Rideshare services give you the freedom to get where you need to be, but they can come with substantial harm if you are involved in an accident. When someone else is at fault, you may wonder who will pay for your medical and other bills. To ease your worries after a rideshare vehicle crash, you need experienced legal counsel from a skilled Houston rideshare accident lawyer.
At Lowe Law PLLC, you can work with a compassionate Houston car accident lawyer who listens to your story and helps you decide what to do next. We untangle the confusing insurance claim issues and will fight for your best interests all the way to trial when necessary. We offer services in Spanish and English, so contact us for a free consultation today.
You Need Confident Legal Representation After a Houston Rideshare Accident
At Lowe Law PLLC, our Houston personal injury lawyers take action right away when we accept your case. You can focus on getting better from your injuries while we identify the at-fault parties, collecting relevant evidence to support your case. We calculate your claim’s full value so you do not overlook any expense you are entitled to receive.
The Houston metro area is home to rushing highways like I-10 and I-69, but even local neighborhood streets are home to serious car crashes. The City of Houston’s Vision Zero Annual Report 2022 shows a reduction in injury and fatality accidents, yet there are still nearly 1,600 notable collisions each year.
When you are a victim, and someone else is to blame, you need knowledgeable representation from a personal injury lawyer in Houston who can tackle your claim head-on.
We also negotiate on your behalf with insurance companies and take your case to court when necessary, fiercely litigating for the best possible outcome. Lowe Law PLLC will make every effort to obtain a win for you. As you learn more about us, you realize your rideshare accident lawyer in Houston will not rest until they secure justice for you.
Rideshare Accidents Can Involve Many Kinds of Victims
You may think rideshare accident claims only affect those riding in the vehicle at the time of the crash. However, it is possible to file a claim if you were a pedestrian, bicyclist, motorcyclist, or in another vehicle affected by the accident. Working with a car accident attorney is crucial to finding out who is involved.
If you discover a rideshare vehicle played a part in the crash, your attorney may be able to proceed with a claim against the company employing the driver.
Depending on the circumstances, you may pursue the company, or you may need to file a claim with the driver’s personal automobile insurance. Either way, your rideshare accident lawyer in Houston at Lowe Law PLLC is ready to help you build a powerful case against those at fault.
Rideshare Insurance Claims Are Complex
Because a rideshare driver is an independent contractor and not an employee, companies like Uber and Lyft have a more complicated insurance situation.
In a crash between two private citizens, the Texas auto insurance guide states all drivers must carry liability insurance to pay for injuries and damage they cause. For rideshare drivers, who pays depends on the driver’s status when the collision happened.
According to Uber and Lyft, both companies have different policies for when their drivers are and are not actively transporting passengers. Your attorney can use records from the rideshare app to determine the driver’s status at the time of your crash and pinpoint which policy should apply. There are three possible situations:
- The driver has the app on and is waiting for a request: The company provides liability insurance that pays $50,000 per person for bodily injury (up to $100,000 per accident) and $25,000 for property. This is known as 50/100/25 coverage.
- The app is on, and the driver is traveling to a request or has a passenger: The rideshare company maintains a policy that provides up to $1 million in third-party liability, uninsured motorist coverage, and collision insurance.
- The driver does not have the app on and is not transporting a passenger: If the person who hit you is a rideshare driver but is not actively working when the crash occurs, their personal auto insurance is responsible for handling their liability.
Modified Comparative Negligence Can Affect Your Compensation
Under the Texas modified comparative negligence statute, you can seek compensation against at-fault drivers if you are less than 50% responsible. Beyond that threshold, you cannot claim damages. If you are less than 50% at fault, your settlement is reduced by the same percentage as your fault.
Suppose you were waiting to make a left turn but did not have your turn signal on when a rideshare driver rear-ends your vehicle. You might request $10,000 in damages but receive 20% of the blame for failing to use a signal. Your jury award would be reduced by 20% ($10,000 minus $2,000 equals $8,000).
If you are hit by a rideshare vehicle, the insurance company will likely try to minimize their client’s contribution. You need an aggressive Houston rideshare accident lawyer who will do the same for you by emphasizing how they contributed to the crash and are responsible for your injuries. At Lowe Law PLLC, we are not afraid of big companies and fight for the everyday person.
Lowe Law PLLC Will Fight for What You Deserve
Your Houston rideshare accident attorney at Lowe Law PLLC will fight to ensure you get the compensation you need to cover all your expenses. We seek both economic and non-economic damage repayment for your actual bills and your intangible suffering. Some of the common losses we request include:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost income, bonuses, and benefits
- Mental anguish
- Physical and emotional pain
- PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disability
Your attorney will ensure you do not miss critical deadlines, such as the Texas two-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits. If you wait too long to speak with a lawyer, you could miss the window for seeking compensation through the court system. Schedule a free consultation with Lowe Law PLLC right away.
Your Houston Rideshare Accident Lawyer Is Ready to Help
If you were hurt in a crash involving an Uber, Lyft, or a similar on-demand rideshare service, you need skilled representation to understand your options.
At Lowe Law PLLC, a Houston rideshare accident lawyer will assess your case and guide you through recovering the compensation you need. Contact us online to arrange a free case review today.
