Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Durham, North Carolina
If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Durham, NC, you may be facing a confusing and stressful situation. Rideshare accidents are often more complicated than typical car crashes, involving multiple parties, complex insurance policies, and unique legal challenges. A skilled Durham rideshare accident lawyer can face these changes and pursue the compensation you deserve.
The North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers team provides aggressive representation and treats every case with personal attention. Contact our Durham Uber accident lawyers today for a free case evaluation.
What Makes North Carolina Rideshare Accidents Complicated?
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become a key part of Durham’s transportation landscape, offering convenience and flexibility for riders and drivers alike. However, rideshare accidents have become a growing problem as Uber and Lyft increase in popularity.
Unlike typical car accidents, rideshare crashes involve not just the drivers and passengers, but also the rideshare companies themselves. When a rideshare accident happens, determining who is at fault and which insurance policy applies can be confusing.
The process is further complicated by North Carolina’s contributory negligence laws, which prevent victims from recovering compensation if they are even slightly at fault for the accident. It is essential to have an experienced Durham rideshare accident lawyer on your side to protect your rights and build a strong case.
Who Can Be Liable for a Rideshare Crash?
One of the most challenging aspects of rideshare accidents is determining liability. Several parties could potentially be responsible for your injuries, including:
- The rideshare driver: If the Uber or Lyft driver was negligent, such as by speeding, distracted driving, or violating traffic laws, they may be liable for the accident.
- The rideshare company: Companies like Uber and Lyft can share fault, especially if they failed to properly vet their drivers or maintain safety standards.
- Other drivers: If another motorist caused or contributed to the accident, their insurance may be responsible for covering your damages.
- Manufacturers: If defective parts caused the Uber accident, the manufacturer can be held accountable.
A skilled Durham Uber accident lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation to identify all potentially liable parties and ensure that every avenue for compensation is explored.
How a Durham Rideshare Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Rideshare accident claims can be more complicated than regular car crashes. Between multiple insurance policies, rideshare company rules, and state laws, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. A skilled Durham rideshare accident lawyer can guide you through the process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Gathering the Evidence You Need
To build a strong case, your attorney will collect all the important evidence, including:
- Police reports and medical records
- Witness statements
- Rideshare app data showing the driver’s status
- Dashcam or traffic camera footage, if available
This evidence is critical for proving who was at fault and how the accident impacted your life.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies representing Uber or Lyft try to minimize payouts or shift blame. A Durham rideshare accident lawyer will communicate directly with insurers and push back against unfair settlement offers. Experienced attorneys know how to deal with insurance companies, counter their tactics, and fight for the maximum compensation.
Taking Your Case to Court if Necessary
If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, your attorney can take the case to court. This includes:
- Filing a lawsuit within North Carolina’s statute of limitations
- Presenting your case to a judge or jury
- Fighting for full and fair compensation in the courtroom
Most cases settle before trial, but it’s important to have a lawyer who is prepared for litigation.
Insurance Coverage for Uber and Lyft Accidents
Rideshare accidents can be confusing, especially when it comes to insurance. If you’ve been hurt in a crash involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle, the driver’s status at the time of the accident will determine what insurance coverage applies.
When the Rideshare App Is Off
If the Uber or Lyft driver is not using the app, in other words, they’re not working or looking for passengers, then their personal auto insurance is the only coverage available. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft provide no coverage when the app is off.
The Lyft or Uber Driver Is Waiting for a Request
If the app is on, but the driver hasn’t accepted a ride yet and is just waiting for a request, Uber and Lyft provide limited liability coverage in case the driver causes a crash. This includes:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 for property damage
Uber and Lyft insurance coverage applies only if the driver’s insurance doesn’t cover the accident or is too low to pay for all the costs.
The Driver Is Picking Up or Transporting a Passenger
Once a driver has accepted a ride request or has a passenger in the car, Lyft and Uber insurance provide up to $1 million in liability coverage. This coverage is meant to protect passengers and other people involved in the accident.
This higher insurance coverage lasts from the moment the driver accepts a trip until the passenger is dropped off.
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident in Durham, NC
If you’re involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft vehicle, it’s important to take the right steps to protect your health and your legal rights. Whether you were a rideshare passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian, here’s what to do after a rideshare crash.
