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Injured In an Uber or Lyft Accident? Contact a Birmingham Rideshare Accident Lawyer.
Rideshare Accidents Can Be Complicated - Call Our Birmingham Accident Lawyers For Representation
Since 2010, ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have reshaped the transportation industry. Offered cheap, convenient booking with the tap of a button, more than 91 million people use the popular Uber app each month to get where they need to go. Ridesharing has created millions of jobs and introduced countless benefits to both customers and the environment. Uber and Lyft are far more affordable than traditional taxis, flexible in their availability, reduce drunk driving, and cut down on vehicle carbon dioxide emissions by more than 10%. In urban areas like Birmingham, these services eliminate the need to find parking downtown - or own a car at all.
In the U.S. alone, 11 billion trips have been taken with rideshare services since 2010. That number grows with each passing
year. Currently, 36% of Americans use Uber regularly for price and convenience reasons. Unfortunately, this rise in rideshare trips has dramatically increased the number of accidents involving these vehicles. If you have been injured in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver, call Wettermark Keith. You may be dealing with painful, life-altering injuries, spending your dwindling PTO in a hospital waiting room, and worrying about the pile of medical bills on your kitchen table. You don't have to shoulder these burdens alone.
Our lawyers understand the complexities of these cases - they know how to navigate multiple insurance companies, negotiate compensation amounts according to your needs, and defend you in court with conviction and skill if opposing insurance companies deny you a adequate settlement.
we can help tell your story.
Dangers of Ridesharing: Uber and Lyft Accidents
The impact of rideshare accidents on road safety is increasignly concerning. While Uber and Lyft have excellent safety ratings for passengers, drivers only have passengers for about 39% of their total driving time. Rideshare drivers' constant travel between customers has led to a rise in collisions with other drivers on the road. Research indicates that ridesharing has contributed to a 3% rise in traffic fatalities since 2010, or a total of 987 deaths per day.
90% of these crashes occur in densely populated urban areas like Birmingham, and an increasing number of incidents have taken place at busy drop-off and pick-up locations. The dangers associated with these services must be acknowledged and addressed, and accident victims should receive the compensation they deserve - regardless of the complexity of the case and the number of moving parts. Our attorneys have represented Uber accident victims before, and are more than willing to help you with any questions you may have about your situation.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Birmingham
Birmingham's historic downtown roads, lined with old buildings and trees, add to the beauty and charm of our city. Unfortunately, they can be narrow, winding, and congested at certain times of day, proving challenging for even experienced drivers to navigate. The uneven pavement of Morris Avenue and the one ways and tight turns of 2nd Avenue North have contributed to many rideshare accidents. Like any car accident, these rideshare accidents can stem from a variety of factors, including:
- Driver error
- Aggressive driving
- Fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Texting and driving
- Drunk driving
- Disregard for traffic laws
- Poor weather or road conditions
What Should I Do Immediately After an Uber or Lyft Accident?
If you are involved in an accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft, it is important to take certain steps to ensure your safety and to protect your rights. Here are the steps you should follow immediately after an accident:
1. Check for injuries - make sure you and the Lyft or Uber driver involved in the accident are not seriously injured. If necessary, call emergency medical services. Even if you are not experiencing pain, we encourage you to seek out a doctor soon after the accident to make sure you have no internal damage. A car wreck can spike adrenaline levels and mask pain - and some injuries may not become apparent until later.
2. Call the police - even if the accident is minor, it is important to call the police so they can make a report of it. This official report can prove to be vital evidence in an accident case.
3. Exchange information - obtain the name, contact information, insurance information, and license plate number of the other driver.
4. Report the accident to Uber or Lyft: Both of these services have an in-app feature for reporting accidents. Provide as much information as you can about the accident, detailing any injuries or damage to property.
5. Take pictures - if possible, take photos of the damage to your vehicle and any injuries you received.
6. Keep all records - keep copies of any records documenting medical treatment, expenses, or lost wages related to the accident.
7. Call a Wettermark Keith rideshare accident attorney. Our personal injury attorneys will answer any questions you have, navigate complicated legal processes, communicate with Uber and various other parties on your behalf, and represent your interests all the way to the courtroom.
The Role of the Driver in an Uber or Lyft Rideshare Accident
While taxi drivers are subject to a stringent screening process, there are a scattering of qualifications necessary for becoming an Uber or Lyft driver. All these companies require for employment is a valid driver's license, an eligible four-door vehicle, proof of car insurance, a profile photo, and a smartphone. Applicants must be at least 21 years old (up to 25 in some states) and must pass a screening for criminal background and driving history. Millions of Uber and Lyft employees meet these qualifications to the letter, but not all are excellent drivers, and not all have roadworthy vehicles.
