Lafayette Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Lafayette Rideshare Accident Attorney

Employing rideshare for travel can be an incredibly convenient situation. Additionally, driving for a rideshare company can be a great way to earn a living. These services can be useful in a lot of ways, but that doesn’t mean that car accidents cease to happen. In just a moment, your entire life can change from one simple mistake. A car crash can result in serious injury or even death.

The suffering that can come from a death or injury resulting from a car accident can be intense and devastating, with lifelong consequences for the survivors. When it’s related to Uber or Lyft, it can be a unique situation. Many factors make rideshare accidents incredibly complex, and sorting out all the facts may be incredibly difficult. You should have an experienced Lafayette rideshare accident lawyer you can trust during what is sure to be a trying time.

Knowing your rights, and knowing what to expect throughout your case, is vital to understanding how your case can proceed. With the help of an experienced Uber or Lyft rideshare injury lawyer on your side, you can feel comfortable knowing that you’re receiving the most capable representation possible.

Legal Representation for Rideshare Accident Victims in Lafayette, LA

A seasoned attorney is an inestimable benefit in the wake of a rideshare car wreck. Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer, has almost 30 years of experience in representing clients through a trial and other necessary parts of advocacy.

With over 95% of cases being successful, the law office of Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer, has the experience and knowledge required to skillfully represent you when you need it most. While you’re to represent yourself in the event of a rideshare accident, trusting in an accomplished personal injury attorney can give you the assurance you need to achieve compensation for your accident.

After a wreck, it’s crucial that you have the resources and time you need to recover from your injuries. With aggressive trial advocacy, you can be assured that you’re getting quality representation, even during the most complex cases.

Rideshare Accident Laws in Louisiana

The advent of rideshare services, like Lyft and Uber, has provided opportunities that can make our lives easier in some ways, but they’ve also complicated other matters. In general, all people operating motor vehicles understand that there are rules and regulations when on the road. While everyone is responsible for their own safety, when driving a car, you also need to be mindful of others on the road and its surroundings.

Ridesharing is different from taxi services in the ways that drivers are paid and rates are figured. The former was created to deal with the failings of the latter, to offer a competitive option to hailing a taxi.

The extent of insurance coverage from a rideshare accident is entirely dependent on the details of the crash. It’s also important to note what state the ride itself was in. All car accidents are unique, and the details vary depending on the situation, making each situation complicated.

Accidents that occur while the driver is logged into the app are typically covered under liability insurance related to ridesharing. This type of coverage is in effect until the passengers have arrived at their destination.

Whether a person is driving for Uber or Lyft, they’re covered under insurance plans that are quite similar. Typically, the plans are up to $1 million in coverage for both third-party liability and motor vehicle personal injury. If the other driver is at fault for the accident, these policies will cover anyone affected by the incident.

Accidents that occur when the driver isn’t logged into the app aren’t covered by company insurance. The driver is only covered under their own insurance policy when they aren’t driving on company time. A personal injury attorney can help you recover this information for your claim.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Lafayette, LA

There are some minimum requirements that drivers for both Lyft and Uber must meet before they can drive for either company. Drivers must also be able to pass a background check. This ensures that the driver will be able to meet basic safety requirements. Even meeting these conditions doesn’t preclude drivers from the possibility of an accident. Some of the most common causes of rideshare accidents include:

• Fatigue: Rarely are rideshare drivers performing these duties as their only job. Driving for Uber and Lyft is usually a supplementary income, which means that drivers can be operating after an already long or difficult work day. This can lead to fatigue while they’re driving.
• Distracted Driving: Uber and Lyft are tracked through phone apps, and drivers are using these apps to pick up requests, get directions, and track their time while they’re driving. This can lead to the driver being distracted by the app.
• Negligence: Drivers are people, and people make mistakes. Whether they’re not being mindful of road conditions, driving aggressively, or operating under the influence, rideshare drivers can commit negligent acts while driving.

Proving Rideshare Accident Fault in Lafayette, LA

As with any type of personal injury, proving fault is an important part of the case. Depending on the severity of the accident, it may be difficult for you to recall the events of the incident. This may make it difficult for you to prove fault in your case. If you can take photos of the accident, this may help your case.

If it’s not possible to take photos, it’s absolutely vital to determine the identity of the other driver involved. If they drive away from the scene, that can become much more difficult. With the help of your Lafayette Uber or Lyft accident lawyer, you may have an easier time identifying the driver who caused your accident.