Call the Police and Report the Accident
Always call 911 after a crash, even if it seems minor. Police will come to the scene, make sure everyone is safe, and create an official accident report. This report will be a key piece of evidence when filing an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Get Information from the Rideshare Driver
Ask the rideshare driver and any other drivers involved in the accident for insurance and contact information.
Be sure to get:
- Full names and contact information
- Insurance details
- Driver’s license numbers
- License plate numbers
- Rideshare app screenshots (if available) showing the trip details
This info helps your Durham Uber accident lawyer understand who was involved and how to proceed.
Take Pictures and Talk to Witnesses
Use your phone to take pictures of:
- Vehicle damage
- Road conditions
- Traffic signs or signals
- Injuries
If anyone saw what happened, ask for their name and phone number. Witness statements can help prove who was at fault.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel okay, see a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries, like whiplash or concussions, don’t show up right away. Getting medical care quickly also creates a record of your injuries, which is important for your claim.
Contact a Durham Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer
Before talking to insurance adjusters or accepting any offers, speak with a Durham rideshare accident lawyer. An experienced attorney can:
- Explain your rights
- Help you avoid mistakes
- Deal with the insurance companies
- Fight for the compensation you deserve
Lyft and Uber Accident Compensation
Victims of Uber and Lyft accidents in Durham may be entitled to various forms of compensation, depending on the circumstances of the crash.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the financial losses you experience because of a rideshare accident. These are real, measurable costs that can be proven with bills, receipts, or pay stubs. If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash, you may be entitled to recover economic damages to help cover the money you’ve lost or had to spend due to the accident.
Examples include:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Prescription medication and medical equipment
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages from time missed at work
- Loss of future earning ability if you can’t return to your job
- Car repair or replacement costs (if applicable)
- Transportation expenses to medical appointments
These damages are meant to help you get back on your feet financially after the accident.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are meant to compensate you for the ways an accident has affected your life that can’t be measured in dollars and cents. These damages don’t come with bills or receipts, but they’re just as real. They focus on the physical pain, emotional suffering, and overall impact the accident has had on your well-being.
Common examples include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress or anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of companionship or relationship strain
- Depression or post-traumatic stress (PTSD)
A skilled rideshare accident lawyer can help show the full extent of these losses and fight for fair compensation.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are different from economic and non-economic damages. Instead of compensating you for your losses, they are meant to punish the wrongdoer and discourage others from acting the same way.
In North Carolina, punitive damages are only awarded in cases where the at-fault party’s actions were intentional or especially reckless. For example, if an Uber or Lyft driver was intoxicated, a court might award punitive damages.
North Carolina law also caps punitive damages at three times the amount of compensatory damages or $250,000, whichever is greater. However, the cap on punitive damages doesn’t apply to DUI accident cases.
How Much Does a Durham Uber Accident Lawyer Cost?
One of the biggest concerns people have after a rideshare crash is whether they can afford a Durham Uber accident lawyer. The team at North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers works on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay anything upfront, and you only pay if we win your case.
Here’s how it works:
- Your consultation is completely free
- We only get paid if we recover money for you through a settlement or court award
- Our fee is a percentage of the compensation we win for you
This payment structure means you can focus on healing and moving forward, without worrying about legal fees.
What Is the Deadline for an Uber Accident Lawsuit in North Carolina?
If you’ve been injured in an Uber accident in North Carolina, it’s crucial to be aware of the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, the court will most likely dismiss your case, and you’ll lose the right to seek compensation.
Under North Carolina law, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, there are some exceptions to this deadline, such as if the victim is a minor. The time limit for a wrongful death lawsuit is two years from the victim’s death.
Gathering evidence, obtaining medical records, and negotiating with insurance companies are all time-consuming processes. To protect your rights and ensure you don’t miss critical deadlines, it’s wise to consult with an experienced Durham Uber accident attorney as soon as possible.
Contact Our Durham Rideshare Accident Lawyers Today
If you or someone you love has been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Durham, do not wait to seek legal help. The sooner you contact North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers, the sooner our team can investigate your case, preserve evidence, and fight for your rights. With our experience, dedication, and proven results, you can trust us to handle your case with the care and attention it deserves.
Call 864-561-6247 or complete our contact form today for a free consultation and take the first step toward securing the compensation you deserve after a rideshare accident.
