Louisiana Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer

For years, cab services were mostly confined to major cities. Places like New York City became known for their bright yellow taxis. Today, ridesharing services are popular everywhere, from large cities to small towns, and the cars come in more colors than just yellow. Uber and Lyft, two such ridesharing companies, have become prevalent the world over. As such, it is not uncommon for Uber and Lyft vehicles to be involved in car accidents.

Being in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft car is different from most other kinds of accidents. the driver of the ridesharing car should be insured, but you usually cannot sue the company itself for damages. These companies have their own policies about when they will and will not cover your accident with their insurance. An experienced attorney can help you get compensation after an Uber or Lyft car accident.

If you were involved in a crash or collision with a Lyft or Uber vehicle, our Louisiana Uber and Lyft accident attorneys can help you get compensation. Dealing with such large companies can be intimidating, but our team will stand up for you. Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (225) 269-8930 for a free case review.

How Do I Know if an Uber or Lyft Driver Caused My Louisiana Car Accident?

For some, it is obvious when Uber or Lyft are involved in their accident. For others, it might take some time before discovering that a driver in your accident was driving for Uber or Lyft. If you recently found out that one of the parties in your car accident case was driving for a ridesharing company at the time of the accident, report this information to your attorney immediately. If you do not have an attorney, our Louisiana Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you.

Your case would obviously involve Uber or Lyft if you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle. While some would say this should go without saying, others need some clarification. Accidents can be extremely confusing, and many drivers and passengers have no idea how the accident happened. If you were a Lyft or Uber car passenger, speak with your attorney before communicating with the ridesharing company about the accident.

Perhaps you were driving your own vehicle when you were in a collision with an Uber or Lyft car. Even though you were not a passenger in the other car and are not a customer of Uber or Lyft, your accident could still be covered by the company’s insurance. the same can be said for pedestrians who were struck by an Uber or Lyft car. You can usually find out if another driver is affiliated with Uber or Lyft when you exchange information with them after the accident. If you are still unsure or were unable to exchange information with the other driver, speak with our Louisiana Uber and Lyft accident lawyers for help.

Can I Sue Uber or Lyft for a Car Accident in Louisiana?

After an accident, you have the option to sue the other driver. Ordinarily, when suing an employee, you might also be allowed to sue their employer if the accident occurred while the employee was doing their job. However, this rule does not apply to Uber or Lyft drivers since they are not employees. This means you can sue the driver, but you typically cannot sue Uber or Lyft personally.

The traditional rule that holds employers liable for the negligence of their employees does not apply because Uber and Lyft drivers are not technically employees. These drivers are allowed to dictate their own hours and where they want to work. If a driver wants to relocate, they can drive in a completely different city. As such, drivers are considered independent contractors. Therefore, Uber and Lyft are not liable for a driver’s negligence.

However, Uber and Lyft both cover their drivers with insurance in case of accidents, so a driver should be covered if you choose to sue them. Our Louisiana Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you get compensation for your injuries.

When Uber and Lyft’s Insurance Doesn’t Cover Your Crash in Louisiana

Just because Uber and Lyft offer insurance coverage for their drivers does not mean that accidents will always be covered. Insurance companies do not make money if they offer high payouts for every accident in every case. You will have to prove that the Uber or Lyft driver caused the accident. You also need to be mindful of certain strings attached to Uber and Lyft’s insurance.

Uber and Lyft might cover your accident only if the ridesharing app was turned on at the time of the crash. Uber and Lyft work through phone apps. Passengers can call a driver using the app, and drivers keep track of their rides on the app. If a driver has the ridesharing app turned off, they are effectively “off duty,” and Uber or Lyft will not cover them in an accident. This might pose a problem if you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft and, for whatever reason, the driver turned off their app. This could be because the driver needed to reboot their phone, or their phone died mid-ride.

Uber and Lyft will also fight your claims if they believe the driver was not responsible for the accident. For example, suppose you are a passenger in an Uber when the driver is in a collision with another car. However, it is determined that the other driver, not your Uber driver, is fully responsible for the crash. In that case, Uber would not cover you. You would instead have to seek compensation from the other driver’s insurance or sue the other driver. Talk to our Louisiana Uber and Lyft accident attorneys about your situation as soon as possible.

Call Our Louisiana Lyft and Uber Accident Attorneys for Advice

After an accident involving Uber or Lyft, you might have several options for compensation. Uber and Lyft might cover your accident, or you can seek coverage from the driver themselves. In either case, contact our Louisiana Uber and Lyft accident lawyers for assistance. Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (225) 269-8930 for a free case evaluation.