Gastonia Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Dedicated Rideshare Accident Attorney in Gastonia, NC

When riding in a rideshare, riders expect to be kept safe. However, accidents can and do still happen during these rides. When they do, a Skilled Gastonia rideshare accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and what options may be available to you. Rideshare collisions can happen on busy roadways throughout Gastonia.

Determining liability may also become more complex than in a traditional car accident because coverage under certain policies can change based on where the driver is located within the rideshare app.

Legal Experience at Roberts Law Firm, P.A.

Roberts Law Firm, P.A. has served clients throughout the Carolinas with legal support and representation for over 40 years. Our attorneys handle personal injury and workers’ compensation claims, including motor vehicle crashes that involve rideshare drivers and passengers.

North Carolina Rideshare Accident Laws

Rideshare vehicles operate within an already busy environment on the roads. North Carolina recorded 284,546 traffic crashes in 2024, resulting in 113,602 injuries and 1,732 fatalities, according to NCDOT.

North Carolina law governing transportation network companies is located at N.C.G.S. Chapter 20, Article 10A. These laws govern companies that link passengers with drivers using personal vehicles via an online platform.

Insurance is also a significant consideration when a rideshare accident occurs. Under N.C.G.S. § 20-280.5, there are distinct insurance coverage requirements depending on whether the driver is just signed into the rideshare platform or has accepted a booking for a prearranged trip.

Coverage varies in North Carolina depending on whether the driver had logged into the application and was awaiting a ride request versus after having accepted a ride request and while route with a passenger. Establishing whether the driver was waiting for a ride request or transporting a passenger now of impact may therefore play a critical role in determining what insurance is available.

Liability in a Rideshare Accident

Determining responsibility requires examining the reason for the crash. Sometimes a rideshare driver is at fault because of negligent behavior like speeding, distracted driving, unsafe lane changes, or failure to follow traffic laws. On the other hand, another driver may have hit the rideshare vehicle.

Multiple insurers could be implicated by a crash. In addition to any insurance carried by the at-fault driver individually, there may be policies related to the rideshare trip itself. In addition, a different driver’s insurance policy could potentially be involved.

What To Do After an Accident

First, you’ll want to address any injuries by getting medical attention and then report the incident to the authorities. It can also be helpful to preserve the rideshare driver’s information along with information about other vehicles, witnesses, and insurance companies.

A passenger may have the ride’s details logged within their smartphone application. Details of the trip, including the driver, pickup location, destination, and timing, should be retrievable. Take screenshots if possible. Photos of the collision site and vehicle damage may also be useful.

Just because a victim was in the passenger seat instead of behind the wheel does not necessarily mean that they cannot recover compensation. A passenger that is injured due to a driver’s negligent conduct may still have a claim even if the rideshare driver and another motorist disagree about who was responsible for causing the accident.

Compensation Available After a Rideshare Accident

After a car accident involving a rideshare vehicle, an injured party can seek damages for losses stemming from the crash. This could include the cost of emergency response, hospital bills, surgery, physical therapy, medication, and future treatment. Damage to personal property can also be recovered if someone else caused a wreck involving a rideshare driver.

Lost income can be recovered when injuries force someone to miss work. Serious injuries can have a long-term impact on someone’s ability to earn a living. Noneconomic damages, meanwhile, may compensate injured victims for pain and suffering.

Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer

When you hire a rideshare accident lawyer, they can help investigate the accident, collect available information, work to identify what the driver was doing at the time of impact, and determine which insurance policies might apply. Should insurance companies contest responsibility or insurance coverage, your Gastonia rideshare accident attorney can confront those issues via negotiations or litigation if needed.

If you were injured in a crash in Gaston County, your rideshare accident claim would be filed and heard at the Gaston County Courthouse, 325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Gastonia, NC 28052.

FAQs

What if I Was Hit by a Rideshare Driver While I Was Walking?

Uber and Lyft drivers who hit pedestrians can be held responsible for causing injuries if the driver failed to exercise reasonable care. Whether the driver was logged into the rideshare application, waiting for a ride request, driving to pick up a passenger, or concluding a ride may affect which insurance policy provides coverage.

What Happens if More Than One Driver Caused an Accident While I Was in a Rideshare?

If more than one driver caused an accident while you were in a rideshare, you may have options for pursuing a claim. Motor vehicle collisions can involve allegations of negligence against more than one driver. North Carolina’s pure contributory negligence law may limit recovery for an injured driver, but an injured Uber or Lyft passenger may have causes of action against more than one negligent party.

Can I File a Claim if the Rideshare Vehicle Itself Was Unsafe?

You can file a claim if the rideshare vehicle itself was unsafe. Equipment failure such as faulty brakes, bald tires, and other vehicle issues may lead to an accident or cause injury to a passenger. Responsibility may depend on whether the rideshare driver, vehicle owner, or another party failed to properly maintain the vehicle or a defective part caused the problem.

Can I File a Claim If My Rideshare Driver Was Uninsured?

You may be able to file a claim if your rideshare driver was uninsured. In North Carolina, drivers who are working for rideshare companies are required to carry certain insurance coverage, so the driver’s personal insurance isn’t always the only insurance that may compensate you. It could be the rideshare company’s insurance, another liable motorist’s insurance, or even uninsured motorist coverage.

Gastonia, NC Related Rideshare Accident Resources:

• Rideshare Accidents in NC: Who Is Liable for Uber/Lyft Crashes?
• Gastonia Car Accident Statistics
• Pedestrian Accidents in North Carolina: Know Your Rights

Gastonia Rideshare Accident Lawyer

If you were in a rideshare accident, Roberts Law Firm, P.A., can help you seek compensation. Contact us for a consultation today.