As a rideshare passenger, you trusted someone else to get you safely to your destination. Maybe you were trying to do the right thing after a night out in downtown Greenville, or were trying to get to the GSP airport. Regardless, when you’re involved in an Uber or Lyft crash, you're dealing with injuries that weren't your fault and costs you couldn’t predict.
South Carolina accident laws determine compensation based on liability, or fault, after a crash. Because of this, when accidents happen during Uber or Lyft rides, passengers often face tricky questions about who pays for their medical bills and other expenses. Alderson Law helps Greenville residents answer these questions while aggressively pursuing the compensation necessary to recover fully from the crash.
Uber and Lyft Passenger Injury Compensation After a Crash
As a rideshare passenger injured in an accident, you may seek compensation for your damages.
When you're injured as a passenger on an active rideshare trip, you're typically covered by the rideshare company's commercial insurance policy, not the driver’s personal insurance. Uber and Lyft carry $1 million in liability coverage that applies when passengers are hurt during trips. You do not have to accept an insurance company’s low-ball offer just because you were injured as a passenger in a Lyft or Uber.
Examples of both economic and non-economic losses that can be covered through a rideshare lawsuit include:
- Medical expenses. Medical bills may be significant for injured rideshare passengers. In South Carolina, a personal injury attorney can seek compensation for your emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any other medical treatment related to your injuries. A Greenville rideshare accident attorney will calculate not only your current medical bills in your claim, but also future medical expenses that doctors expect you'll need as part of your ongoing treatment and recovery.
- Lost income. Lost income compensation covers the wages, benefits, and self-employment income you've missed due to your injuries.
- Diminished earning capacity. Lasting pain, brain injuries, loss of limbs, paralysis, and other severe injuries can lead to diminished earning capacity moving forward. If your injuries result in your inability to return to your job or a reduced ability to earn income in the future, you may be entitled to compensation for this change.
- Pain and suffering. A rideshare accident is often a traumatic event. Pain and suffering damages recognize that injuries affect more than just your finances – they impact your quality of life, ability to enjoy activities you once loved, and overall well-being. South Carolina law allows injured passengers to seek compensation for these intangible losses.
- Property damage. Property damage compensation covers personal belongings damaged or destroyed in the accident. This might include your phone, laptop, clothing, or other items you had with you during the ride. While these damages are often smaller than medical expenses, they're still part of your compensation claim.
An experienced Greenville passenger injury attorney will help you value your damages and seek fair compensation.
Multiple Parties May Be Liable in a South Carolina Rideshare Crash
Rideshare accidents often involve multiple potentially liable parties. Understanding who might be responsible for your injuries helps ensure you don't miss opportunities to seek compensation from all available sources, such as:
- The rideshare drive. Speeding, driving under the influence, tailgating, and other reckless behaviors can all cause an accident. Even though they're driving for a rideshare company, drivers can still be held personally liable for accidents they cause in certain scenarios.
- Other drivers. In multi-vehicle accidents, a driver other than your Uber or Lyft driver may be at fault. These drivers' insurance policies can provide additional sources of compensation for your damages.
- Uber or Lyft. While some state courts have grappled with whether or not Uber or Lyft can classify their drivers as independent contractors instead of employees, South Carolina law remains clear on this issue. South Carolina allows rideshare drivers to be classified as independent contractors, but the companies that hire them can still be liable under some circumstances.
- Vehicle manufacturers or maintenance companies. These third parties might be liable if a defective vehicle part or improper maintenance contributed to the accident. Brake failure, seat belt issues, tire blowouts, and more might all involve third-party liability.
Having multiple potentially liable parties means several insurance policies may be available to compensate you for your damages. A skilled Greenville passenger injury attorney can investigate all potential sources of liability and ensure you pursue compensation from every responsible party.
How to Protect Your Rights After a Rideshare Accident
The steps you take after a rideshare accident injury could influence your car accident recovery. Accordingly, it’s essential to:
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if you don't think you're seriously injured. Some injuries, such as soft tissue injuries and concussions, may not produce symptoms right away. Having medical documentation from the scene or shortly after the accident creates a critical record linking your injuries to the accident.
- Document the accident scene thoroughly if you can do so safely. Take photos of vehicle damage, the accident location, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Collect contact information from other drivers, passengers, and witnesses. This evidence can be crucial in establishing fault and supporting your compensation claim.
- Report the accident through the rideshare app immediately. Both Uber and Lyft have specific procedures for reporting accidents that occurred during rides. Reporting through the app creates an official record and begins the insurance claim process.
- Avoid discussing fault or accepting blame for the accident. Focus on getting medical attention and documenting what happened rather than discussing who was responsible.
- Keep detailed records of all expenses and impacts related to your injuries. This includes medical bills, prescription receipts, work absence documentation, and notes about how your injuries affect your daily activities. These records support your claim for compensation and help ensure you receive fair payment for your damages.
Finally, contact a Greenville passenger injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident. We recommend reaching out before you start explaining anything to the insurance company or any other corporate entity involved in a rideshare crash. Attorney Ryan Alderson is dedicated to protecting your passenger rights, ensuring you meet all filing deadlines, communicating with insurance companies, and maximizing compensation.