Virginia Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer
At Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, we believe rideshare companies and their drivers should be held accountable for their mistakes. If you were in an accident caused by a reckless or negligent driver, a Virginia Uber or Lyft accident lawyer can seek damages for medical bills, lost wages, and wrongful death. Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for victims and will fight for the justice you deserve.
On This Page
- Why Choose Experienced Rideshare Accident Lawyers from Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers
- Who Is Liable in an Uber or Lyft Accident?
- How Often Do Rideshare Accidents Happen?
- What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Virginia
- What Damages Are Available After a Rideshare Accident?
- Common Injuries in Uber & Lyft Accidents
- Dangerous Intersections in Virginia
- What is the Statute of Limitations for Rideshare Accident Cases in Virginia?
- Do You Need a Lawyer For an Uber Accident Case?
- A Virginia Rideshare Accident Attorney From Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers Can Help You
Rideshare services revolutionized public transportation, giving customers a fast, easy way to catch a ride almost anywhere. Unfortunately, ride sharing also has several downsides, with accidents topping the list.
Unlike other transportation businesses, rideshare companies generally do not consider their drivers employees. This distinction can be confusing if you are involved in a rideshare accident and want to file a claim with an insurance company.
The attorneys at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers are well acquainted with rideshare drivers’ special circumstances. A Virginia rideshare accident lawyer can handle even the most complicated Uber and Lyft cases. If you or someone you love has been injured in a rideshare accident, expert guidance from a lawyer is essential.
Why Choose Experienced Rideshare Accident Lawyers from Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers
With more than 120 years of combined experience, Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers have earned the title of the “Car Crash Experts.” We have helped clients recover millions in financial settlements and jury awards. Our case results are a testament to our knowledge and dedication.
An experienced attorney can offer valuable insights, alleviate the stress of communicating with insurance companies, and negotiate a higher settlement. If you choose a Lyft or Uber accident attorney in Virginia, you will gain significant advantages, including:
- Affordable representation: You’ll receive a free initial consultation and won’t pay a fee unless we win your case.
- Superior customer service: We prioritize individualized customer service and are happy to address your questions and concerns.
- Award-winning attorneys: Our team members are nationally recognized as Super Lawyers, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and Top Lawyers of Coastal Virginia.
At Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, we focus our time and energy on personal injury victims and never represent insurance companies. We will always look out for your best interests, health, and financial security.
Ask The Car Crash Experts - Why is it important to hire a lawyer after an accident with a rideshare vehicle?
Griff O'Hanlon, Personal Injury Lawyer
“Collisions are more complicated than traditional motor vehicle accidents involving just two individuals on the roadway. There’s a lot more data available to someone who’s been injured in a motor vehicle rack involving just two folks out on the roadway . These rideshare companies closely track how the vehicles are moving, whether they’ve accepted a ride, or are in the course of either picking someone up or dropping them off. So, there are a lot of wrinkles and complications when it comes to a rideshare collision. The circumstances and facts developed when looking at that data can really change the course of a personal injury claim or lawsuit. It can change the amount of insurance coverage available to you and the type of compensation that someone could recover in a rideshare collision.”
Who Is Liable in an Uber or Lyft Accident?
According to state law, Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare businesses qualify as Transportation Network Companies, or TNCs. Based on the case’s circumstances, the driver, the TNC, or both might be liable for accident injuries and damages.
Insurance Laws in Virginia
According to Article 15 of Title 46.2-2099 of the Virginia State Code, rideshare company drivers are usually considered independent contractors and often use their own vehicles to transport passengers. As a result, liability issues depend on the cause of the accident, who was at fault, and whether the driver was traveling for personal or business purposes at the time.
For example, if a rideshare driver is logged out of the rideshare app, runs a red light, and hits your vehicle, they’re personally liable for your injuries. However, if the driver is negligent while transporting a passenger, then the rideshare company may also be held responsible.
What Type of Insurance Coverage Do Uber & Lyft Drivers Have?
Offline Drivers
Drivers logged out of the rideshare app are not covered by the company’s insurance, even if they use the same vehicle for ridesharing. If an accident occurs on the driver’s personal time, responsibility falls on their personal insurance company.
Available or Waiting Drivers
Rideshare drivers spend much time logged into the app but not actively driving. If a driver is waiting to receive ride requests, the rideshare company’s insurance covers:
- $50,000 in bodily injury per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 in property damage per accident
These amounts are much lower than the coverage for logged-in and traveling drivers.
Drivers Who Are En Route or Transporting Customers
When drivers are transporting passengers or going to pick them up, they are covered by Uber and Lyft’s third-party liability insurance of at least $1 million. The companies’ coverage also includes uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage.
Can You Sue Rideshare Companies?
It is possible to sue a rideshare company, but it can be difficult because Virginia drivers are independent contractors. Your case may be stronger if the rideshare company fails to meet certain state requirements, such as:
- Requiring vehicle safety inspections
- Refusing to hire drivers with DUI convictions
- Hiring drivers who are 21 or older
- Checking drivers’ criminal and driving histories
- Providing adequate liability coverage
Determining whether you have grounds to sue a rideshare company is challenging. Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can help you decide how to proceed.
