If you have been injured as a passenger in a rideshare accident, you need an experienced Scranton rideshare accident lawyer. Unlike car accidents, these cases can be complicated to resolve and find fault for your rideshare driver injuries. You’ll deal with multiple parties, potentially more than one insurance company, large rideshare companies, and more. It’s not a fight you should have to go alone.
For 65 years, the Scranton personal injury attorneys at Munley Law have obtained the maximum compensation for injured victims in all types of accidents, including car accidents. 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 experienced Scranton rideshare accident lawyer to help you build your case to get the compensation you are entitled to under the law.
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How Fault Is Determined in Scranton Rideshare Accident Cases
Litigating rideshare accidents in Scranton can be tricky because these collisions are treated differently than accidents with regular passenger vehicles or traditional commercial vehicles.
Rideshare companies that operate in Scranton, like Uber and Lyft, offer $1 million in liability insurance. However, there are limitations to when this coverage applies and who will be covered. Liability may change depending on your unique circumstances.
The company insurance policy will likely cover your injuries. However, even if your ridesharing driver is at fault and on duty during your accident, the company may still fight the claim and try to deny liability. This is why having an experienced Lyft accident lawyer in Scranton who will fight on your behalf is so important.
It’s also important to note that even if a Scranton Uber or Lyft driver does not have a passenger in the vehicle, they are still considered “on duty” when they accept a ride until they drop their passenger off. This includes when 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 Scranton Uber accident attorney at Munley Law will investigate your Scranton accident and pursue every possibility to make sure you get the compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Uber and Lyft Driver Standards and Vehicle Requirements in Scranton, PA
Services like Uber and Lyft require their drivers to meet specific standards. This is to help ensure the safety of the apps’ users and avoid ride-share accidents in Scranton. These standards include:
- 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 a valid inspection
- Pass a safety screening and driving history background check
In addition, vehicles used for Uber and Lyft must meet specific standards. They must generally be four-door vehicles in good condition, less than 10-15 years old.
What To Expect in a Scranton Rideshare Accident Case
Despite the complexity of navigating faults in an accident, these collisions are often treated similarly to other car accidents in Scranton. Therefore, you can expect much of the same when pursuing a rideshare accident claim as any other motor vehicle collision in the Electric City.
Following an accident, you will want to assess yourself, the other passengers, and the driver for severe injuries and call the authorities. You will also like to begin collecting evidence if you are all right. This includes photos, videos, and connecting with witnesses at the scene.
Even if your Uber or Lyft driver was not at fault, you will want to get all the driver’s information, including name, insurance information, car make and model, and license plate number. From there, report the accident on the rideshare app.
The more of this you can accomplish at the accident scene, the smoother your claim process will be.
Once you are ready, you’ll want to file a claim with the insurance company–depending on the fault, it may be with your insurance, the driver’s insurance, or the rideshare company. But remember, all insurance adjusters will want to place blame elsewhere to avoid paying out for your losses. This is a good time to call a Scranton rideshare accident lawyer.
A Munley Law rideshare accident lawyer can help you by:
- Negotiating and communicating with the insurance companies
- Gathering evidence and witness testimony
- Determining fault and liability
- Represent you in court
How Long Does A Rideshare Accident Case Take to Settle?
Much like any other car accident case, the time it takes to settle will ultimately come down to the severity of your case. If you suffered severe injury or financial loss, your claim will take longer to settle because the insurance company will continue to lowball you. But if you utilize legal representation from a Scranton car injury lawyer, your case will go much more smoothly.
In general, collision claims can take weeks to months to settle for minor injuries and damages, and upwards of years to settle a significant claim.
Rideshare Accident FAQ
Because of the growing popularity of rideshare apps, collision claims in Scranton are becoming all too common. Learn more about what you need to know if you have been involved in a car accident while in a rideshare vehicle or with a driver in Scranton.
Do I Have to Hire a Lawyer For a Rideshare Accident in Scranton?
Like any other personal injury case, you are never required to hire an attorney to represent you during negotiations or in court. However, it can be highly beneficial to do so.
Our Munley Law rideshare accident attorneys in Scranton can help you calculate the short-term and long-term losses following the accident by reviewing your medical expenses and property damage, handling communications and negotiations with the insurance company, or representing you in court if necessary.
How Much Does a Scranton Rideshare Accident Lawyer Cost?
