Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have risen in popularity over the past decade. Today, almost every time you leave your home, you’ll come across a vehicle with one of these rideshare app stickers on its windshield. But what happens if you are in an accident with a rideshare vehicle? Who is liable for your damages, and how can you recover them?
Motor vehicle accident cases can be complex, and when you add a rideshare company into the mix, things can get even more complicated. This is why it’s vital that you work with skilled Phoenix rideshare accident attorneys like those at Triumph Law Group. Contact our law firm at 602-595-5559 for a free consultation with our team and to learn more about your rights and how you can see the compensation you need and deserve after a Phoenix rideshare accident.
Rideshare Accidents Our Firm Handles
At Triumph Law Group, we handle a broad range of rideshare accidents involving Uber and Lyft vehicles. Some of the most common accident types we handle are:
- Head-On Collisions: These crashes are typically the most severe, causing significant and life-changing or even fatal injuries. Head-on collisions are frequently the result of distracted or otherwise negligent driving on the part of the rideshare driver or another motorist.
- Rear-End Collisions: According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, rear-end crashes are the most common type of multi-vehicle collision, accounting for over 38 percent of crashes in the state.
- T-Bone Collisions: These accidents typically happen at intersections when a left-turning vehicle fails to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic or when a driver fails to stop for a stop sign or red light.
- Sideswipe Incidents: While the initial impact of a sideswipe accident typically doesn’t cause major injuries, it can lead to the vehicle that was struck colliding with another vehicle or object or leaving the road and rolling over.
- Pedestrian Accidents: These are cases where a rideshare vehicle strikes a pedestrian, often as the pedestrian is crossing the road. Cyclists are also at risk of being struck by vehicles, including those used for ridesharing.
- Single-Vehicle Collisions: In some cases, collisions occur without the involvement of another party. For example, a distracted rideshare driver could crash into barricades or another object.
Rideshare Accident Statistics
According to Uber’s Safety Report, there were 361 fatal accidents involving its drivers over a recent five-year period. Uber hasn’t released data on non-fatal accidents, including accidents resulting in injury. However, it does release data on physical and sexual assaults that occur within its driver’s vehicles, as well. When using a rideshare service, collisions aren’t the only thing passengers have to worry about.
Based on Uber’s data, 95 percent of risky behavior leading to fatal accidents involves a third party, while only five percent involves their drivers. However, this representation is misleading because it only considers what Uber considers to be “risky behaviors,” such as driving under the influence.
Later in the safety report, Uber admits that 18 percent of all fatal crashes involving its drivers are caused by the actions of its drivers, and an additional 25 percent are caused by the actions of multiple parties, including its drivers. This means Uber’s drivers are at least partially at fault in 43 percent of fatal crashes.
Examples of Uber/Lyft Accident Cases in Phoenix
One common example of a rideshare accident case is when your driver is distracted by the rideshare app and collides with a slowed or stopped vehicle ahead. A rear-end accident like this can lead to severe soft-tissue injuries, such as whiplash.
Many rideshare drivers also try to make trips as quickly as possible because the more trips they make, the more they get paid. However, this can lead to unsafe driving practices, such as speeding. If your rideshare driver gets in an accident because they were speeding, they will likely be liable for your injuries.
In some cases, your driver isn’t at fault for the accident that harmed you. For example, another driver may merge into your rideshare vehicle without checking their blind spot, or they may run a stop sign and T-bone the rideshare vehicle you are in.
Frequently Asked Questions about Uber/Lyft Accidents
After getting in an Uber or Lyft accident, it’s understandable that you will have questions about your rights and the steps you should take to maximize your compensation. Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions asked about rideshare accidents.
Who Is Liable for a Rideshare Accident?
Determining liability is essential in a rideshare accident. Multiple parties could be liable for your damages, including the rideshare driver, the rideshare company, or a third-party motorist, depending on the circumstances that led to the crash.
Our attorneys will investigate the accident to identify all liable parties and collect evidence connecting their negligence to your injuries so you can seek the maximum compensation available.
How Much Is My Rideshare Accident Claim Worth?
Many factors contribute to the value of a rideshare accident claim. One of the most significant is the severity of your injuries. Typically, the more severe your injuries are, the more your case could be worth. More severe injuries tend to result in higher medical bills, more time off work resulting in lost wages, and lengthier recovery times leading to long-term medical care.
Another significant factor is the insurance coverage that applies to your case. Under Arizona law, all drivers must have at least the following liability coverage:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $15,000 per accident for property damage
If the rideshare driver that caused your injuries was not using the app at the time of the crash, their personal liability insurance applies. If they were online and available for a trip in the app, the following liability coverage from the rideshare company applies:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
If the rideshare driver was en route or on a trip in the app, your injuries and property damage may be covered by up to $1,000,000 in liability coverage. These coverage amounts are the same for both Uber and Lyft.
What Steps Should I Take After a Rideshare Accident?
After suffering an injury in a rideshare accident in Phoenix, you should take the following steps to protect your right to seek compensation:
- Seek medical attention for your injuries and follow up on all medical treatments until you have recovered or have reached maximum medical improvement.
- Report the accident to the police and the rideshare company. The rideshare company may request a copy of the police report.
- Document the accident and your injuries by writing down everything you remember and taking photos of the accident scene and your visible injuries.
- Consult an experienced rideshare accident lawyer who can advise you of your rights and help you build a strong case for compensation.
Contact Our Rideshare Accident Lawyers
If you suffered an injury in an Uber or Lyft accident in Phoenix, Arizona, contact Triumph Law Group at 602-595-5559 for a free consultation with one of our experienced car accident lawyers. Our team of Phoenix personal injury attorneys is dedicated to helping you seek the compensation you deserve, and during your initial consultation, we’ll review your case, explain your options for recovery, and answer any questions you have.
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