Fort Smith, AR Uber/Lyft Accident Lawyer

Getting into an accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft can change your life. Serious or permanent injuries can require expensive medical treatment, ongoing home care, and lifestyle changes. If you are unable to work or enjoy activities you previously enjoyed because of car accident injuries, it is important to talk to an attorney about options for compensation.

Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law, may be able to take your Uber or Lyft accident case and fight to get you the compensation you need. To schedule a free consultation to discuss potential damages and how you can receive compensation for your case, contact our Fort Smith Uber and Lyft accident lawyer today at (479) 316-0438.

How Much is My Uber Accident Case Worth?

The costs you face because of the accident can be extremely expensive. Especially in cases of serious injury, you could face high medical expenses and other care costs. If you cannot work because of your injury, you may have no income to support yourself and your family and to pay for those medical expenses. If your injuries cause severe pain and suffering, you should be compensated for these damages and others.

The total cost of your case depends on what damages you face. The value of an injury settlement or award is calculated by looking at how much the injury cost you. Any of the expenses you face because of the injury, such as the damages listed above, can be claimed as part of a lawsuit.

If you settle your case with the at-fault driver or their insurance company, you may ultimately receive less than you are entitled to. When you take your injury case to court, you can claim full compensation for the damages listed above, but insurance settlements may pay for only a portion of these damages. For instance, medical expenses and lost wages damages are typically only covered up to a certain percentage under an insurance policy, whereas a lawsuit can entitle you to claim 100% of these expenses. Insurance policies also typically cut off any damages for pain and suffering.

Any damages that you face because of financial expenses or lost funds can be calculated with a bit of effort, but damages for intangible harms are harder to calculate. Pain and suffering damages are based, in part, on the severity of the injury, but you are also entitled to damages based on how the injury affected your life. A life-altering injury can make it impossible to perform certain activities you enjoy, such as playing sports or running. They can even make it impossible to hug loved ones or maintain your independence and mobility. These kinds of harms, plus the harms associated with the mental anguish, can stack up to substantial damages.

Talk to our Fort Smith Uber and Lyft accident lawyer to find out more about what your specific case is worth.

Who Pays for Uber/Lyft Accidents?

The damages from an Uber accident are usually the driver’s responsibility. Since Uber and Lyft drivers are technically self-employed, Uber cannot usually be held responsible for driving errors. The same is true for Lyft. Unlike truck drivers or taxi drivers, rideshare drivers are not employees, and the larger company is not responsible for their mistakes. However, despite this arrangement, Uber and Lyft’s insurance policies can often cover your injuries if you were in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft car.

When an Uber or Lyft driver is off-duty, their personal insurance covers any accidents. This means they are treated like any other driver and are financially responsible for any injuries they cause – but usually these drivers must have insurance which can cover those costs for them.

If the accident occurred while the driver was on-duty but had not accepted any rides, Uber and Lyft have insurance policies that will supplement the coverage. These policies help cover damages above and beyond the driver’s personal insurance. The limits on these policies are, for both companies, $50,000 per person for injuries, $100,000 per accident for injuries, and $25,000 per accident for property damage.

If the accident occurred any time between when a driver accepts a ride and drops off the passenger, both companies have a $1 million insurance policy that will kick in. This means that any time you are injured as a passenger in an Uber or a Lyft, your injuries should be covered by this high-dollar policy. This policy covers up to $1,000,000 per accident and can often pay for your injuries in full.

If there are any problems collecting funds from Uber or Lyft’s insurance policy, our attorneys can still help you file a lawsuit directly against the driver and fight to get the compensation you need.

Free Legal Consultations on Injuries from Uber and Lyft Crashes in Fort Smith, Arkansas

After being involved in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft, it is vital to talk to an attorney. This is true whether your injuries were mild or severe since you could still have outstanding medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering that should be compensated. For a free consultation on your case, contact Fort Smith Uber and Lyft accident lawyer Ken Kieklak today at (479) 316-0438.