At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we don’t believe your financial state should stop you from seeking justice for an accident you did not cause. With that in mind, we work on a contingency basis, which means we do not receive a fee from you until we reach a settlement or verdict in your case. You do not owe us a fee if we cannot reach a successful conclusion for your claim.
Further, your first consultation is always free.
What Compensation Am I Eligible to Receive in a Rideshare Accident Claim?
After a car accident, you may be entitled to two forms of compensation– economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are monetary losses you may have received following an accident. This may include:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Loss of wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Wrongful death
Non-economic damages are non-monetary losses you have suffered. Because of the subjective nature of these losses, it is difficult to assign a monetary value to them. However, when done successfully, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
Remember that if you accept a settlement before meeting with an attorney, you cannot recover additional compensation.
What if Another Driver Was Responsible for the Auto Accident?
If you were hurt in an accident while a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, but your driver was not responsible, the other driver would be liable. In these cases, your insurance may still pick up the tab for your losses, but in severe cases where legal action is necessary, you may be able to take that other driver to court. For this reason, navigating these cases can be difficult. Insurance companies want accident victims to take their first offer and close the claim quickly.
However, proving fault in these cases can be difficult, so connect with a Scranton lawyer as soon as possible. Do not wait to file your claim. Time is of the essence to preserve the evidence needed to secure your settlement.
Can I Sue for Wrongful Death Against Uber or Lyft?
Yes. If your loved one was a passenger in an Uber that was involved in an accident that resulted in the person’s death, you can sue the company or driver for wrongful death. Uber and Lyft have third-party insurance for their drivers for amounts that the driver’s insurance will not cover. Further, you may be able to collect up to a certain amount for funeral and burial costs.
The statute of limitations begins at the date of death, so act quickly.
What Steps Should I Take After a Ridesharing Accident in Scranton, PA?
If you were a passenger in a rideshare vehicle and were injured in an accident, there are some important steps you should take immediately following. First, call 911 so that any necessary emergency vehicles will come to the scene. You will also want the police to file a report on the accident so it’s on record.
Next, Uber and Lyft accidents should be reported to the ridesharing company through their app, preferably at the scene of the accident.
Seek medical treatment. Even if you don’t believe you are injured enough to see a doctor, you should still get checked out. Often after an accident, adrenaline is rushing and you may not even feel pain until days after the accident. Also, medical records will be very important to your case. After receiving medical attention, make sure you save everything: medical bills, prescriptions, etc.
Once you are able, contact rideshare accident attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys to learn what legal options are available to you. It’s imperative you engage with a lawyer quickly. Do not hesitate. The longer you wait after an accident, the more time it gives details and evidence to go missing or become less impactful. For instance, witness statements are often best given when the accident is still top of mind.
Be aware that the ridesharing company and the insurance company will try to reach out to you to learn about the accident. You are not under any obligations to speak with them until you first speak with a car accident attorney from Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys. It’s in their best interest to settle cases with accident victims quickly. If they give you an offer, do not accept anything until you speak to a lawyer.
I Am an Injured Rideshare Driver in Scranton. What Can I Do?
Unfortunately, rideshare drivers may face a tough time getting compensation if they have been injured in an accident. Workers’ compensation does not apply in these cases because drivers are considered independent contractors.
However, Uber and Lyft do offer liability insurance coverage for their drivers. This only kicks in if your personal auto insurance policy denies your claim. If you are using your car for commercial purposes, like driving for a rideshare company, your personal insurance company could refuse to cover the accident or your injuries.
Regardless of your circumstances, navigating insurance and dealing with large insurance companies can be a complicated process. You will want someone on your side who can represent you in negotiations and ensure you get justice for you. An Uber accident lawyer or Lyft accident lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Call a Scranton Rideshare Accident Lawyer
It can be complicated to get proper compensation for your injuries after a Scranton Uber or Lyft accident. These are complicated issues. Having an experienced Scranton lawyer fighting your case will ensure you get the compensation you are entitled to under Scranton law.
At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we help Scranton rideshare users protect themselves and their loved ones should they find themselves injured in a car accident. Our team works diligently to put together the facts of your specific case to ensure the negligent party is held accountable.
Furthermore, we take the pressure off of you by handling the communications with the insurance companies and even representing you in court if needed. And, we do all of this without charging you anything until a settlement or verdict has been reached.
