Birmingham Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer
Some would argue that one of the greatest inventions in the last decade has been the rideshare company. People now have a designated driver at their fingertips. And for people who used to wait in the heat of the summer and frigid winter for a bus or taxi, companies like Uber and Lyft have been the perfect solution.
Almost anyone can become a driver for companies like Uber and Lyft. Ridesharing drivers often work part-time and are not commercial drivers. They’re just people looking to make a supplemental income. This is why it’s not surprising that there are more rideshare accidents than many people think as they are just as likely to get into a car accident as any other driver.
personal injury attorneys understand this. They handle cases like this all the time. If you’ve been injured in an accident while a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, you need to call an Uber and Lyft accident lawyer.
Related: What to Do If You’re Injured in an Uber Accident
Who Can Drive for Uber and Lyft?
Again, the people who drive for Uber and Lyft are not necessarily professional drivers. They’re everyday people looking to make some extra money. In order to work for a rideshare company in Alabama, you have to meet the following qualifications:
- Complete a detailed criminal background check
- Submit a driver’s history at least once every two (2) years (This will change to every year soon under Alabama rideshare laws)
- Have a routine safety inspection performed by a certified mechanic
- Have a car with working locks, windows, heater, and air conditioner
As long as you meet the above criteria, you can apply to become a driver for Uber or Lyft.
How Do Uber and Lyft Work?
Once a driver is approved to work for Uber or Lyft, they can start accepting riders. The driver will log into the ridesharing app. This lets the computer system know they’re available to accept riders.
When riders request transportation on the app, the driver is notified. The customer pays on the app so no cash exchanges hands. The passenger is provided with the identity of the driver and a picture of the driver, as well as the make and model of the driver’s car.
The Uber or Lyft driver picks up the passenger and takes them to their destination. The passenger has the option to tip the driver using the app. Once the passenger is dropped off, the driver notifies the computer system.
It’s important that the driver update the app and stay logged in. This can impact liability should the driver get into a car accident. Your Uber lawyers will need to determine if the driver was logged in at the time of your crash.
Is the Uber or Lyft Driver Insured?
The law does require that the Uber driver carry auto insurance. The driver works in his or her own vehicle. The driver has to carry personal auto insurance anyway. This insurance policy could be held liable depending on the driver’s status at the time of the crash.
Uber is also required to carry insurance. This insurance only kicks in if the driver’s policy doesn’t cover the accident victims’ medical bills, property damage, and other losses.
The policy limits that apply to your case depend on whether the Uber or Lyft driver is logged in at the time of the accident.
Driver Not Logged In to the Uber or Lyft System:
If the driver isn’t logged in to the system, the law presumes the driver wasn’t working at the time of the accident. In these situations, the driver must carry the following minimum coverage under Alabama law:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $50,000 per accident
- $25,000 in property damage
A driver is Logged in But has no Passenger in the Vehicle:
If the driver is technically logged in but doesn’t have a passenger, the following coverage minimums apply:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $50,000 per accident
- $25,000 in property damage
Uber carries the following additional coverage for these situations:
- $50,000 personal injury
- $100,000 per accident
In these situations, the Uber coverage only kicks in once the driver’s personal automobile insurance limits are exceeded.
A driver is Picking Up or Transporting a Passenger:
If the Uber driver is actually picking up or taking a passenger somewhere, the coverage provided by Uber is much higher. In addition to the above minimum coverage limits provided by the driver’s personal automobile insurance policy, the following coverage is provided by Uber:
- $1 million in liability
- $1 million in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
Between the two policies, most accidents involving passengers will be paid using insurance coverage. Your Birmingham Uber accident lawyer will fight to make sure your claims are paid.
What Kind of Damages Will Be Paid in an Uber Accident Suit?
If you get injured in an Uber accident, our vehicle accident lawyer in Birmingham will help get your injury claim paid. Insurance companies don’t typically pay these claims out right away. Your attorney may have to negotiate with the insurance adjuster to get your claim paid.
Related: How to Recover Compensation in an Uber Accident
Some of the damages your Birmingham accident attorney will demand compensation for include:
- Medical Bills
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress
- Permanent Disability
- Lost future earnings
Your lawyer will have to prove a few things in order to get you the compensation you deserve. For example, your Birmingham Uber lawyer must demonstrate the following:
- You were a passenger at the time of the accident
- Your Uber driver caused the accident
- You were injured
- Your injuries were caused by the accident
As long as you can prove these things, you will be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Contact an Uber or Lyft Accident Lawyer in Birmingham Today
If you’ve been injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft, you need to contact a Birmingham personal injury lawyers at Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, LLP today. Your lawyer will review your case and let you know what it may be worth. They can also answer any questions you may have.
Call today and schedule your free initial consultation. And remember – you pay nothing until we resolve your case.
