Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are popular in Hickory and throughout North Carolina, but it is important to remember that when you use these services, you are just as likely to experience an accident as you would in any other vehicle. Resolving the legal aftermath of such an accident can be challenging, so it is important that you speak with a experienced Hickory rideshare accident lawyer as soon as possible if you are injured in this type of crash.
At Roberts Law Firm, P.A., our personal injury attorneys and legal team are dedicated to providing clients with the legal representation and support they need.
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The team at Roberts Law Firm, P.A. has years of proven experience helping injured clients with their accident cases in Hickory and throughout the surrounding communities of Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties. If you or a family member is injured in a rideshare accident, you may have grounds to claim compensation for your damages from whoever caused the accident. However, this process can be difficult to navigate without legal counsel.
According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, there were 115,009 recorded injuries and 1,686 deaths from vehicle crashes statewide in 2023. While it is unclear how much rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have contributed to accident rates, a recent study reports that rideshare traffic accounts for about 13% of all vehicle miles traveled in some of the country’s largest metropolitan areas.
When you ride in an Uber or Lyft, your driver is not a trained professional; they are simply performing rideshare services for work. If they cause an accident, or if another driver causes an accident with your rideshare driver’s vehicle, you need to know your options for claiming compensation, how to determine fault, and the value of having experienced legal counsel advising you as your case unfolds.
Every driver in North Carolina is required to have auto insurance, and filing a claim against an at-fault driver’s policy is typically your first option for recovering compensation after a vehicle accident in Hickory. Uber and Lyft require their drivers to have insurance that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements, but these companies also have additional insurance that can come into play in different ways if their driver causes an accident.
Both Uber and Lyft have equivalent insurance policies that operate at three levels:
If you were riding as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, then you will need to determine whether your vehicle’s driver caused the accident or if another driver is to blame. An experienced Hickory rideshare accident attorney can help you prove fault and then explain the steps you will need to take to recover compensation for your damages.
Ultimately, navigating the legal aftermath of a rideshare accident in Hickory can be challenging. You may have multiple options for recovering compensation and have grounds to claim more compensation than you initially expected, but you will need an attorney’s help to navigate your case successfully. Roberts Law Firm, P.A. is ready to help with your case, so reach out to our firm as soon as possible to learn more about the legal services we offer in Hickory.
Proving liability for a rideshare accident in Hickory may require various forms of evidence that a skilled attorney can obtain on your behalf. You may need traffic camera footage, if any is available from the scene of the accident, witness statements, police reports, and vehicle computer data to help you establish liability. Some crucial evidence may not be obtainable for very long, so it’s vital that you reach out to an experienced Hickory rideshare accident attorney right away.
Contributory negligence in a rideshare accident case could mean the plaintiff losing their eligibility to recover compensation from another party. While you are unlikely to be found at fault in any way if you were riding as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, if you were driving your own vehicle and are found partially liable, this would disqualify you from claiming any compensation from the other party.
The value of a rideshare accident claim in Hickory depends on several factors. You may have grounds to claim compensation for all medical expenses you incur for treating your injuries, the income you are unable to earn while you recover, and for the pain and suffering you have experienced. Your Hickory rideshare accident attorney can help you calculate the full potential value of your claim.
You should hire a rideshare accident lawyer because resolving this type of accident case is likely to be more difficult than it initially appears. Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging, as they will almost always attempt to settle injury claims for as little as possible.
You are more likely to obtain suitable compensation for all of your damages when you hire a rideshare accident lawyer to represent you as soon as possible after your accident. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you navigate complex insurance issues and pursue the maximum compensation available for your injuries.
The team at Roberts Law Firm, P.A. has an extensive record of success with many types of accident cases in Hickory and surrounding communities of North Carolina. We know the challenges you might face in the aftermath of your rideshare accident and how to help you overcome them. You have a limited time to build and file your case, so contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Hickory rideshare accident lawyer.