Uber/Lyft Accidents in Parkersburg

Uber, Lyft, and classic taxi services are popular forms of hired rides in Parkersburg – but even they can be involved in a serious crash. Because these drivers are employed by a company, that can add an extra layer of complexity to any legal claim. Ask our committed car accident attorneys for guidance when you are hit by one of these drivers or injured as one of their passengers.

What Entities Are Considered Common Carriers?

While Parkersburg does sometimes see Uber and Lyft drivers, they are not readily available like they would be in a larger city. Parkersburg does have taxis, as well as a public bus system that runs throughout the town. These services are known as “common carriers,” which means they offer their services to the public, usually for a fee.

There might be additional insurance coverage available from a crash because the defendant’s vehicle is affiliated with Uber, Lyft, or the taxi company itself. However, these drivers are typically independent contractors and not employees of the company, so that may create a complexity in filing suit and pursuing the claims.

Responsibility for Damages in a Rideshare Crash

The Uber driver’s insurance, and possibly Uber itself, will be responsible for paying out damages after a crash, depending upon the contractual arrangement between the driver and Uber, and whether the rideshare driver was actively transporting a passenger or taking requests. Economic and non-economic damages are available, depending on the injuries presented.

The only way any type of punitive damages may be in play is if Uber or Lyft allowed this individual to drive customers, knowing that they were reckless or had a drunk driving history. Even still, it is difficult to pursue punitive damages in an auto accident case, except in situations like a truck accident where the company forced their driver to work beyond the allotted hours or while they were overtired.

Representing the Plaintiff’s Interests

In any type of accident, including rideshare collisions in Parkersburg, it is beneficial for the plaintiff to hire an attorney to represent their interests. This attorney can fight insurance companies that are often difficult to deal with and are looking to minimize the amount of money they must pay out. These companies often capitalize on taking advantage of people who are injured and might need money immediately to cover medical costs. A personal injury law team should always know the full extent of someone’s injuries before settling a case.

In many instances, insurance companies will try to settle cases before all the medical conditions are known, which is why a lawyer should be the first person an injured party calls after they get medical treatment.

Call One of Our Parkersburg Attorneys if You Were Involved in a Taxi, Lyft, or Uber Crash

Drivers who are employed or contracted by rideshare companies are supposed to be skilled and trustworthy. If their negligence caused serious injury, please call Jan Dils now for a free consultation. You need a professional on your side when you go up against Uber or Lyft after an accident in Parkersburg.