How Often Do Rideshare Accidents Happen?
Rideshare accidents are more common than realized. According to the most recent data available from Uber, 101 fatalities were caused by 91 Uber-related crashes from 2019 to 2020. Among these accidents, 64 percent of the fatalities were pedestrians, and 29 percent were motorcyclists.
Lyft, which provides fewer rides than Uber, has similar accident and injury rates. Their safety report reveals there were 49 motor vehicle fatalities associated with Lyft accidents in 2019.
What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Virginia
The moments after an accident are frightening and often chaotic, but they could impact your claim. If you are in an Uber or Lyft accident, try to remain calm and take the following steps:
- Seek medical attention: Your first priority after an accident should be your health. Seek medical care immediately to improve your chances of a quick recovery.
- Contact the police: Provide law enforcement with the accident details. Be as specific as possible so that they can accurately determine fault.
- Document the accident: If it’s safe and you can do so, take photos of the scene. Photographs could serve as crucial evidence.
- Notify your insurance company: Report the accident to your personal insurance company, but don’t feel obligated to provide a lengthy statement. Your attorney can guide you toward a fuller statement at a later time.
- Contact an attorney: Consult a Virginia personal injury lawyer when you’re well enough. Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can visit you at home or the hospital to discuss your case.
You may recall new details once the initial shock of the accident subsides. In addition to documenting your experience immediately after the incident, take notes if things occur to you in the following days and weeks.
What Damages Are Available After a Rideshare Accident?
Growing medical bills, the inability to work, and a totaled vehicle can quickly become difficult for accident victims. They create additional emotional and psychological strain that affects your overall recovery.
When a rideshare accident occurs because of another person’s behavior, you may be eligible to seek various damages, including:
- Medical bills: Rideshare accident damages often include past and future treatment costs, including hospital stays, medication, and ongoing care.
- Wrongful death: If a family member dies from a rideshare accident, you may be able to seek damages through a wrongful death suit.
- Property damage: Motor vehicles and other personal property are often damaged or destroyed in an accident, and you can seek compensation to replace or repair them.
- Lost income: If your injuries impede your ability to work, you can seek damages to compensate for your lost or limited income.
The suffering you experience from a rideshare accident often goes far beyond financial struggles and physical pain. A Lyft or Uber accident attorney can determine the kinds of damages you should seek based on your case’s circumstances.
Common Injuries in Uber & Lyft Accidents
Car accidents can cause severe, life-threatening injuries requiring intensive treatment and extended recovery periods. Some of the injuries that you might sustain during an Uber or Lyft accident include:
- Head trauma and traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussions
These types of injuries often have long-lasting effects. For example, although a concussion is considered a mild traumatic brain injury, it can cause concentration and memory difficulties for a year or longer following an accident.
Dangerous Intersections in Virginia
Rideshare accidents can happen anywhere, but some locations spark more injuries and fatalities than others. Urban area intersections are especially high risk.
For example, in Virginia Beach, there were 54 accidents at the intersection of Kempsville Road and Indian River in 2021. Another accident-prone intersection in the city is S. Independence Boulevard and the I-264 ramp, where 47 crashes occurred during the same year.
Similar patterns are clear in Norfolk, where bustling areas experience many accidents yearly. Northampton Boulevard near Norfolk Premium Outlets saw 30 accidents in 2021, more than any other intersection in the city. The intersection of Northampton Boulevard and Wesleyan Drive was a close second, with 25 accidents in the same year.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Rideshare Accident Cases in Virginia?
Timing is crucial for filing a rideshare accident lawsuit in Virginia. The statute of limitations for both wrongful death and personal injury cases is two years. Certain factors, including the victim’s age, can affect the statute of limitations. A qualified Virginia rideshare accident lawyer can review your case details and ensure you file suit in a timely manner.
Do You Need a Lawyer For an Uber Accident Case?
Although you can represent yourself when filing a ride-share accident claim, hiring a lawyer is advantageous. A Virginia Uber or Lyft accident lawyer will handle many aspects of your case, including:
- Investigating: Your attorney will locate and interview witnesses and, if necessary, visit the accident scene.
- Filing reports: Legal cases involve a lot of paperwork, and a knowledgeable lawyer will timely file error-free documents.
- Collecting evidence: Your attorney will gather medical records and examine camera footage, police reports, and scene photos that strengthen your case.
- Overseeing communication: Insurance companies will try to avoid covering claims, and your attorney will protect you from accepting an unfair settlement.
- Supporting victims: An accident is a traumatic experience, and your lawyer will serve as a source of strength throughout your case.
The Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers rideshare accident attorneys complete these tasks and more to make the legal process as stress-free as possible for our clients.
A Virginia Rideshare Accident Attorney From Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers Can Help You
Your injuries may have changed your life, but they don’t have to define it. At Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, we believe everyone deserves quality representation to receive the compensation they deserve. We will seek damages for your physical and emotional suffering so that you can continue your journey toward recovery.
We serve clients at these meeting locations throughout Coastal Virginia:
Whether you prefer to visit one of our meeting locations or have us come to you, Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers is ready to fight for you. Get your free case evaluation now.
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