Uber/Lyft Accidents

Uber/Lyft Accidents Attorney in Birmingham, Alabama

If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber or Lyft car accident involving Uber or Lyft, you may be wondering what your legal options are. These companies have insurance policies that are designed to protect their drivers and passengers, but these policies can be complex and challenging to navigate. That’s where an experienced Birmingham Uber/Lyft accidents lawyer can help.

At Petro Accident and Injury Attorney Law Office, we have extensive experience handling Uber and Lyft accident cases in Alabama. We know the ins and outs of these policies, and we will fight to get you the full compensation you deserve. If you’ve been injured in an Uber or Lyft car accident, don’t try to navigate the claims process on your own. Call Petro Accident and Injury Attorney Law Office for a consultation today.

Why Do I Need an Uber/Lyft Accidents Attorney in Alabama?

Have you or a loved one been injured in an Uber or lyft accident in Alabama? The experienced personal injury lawyers at Petro Accident and Injury Attorney Law Office can help. We have extensive experience handling Uber and Lyft accident cases, and we know what it takes to get results.

Uber and Lyft drivers are often inexperienced and may not know how to handle themselves in a traffic accident. As a result, they may be more likely to cause an accident or be involved in one.

If you’ve been injured in an Uber or Lyft rideshare accident, you need an experienced car accident lawyer on your side who can fight for you. For a free consultation, contact Petro Accident and Injury Attorney Law Office today.

We’ll review your case and help you understand your legal options. Don’t wait—call us today.

What are Uber/Lyft Accidents?

Uber and Lyft accidents are a type of personal injury claim that can fall under the umbrella of car accidents. In general, Uber and Lyft accidents happen when an Uber or Lyft driver collides with another vehicle, a pedestrian, or a cyclist. However, these claims can also arise from defective Uber or Lyft vehicles, unsafe Uber or Lyft driving conditions, or even Uber or Lyft driver negligence.

If you or a loved one have been involved in an Uber or lyft accident, it is important to speak with a Birmingham Uber/lyft accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your legal options. An experienced Birmingham Uber accidents lawyer can help you investigate the ridesharing accident, gather evidence, and file a personal injury claim against the responsible party.

Is there a Deadline for Uber/Lyft Accident Claims?

If you or a loved one were involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, it’s important to know that Alabama has a deadline for filing claims. This period, known as the statute of limitations, is two years from the date of the crash. If you miss the deadline, you could lose your right to damages. So, if someone you care about was killed in an Uber accident, you have two years to file a claim. These are the general deadlines for most Uber accident claims in Birmingham.

But it’s always best to speak with a Birmingham Uber/Lyft accidents lawyer to get specific advice for your case. They can help you make sure you do everything you need to protect your rights and get the most money possible.

What are the Most Common Causes of Rideshare Car Accidents?

Unfortunately, Uber and Lyft accidents are all too common. The drivers are under constant pressure to get their passengers to their destination as soon as possible. A few additional frequent causes are:

Distracted Driving

For example, distracted driving is a major concern. A rideshare driver’s livelihood depends on their connection to a digital network, typically through their phone. The chance of a crash greatly increases when they are focused on their phones rather than the road.

Rider’s Fatigue

In contrast to commercial drivers, rideshare drivers are not subject to any form of time restriction. Some drivers may be more likely to nod off behind the wheel if they have worked too many hours or simply haven’t gotten enough sleep.

Speeding or Reckless Driving

Speeding cars have a shorter stopping distance in an emergency, and their drivers may be more prone to losing control of their cars as a result. Most of the time, someone is charged with reckless driving if they speed and drive without paying attention or care, showing “willful or wanton disregard for the rights or safety of individuals or property.”

Driving While Impaired (DUI)

In the state of Alabama, it is illegal to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If a rideshare driver is caught driving while impaired, they will face criminal charges. Even if the Uber driver is not convicted of a DUI, they may still be held liable for damages in a civil court case.

Tailgating

Tailgating is another common cause of Uber or Lyft accidents. When an Uber driver follows another car too closely, it increases the risk of rear-end collisions. If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident that was caused by tailgating, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses and other damages.

Other Road Violations

Rideshare drivers can also be held liable for other traffic violations that lead to accidents. Two examples are failing to give the right of way and failing to obey traffic signs or signals. If you were injured in an accident that was caused by one of these violations, you should contact an Uber or Lyft accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.

Who Can Drive Uber or Lyft?

Being involved in an Uber or Lyft accident can be overwhelming and stressful. You want to know that the Lyft/Uber driver who hit you is a professional and that you’re protected. Unfortunately, not all Uber/Lyft drivers are professionals.

