While car accidents are stressful, rideshare accidents are much more complex due to the regulations surrounding these services. If you or a loved one have been involveed in one, the Hartford rideshare accident attorneys from Rosenfeld Injury Layers are here to help you secure justice.
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are dedicated to securing the highest compensation for clients involved in rideshare accidents in Hartford. Our skilled legal team has extensive experience in handling rideshare accident cases and a proven record of achieving substantial settlements and verdicts.
Fatal rideshare passenger accident
Rideshare passenger shot by driver
Pedestrian hit by a rideshare vehicle
Rideshare driver sexual assault case
Motorcyclist hit by a rideshare vehicle
Hip and foot injury exiting a vehicle
We conduct thorough investigations to ensure all medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering are fully addressed. Our deep expertise in rideshare accident claims enables us to navigate these cases’ complexities effectively and fight tirelessly for your rights.
Both a passenger and rideshare driver have certain rights when it comes to these accidents. Rideshare companies are obligated to provide a safe environment for customers and contractors, which includes a no-weapons policy and swift interventions in the case of violence.
All parties involved are also entitled to pursue compensation and secure legal representation from a Hartford ridesharing accident lawyer to assist with their personal injury claim.
Rideshare Insurance Policies
Insurance coverage is more complicated for rideshare accidents than for other types of auto accidents because rideshare drivers are independent contractors. This means the rideshare service’s insurance company is only liable for accidents in rideshare vehicles at certain times.
If a rideshare driver is in an accident while not working, the rideshare company does not carry insurance. In that instance, the driver’s personal insurance policy will be responsible.
When a driver is waiting for a ride request, the company’s insurance policy will pay a limited amount in case of a crash. For Uber, this is $50,000 per person for bodily injury or $100,000 per accident. They will also pay for $25,000 in property damage [1]. Lyft has an identical policy [2].
The insurance policy limits rise if the driver is in an accident while on their way to a ride request or transporting a passenger: Lyft provides up to $1,000,000 in coverage, first-party coverage, and contingent comprehension collision with a $2,500 deductible [3].
Uber’s insurance policy also offers $1,000,000 for bodily injury and contingent comprehensive collision. However, it does not automatically provide first-party injury coverage [4]. Drivers have to add optional injury protection if they want this coverage.
As it must be established that the driver was working for the company at the time of the accident, it can be more difficult to seek compensation. This is why it is crucial to work with a Hartford rideshare car accident lawyer from our firm who can assist in determining fault and liability.
Statute of Limitations
Wisconsin law has a statute of limitations of 3 years for rideshare accidents and product liability. However, the statute of limitations is only 2 years for wrongful death caused by a motor vehicle accident.
- Distracted Driving – In 2021, someone was injured or killed in a distracted driving crash in Wisconsin every 2 hours [5].
- Impaired Driving – From 2018 to 2022, there was an average of 7,152 impaired driving crashes per year in Wisconsin [6].
- Disobeying Traffic Laws – People continue to disobey signals despite the city installing additional traffic cameras along high-volume streets, like the intersection between Sumner Street and Main Street [7].
- Speeding – 59% of drivers turning the curve on Monroe Avenue are going above the speed limit, sometimes up to 50 miles per hour [8].
- Reckless Driving – Tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and brake checking can all result in an accident.
- Drowsy Driving—Shockingly, more than 40% of drivers have admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel [9]. As many ridesharing drivers do this as a second job, they are at a higher risk than most.
- Broken bones
- Lacerations and contusions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputations
- Burns
- Facial damage
- Head and neck injuries
- Death
Hartford drivers seeking a convenient alternative to public transportation have four options: Curb, Lyft, Uber, and taxis [10].
Curb is for off-shift taxi drivers to make additional money and serves up to four people. Lyft and Uber each have several services and can seat between 4 and 6 people. They provide luxury sedans and SUVs for special events, as well as eco-friendly options. Taxis are licensed operators who require special licenses and are employed by a taxi company.
- Stay at the Scene—Call 911 and don’t leave until first responders arrive. You will need to file a police report establishing the crash occurred.
- Contact the Rideshare Company – Typically, rideshare companies allow you to report an accident through their app.
- Gather Evidence – Take pictures of the rideshare accident scene, including damage to the vehicles and your injuries. Get the contact information of the rideshare driver, other drivers, and any other party involved.
- Seek Medical Attention – This is crucial to establishing your injuries are directly related to the rideshare accident.
- Call Insurance. You should file a claim as soon as possible so we can begin negotiations.
- Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers – The sooner you contact a Hartford rideshare injury attorney from our firm, the better your chances at compensation.
An experienced attorney from our firm will determine liability, which may be against the driver of the rideshare vehicle, another driver, a passenger, a pedestrian, or the rideshare company itself.
Who is liable depends on their role in the accident and whether they were acting negligently at the time of the crash.
Proving Negligence in Hartford
Each of these four elements must be present to prove negligence. They include:
- Duty of Care – The liable party had an obligation to act responsibly.
- Breach of Duty – They breached this duty through reckless actions.
- Causation – The accident would not have occurred had they upheld their duty of care.
- Damages – You suffered financial or emotional losses because of the accident.
Our Hartford rideshare accident lawyers will work hard to ensure you receive fair compensation for an accident caused by a rideshare vehicle. They will guide you through the personal injury claims process and protect your legal rights. This includes:
- Investigating all elements of the accident to determine who may be liable
- Collecting evidence such as surveillance photos and police reports
- Negotiating with the insurance company to ensure you receive fair compensation
- Providing legal representation in court should negotiations fail
Damages You Can Recover After a Hartford Rideshare Accident
Our Wisconsin car accident lawyers will pursue every type of compensation we believe may be applicable to your case, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Loss of earning potential
- Future medical needs
- Burial expenses
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Grief
Working with a Hartford rideshare injury lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers ensures you can receive a fair and just settlement. We have recovered millions on behalf of our clients and work on a contingency fee basis. Our deep expertise in handling rideshare accident claims allows us to navigate these cases’ complexities effectively and fight vigorously for your rights.
Discuss your case with a Hartford ridesharing accident attorney by contacting us at (888) 424-5757 or use our online form.
References: [1] Uber, [2] Lyft, [3] Lyft, [4] Uber, [5] Wisconsin Department of Transportation, [6] Wisconsin Department of Transportation, [7] Washington County Insider, [8] TMJ-4, [9] The Zebra, [10] RideGuru