Related Attorneys
Some would argue that one of the greatest inventions in the last decade has been the rideshare company. People now have a designated driver at their fingertips. And for people who used to wait in the heat of the summer and frigid winter for a bus or taxi, companies like Uber and Lyft have been the perfect solution.
Almost anyone can become a driver for companies like Uber and Lyft. Ridesharing drivers often work part-time and are not commercial drivers. They’re just people looking to make a supplemental income. This is why it’s not surprising that there are more rideshare accidents than many people think as they are just as likely to get into a car accident as any other driver.
personal injury attorneys understand this. They handle cases like this all the time. If you’ve been injured in an accident while a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, you need to call an Uber and Lyft accident lawyer.
Related: What to Do If You’re Injured in an Uber Accident
Who Can Drive for Uber and Lyft?
Again, the people who drive for Uber and Lyft are not necessarily professional drivers. They’re everyday people looking to make some extra money. In order to work for a rideshare company in Alabama, you have to meet the following qualifications:
- Complete a detailed criminal background check
- Submit a driver’s history at least once every two (2) years (This will change to every year soon under Alabama rideshare laws)
- Have a routine safety inspection performed by a certified mechanic
- Have a car with working locks, windows, heater, and air conditioner
As long as you meet the above criteria, you can apply to become a driver for Uber or Lyft.
How Do Uber and Lyft Work?
Once a driver is approved to work for Uber or Lyft, they can start accepting riders. The driver will log into the ridesharing app. This lets the computer system know they’re available to accept riders.
When riders request transportation on the app, the driver is notified. The customer pays on the app so no cash exchanges hands. The passenger is provided with the identity of the driver and a picture of the driver, as well as the make and model of the driver’s car.
The Uber or Lyft driver picks up the passenger and takes them to their destination. The passenger has the option to tip the driver using the app. Once the passenger is dropped off, the driver notifies the computer system.
It’s important that the driver update the app and stay logged in. This can impact liability should the driver get into a car accident. Your Uber lawyers will need to determine if the driver was logged in at the time of your crash.
Is the Uber or Lyft Driver Insured?
The law does require that the Uber driver carry auto insurance. The driver works in his or her own vehicle. The driver has to carry personal auto insurance anyway. This insurance policy could be held liable depending on the driver’s status at the time of the crash.
Uber is also required to carry insurance. This insurance only kicks in if the driver’s policy doesn’t cover the accident victims’ medical bills, property damage, and other losses.
The policy limits that apply to your case depend on whether the Uber or Lyft driver is logged in at the time of the accident.
Driver Not Logged In to the Uber or Lyft System:
If the driver isn’t logged in to the system, the law presumes the driver wasn’t working at the time of the accident. In these situations, the driver must carry the following minimum coverage under Alabama law:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $50,000 per accident
- $25,000 in property damage
A driver is Logged in But has no Passenger in the Vehicle:
If the driver is technically logged in but doesn’t have a passenger, the following coverage minimums apply:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $50,000 per accident
- $25,000 in property damage
Uber carries the following additional coverage for these situations:
- $50,000 personal injury
- $100,000 per accident
In these situations, the Uber coverage only kicks in once the driver’s personal automobile insurance limits are exceeded.
A driver is Picking Up or Transporting a Passenger:
If the Uber driver is actually picking up or taking a passenger somewhere, the coverage provided by Uber is much higher. In addition to the above minimum coverage limits provided by the driver’s personal automobile insurance policy, the following coverage is provided by Uber:
- $1 million in liability
- $1 million in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
Between the two policies, most accidents involving passengers will be paid using insurance coverage. Your Birmingham Uber accident lawyer will fight to make sure your claims are paid.
What Kind of Damages Will Be Paid in an Uber Accident Suit?
If you get injured in an Uber accident, our vehicle accident lawyer in Birmingham will help get your injury claim paid. Insurance companies don’t typically pay these claims out right away. Your attorney may have to negotiate with the insurance adjuster to get your claim paid.
Related: How to Recover Compensation in an Uber Accident
Some of the damages your Birmingham accident attorney will demand compensation for include:
- Medical Bills
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress
- Permanent Disability
- Lost future earnings
Your lawyer will have to prove a few things in order to get you the compensation you deserve. For example, your Birmingham Uber lawyer must demonstrate the following:
- You were a passenger at the time of the accident
- Your Uber driver caused the accident
- You were injured
- Your injuries were caused by the accident
As long as you can prove these things, you will be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Contact an Uber or Lyft Accident Lawyer in Birmingham Today
If you’ve been injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft, you need to contact a Birmingham personal injury lawyers at Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, LLP today. Your lawyer will review your case and let you know what it may be worth. They can also answer any questions you may have.
Call today and schedule your free initial consultation. And remember – you pay nothing until we resolve your case.