Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Montgomery

A rideshare crash can leave you dealing with an insurance claim that is more complicated than a typical car accident. Whether you were riding in an Uber or Lyft, you deserve to know who is responsible and what insurance coverage may apply. An experienced Montgomery rideshare accident lawyer can help you seek accountability.

Alabama regulates transportation network companies (TNCs) such as Lyft and requires drivers to maintain specific insurance coverage. The applicable coverage can depend on the driver’s status within the rideshare platform when the accident occurred.

With over 50 years of combined legal experience, our team at Wettermark Keith knows how to build an evidence-based claim. Our personal injury lawyers in Montgomery will investigate the car accident scene and help you recover. Call today for a free initial consultation.

Why You Should Speak With a Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Insurance companies have a financial interest in limiting what they pay. Rideshare claims can add another layer of complexity because more than one insurance policy or potentially responsible party may be involved. You should not have to figure out the coverage issue on your own.

At our personal injury law firm, we can investigate the accident, examine available insurance coverage, gather evidence, and determine who may be legally responsible. Our Montgomery car accident lawyers protect your interests while you focus on your recovery.

Rideshare Insurance Coverage Depends on the Driver’s Status

Alabama law specifically addresses insurance requirements for transportation network companies and their drivers. State law also requires TNC drivers to carry proof of applicable coverage and, after an accident, disclose whether they were logged onto the TNC’s digital network.

The insurance available after a rideshare accident can depend on the driver’s status when the crash happened. Here’s how driver status affects coverage:

• The driver was offline: The driver was not using the rideshare app, so their personal auto insurance will generally be the primary source of coverage.
• The driver was online but had not accepted a trip: The driver was waiting for a request, and a different level of rideshare coverage may apply.
• The driver was heading to a passenger or had a passenger onboard: Once a ride was accepted, the rideshare company’s insurance may provide significantly higher liability coverage.

We work to determine what the driver was doing immediately before the crash and what insurance coverage may apply. Our team may also collaborate with experts from different fields to find out exactly how the crash happened.

Compensation After a Rideshare Accident

A serious rideshare accident can affect much more than your physical health. You may be unable to work, face continuing medical treatment, or struggle to return to activities you once enjoyed.

Depending on the circumstances of your claim, compensation may include:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical care
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability
• Disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Other losses caused by the accident

The value of your claim depends on the facts and the full effect the injury has had on your life. Our catastrophic injury lawyers in Montgomery look beyond the initial bills to understand what you may need going forward.

Alabama Is an At-Fault Auto Insurance State

In Alabama, the driver responsible for causing a crash can also be held financially responsible for the injuries and losses that result. In a rideshare accident, determining fault is especially important because the driver’s status and the insurance coverage available at the time of the crash can affect your claim.

If a rideshare driver caused your accident, you may pursue compensation through the insurance coverage that applies to that stage of the driver’s trip. The same may be true if another motorist caused the crash while you were riding in an Uber or Lyft. At Wettermark Keith, we will handle the insurance claim process.

Understanding Alabama’s Contributory Negligence Rule

Alabama follows a strict contributory negligence rule in personal injury cases. If you are found to have contributed to the accident in any way, you may be barred from recovering compensation from another at-fault party.

For example, suppose a rideshare driver caused a crash, but the insurance company argues that you were also partly responsible. Even if the other driver was mostly at fault, a finding that you contributed to the accident in any way could remove your ability to recover damages. A Montgomery rideshare accident attorney from our team will explain how the rule applies to you.

Alabama Has a Deadline for Personal Injury Claims

If you are injured in a rideshare accident, time matters. Alabama Code § 6-2-38 generally gives injured people two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, although the deadline can vary depending on the type of claim and the circumstances involved.

Do not assume that having plenty of time means you should wait. Important evidence can become harder to obtain, and insurance issues may take time to investigate. Speaking with an attorney early can help you understand the deadline that applies to your particular case.

Call Our Montgomery Rideshare Accident Lawyers

Are you still searching for a “Montgomery rideshare accident lawyer near me”? Look no further. Wettermark Keith will listen to what happened, investigate the circumstances, and explain your legal options. We take your injuries and your future seriously because It’s More To Us, It’s Personal.

Contact our Montgomery rideshare accident attorneys today for a consultation and take the first step toward protecting your rights. You deserve clear answers.