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Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft make traveling throughout Santa Fe a breeze. You no longer have to deal with heavy traffic or worry about finding a good parking spot, and the convenience makes it worth the money.
However, these services are just as vulnerable to car accidents and serious passenger injuries. At Shapiro Law Team, we’re your go-to rideshare accident lawyer. Our team has years of experience handling rideshare accidents in Santa Fe, and we’re ready to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
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Rideshare accidents can be trickier than other car accidents due to the nature of the incident. The first step in building your case is determining who is the liable party for the damages.
In these claims, the blame can fall on a couple of different parties, including:
In cases where the rideshare driver was acting recklessly or negligently, leading to the accident, they can be found liable for the damages. Their personal insurance policy will often be responsible for the damages in these circumstances.
The rideshare driver isn’t the only driver involved in the accident. If another driver causes the accident through dangerous or reckless driving behaviors, they can be found liable for the damages.
The passengers in a rideshare car have a responsibility to be respectful and allow the driver to safely do their job. Any behaviors or actions that put the driver at risk or cause a car accident can make the passenger liable for the damages.
If the rideshare company’s negligence directly leads to a car accident, the company itself can be found liable for the damages. Whether it be not performing adequate background checks on their drivers or problems with the app, there needs to be clear proof that their negligence directly caused the accident.
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Car accidents involving a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft can get more complicated than other vehicle accidents. Since these services view their drivers as independent contractors rather than full-time employees, liability for the accident can get murky based on circumstances.
Rideshare services offer insurance coverage for their drivers, but only in specific circumstances. Suppose the driver was en route to pick up a passenger or actively transporting a passenger at the time of the accident. In that case, the company’s insurance policy will help cover the damages.
However, the company’s insurance won’t cover the damages if the driver wasn’t logged into the app or in the middle of a scheduled ride. In these instances, the driver’s personal insurance policy will cover the damages.
What Should You Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident?
The right steps after a rideshare accident can help ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Follow these basic steps to protect yourself while building a strong claim:
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Rideshare accidents can be serious, and in some cases, they can lead to lifelong injuries. Some of the most common injuries to come from a rideshare accident include:
Car accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, and this is the same for accidents involving a rideshare vehicle. Some of the most common causes of these accidents include:
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As mentioned earlier, no two rideshare accidents are the same. You can sue the rideshare company directly for the damages as long as you can prove that the company was responsible for the accident due to negligence. This can include failure to do a background check on drivers or a malfunction with the service app.
After a rideshare accident, your first step should be to contact the rideshare service through their app or website. From there, your case may be handed over to an insurance adjuster, who will begin negotiating your settlement. Never take the first offer they give you, and be sure to contact a rideshare accident attorney to make sure you get your rightful compensation.
In New Mexico, rideshare accident victims have 3 years from the date of the accident to file their legal claim. If you wait longer than 3 years, you lose your opportunity to earn compensation for the damages. The sooner you file, the sooner you can put this incident behind you and get on the road to recovery.
Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft offer insurance policies for their drivers, but they only apply in certain circumstances. The rideshare driver must be logged into the app and actively in the middle of a scheduled ride at the time of the accident for the company’s policy to take effect. In other circumstances, the driver’s personal insurance will be responsible for the damages.
Don’t deal with the fallout of a rideshare accident on your own. Our team of licensed and experienced rideshare lawyers at Shapiro Law Team is ready to take on your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Our team proudly serves areas across New Mexico, including Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Farmington, and we handle personal injury cases ranging from car accidents to premises liability.
We handle every case with the care and respect you deserve, and we fight for your rights as a victim. Visit our website today or give us a call to schedule your free consultation and get on the road to recovery.