At Shook & Stone, our Las Vegas car accident lawyer is very familiar with the liability of rideshare injury accident claims. We have the experience needed in order to handle these types of cases and help you get the compensation you need. If a rideshare accident has taken place, we are here to fight for your rights.
We help those injured in all kinds of accidents recover from their injuries and get back on track. With more than 150 years of combined legal experience, 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 taxi.
However, there is an unfortunate downside to 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).
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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 is also important to note that there have been some cases where drunk driving has played a part in a rideshare company accident.
How Rideshare Accidents Happen in Las Vegas
If you have ever ordered a rideshare in Las Vegas, you know how busy the Strip and surrounding streets can get. Rideshare drivers are juggling app notifications, changing traffic patterns, and constant pick-up or drop-off requests.
That mix can lead to mistakes that cause serious crashes, and a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer with Shook & Stone Injury Lawyers can help you understand how these incidents occur and who may be responsible.
What Makes Rideshare Collisions Different from Other Crashes
If you have been in a rideshare accident, you will notice pretty quickly that it is not handled the same way as a regular fender-bender. Whether the driver was on the way to pick someone up, actively carrying a passenger, or simply logged into the app can change which insurance policy applies.
It is also common for multiple insurers to be involved at the same time, which can slow things down. You might have the rideshare company’s policy, the driver’s personal insurance, and possibly your own insurer all reviewing the same accident.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of rideshare crashes, as drivers often glance at their phones to accept rides, check navigation, or communicate with passengers. This constant interaction with the app can take attention away from the road and delay reaction times. Fatigue is another frequent issue, especially for drivers working long shifts or using rideshare work to supplement other jobs.
Other causes our rideshare accident lawyers in Las Vegas have seen include speeding to meet pick-up deadlines and stopping in unsafe locations to let passengers in or out. These actions can put drivers, passengers, and other road users at risk.
Impaired driving, whether from alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication, also contributes to a portion of rideshare accidents in Las Vegas, adding another layer of complexity when determining fault.
Steps to Take Immediately After a Rideshare Accident
What you do in the first moments after a rideshare crash can affect both your health and your ability to recover compensation. Staying calm, getting the right help, and preserving key details will make it easier for a rideshare accident attorney in Las Vegas to protect your claim later.
Nevada law, under NRS § 484E.030, requires you to report accidents that cause injury or death, so your first calls after the crash should be to emergency services.
Call 911 and Report the Accident
If anyone is hurt, calling 911 is the fastest way to get help. Paramedics can assess injuries on the spot, and law enforcement will secure the area to prevent further danger.
When speaking with officers, stick to the facts and avoid making guesses about fault. Ask for the report number before you leave, so it is easier for you or your Las Vegas rideshare accident lawyer to request a copy later.
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
Even if you feel only mild discomfort, get checked by a medical professional as soon as possible. Some injuries, like concussions, internal bleeding, or soft tissue damage, may not cause immediate symptoms.
Tell the doctor every symptom you notice, no matter how small it seems. Make sure the visit is documented in your medical records, as this creates a clear link between the accident and your injuries.
Document the Scene and Witnesses
If you are able, gather as much information as you can before leaving the crash site. Use your phone to take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, surrounding property damage, license plates, traffic signals, and any visible injuries.
Get the names and contact information of all drivers, passengers, and witnesses. Eyewitness accounts often provide valuable details that are not captured in the police report. This information can be critical evidence your rideshare accident attorney in Las Vegas can use when building your case.
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, our Las Vegas rideshare accident attorneys 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 is important to know that the deceased victim’s family members can file wrongful death lawsuits against the driver who caused the accident.
Loss of Income
If you have to miss work after an accident, it is 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.
Liability in Rideshare Accident Claims
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 DUIs 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 do not contact police immediately. There are dozens of details like this that ultimately protect Lyft and Uber in their attempts to avoid liability.
When You Are Injured as a Passenger
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 are at a party having drinks with friends, 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 who could argue the driver was working at the time for Lyft or Uber. However, 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 bear 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 Nevada, including Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, and other areas that help injured victims pursue compensation for their injuries.
How Accident Investigations Work in Rideshare Claims
Nevada’s comparative negligence law, NRS § 41.141, allows fault to be divided between multiple parties, which means even a small detail can influence the outcome. Your rideshare accident lawyer in Las Vegas will focus on collecting and analyzing every piece of evidence so you are not left dealing with gaps in the story.
Evidence Collection and Analysis
Investigators start by pulling the rideshare company’s trip data, which shows the time, location, and route of the ride. This can help confirm where the driver was when the crash occurred and whether they were logged into the app. Driver history, training records, and background checks may also be reviewed to see if the company allowed someone with prior violations or safety concerns to take passengers.
Physical evidence from the scene matters just as much. This includes photos of the vehicles, traffic camera footage, dash cam recordings, and maintenance logs that show whether the rideshare vehicle was in proper working order.
By combining digital records with physical proof, your Las Vegas rideshare accident attorney can build a clear and well-supported account of the events leading up to the collision.
Determining Liability Across Multiple Parties
Rideshare crashes often involve more than one driver, so figuring out who is legally responsible can be complicated. Liability may rest with the rideshare driver, the rideshare company, another motorist, or even a third party. Insurance companies for each party will look for ways to limit their share of responsibility, which is why you need a strategy that accounts for every possible angle.
If the other driver left the scene, your Las Vegas hit and run accident lawyer can take additional steps to locate them and connect their actions to the crash. In cases where multiple parties share fault, the amount you can recover will depend on how much responsibility is assigned to each person or company.
Statute of Limitations in Nevada
The statute of limitations for personal injury in Nevada is two years, according to NRS § 11.190(4)(e). 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 attorneys at Shook & Stone.
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. Contact a Las Vegas rideshare accident lawyer today to get started on your case.
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