Rideshare Accidents in North Carolina
Ridesharing is very common today. In fact, it is a major form of transportation, especially for younger populations where it is a preferred form of transportation. However, accidents still happen. Whether it is an Uber driver, Lyft driver, or taxi driver, you may be owed compensation for any injury you suffer. The rules, however, may be a little more complex because it could involve the ridesharing company––it all depends on the facts and circumstances, and those can be debatable. That is why you need a personal injury attorney with experience in rideshare accidents. These cases can get complex, and the auto insurance adjusters will be firm and unpersuaded by unsupported demand letters.
At Vincent-Pope Law Firm, our auto accident lawyer can take on rideshare companies and auto insurance adjusters. We want you to get the compensation you deserve. Contact use at (919) 645-8255 to schedule a free, initial consultation to discuss your case. We will outline your best legal options and steps to move forward.
Understanding North Carolina Rideshare Accidents
Ridesharing has become one of the more popular ways to get around. The list of rideshare companies is not limited to Uber and Lyft, but has grown significantly over the years to include:
- Uber
- Lyft
- Juno
- Gett
- Wingz
- Ziro
- Flywheel
- Grab
- Bolt
- Via
- Curb
- Gojek
- Cabify
- Didi Chuxing
Of course, not all of these rideshare companies may be available in your area, but it goes to show the growth in the industry. It is growing because ridesharing provides a convenient way to find a ride in cities where having a car is impractical or in situations where someone is not able to drive themselves (or does not want to drive themselves).
Ridesharing is still all about driving vehicles, and so it still poses the risk of being involved in a car collision. Ridesharing companies perform certain background check requirements, but there is always the risk that you can be injured in a ridesharing accident.
If you are in a ridesharing accident, you will most likely be dealing with one of two companies: Uber or Lyft. As large companies, they have a lot of financial resources behind them and can be very difficult to deal with. That said, even these smaller rideshare companies have resources you may not have, so they still remain at an advantage when you fight to get the compensation you deserve.
Unique Challenges of North Carolina Rideshare Accidents for Injured Parties
Car accidents between two passenger vehicles, while not simple, follow a fairly straightforward path. The only people who will typically be involved will be the injured party, the other driver, and their insurance companies. However, accidents involving ridesharing companies introduce a whole new layer of complications.
Most accidents do not involve drivers who are working. The fact that Uber and Lyft drivers are on the clock while on the road means that these companies are now involved when an accident happens. Rideshare drivers exist in a sort of insurance gray area because most do not carry commercial insurance since most insurance policies exclude commercial usage.
Because of these wrinkles in rideshare accidents, handling them competently requires a high level of legal expertise and experience.
Who is Liable for a Rideshare Accident in North Carolina?
Liability in any car crash is determined by negligence. Proving negligence generally requires proving four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages. It must be established that the other party owed a duty of care, that they breached that duty, that the breach caused the damages, and that the accident victim did actually suffer damages.
In a rideshare accident, the two main sources of liability will be the driver and the rideshare company itself. A driver may be held liable in an accident for any number of reasons, whether it be driving while under the influence of alcohol, driving while distracted, or simply failing to obey the rules of the road.
Uber and Lyft may also be held liable if they acted negligently. One of the main ways that this might happen is if they negligently hired a driver. For example, if they failed to uncover a history of DUIs for a potential driver, they could face liability for any accidents that driver causes.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer in North Carolina Help?
Hiring the right personal injury lawyer is probably the single most important decision that a rideshare accident victim will make after their accident. A personal injury lawyer can make decisions about who could be liable in your case, and how to go about pursuing maximum compensation. More than that, they can relieve a great deal of stress by being available to answer any questions that you might have.
Contact a Rideshare Accident Lawyer in North Carolina Today
Rideshare accidents pose unique challenges. At Vincent-Pope Law Firm, our auto accident attorney will work to make sure you get smart representation so that you receive the compensation you deserve. Call us at (919) 645-8255 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free, initial consultation.
