North Carolina Law Firm Advocates for Rideshare Accident Victims
Charlotte Personal Injury Attorneys Handle Complex Uber/Lyft Cases
The rideshare industry has uncovered opportunities for many people – both riders and drivers – but has also raised liability issues for passengers of a driver associated with Uber, Lyft, or another ridesharing service.
Whose Insurance Will Cover My Damages in a Ridesharing Accident?
While financial liability usually rests with an at-fault driver, determining responsibility for an accident often gets much more complicated when a rideshare company is involved. Here are
some potential coverage scenarios:
In North Carolina, a rideshare driver is considered on the clock from the time they accept a fare on the company’s app until the passenger has exited the vehicle. This is critical since insurance coverage for an accident will not kick in until a driver is officially working.
Bodily injury and property damage coverage take effect while the rideshare driver is en route to pick up a passenger. Third-party liability coverage of up to $1,500,000 takes effect once a passenger enters the vehicle.
If the rideshare driver wasn’t responsible for the accident, an injured passenger will need to make a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier.
Both Uber and Lyft offer uninsured/uninsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage of up to $1 million for injuries to riders and drivers if a covered accident occurred during a rideshare and the at-fault driver didn’t have sufficient insurance or no coverage at all. This coverage also may apply in the case of a hit and run.
Medical payments coverage (Med Pay) or personal injury protection (PIP) may apply to medical expenses and/or funeral expenses if a driver or riders are injured in a covered accident, regardless of who is at fault.
If you try to settle your own claim with an insurance company, you might lack the skills necessary to secure a fair settlement. However, the rideshare accident lawyers at The Law Firm of Estwanik & May are skilled negotiators with years of experience in obtaining maximum compensation for clients.
Damages Available in a Rideshare Accident Case
If you were injured in an accident while riding with a rideshare driver, some of the damages that you might be entitled to include:
Present and future medical costs
Lost wages
Property damage
Diminished earning capacity
Emotional distress
Pain and suffering
Disability or disfigurement
Loss of consortium/companionship
Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive damages
Your injuries may be causing you to suffer severe and even debilitating pain, be preventing you from returning to work, affecting the routine of your daily life, and even causing you to become anxious and depressed. The lawyers at Estwanik & May will work hard to obtain the compensation you deserve to pay your bills, get back on the job, and put your life back together.
Contact a Knowledgeable North Carolina Rideshare Accident Attorney
If you injured in an accident while the passenger of a ridesharing driver, the road to compensation can be complicated. For informed legal advice regarding ridesharing accidents, contact the Law Offices of Estwanik and May PLLC at 704-817-2004 to schedule your free initial consultation today.