Baton Rouge, LA Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer

There are more Uber and Lyft drivers on the road than ever before. This makes it more likely that you will find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being involved in an accident caused by a rideshare driver. Fortunately, there are options for you to recover, regardless of whether you were in the rideshare vehicle itself.

Rideshare drivers frequently engage in risky practices like tailgating, distracted driving, failing to use turn signals, and even driving under the influence. When this happens, you can sue the individual driver and recover damages through the rideshare company’s supplemental insurance policy rather than going after the company directly. But these lawsuits must be filed within one year of the date of the accident.

If you need immediate and diligent legal counsel to help you with your situation, reach out to the dedicated Baton Rouge Uber & Lyft accident lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras. When you call us at (225) 269-8930 today, we can offer you a free initial case assessment.

Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents in Baton Rouge

Uber and Lyft drivers are human, just like any other driver on the road. Thus, they are prone to mistakes and errors in judgement that might put others at risk. Below are some of the most common examples involving rideshare vehicles where this risk may become a reality.

Tailgating

In highly congested traffic situations, drivers can get frustrated and act erratically. This is especially true of rideshare drivers who are trying to complete a fare as soon as possible so that they can start the next one. However, when frustrated drivers engage in negligent behavior such as tailgating and rapid lane-changing, it increases the likelihood of an accident.

Failure to Use Turn Signals

Uber and Lyft drivers frequently pull over to make stops at their passengers’ destinations. To do so safely, the driver must use their turn signals and hazards appropriately to indicate to others what they plan to do. Failure to do this creates one of the few exceptions where fault for a rear-end collision lies with the driver of the car in front. This negligent behavior also frequently puts bicyclists in the bike lane at serious risk.

Distracted Driving

Rideshare drivers utilize apps on their phones to tell them when they have a fare and how to get to the appropriate destination. However, there are strict limits to how a driver can use their mobile device while behind the wheel. Louisiana law makes texting while driving a primary offense, and violations of this law that lead to accidents are clear signs of driver negligence.

Drunk Driving

Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft offer a safe alternative for people who have a couple of drinks and might otherwise choose to get behind the wheel. However, that does not mean that the rideshare driver themselves might not be drunk while working. Year in and year out, drunk driving is a leading cause of both car accidents and fatalities resulting from car accidents.

Who to Sue After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Baton Rouge

If you were injured in an accident involving a negligent Uber or Lyft driver, you may be wondering how you would even pursue a lawsuit to recover damages. Many victims are unclear on whether they should be targeting the rideshare company or the individual driver.

The reality of these situations is that it is very difficult to actually sue companies like Uber and Lyft for car accidents and succeed. This is because the law classifies rideshare drivers as independent contractors rather than employees of the rideshare company.

The only situations where lawsuits against these rideshare companies may potentially be effective is if the injury resulted from some intentional act – like assault – or from drunk driving. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have faced scrutiny in the past for their lax screening of driver applications. If the company accepted an application from a driver with a history of DUIs, reckless driving, or violent criminal offenses, you could claim that they were negligent for giving that driver access to you through their service.

Uber and Lyft Insurance Coverage for Accidents in Baton Rouge

Instead of suing the company directly, you are typically better off suing the driver whose negligence actually caused the accident. Uber and Lyft provide supplemental insurance coverage that kicks in when their drivers cause accidents that result in harm.

The policy varies depending on whether the driver was on their way to pick of a fare, actively transporting a fare, or awaiting an assignment with their application open. the coverage will also vary depending on whether the victim was the actual passenger in the rideshare vehicle or another person on the road, such as another driver, passenger, bicyclist, or pedestrian.

In any case, the supplemental coverage combined with the driver’s own auto insurance should be enough to account for all of your damages. These damages may include compensation for medical bills, lost income from missing work, and emotional pain and suffering due to the victim’s experience. Bring your questions about rideshare insurance coverage and what you could recover to one of our experienced Baton Rouge Uber & Lyft accident attorneys.

Statute of Limitations for Baton Rouge Uber and Lyft Accident Lawsuits

If you hope to pursue legal options for recovery after an Uber or Lyft accident injured you, you do not have long to wait. This urgency is due to Louisiana’s particularly short time frame during which plaintiffs may file their claim.

Generally, potential plaintiffs have only one year from the date of the accident to file their Uber or Lyft accident injury lawsuit. That does not mean that you should wait 11 months to contact your Baton Rouge Uber & Lyft accident lawyer. We urge you to get legal representation as soon as possible after your injuries have been treated so that you have plenty of time to prepare and file your formal complaint before the deadline comes into play.

Get Justice with Rice, Murtha & Psoras After a Baton Rouge Uber & Lyft Accident

When you call the seasoned Baton Rouge Uber & Lyft accident lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras today at (225) 269-8930, you qualify for an initial case assessment free of charge.