At Shook & Stone, our diligent car crash attorneys are very familiar with the liability of rideshare injury accident claims. We have the experience needed in order to handle these types of cases and can use our expertise to help you get the compensation you need. If a rideshare accident has taken place, we are here to fight for your rights.
We specialize in helping those injured in all kinds of accidents recover from their injuries and get back on track. We’ll work hard to get you the compensation you deserve.
For a free consultation with a Las Vegas rideshare accident lawyer, call today.
Rideshare Accidents Overview:
In recent years, there has been a rise in the popularity of rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber. These ride-sharing services make it easy to get around without having to worry about driving yourself or paying for a taxicab company.
However, there is an unfortunate downside of these new transportation options: in recent years, there has been a rise in Las Vegas rideshare accident claims.
What Is Ridesharing?
Ridesharing is a popular transportation service that involves people using their personal vehicles to drive other passengers. This helps users save money and also provides an easy way for drivers to make extra income (it’s not uncommon for one driver to drive three or more riders in a single day).
There are two major companies that offer rideshare services at this time: Uber and Lyft.
Safety Concerns with Ridesharing
While ridesharing services are great for reducing the number of cars on the road and increasing convenience for customers, there are a few safety concerns that may come up during these types of trips.
For instance, because many people are in one car, it’s very easy to miss an unsafe or distracted driver behind the wheel.
These drivers pose a safety hazard because they’re not always paying attention to what’s going on around them, and it can be difficult for passengers to quickly exit the car if there is any kind of issue (such as an emergency).
The Dangers of Ridesharing in Las Vegas
The largest concern with rideshare accidents is the increasing number of accidents that have taken place in recent years.
In fact, many insurance companies are refusing to offer coverage to rideshare companies because they’re concerned about the effect these types of accidents will have on their bottom line.
It’s also important to note that there have been some cases where drunk driving has played a part in a rideshare company accident.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
If you or a loved one has been injured in a rideshare vehicle, it’s important to understand how personal injury lawsuits in Las Vegas work if you want to get the compensation you deserve.
At Shook & Stone, we believe that every person has the right to get compensation for their injuries after a car accident has taken place, and we will fight hard to help you get the compensation you need for:
Medical Expenses
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s likely that you’ll face medical expenses. These out of pocket expenses can quickly add up if you have to go to the hospital for treatment – and even more so if you need surgery or other specialized care. Medical records will be helpful if you decide to pursue a claim.
Physical Pain & Suffering
No one should have to suffer physically after being involved in an accident. That’s why many people are choosing to file a lawsuit after an accident – not only do they want to get compensated for their severe injuries, but they also want to be able to stop suffering and start moving forward with their lives.
Emotional Pain & Suffering
It’s not uncommon for victims of car accidents involving rideshare vehicles to suffer from emotional distress. This type of distress can come in many forms: it may cause you to lose sleep, cause a loss of enjoyment of life, feel anxious or nervous, and more. These emotional issues are not only a problem for victims of the accident – they also have the power to negatively impact the lives of their family members (especially children).
Loss of Life
Sometimes, someone is killed in a car accident. When this happens, it’s important to know that the deceased victim’s family members can file for wrongful death lawsuits against the driver who caused the accident.
Loss of Income
If you have to miss work after an accident, it’s important to consider the financial burden that comes with this loss of income. Even if you don’t require any medical treatment, you may still need time off from work in order to deal with your emotional or physical pain. These economic damages can be recovered in a lawsuit.
Punitive Damages
Some states allow those who have been injured in a car accident to sue the party responsible for their injuries. When you know who is at fault, it’s possible to seek punitive damages – which can be used to punish the guilty party and ensure that they never put other drivers at risk.
We have experience handling rideshare accidents in Las Vegas, so contact us today for a free consultation. We can discuss your case and how to put together a solid personal injury lawsuit based on liability laws in the state of Nevada.
What Happened?
Uber & Lyft have managed to avoid legal responsibility by claiming that the vehicle is owned and controlled solely by the driver of the vehicle.
This means that if you are injured by an Uber or Lyft driver, they are not responsible for providing financial support.
In other words, if you have been hurt by a negligent driver and need to hire a Las Vegas rideshare accident attorney, you cannot receive any compensation from Uber & Lyft.
