Rideshare apps give you a convenient and affordable way to get around, and good old-fashioned taxis haven’t gone out of fashion, either. However, taxi, Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare drivers aren’t invincible. Sometimes car wrecks happen, and you as a passenger may be entitled to compensation. Get in touch with a car wreck lawyer in Buffalo, TX or Cameron, TX if you’ve been in an accident.
Ask a Car Wreck Lawyer in Cameron and Buffalo, TX: Who Covers the Costs in an Uber, Lyft, or Taxi Crash?
If the Rideshare Driver Is at Fault
If you were in an accident that your rideshare driver caused, then either the driver or the company they work for is typically liable for compensating you. Lyft, Uber, and taxi companies generally have very good insurance coverage. For example, Lyft has third-party auto liability coverage of $1,000,000 for accidents that occur when a Lyft driver is transporting a passenger.
If an independent taxi driver causes an accident while you’re in the vehicle, then their insurance should cover your damages. A professional cabdriver should have insurance coverage that’s adequate enough to compensate you if you were involved in an accident while riding in the taxi.
If Another Driver Is at Fault
Your driver may not be the one at fault if you get into an accident. Sometimes another driver’s negligence can cause a car wreck. In these instances, it’s the other driver’s insurance company that should cover your damages. If both your driver and the other driver are partially responsible for the accident, then you may be entitled to compensation from both the other driver and the rideshare/cab company you used.
If a Government Entity Is at Fault
Poor road conditions can sometimes lead to accidents. Roads with potholes, uncovered drains, broken traffic lights, no lane dividers, or hazards can be very dangerous for drivers. If you’re in an accident that was caused by a poorly maintained road, then the government entity responsible for taking care of that road may be held liable for your accident.
Your driver will need to act fast if they believe a government entity may be liable. The company employing the driver only has six months to file a claim. Contact an attorney of your own as soon as you can, too.
If the Taxi Company Is at Fault
The cab company may be held liable for an accident caused by a faulty vehicle or an undertrained driver. Taxi companies have a duty of care when hiring drivers. Plus, if the company supplies its drivers with their vehicles, the company must ensure the vehicles are maintained and completely safe to drive.
What Happens If the At-Fault Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
If your accident was caused by another driver and they don’t have insurance, then that doesn’t mean you won’t receive compensation. Rideshare and taxi companies generally have uninsured/underinsured driver coverage, so they should be able to cover your damages if the other driver can’t. Independent cab drivers may also have uninsured/underinsured driver coverage.
What Happens If My Driver Was Off the Clock?
If your driver wasn’t logged into the ridesharing app and was technically working off the clock, then their personal car insurance policy should cover the costs in the case of an accident fully or partially caused by your driver. The company the driver works for is not responsible if the driver wasn’t on the clock for the company at the time. Note that most rideshare companies require their drivers to carry personal car insurance.
If another driver caused the accident, then it doesn’t usually matter whether your driver was on the clock or not. If the other driver is fully liable for the accident, then it’s their insurance that should cover your damages.
How Can an Attorney in Buffalo or Cameron, TX Help?
By Conducting an Investigation
If you wish to recover compensation for your damages after a car wreck, then you generally need evidence showing why you’re entitled to compensation. Your attorney may conduct an investigation to gather evidence and build a case for you. They may gather evidence to prove that you were injured in the accident, and they may also have to gather evidence to show how much you may be entitled to in economic and non-economic damages.
By Demonstrating Who Was Liable
Your attorney may need to help demonstrate who was liable for the accident. They may establish the sequence of events that led to the wreck, and they might use dashcam or security camera footage to help prove who was liable in the accident. It’s very important to establish who was liable in an accident so you can be compensated by the appropriate party. However, your driver’s attorney may be the one to demonstrate liability instead.
By Communicating with Insurance Companies
Communicating with the insurance company that’s going to be paying out might be very stressful for you. Plus, if more than one driver is partially liable for the accident, then there may be multiple insurance companies to deal with. Your attorney may handle all correspondence with the insurance companies involved in the case. Your lawyer may also communicate with the other attorneys representing the other parties involved in the accident.
By Representing You in Negotiations or at Trial
You’ll often have to fight hard to recover compensation that covers your damages. Negotiations with the insurance company or companies paying you can go on for quite some time. Luckily, your attorney should be able to handle all of the negotiations for you, and they’ll do everything they can to get this case settled outside of court.
However, not all cases can settle without going to trial. If you need to go to trial, then your attorney may represent you in a court of law and argue your case to help you win the compensation you deserve. Although, sometimes it can be risky to go to court if you don’t have a very strong case showing that you’re entitled to compensation, so your attorney may advise that you accept a lower settlement to avoid needing to go to trial.
By Answering Questions and Keeping You Up-To-Date
You’ll naturally have a lot of questions when dealing with a situation such as a car accident. Your attorney should be able to answer all of your questions and address every concern to the best of their ability. They should also keep you updated on what’s going on as the case unravels. These cases can take a substantial amount of time, but a good attorney will generally keep you as up-to-date as possible as the case progresses.
If Another Driver Was Liable for the Accident, Do I Need Legal Representation Even If My Driver Has an Attorney?
You should always consult an attorney after a car accident, even if you’re a passenger. You need someone to fight your corner and show why you’re entitled to compensation. If you don’t work with an attorney of your own, then you may not receive enough compensation to cover all of your damages.
If you need a car accident attorney, then get in touch with Brian C. Gutierrez. Call (979)-701-2878 for a free consultation with a qualified and experienced trial lawyer.