In Alabama, Uber and Lyft drivers are regular people who are simply looking for a way to earn some extra cash. In order to become an Uber or Lyft driver in Alabama, they must meet the following requirements:

Complete a criminal background check
Submit your Uber driver’s history every two years (this will soon be changed to every year under new rideshare laws in Alabama)
Have a certified mechanic do a safety inspection on your vehicle
Ensure that your vehicle has functional locks, windows, heater, and AC

If they meet all of the aforementioned requirements, they can become an Uber or Lyft driver. However, if you have been involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, it’s important to contact a Birmingham Uber accidents lawyer or a Lyft accidents lawyer in Alabam to ensure that you’re protected and to get the compensation you deserve.

How Does Uber/Lyft work?

If you’re involved in a rideshare accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, it’s important to know your rights. These ridesharing companies are becoming more and more popular very quickly, but accidents and liability issues are different when it comes to them.

In Alabama, Birmingham Uber/lyft accidents lawyers handle these cases regularly. Here’s how the process works:

Ridesharing app. First, the driver logs onto the ridesharing app to let the computer know they’re accepting rides.
Ride booking notification. Next, the app notifies the driver when a rider needs a ride. The rider is given the driver’s name, photo, and automobile make and model so they can identify the driver.
En route to passenger then destination. The Uber or Lyft then picks up and drops off the passenger. The software lets passengers tip drivers, and the driver notifies the computer after dropping off the passenger. The whole process is controlled by the app, which can affect liability in an accident.

For example, if your Uber or Lyft accident lawyer needs to determine if the driver was logged in at the time of the accident, that information will be available through the app.

Is an Uber/Lyft driver Insured?

If you’re involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, one of the first things you’ll want to do is find out if the driver was insured. Uber drivers must have insurance, and depending on the driver’s status during the incident, this insurance coverage could be liable.
Uber is also insured, and this insurance covers medical bills, property damage, and other damage if the driver’s coverage doesn’t. If the Uber or Lyft driver was logged in at the time of the car accident.

Situational Uber/Lyft Accidents Coverage

Driver wasn’t signed into the Uber or Lyft System at the time of the accident

According to Alabama law, if you’re in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver who isn’t logged into the system, the driver is assumed to not be at work. This means that they only have to have a small amount of insurance, which won’t cover all the damage.

$25,000 for each person’s physical injury
$50,000 for each mishap
$25,000 for damage to the property

No passengers are present in the car but the driver is logged in

In Alabama, the minimum levels of insurance coverage required for Uber and Lyft drivers are $25,000 for each person’s physical injury, $50,000 for each mishap, and damage to property of $25,000.

Uber Additional Coverage

Uber’s insurance policy will provide up to $25,000 for each person’s physical injury and $50,000 for each accident. When this happens, the Uber insurance won’t cover the driver until the limits of his or her own auto insurance policy have been reached.

Picking up or transporting a passenger by a driver

The coverage is significantly higher if the driver is actually picking up or transporting a passenger. In addition to the driver’s own personal auto insurance policy’s minimum coverage requirements, Uber also offers the following coverage:

A $1 million liability
$1 million in coverage for uninsured and underinsured drivers

The majority of passenger-related accidents will be covered by insurance under one of the two policies. Your Uber accident attorney in Birmingham will battle to get your claims paid.

What Damages Are Covered By An Uber Accident Lawsuit?

If you’ve been involved in an accident while using Uber or Lyft, you may be wondering what damages are covered by an Uber accident lawsuit. Our Lyft/Uber accident lawyer in Birmingham can help you settle your personal injury claim and make sure you get the full amount of money you are owed.

In Alabama, Uber and Lyft accidents are often not immediately paid for by insurance carriers. Your car accident attorney might need to bargain with the insurance adjuster to get your claim settled. However, we are experienced in getting claims paid and will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve:

Your medical bills or expenses, such as post-accident medical treatment, current medical needs, and future medical care,
Lost income wages
Pain and suffering
Permanent disability
The ability to make a living.

We need to prove your Uber or Lyft personal injury claim. For instance, it must be shown that you were indeed a passenger in the Uber at the time of the accident and that your driver was at fault for the accident. You will also need to provide evidence of your injuries and how they were caused by the accident.

Call our Birmingham Uber/Lyft Accidents Attorney Now!

If you or someone you love has been involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, you may be entitled to compensation. The state of Alabama requires Uber and Lyft drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which can help to cover the cost of medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. However, PIP claims can be complicated, and it is important to have an experienced Uber/Lyft accident lawyer on your side.

At Petro Accident and Injury Attorney Law Office, we have spent years helping our clients get the compensation they deserve. We know the ins and outs of PIP claims, and we will work tirelessly to get you the maximum amount of compensation possible. Call our Birmingham Uber/Lyft accidents attorney now for a consultation.