Rideshare accident lawyers standing up for Uber and Lyft crash victims.

Protect Your Rights After an Uber or Lyft Accident Before Insurance Companies Minimize Your Claim

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have transformed the way people get around cities like Columbus, OH. While these platforms offer plenty of convenience, they also introduce new risks. When a rideshare driver gets in an accident, victims often feel confused about who bears responsibility and how they can recover their rightful compensation.

Unlike a typical car accident, rideshare claims involve multiple parties, layered insurance policies, and corporate entities with extensive resources to limit their liability. These factors make it essential to work with a skilled personal injury attorney.

The team at Ross, Midian & Breitmayer, LLC, has extensive experience handling these complicated claims, and we know what it takes to build a winning claim. We’ll fight for your rights while you focus on recovery. Contact us today to learn more during a free consultation with a rideshare accident lawyer in Columbus, OH.

What Makes Rideshare Accidents Complex?

Rideshare accidents present legal challenges that you won’t face in a typical car crash. Those challenges include:

There May Be Multiple Liable Parties – A single accident may involve the rideshare driver, the rideshare company, another motorist, and other road users. It may take an in-depth investigation to determine which of these parties is responsible for the crash.
Drivers Are Independent Contractors – Rideshare companies classify drivers as independent contractors instead of employees, which affects liability and limits the situations in which the company may face direct responsibility for the collision.
Insurance Coverage Depends on the Driver’s Status – Whose insurance policy covers how much in a rideshare accident depends on the driver’s status in the app at the time of the crash. Rideshare companies will look for any ambiguity in the driver’s status or loopholes that might allow them to limit their financial obligations to you.

Fortunately, you don’t have to confront these challenges alone. Instead, you can work with an experienced rideshare accident lawyer in Columbus who will handle all the legal work for you, and at no upfront or out-of-pocket costs.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Columbus

Rideshare drivers often rush to complete trips quickly and profitably, and they frequently work unfamiliar routes while following GPS directions.

These factors often increase the risk of a serious accident due to:

Distracted driving from app use and navigation tools
Fatigue from long driving hours
Speeding to pick up or drop off passengers faster
Sudden stops in unsafe locations
Inexperience or unfamiliarity with Columbus roads

Identifying the cause of the crash is essential for establishing who’s liable for it. Our attorneys will launch an in-depth investigation to determine how the accident happened, who bears responsibility, and what evidence is available for holding them accountable.

Common Injuries in Columbus Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare accidents can cause life-altering physical, emotional, and financial harm.

Even a low-speed collision can result in:

Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
Neck and back injuries
Broken bones
Internal bleeding and organ damage
Spinal cord injuries
Traumatic brain injuries

Our Ohio law firm works closely with medical professionals to assess the full impact of your injuries on your everyday life. Once we understand those impacts, we demand maximum compensation for them.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Columbus Rideshare Accident?

Several parties may be solely or partially responsible for an Uber, Lyft, or other ride-hailing companies.

Accident Scenario	Potentially Liable Parties
Uber or Lyft driver caused the crash	The rideshare driver and applicable rideshare insurance coverage
Another driver caused the crash	The at-fault driver and, in some cases, available rideshare insurance coverage
Defective vehicle or auto part contributed to the crash	The vehicle manufacturer, parts manufacturer, maintenance provider, or other responsible party
Dangerous road conditions contributed to the crash	A government agency, road contractor, construction company, or other negligent party
Passenger was assaulted during a ride	The driver, another passenger, a third party, or potentially the rideshare company depending on the facts

Understanding Rideshare Insurance Coverage

The insurance policy that applies to a rideshare accident depends on the driver’s app status at the time of the crash.

The driver app status includes three distinct phases:

When the App Is Off: If the driver’s rideshare app was not active at the time of the accident, then their personal auto insurance applies.
When the App Is On and the Driver Is Waiting for a Ride: When the driver had the app active but was not enroute to a passenger or didn’t have a passenger in the vehicle, the rideshare company provides limited liability coverage if the driver’s own insurance doesn’t meet certain minimums.
When the Driver Has Accepted a Ride or Has a Passenger Onboard: If the driver was on their way to pick a passenger up or had a passenger in the vehicle, the rideshare company provides up to $1 million in liability coverage.

Compensation Available in Columbus Rideshare Accidents

A rideshare accident can impact every aspect of your life. Ohio law allows you to recover the following compensation for those impacts:

Compensation Available After an On-demand transportation service

Current and future medical expenses
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Permanent disability or disfigurement
Loss of enjoyment of life

Rideshare and insurance companies often pressure victims into accepting quick settlements that fail to reflect the true extent of their injuries. You should never agree to anything without having an experienced personal injury lawyer to assess your injuries and determine the full value of your claim.

Protecting Your Rights After a Rideshare Accident

While an experienced personal injury lawyer can handle much of the legal burden when pursuing your claim, there are several things you can do in moments, hours, and days after a crash to protect your rights and maximize your compensation. To protect your rights after an accident, you can:

Steps to Take After an App-based transportation accident

Seek prompt medical attention, even if you seem unharmed
Report the accident to the police and through the rideshare app
Take photos and videos of accident damage and visible injuries
Collect the names and contact information of any witnesses
Avoid speaking with company representatives or insurance adjusters before consulting a lawyer
Contact an Ohio personal injury law firm right away

Getting early legal support can not only help you avoid costly errors, but it also allows your attorney to build the strongest case possible. Don’t hesitate to contact a law firm as soon as you’re able.

Rideshare Assault and Passenger Safety Concerns

Not all rideshare injuries result from traffic accidents. Some passengers suffer harm due to assault or unsafe conditions during a ride. These cases may involve:

Common Rideshare Assault and Injury Claims

Assault by a driver or another passenger
Inadequate background checks
Failures in company safety policies

Victims of rideshare assault in Ohio may pursue claims based on unsafe company practices. These cases require a different legal approach than accident claims, so consider working with a firm like Ross, Midian & Breitmayer, LLC, that has a history of winning them.

How a Columbus Rideshare Accident Attorney Can Help

Rideshare accidents come with unique challenges that require skilled legal guidance to address effectively. The experienced rideshare accident lawyers at our firm can help by:

Providing a free, no-obligation consultation and informing you of your legal options
Investigating the accident to determine which insurance policy applies
Preserving and obtaining key evidence while it is still available
Identifying all liable parties to determine every potential source of recovery
Working with medical and financial experts to calculate the full value of your claim
Handling all communications with rideshare companies and insurers
Negotiating aggressively for a fair settlement
Taking your case to trial, if necessary

Our team prioritizes clear, consistent, honest communication throughout the legal process. We will always keep you up to date on the status of your case, and we’re happy to answer any questions you have.

Contact a Columbus Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today

You don’t have to handle a complicated rideshare accident claim on your own. The team at Ross, Midian & Breitmayer, LLC, will stand up for your rights while you focus on healing and getting better. Contact us today for your free consultation with a rideshare accident lawyer serving Columbus.

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