munley Law works faster and harder. Contact us today.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
606 Court St.
Reading, PA 19601
(610) 831-4234