Gonzales Uber/Lyft Accident Attorneys

Rideshare Accident Lawyers in Gonzales, LA

If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Gonzales, Louisiana, you may be able to demand compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Our rideshare accident attorneys at Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys are dedicated to helping locals who were impacted by rideshare accidents receive fair compensation for their losses. Our experienced legal team understands the complexities of these cases and is prepared to take on the challenge for injured rideshare passengers, rideshare drivers, or other motorists who were caught in the accident.

Please call our Gonzales Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at (225) 230-3110 now.

What to Do If You're Involved in a Rideshare Accident

After being involved in a rideshare accident, it is crucial to take the following steps to ensure your safety and protect your rights:

• Seek Medical Attention: If you or anyone else involved in the accident is injured, seek immediate medical attention. Even minor injuries can worsen over time.
• Contact Law Enforcement: Report the accident to the local police department. A police report can be crucial evidence in your case.
• Photograph the Scene: Take pictures of the accident scene, including damaged vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
• Gather Information: Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) and any witnesses.
• Document Road Conditions: Note the weather conditions, lighting, and any road hazards that may have contributed to the accident.
• Report the Incident: Contact your rideshare company and report the accident, providing as many details as possible.
• Seek Expert Advice: Contact a Gonzales rideshare accident lawyer to discuss your case. They can help you understand your legal rights, gather evidence, and pursue compensation for your injuries and damages.

Causes of Rideshare Accidents

Our law firm has extensive experience working on complicated personal injury claims and motor vehicle accident cases. If you have been in a rideshare accident involving an Uber or Lyft service in or around Gonzales, then you can be sure that we know how to investigate the situation to uncover its cause.

Common causes of rideshare accidents can include:

• Using a phone or other software for map directions
• Aggressive driving
• Driver fatigue and distraction
• Driver inexperience
• Drunk or drugged driving
• Failing to yield at intersections
• Running red lights
• Speeding

In a rideshare accident, determining who caused it can be difficult due to the variety of involved parties. Did the rideshare driver cause it? Was there some sort of issue caused by the rideshare company that contributed to it? Or did another motorist or even a pedestrian cause the rideshare driver to get into a crash? Our team is here to ask all these questions and get to the answers, so you can be confident that your claim is filed correctly against the right liable party or parties.

Who Is the At-Fault Party?

The first step in determining liability is identifying the at-fault party. In most cases, the at-fault party is the driver who caused the accident. Rideshare accidents typically involve multiple parties, including the rideshare driver, the passenger, other motorists, and pedestrians.

Louisiana follows a comparative fault system, which means liability for an accident can be shared among multiple parties based on their degree of fault. The courts consider factors such as negligence, adherence to traffic laws, and the actions of each party involved.

If the accident was caused solely by the negligence of the rideshare driver, such as if they were distracted, driving recklessly, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they may be held primarily responsible for the accident.

However, if other factors contributed to the accident, such as the actions of another driver or a pedestrian, the responsibility for the accident may be apportioned among multiple parties based on their respective levels of fault.

Uber/Lyft Insurance Policies - What Insurance Coverage Is Available?

Uber and Lyft offer insurance policies to cover the damage and losses that occur in a rideshare accident. However, the insurance policies don’t apply to every accident. Certain requirements must be met for the rideshare companies to consider offering their coverage to help the injured parties. (At the time of this writing, the insurance policies held by Uber and Lyft are nearly identical in their requirements and potential benefits.)

Uber’s insurance policy for rideshare accidents can be divided into three parts:

• No coverage: The rideshare company will not accept any liability for an accident involving a rideshare driver who was not currently using the app (offline). During this period, the driver's personal auto insurance policy applies.
• Partial coverage: The rideshare company can provide partial coverage for a rideshare accident if the driver was using the app to find a passenger but had not accepted a fare yet. 50/100/25 third-party liability coverage can be offered by Uber or Lyft, but only if the driver’s privately held insurance policy doesn’t apply. Even then, it is not guaranteed that the rideshare company will offer to help.
• Most coverage: When a rideshare driver has accepted a fare (meaning the passenger is in the vehicle or the driver is on the way to pick up a passenger), the rideshare company can offer an auto insurance policy that includes $1-million third-party liability coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury and/or first-party injury insurance, and contingent comprehensive and collision coverage. This policy is used to help cover damages suffered by the rideshare driver, rideshare passengers, and other third parties.

These are the minimum insurance requirements mandated by Louisiana law for rideshare companies. Some companies may provide additional coverage above these minimums.

Damages Covered in Louisiana Rideshare Accidents

If you've been injured in a rideshare accident in Louisiana, you may be entitled to compensation for various types of damages including:

• Medical Expenses: Costs related to your treatment, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and therapy.
• Property Damage: Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle and any other damaged property.
• Lost Wages: Income lost due to missed work while recovering from your injuries.
• Future Earnings: Compensation for potential future income loss if your injuries prevent you from working as you once did.
• Pain and Suffering: Reimbursement for physical and emotional pain, distress, and inconvenience caused by the accident.

File a Claim Soon – Get Help Today

If you have been hurt in a rideshare accident in Gonzales, Louisiana, our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers are here to help. When we represent you and provide compassionate legal guidance, you will benefit from the knowledge and experience of our attorneys who are well-versed in the surrounding injury and liability laws. With an effective legal strategy crafted by our team, you can confidently pursue the compensation that you need to make up for lost damages and recover.

We represent injured rideshare drivers, passengers, and other motorists. Please contact our office today.