What You Should Do After Your Uber/Lyft Accident in Lafayette, LA

What you do following your accident can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. As with any other type of traffic accident in Lafayette, there are some basic steps you should follow:

• Contact 911: Contacting 911 allows all parties to be assessed for injury. This helps every party be sure that they are receiving the proper care for any injuries. Additionally, this also allows each party involved to issue a statement to the police about the details of the accident.
• Report the Accident: Whatever rideshare company that the driver is employed with needs to be notified of the accident. This allows them to work with your personal injury lawyers regarding coverage.
• Contact a Lawyer: Having a lawyer on your side after an accident protects you and allows them to start investigating your case right away. This can help you receive the maximum compensation for injuries and damages.

Recovering From Your Lafayette, LA Rideshare Accident

For you to get an ideal outcome, it’s necessary for you to have the appropriate resources. All vehicle owners must have liability insurance on any vehicle that they own. This ensures that personal injury or property damages can be covered by the driver responsible in the event of an accident.

The state requires that vehicles have what is called 15/30/25 liability limits. This means that one person may receive $15,000 for any kind of personal injury sustained, more than one person may receive $30,000 for injuries that are sustained as a result of the accident, and property damage or vehicle damage has $25,000 in coverage.

After filing an insurance claim and obtaining the maximum compensation possible, any injury or damage that isn’t covered may be recovered through a personal injury claim. For a case to be successful, detailed and accurate information must be obtained regarding the extent of any damages or injury. These things are necessary when proving fault, and the burden of proof falls on the plaintiff. The different things that can be covered include:

• Lost Wages: You may be compensated for any wages that you lost as a result of the car wreck, whether you were unable to work for a short time or have been prevented from earning any future wages due to your injuries.
• Medical Costs: While insurance provides some coverage, severe accidents incur even higher medical costs. These extensive medical bills may be impossible to cover on your own, and they may leave you feeling incredibly unstable financially.
• Pain and Suffering: Not all losses are tangible, and you may be compensated for any undue pain and suffering incurred.
• Damages: If additional damages to your vehicle or other property cannot be covered by insurance, you may receive compensation for additional damages.

While you may think that the coverage from insurance is enough, you may be entitled to additional compensation if you’ve sustained injuries or damages well beyond what insurance will cover.

With the help of accident attorneys, people can get more compensation than they would by representing themselves. Choosing Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer, as your rideshare accident lawyer gives you an invaluable asset who can help you recover your losses and ease your worries. You deserve to gain the maximum compensation for your accident.

FAQs

Can I Sue the Rideshare Company for the Accident?

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to sue either Uber or Lyft in the event of an accident because drivers are not technically employed by the company. Drivers are instead independent contractors who maintain their own liability if they cause an accident. Uber and Lyft both offer coverage for drivers, but the companies themselves cannot be sued.

How Much Can I Expect to Receive in Compensation?

Each accident is unique, and this means that there is no standard amount that the victim of an accident may receive. The results are dependent on the extent of any damages and injuries that are sustained as a result of the incident. The driver who caused the accident is liable for any of the damages that are pertinent to your case. These include medical costs, lost wages, and more.

Do I Need to Hire an Attorney for My Rideshare Accident Case?

In Lafayette, you don’t need to hire an attorney for your case. However, there are several reasons why you would benefit from doing so. Hiring an attorney allows you to focus on your recovery at a crucial time, rather than be influenced by the stress and strain of a trial. Additionally, attorneys have access to resources that individuals may not have. An experienced Lafayette rideshare accident lawyer can help you get the maximum compensation for your case.

What Is Negligence?

Negligence may be used to prove fault in an accident. Being able to prove that an accident was the result of a driver’s negligence is just one way that another party may be liable for any damages or injuries that resulted from the accident. If another party wasn’t taking the care necessary to operate their vehicle, they were negligent and are responsible for the accident.

What Happens If the At-Fault Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?

Drivers who are operating while they’re logged into the App for the company they drive for are covered by liability coverage from either Uber or Lyft. However, a driver who isn’t logged in and isn’t insured is another matter. Even if a driver isn’t insured, there are options available to you. Uninsured motorist coverage is an option, and rideshare companies also have uninsured coverage that you may have access to. These can be very complicated cases, and retaining a lawyer is the most effective way to ensure that you receive compensation.

Contact Our Lafayette Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today

If you’ve had an accident as the result of a rideshare, you don’t have to feel alone. There are options available to you so that you can receive compensation and recover as much as possible. This can be an incredibly difficult time, and you don’t need the unnecessary strain of trying to manage your own claim.

Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer, can bring more than 29 years of experience to your case. With the knowledge and experience of a skilled Uber or Lyft rideshare accident lawyer, you can expect aggressive advocacy and the maximum compensation available so that you can recover. If you or a loved one has experienced an injury as a result of a rideshare accident, and you’re ready to have an accomplished attorney skillfully represent you, contact us today and get your compensation claim started.