If you or a loved one was injured in a rideshare accident, you may be dealing with medical bills, injuries, and uncertainty about what comes next.
The good news is that a Reno rideshare accident lawyer can help you understand the legal process, including which insurance coverage applies and what compensation you may be entitled to pursue.
Sweet James is ready to help the everyday person just like you; our firm can help you understand your options and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Nevada rideshare accident lawyer and learn more about The Sweet James Advantage.
Rideshare Accident Claims in Nevada: What You Need to Know
Rideshare accident claims can be more complicated than regular car accident claims. Liability may involve the rideshare driver, another driver, or multiple parties, and the insurance coverage available can depend on what the rideshare driver was doing when the accident happened.
Fault-Based Insurance
Nevada follows a fault-based insurance system, which generally means the person responsible for causing a crash is responsible for the resulting damages. However, determining who is responsible in a rideshare accident can require a closer look at the circumstances of the crash. A Reno rideshare accident attorney from Sweet James can help.
Driver’s App Status
The driver’s status in the Uber or Lyft app can affect which insurance policy applies.
For example, coverage may be different if the driver was offline, waiting for a ride request, traveling to pick up a passenger, or transporting a passenger.
A rideshare accident lawyer can review available evidence, including app activity, trip information, police reports, and insurance policies, to help determine what coverage is available.
Who Our Reno Rideshare Accident Attorneys Represent
At Sweet James, our Reno personal injury lawyers help individuals who have been hurt in different types of rideshare accidents. These cases can involve different liability and insurance questions depending on who was injured and how the accident happened. We assist accident victims who are:
- Passengers injured while riding in Uber or Lyft vehicles.
- Rideshare drivers injured by other negligent motorists.
- Pedestrians and cyclists struck in a rideshare crash.
- Families pursuing wrongful death claims after a fatal rideshare accident.
Rideshare accidents often involve rear-end collisions, unsafe lane changes, distracted driving, speeding, or hazardous pickup and drop-off situations. Your Reno rideshare accident attorney can investigate the circumstances of your rideshare crash and help determine what insurance coverage applies.
Insurance Coverage Tiers for App-Based Drivers
Rideshare insurance coverage generally depends on what the driver was doing when the accident occurred. The driver’s status within the Uber or Lyft app can determine which insurance policy applies.
Coverage for these car accidents generally works in the following way, depending on trip status:
- App off: The driver’s personal auto insurance generally applies.
- App on and waiting for a ride: Limited third-party liability coverage may apply.
- Ride accepted or passenger onboard: Higher-limit rideshare insurance coverage generally applies if there is a car accident during a ride. In this situation, Uber and Lyft generally provide up to $1 million in liability coverage, depending on the circumstances and the applicable insurance policy.
The driver’s personal auto insurance policy may also contain exclusions for rideshare driving. This can make it difficult to determine which insurance company should handle a claim after an accident. A Reno rideshare accident lawyer from Sweet James can review the driver’s app status, the cause of the car accident, and the available insurance policies.
How Our Rideshare Accident Lawyers Serving the Reno Area Build Your Case
A Reno rideshare car accident lawyer can handle many of the complicated parts of your claim while you focus on your recovery. Our attorneys can begin by investigating how the accident happened and gathering evidence to establish liability. This may include:
- Reviewing the police report and accident records of the crash scene: These records can provide important details about how the accident happened, where the vehicles were located, and whether anyone received a citation. Reviewing this information can help identify potential causes of the crash.
- Reviewing whether traffic laws like speed limits were broken: A driver who speeds, runs a red light, or violates another traffic law may be responsible for causing an accident. Reviewing traffic violations can help establish whether unsafe driving contributed to your injuries.
- Gathering medical records, bills, and other documentation after injuries: Medical records can document the nature and severity of your injuries and the treatment you received. Medical bills can also help show the financial costs you have faced because of the accident.
- Reviewing Uber or Lyft trip and app data, like trip records: This information can help establish what the rideshare driver was doing when the accident occurred. It may also help determine which insurance coverage could apply based on the driver’s status in the app.
- Gathering evidence like witness statements and dashcam footage when available: Witnesses can provide information about what they saw before, during, or after the crash. Dashcam footage, surveillance video, and other records may also help provide additional evidence about how the accident happened.
- Determining which insurance policies apply and filing insurance claims on your behalf: Rideshare accidents can involve the driver’s personal insurance and coverage provided by the rideshare company. Identifying the appropriate policies can help ensure your claim is submitted to the right insurance company.
