Call Us atWhen you get into your rideshare vehicle, the last thing you expect is that you will get into a terrible accident. Unfortunately, Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents in Anchorage are increasingly common.
Often, these roadway collisions happen because one or more parties did not exert proper care behind the wheel. If you have been injured recently as a passenger of a rideshare vehicle, or in any other auto accident involving a rideshare provider, you should consider reaching out to a car crash attorney as soon as possible who can help you understand your legal rights.
Assessing Legal Responsibility in a Rideshare Collision
Collisions in Anchorage involving an Uber, Lyft, or other provider usually happen in one of multiple ways. Depending on the facts and circumstances of the crash, legal responsibility may lie with the rideshare driver, the rideshare company, or a third party, such as a careless other driver.
Distracted driving, failure to observe signs and stops, and speeding are just a few scenarios where a rideshare accident can happen. Drowsy driving, intoxicated driving, and aggressive driving are other unsafe driving behaviors that often lead to an accident involving a rideshare vehicle. Even factors such as poor road conditions or a defective vehicle part can contribute to this kind of wreck.
In a regular auto accident case, the at-fault driver’s insurance company would pay out compensation in a successful injury claim. Rideshare accidents are more complex. While rideshare drivers work for a specific company that provides certain levels of liability and other auto insurance coverage, they are independent contractors rather than direct employees who drive their own vehicle.
As a result, determining liability and identifying what insurance policies may come into play in these cases can be particularly challenging. Rideshare providers are also notorious for deflecting or denying liability because of this independent contractor relationship, making it difficult for an injured person to get compensation.
Seeking Monetary Damages after an Uber Crash
After an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare crash in Anchorage, a person could be left with injuries ranging from broken bones to head injuries to back injuries. After a rideshare collision, the last thing the injured individual needs is to have to battle it out with the insurance company or try to track down where to file a compensation claim.
Often, an injured person is going up against large companies with significant financial resources and a team of lawyers behind them. An attorney could serve as a legal advocate through the process. A lawyer could also make determinations about liability while identifying the best strategies to pursue maximum monetary compensation from any and all at-fault parties.
If the rideshare driver had accepted the ride or was in the process of completing the ride at the time of the accident, the rideshare company’s insurance policy could be responsible for paying compensation. However, if the driver was just waiting for rideshare requests when the accident happened, this could trigger a claim with their personal insurance policy. If a third party, such as another driver, caused the accident, the injured person would need to pursue a claim with their insurance company.
There may be two primary types of damages available after a rideshare collision. The first is economic damages, which are the monetary costs associated with the accident, such as medical bills, property damage, and lost wages. Equally important are non-economic damages, which refer to losses such as pain and suffering in doing daily activities, diminished life enjoyment, and emotional distress from the accident.
An Anchorage Attorney Can Help After Uber/Lyft/Rideshare Accidents
Most auto accident cases are complex in their own way, often because insurance companies will do everything in their power to reduce the amount of money they have to pay out on claims. Sometimes, the insurance company may offer a small settlement early on or even just deny the claim altogether.
Not only are these stonewalling practices commonplace in the aftermath of Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents in Anchorage, but the rideshare company will almost always try to deny liability in these cases. If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, an attorney could take swift legal action to conduct a thorough investigation into liability while working to secure maximum monetary damages for your case. An attorney could review the details of your potential case and explain what comes next. Contact our firm today to schedule your confidential legal consultation.
