Uber/Lyft/Rideshare Accidents in Fort Worth

Rideshare services like Lyft and Uber have continued to grow in popularity in recent years, with more people choosing to hail rides with their phones. Rideshare vehicles, however, are driven by ordinary people capable of making the same mistakes as other drivers. The increase in the number of Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare vehicles on the road in Fort Worth means an increase in the risk of rideshare vehicles causing an accident.

If you have been hurt in a Uber/Lyft/rideshare accident in Fort Worth, turn to a lawyer from The Wilhite Law Firm. Our firm strives to provide skilled, compassionate legal representation to injured accident victims in Fort Worth and throughout Texas. Let us leverage our car accident lawyers’ in-depth experience in personal injury law to pursue maximum compensation for you so that you can focus on your treatment, recovery, and getting back to the life you had before the wreck.

Reach out to our firm today for a free initial case review with a lawyer. We’re here to help you understand your rights and options for seeking the financial recovery you deserve.

Who Is Responsible for Your Uber or Lyft Accident?

Under Texas law, rideshare drivers are required to carry certain levels of liability insurance above and beyond the minimum liability limits required for personal drivers. Rideshare companies, such as Uber and Lyft, may provide this insurance coverage for their drivers, or drivers may choose to purchase the coverage on their own.

Liability for the injuries and losses you suffer in an Uber or Lyft accident in Fort Worth may vary depending on the circumstances of the accident. These circumstances may include:

• If the driver is on duty with a passenger – If a rideshare driver has a paying passenger, they are required to carry the highest amount of minimum liability insurance – $1 million minimum of combined liability insurance coverage.
• If the driver is on duty on the way to pick up a passenger – Similarly, if a rideshare driver has accepted a passenger request and is driving to pick up the passenger, the combined minimum $1 million liability coverage also applies.
• If the driver is on duty but waiting on a fare – However, if a driver is logged into the rideshare mobile application and is waiting on a passenger request, Texas law requires lower coverage minimums of $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident of bodily injury/death liability coverage and $25,000 of property damage liability coverage.
• If the driver is not on duty/logged into the app – If a rideshare driver is not logged into the mobile application at the time they cause an auto accident, then the driver’s own personal auto liability insurance coverage applies. In Texas, drivers are only required to carry insurance coverage minimums of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident of bodily injury/death liability coverage, and $25,000 of property damage liability coverage.
• If another driver hits your Uber/Lyft – If another vehicle hits a Lyft or Uber that you were riding in as a passenger, you would normally turn to the other at-fault driver’s insurance coverage to recover compensation for your injuries and losses. If the at-fault driver is not insured or does not have enough coverage to pay for your losses, you may be able to pursue compensation through the rideshare driver’s uninsured/underinsured motorist policy.

Demanding Full Compensation After a Rideshare Accident

After you have been hurt in a rideshare accident in Fort Worth, you may be entitled to compensation that covers both your financial and personal losses. Full compensation in a Lyft or Uber accident claim may include:

• Costs of medical treatment, including hospital bills, surgeries, other medical procedures, doctors’ appointments, prescriptions, physical or occupational therapy, and medical/mobility equipment purchases
• Loss of wages or income when you miss work to treat and recover from injuries you sustained in the accident
• Loss of earning potential and employment benefits if your injuries leave you permanently disabled from returning to your pre-accident job
• Pain and suffering caused by the accident
• Loss of enjoyment or quality of life caused by physical disfigurement, scarring, or disabilities

Time Limit for Filing an Uber/Lyft Accident Lawsuit

Generally, according to Texas’s statute of limitations laws, you have only two years from the date of a Fort Worth Uber or Lyft accident to file a lawsuit to pursue compensation from the party responsible for your injuries and losses. If you don’t file your case within that time period, your case may be permanently dismissed by the court. As a result, you will lose the right to seek financial recovery for the personal and financial losses you have suffered. Our Fort Worth personal injury lawyers at The Wilhite Law Firm will assist you.

How an Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer Can Help

Pursuing compensation after being injured in an Uber or Lyft accident is rarely straightforward. Unfortunately, too often, rideshare companies and insurers deny accident victims maximum compensation that covers the full extent of their injuries, expenses, and losses.

A Fort Worth Uber and Lyft accident lawyer from The Wilhite Law Firm can help you with every aspect of preparing and pursuing your accident claim, including:

• Independently investigating the underlying facts and circumstances of the crash to pursue all available evidence and to identify who can be held liable for your injuries and losses
• Documenting the full extent of your losses, including both financial expenses and the personal harm and suffering you have endured
• Retaining accident reconstruction or other expert witnesses, when needed, to help build a strong, persuasive argument for your case
• Preparing and presenting your demand for compensation to the at-fault parties and insurers, and aggressively negotiating with insurance adjusters, defense lawyers, or company representatives to try to reach a settlement that pays you fair and full compensation
• Taking your case to court if needed to pursue your legal rights and options in litigation, and advocating on your behalf at trial to fight for a verdict or judgment in your favor

How You Can Protect Your Rights After an Uber or Lyft Crash

When you have been involved in an Uber or Lyft crash in Fort Worth, you can take action to help protect your legal options for pursuing a claim for compensation for your injuries and losses. These steps may include:

• Documenting the accident scene by using your phone to take photos or video of details such as damage to the vehicles involved in the crash, debris or skid marks in the road, road lines, and traffic controls at the scene, and the weather and road conditions.
• Seeking medical attention as soon as possible to get examined by a doctor for any injuries you may have suffered in the accident. Take photos of any visible injuries. Remember to follow all treatment instructions your doctor gives you and not delay any recommended treatments or rehabilitation.
• Keeping copies of all bills and invoices for expenses that you incur due to the accident, along with copies of your pay stubs or tax returns if you miss time from work or lose out on income due to missing work because of injuries you suffered in the accident.
• Avoiding discussing the accident or your legal case on social media or posting photos or videos of yourself while still undergoing treatment for the injuries you suffered in the crash.
• Speaking to a Fort Worth Uber and Lyft accident attorney as soon as possible to learn more about your options and to start the process of pursuing a legal claim for compensation.

Talk to a Fort Worth Lyft and Uber Accident Attorney Now

If you were injured in an Uber/Lyft/rideshare accident in Fort Worth, you may have many questions about your legal options. Contact The Wilhite Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Don’t wait to speak to a lawyer about the details of your claim. Time is limited to take legal action.