Ridesharing is BIG Business
Thousands of people rely on rideshare services for transportation needs every day. There’s always a demand for a convenient and affordable ride, especially in the big city. Companies like Uber and Lyft have come to the urban forefront as commuter-friendly options for people in all areas of town. Seattle is no exception to commuting trends and is embracing the rideshare industry whole-heartedly.
In fact, Ridesharing is BIG business nationwide. According to J.D. Power and Associates, about one in 4 Americans use a rideshare service every day. That also explains an exponential growth in companies like Uber and Lyft; with Lyft boasting of over 700,000 drivers across the country.
Getting the Facts ahead of the Ride
It’s a well-known fact that anytime you have cars on the road—there will be accidents and crashes as well. The type of car and who’s driving is only a part of crash details. And, what if you’re not the one driving? What do you do if you’ve been in an accident as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft?
Laws vary from state to state, so it’s good to ask some of these kind of questions ahead of time. Do you know what the driver’s rideshare coverage is and how you’d be covered in the event of an accident? Do you know what your state requires from the rideshare industry and, specifically, for passengers within those rideshares?
As a passenger, it’s important to ask transportation companies if their insurance coverage adequately covers liability claims for commuting passengers. This usually means that drivers also carry commercial coverage for passengers and clients hiring them as a rideshare business.
Companies like Uber and Lyft boldly report their concern for passengers’ safety and commitment, providing a service that will have many loyal users returning over and over again. Both Lyft and Uber have $1 million primary liability coverage for their drivers, with an additional $1 million coverage available for crashes involving uninsured or underinsured drivers. But most of these coverage limits can get a little tricky for passengers, especially when dealing with third-party coverages.
First Things First
It’s important to remember, that if you’re ever in a crash, as a passenger in a Lyft or Uber vehicle or otherwise, you should always call 911 immediately. Making sure that passengers are okay and receiving medical care is vitally important regardless of who was driving. And if able, as in any car crash, take note of as many details as you can. It’ll only be a matter of time before victims, medical providers, and insurance companies will need to know liability, if policies cover paying customers, personal versus commercial policies, and how it all applies to rideshare passengers.
Christina’s Story: Recovering After a Rideshare Collision
With so many unknown obstacles after an auto crash, getting trusted legal advice from a personal injury advocate can be critical in the reparation process. A recent client recently shared how Fielding Law Group helped her recover after an unfortunate crash in a rideshare.
On October 8, 2016, Christina C. and her friend Drew, were out for the night in a Lyft rideshare. While heading south on Interstate 5, the Toyota Camry they were in was hit by a Chevy Cargo Van. The van driver stated he’d been unable to stop in time on the slippery pavement. The impact left both vehicles crushed and needing to be towed from the scene of the collision.
The vehicles were not the only collateral damage that night. Both passengers suffered injuries in the rear-end crash. Christina was left in severe pain, with sore muscles in her upper back and neck, recurring headaches, and an injury to her left knee. Soon, day to day activities–like sitting, standing and lifting–proved to be painful for Christina. She missed days off of work and activities she once enjoyed. Her injuries from the crash required on-going medical attention and physical therapy to help her heal over time.
Soon after the crash, Christina and Drew found out about Fielding Law Group, a group of local legal professionals that specialize in personal injury cases. Christina shared some of her thoughts about her road to recovery after the wreck. “Fielding Law Group is the most helpful, professional, and thorough group of individuals. Because of Fielding Law Group, I was able to seek immediate treatment for an auto-injury and I felt 100% taken care of throughout the entire process, from the moment they contacted me after the auto accident, up through the final settlement.”
It Could Happen to You
As with Christina and Drew, a rear-end collision could happen in the blink of an eye. These type of collisions make up about a third of all auto crashes every year. Millions of auto accidents lead to devastating injuries and sometimes, even fatalities, through no fault of the passengers. Chances are, you may find yourself or someone you know, who is wondering what to do in a similar situation.
Christina and Drew couldn’t have possibly known their rideshare experience would end so traumatically that fateful autumn night. But they immediately knew they would need help dealing with multiple insurance policies and on-going claims with medical providers. Fielding Law Group immediately went to work ensuring that Christina and Drew’s health and financial interests were taken care of. In the end, both received the compensation and settlement they were entitled.
“I would recommend them to anyone seeking help from an auto injury. I had no idea who to contact or how to receive treatment after the accident. I had been led to many dead-end phone calls, had received no help from the insurance company of the guilty party who caused the accident, and was left frustrated and in pain. Because of Fielding Law Group, I was able to seek medical treatments immediately for neck pain, received weekly or bi-weekly phone check-ins/emails regarding the status of my claim, and was treated as though I were of the utmost importance to them.”
Our Auto Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Are Here to Help You
Car crashes cause serious and life-threatening injuries–and chaos in our lives. Most accident victims, especially rideshare commuters, may not only need excellent medical care, but a skilled and experienced personal attorney, to help manage the road to recovery.
If you or someone you love has been in an auto accident or hit by a negligent driver, contact Fielding Law Group for a free legal consultation today. Our team of professionals know your legal rights and will immediately get to work on helping you get the care, compensation and settlement you deserve. Our trusted attorneys will be with you every step of the way. Remember–Don’t let an accident wreck YOU! We are here to help you get your life back.
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