Uber and Lyft don’t control the maintenance, inspections or repairs of their employees' vehicles. Uber provides no money for repair or maintenance costs, leaving this responsibility up to drivers who may not be able to afford such cost. An improperly cared for vehicle can (and does) lead to accidents, typically caused by issues like worn-down brake pads or damaged headlights. A non-roadworthy vehicle - paired with a driver fatigued by long hours and staring at an app to find their next customer - can be a recipe for disaster.
Liability in Birmingham Rideshare Accidents
Determining liability in an accident involving a rideshare service like Uber can be complicated by competing factors and considerations. Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors, meaning the degree of liability the company holds depends on whether or not the driver was "on duty" or transporting a passenger at the time of the incident. If the driver was on-duty, the company's insurance may cover your damages. It is unlikely you will be able to launch a claim against the rideshare company - since rideshare drivers are considered independent contractors, the companies that employ them will not take responsibility for these drivers' actions. Therefore, you may only be able to make a claim against the individual driver.
Defining insurance coverage in these cases is often complex, as a Birmingham rideshare accident typically involves at least three parties and insurance companies. While rideshare companies typically provide liability insurance coverage for their drivers, the amount of coverage varies depending on the circumstances of the accident. For example, if the rideshare driver was not on-duty at the time of the accident, the company's insurance may refuse to provide any compensation. Establishing driver negligence is also crucial to defining liability. If you can prove the other driver was partially or fully responsible for causing the accident with negligence or reckless behavior, they will be held accountable. Rarely, a third party may be found liable for your accident. If the evidence points to poor road design or maintenance as a partial cause of the collision, the city of Birmingham may have to provide compensation.
While these cases are notoriously drawn-out and challenging, our lawyers are ready to take on any situation and any insurance giant. It's important to us that you receive the justice you deserve and collect the compensation you need to recover from your injuries and move on with your life.
Reasons To Hire a Birmingham Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Having a personal injury lawyer on your side who understands cases like yours can provide you with both a sense of security and valuable peace of mind. This is particularly important during a time that can be both physically and emotionally draining. Our Birmingham rideshare accident attorneys will handle all of the legal aspects of your case, allowing you to focus on your recovery and well-being while they communicate with multiple parties and insurance companies. Your accident attorney will work tirelessly to protect your rights and interests, will gather any evidence necessary to build a strong case, and will communicate with you every step of the way. If the opposition denies liability, our Birmingham attorneys will take your case all the way to the courtroom. With their knowledge and expertise, you can be confident that the complex legal procedures of your case are being handled professionally and effectively.
Find the Right Rideshare Accident Lawyer for Your Case - Call Wettermark Keith Today
An Uber or Lyft accident might have left you or a loved one with broken bones, whiplash, soft-tissue injuries, lacerations, a TBI, or other life-changing injuries. You deserve the best medical treatment available, and you should not have to worry about affording it or losing your job. At Wettermark Keith, we can help you seek justice and financial recovery for the negligence or wrongdoing of a rideshare company or a negligent Uber driver. You may be eligible for compensation for your medical bills, property repairs, lost wages and more. Contact our Birmingham team today for a free legal consultation, and we will answer any questions you might have.
Why Choose Wettermark Keith?
With offices located throughout Alabama, Tennessee and now Florida, Wettermark Keith has an excellent reputation as one of the most accomplished personal injury firms in the country. Our reach is not only regional, but includes a diverse range of practice areas, including personal injury cases, auto wrecks, trucking wrecks, insurance dispute claims (including storm damage claims), nursing home abuse, medical malpractice, on the job injuries (including workers compensation) social security disability, and veterans’ disability claims, to name just a few. At Wettermark Keith, our lawyers believe in taking cases personally. Our purpose is to practice with care and compassion - to tell our clients’ stories and make their voices heard. We do this by building strong relationships based on constant communication and an unwavering dedication to truth and trust. Winning cases isn’t our goal - caring for you is. Winning is just how we show it. As we say, It’s more to us, it’s personal.
No Fee - Guaranteed. Call Us For a Complimentary Consultation!
At Wettermark Keith, we understand the difficulty of pursuing civil action while dealing with physical injuries and emotional trauma. With this in mind, we accept Uber and Lyft accident clients on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay us nothing unless we win your case - any legal fees will come out of your winnings.
Frequently Asked Questions:
If an insurance company tries to take advantage of you, your Birmingham lawyer will step in to help ensure a fair outcome. Our rideshare accident lawyers have the expertise to negotiate with insurance adjusters, investigate all aspects of your crash, prove damages or fault, and take care of any necessary legal steps in your fight for financial recovery. While you focus on moving forward, we'll focus on your case.
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