The two companies do stipulate that drivers must carry liability insurance coverage, as legally required by state law in Nevada.
But if you’re hurt by an Uber or Lyft driver, it is the insurance policy of the driver which protects them – and not your right to sue.
What Can I Do?
Unfortunately, the options for lawsuits against an Uber or Lyft driver are very limited. Only in cases where negligence is so severe that a jury would be willing to award punitive damages can you pursue financial compensation for injuries. In a Lyft or Uber accident, there is generally no evidence of negligence or malice as far as the rideshare company is concerned, so it is unlikely that a jury would find in your favor. If you have been in a rideshare vehicle accident and have evidence that the driver was acting negligently, you may be able to pursue a claim against the driver for their negligence.If they are clearly at fault and liable for your injuries, an attorney will be able to provide further information on how to proceed with a personal injury lawsuit.
Trying to find a capable lawyer in Las Vegas for a rideshare accident might be difficult. Every day, people get into accidents in Las Vegas that involve personal injuries. If you’ve been injured in a Lyft or Uber accident, you know how frustrating it can be to try and find a legal team that’s willing to take on your case. After all, the last thing you need on top of the pain and suffering from an accident that was not your fault, is to worry about how you’re going to pay for medical bills. If you’ve been injured in a Lyft or Uber accident, give us a call. We have the experience and resources needed to handle your case with the utmost professionalism and care.
Uber and Lyft have been pretty successful in evading litigation regarding their liability when it comes to accident injuries. When you’re on duty for these companies, it’s officially considered work. This status is important for a number of reasons, the most important being that it means Uber and Lyft have no legal liability in the event their ride-share driver causes an accident. The lack of liability on behalf of Lyft and Uber is critical because these companies are very careful to protect themselves with insurance caps and other measures taken to reduce their risk exposure when it comes to accidents. For example, drivers for Lyft and Uber are required to carry their own personal auto insurance policy (a commercial policy is not needed). The companies also purchase a specific policy that has high limits in the event of an accident involving one of their vehicles, but that also contains exclusions for things like DUI’s or hit-and-run accidents among other things. Drivers are also asked to sign a document that releases them from responsibility if they should be involved in an accident while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or if they flee the scene and don’t contact police immediately. There are dozens of details like this that ultimately protect Lyft and Uber in their attempts to avoid liability.
The best way for you to hold these companies liable is if you were injured during an accident while a passenger. If, for example, you’re at a party having drinks with friends when your friend who is an Uber driver decides to give themselves a ride home using their own vehicle. In this scenario, there would be no lawyer that could argue the driver was working at the time for Lyft or Uber. But what if while at said party you decide to take a few tequila shots and before realizing how intoxicated you are, you accept your uber driving friend’s offer of a ride home? If you’re injured in an accident caused by this driver, it will likely be difficult to make a case that Lyft or Uber should be bearing the responsibility for your injuries.
If you’ve been injured in a Lyft accident or Uber accident for example, don’t assume you have no hope of financial recovery.
Shook & Stone are experienced rideshare accident lawyers who represent injury victims all across the United States, including Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, and other areas that specialize in helping injured victims pursue compensation for their injuries.
Statute of Limitations in Nevada
The statute of limitations for personal injury in Nevada is two years. You have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. If you do not file within this time limit, your case will probably be dismissed.
Trust Our Rideshare Accident Attorneys in Las Vegas
Being a rideshare driver or passenger is risky. As its popularity has grown, so have the stories of drivers and passengers who are getting into car accidents while driving for hire or riding with friends in their own vehicle.
A rideshare accident is a terrible experience that can lead to serious physical injuries, which in turn can lead to financial problems as well. If you are an accident victim or someone you know has been injured in a rideshare accident, get in touch with the team at Shook & Stone.
The law office of Shook & Stone has over 50 years of combined experience in personal injury law. We know how to win cases against rideshare drivers who work for companies like Uber and Lyft, and we can help you get the compensation you need after an accident has taken place.
At Shook & Stone, we believe that every person has the right to get a fair settlement for their catastrophic injuries after a car accident has taken place, and we will fight hard to help you get fair compensation. Our accident attorneys offer free consultations to provide legal advice about your case and determine if you have a personal injury claim worth pursuing further. In order to get started on your case, you can contact a Las Vegas rideshare accident lawyer today.