- Communicating with insurance adjusters for the ridesharing companies and/or independent drivers: Insurance companies may ask for information about the accident, your injuries, and your claim. Your attorney can handle these communications and help protect your interests throughout the claims process.
- Calculating your current and future losses: Your losses may include medical expenses, lost income, and other costs related to your injuries. Future medical care or changes to your ability to work may also need to be considered when evaluating your claim.
- Negotiating for a fair settlement: An insurance company may offer a settlement to resolve your claim. Your attorney can review the offer and negotiate for compensation that accounts for your documented losses and the circumstances of your case.
- Preparing your case for court when appropriate: Not every rideshare accident claim goes to trial, but preparing a case for litigation can help ensure that important evidence is preserved. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney can explain your options for pursuing the claim in court.
Our personal injury lawyers handle rideshare cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay any attorney’s fees upfront. Instead, we only recover compensation if we recover funds on your behalf after the car accident claim process.
Deadlines and Notice Requirements in Nevada
Per NRS 11.190(4)(e), Nevada generally has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Wrongful death claims generally must also be filed within two years of the person’s death. However, different rules may apply in some situations, such as if a government agency is involved.
Because of these deadlines, it’s important to take action as soon as possible after a rideshare accident. Once that deadline passes, you generally won’t be able to recover compensation. Acting quickly can also help ensure that evidence is accessible.
A Reno rideshare accident lawyer can review the circumstances of your accident and help you understand the deadlines that may apply to your claim.
What Your Compensation Could Include
If you were injured in a rideshare accident, you may be entitled to compensation for losses caused by the crash. Depending on your circumstances, compensation could include:
Medical Expenses
You can seek compensation for medical treatment related to your injuries, including future medical expenses and care. This may include hospital visits, medications, physical therapy, and other necessary treatment.
Lost Wages
If your injuries prevent you from working, you can pursue compensation for lost income. This may include wages you have already lost as well as certain future income losses.
Reduced Earning Capacity
Some serious injuries can affect your ability to earn income in the future. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or working the same hours, you can seek compensation for this loss.
Property Damages
If your vehicle or other property was damaged in the car accident, you can pursue compensation for repair or replacement from the at-fault driver’s insurance or the rideshare company’s insurance, depending on the details.
Rehabilitation
You could recover certain out-of-pocket costs related to your injuries, such as rehabilitation, medical equipment, transportation to medical appointments, and other necessary costs.
Pain and Suffering
Compensation may be available for the physical pain caused by your injuries. The amount will depend on the severity of your injuries and how they affect your daily life.
Emotional Distress
An accident can cause anxiety, emotional trauma, and other forms of distress. You can seek compensation for the emotional effects of your injuries and the accident.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Serious injuries can affect your ability to participate in activities you enjoyed before the accident. Compensation may be available when your injuries prevent you from enjoying hobbies, spending time with loved ones, or taking part in other activities.
Wrongful Death Damages
In a wrongful death case, certain family members can seek compensation for losses such as funeral expenses, lost income, and loss of companionship.
The type and amount of compensation available will depend on factors such as the decedent’s age and role in the household, who was responsible for the accident, and the insurance coverage available.
A Reno rideshare accident lawyer from Sweet James can evaluate your situation and help you understand what compensation may be available to you.
Why Choose Sweet James for Your Case?
Choosing a law firm after a rideshare accident can be an important decision. At Sweet James, our attorneys have experience helping injury victims and understand that rideshare claims can involve complicated insurance questions.
Our founder previously represented insurers in personal injury matters, giving our firm unique insight into how insurance companies evaluate and defend claims.
We can help investigate your accident, identify potentially available insurance coverage, gather evidence, and communicate with insurance companies on your behalf. Our goal is to help you understand your legal options and protect your interests throughout the claims process.
Talk to Our Rideshare Accident Law Firm Serving Reno Today
An Uber or Lyft accident can leave you dealing with injuries, medical bills, lost income, and questions about which insurance company should cover your losses.
You do not have to figure out the insurance process alone. If you’re searching for a “Reno rideshare accident lawyer near me,” we can review what happened, explain your legal options, and help you understand what compensation you may be entitled to pursue.
At Sweet James, our attorneys have extensive experience helping injury victims recover compensation after accidents. Contact us today for a free case evaluation and learn what steps you can take next. You pay no fees or costs unless we recover compensation for you.
