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Cleveland Rideshare Accident Attorneys

Injured in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Ohio? We Can Help.

At HMW Law, we know how important it is to seek compensation after an accident. Being strapped with financial burdens can add greater frustrations to an already stressful situation.

Our Cleveland rideshare accident lawyers are ready to help relieve some of the stresses associated with your case by taking care of all the details for you. We can conduct a thorough investigation, build a compelling strategy, and effectively present your claim to seek a fair and just financial recovery.

Get 75+ years of combined experience on your side by calling our Cleveland rideshare accident lawyer at (216) 220-6776 or contacting us online today.

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What to Do After a Rideshare Accident

The steps that you take after a rideshare accident can be important for your chances of receiving a fair recovery. Please let our Cleveland rideshare accident lawyers know if you were able to take any of the usual important steps after the crash.

The typical steps to take after a rideshare accident are:

  • Call for emergency help if someone was seriously injured.
  • Collect contact and insurance information from all involved parties.
  • Notify the rideshare company by suing the app.
  • Take photographs and video footage of the scene.
  • See a doctor the same day if you aren’t taken to the hospital.

Filing a Claim After a Collision Involving an Uber or Lyft Driver

Whether you're a rideshare passenger or a driver of another vehicle, an auto accident with the driver of a ride-hailing service such as Uber or Lyft can be complicated. Depending on the period of the drive, different insurance policies may kick in, and it's essential to know which applies to ensure that you are submitting your claim to the correct party.

Also, rideshare companies have safeguards protecting them from lawsuits should one of their drivers cause a traffic collision. Because several factors are at play in an Uber or Lyft accident, it's crucial that you get help from an Cleveland rideshare accident attorney to navigate your case.

Whose Insurance Do I File a Claim With?

When you're involved in a traffic accident, one of your first questions might be who you file your claim against. Generally, the answer is straightforward: The other driver's insurance company. But when a rideshare driver is responsible, the question becomes a little more difficult to answer. Do you file a claim with the company's insurance or the at-fault driver's? How your case is handled depends on when the accident occurred.

Uber's Insurance Policies

Uber requires any person who drives for the company to maintain their own insurance on their vehicle. However, it also carries third-party liability coverage.

The insurance coverage that applies in an accident depends on the drive period:

  • App off: If the driver is not online, their own insurance kicks in.
  • App on, waiting for a ride: If the rideshare driver is waiting for a ride request, they cause an accident, and their own insurance does not apply, Uber has the following third-party coverage:
    • $50,000 bodily injury per person
    • $100,000 bodily injury per accident
    • $25,000 property damage per accident
  • En route: If the driver is traveling to pick up a customer or driving them to their destination, Uber maintains $1,000,000 third-party liability insurance.

Lyft's Insurance Policies

The liability insurance Lyft maintains is similar to that of Uber. And like Uber, when Lyft's coverage applies depends on the drive period:

  • App off: Any accident the driver causes when they're not online with Lyft is covered by their own insurance.
  • App on, waiting for a ride request: Once the driver is logged onto the app and is waiting to get a request, if their insurance does not cover an accident they cause, the following third-party liability coverage maintained by Lyft will apply:
    • $50,000 bodily injury per person
    • $100,000 bodily injury per accident
    • $25,000 property damage per accident
  • En route: If the driver causes an accident when they are going to pick up passengers or are transporting them to their destination, damages/injury are covered by Lyft's $1,000,000 insurance policy.

If you're a passenger in a rideshare vehicle and the other driver causes the collision, you would file a claim with their insurance. In some cases, the other driver might be uninsured or their policy might not be enough to cover the damage. In such situations, both Uber and Lyft have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) insurance coverage.

Can I Sue Uber or Lyft?

Although most accident claims are settled out of court, some do go to trial. But does that apply if the at-fault party was a rideshare driver? Generally, no. You wouldn't be able to sue a rideshare company for a collision caused by one of their drivers. The reason is that the drivers are typically classified as independent contractors and are not direct employees. Thus, the rideshare company cannot be liable for damages resulting from the driver's negligence.

How HMW Can Help You

HMW Law is here to help you through the entire process of a rideshare accident or Uber/Lyft accident claim.

While all traffic collisions can make for complicated legal situations, it is perhaps no truer than when discussing rideshare accidents. Just figuring out who is liable and who should pay for your losses can be a large undertaking, especially for anyone who is not familiar with Ohio’s liability laws and insurance regulations.

Leave everything up to us, so you can know that your case is being handled correctly without adding any extra stress on your shoulders.

Damages in Rideshare Accident Claims

You are owed compensation after someone else caused a rideshare accident and you are seriously injured. The amount of compensation will vary from case to case, though. It depends on your losses, how your injuries have affected you, and many other factors.

While we cannot promise to secure you an exact amount of compensation, we can say that we know how to carefully calculate damages and pursue every last penny in your name.

The damages owed to you could include:

  • Lost wages
  • Past and future medical treatment costs
  • Vehicle repairs (if you were another driver)
  • Pain and suffering (non-economic losses)

Rideshare Accident Statute of Limitations

Ohio has a strict two-year statute of limitations for rideshare accidents, which applies whether you were a rideshare driver, a paying passenger, or a third party like a motorist or pedestrian. You need to file a claim within two years, starting on the date of the accident. If you don’t, then you most likely can’t once the statute expires.

The Importance of Hiring a Lawyer After a Rideshare Accident

Being involved in a rideshare accident can be a traumatic experience, and navigating the legal process in the aftermath can be overwhelming. That's why it's crucial to seek the assistance of an experienced Uber and Lyft accident attorney in Cleveland, like those at HMW Law.

Here are a few reasons why having legal representation is important:

  • Understanding complex insurance policies: Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have their own insurance policies that can be confusing to navigate. Our knowledgeable attorneys can help you understand the coverage available and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
  • Fighting for fair compensation: Insurance companies often try to settle claims quickly and for minimal amounts. Our skilled attorneys will fight to protect your rights and pursue the maximum compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
  • Proving liability: Determining fault in rideshare accidents can be challenging. Our legal team will thoroughly investigate the accident, gather evidence, and work with accident reconstruction experts if necessary to establish liability and build a strong case on your behalf.
  • Navigating the legal process: Filing a claim and dealing with insurance companies can be complex and time-consuming. Our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers will handle all the paperwork, negotiations, and legal proceedings, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

At HMW Law, we genuinely care about helping accident victims seek the financial recovery they need to pay for expenses and supplement losses. Our rideshare accident attorneys in Cleveland can develop personalized solutions for your case and provide compassionate representation every step of the way.

Don't face the aftermath of a rideshare accident alone. Contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you protect your rights and obtain the compensation you deserve.

For help from a team that will work hard for you, contact us at (216) 220-6776 today.

Cleveland Rideshare Accident FAQ

Are Uber drivers classified as employees?

Uber drivers are not classified as employees, but are instead considered independent contractors. The same is true of Lyft drivers. This separation makes it extremely difficult to pass any liability from a rideshare driver to the rideshare company, which is why both Uber and Lyft have lobbied extensively to keep this classification for their drivers.

Why do rideshare accidents happen?

Rideshare accidents tend to occur for the same reasons as other car accidents. The common thread is day-to-day negligence and human error, like driving while distracted or speeding.

Is it safe to use an app while driving?

It has been argued by various safety groups like the National Safety Council (NSC) that there is no way to use a smartphone app while driving. Yet rideshare drivers are expected to use an app while looking for a new fare or when driving a passenger to an unfamiliar destination. If the driver was distracted by the ridesharing app and that is why they crashed, then it could be a significant detail when determining liability.

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