Key Highlights:
- A South Carolina rideshare accident lawyer handles overlapping insurance policies, gathers crucial evidence, and advocates for your rights following an auto accident involving a rideshare vehicle.
- Under the South Carolina Transportation Network Company Act (S.C. Code § 58-23-1610), insurance coverage shifts depending on the driver’s app status, scaling up to $1,000,000 in commercial third-party liability coverage during active trips.
- Under the modified comparative negligence rule established in Nelson v. Concrete Supply Co., South Carolina law allows you to collect financial compensation after a crash as long as you are 50% or less at fault.
- While standard personal injury lawsuits carry a three-year statute of limitations under S.C. Code § 15-3-530, claims involving government entities fall under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act and require significantly shorter notice periods.
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft give locals, tourists, and travelers convenient ways to get around South Carolina, from Myrtle Beach and Charleston to Columbia and Greenville. However, having so many rideshare drivers on the road leads to heavier traffic and serious car crashes.
Filing a personal injury claim after an Uber or Lyft crash is rarely simple because multiple insurance policies often overlap. To make sure you get the money you need for your medical bills and recovery, put your trust in our Uber and Lyft accident lawyer in South Carolina. Our main Shelly Leeke Law Firm headquarters is at 6060 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC 29406, and our legal team is ready to stand up for your rights.
Call us today at (843) 604-3273 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
South Carolina Rideshare Traffic and Accident Trends
With 143,801 traffic collisions reported across South Carolina in 2024, the steady influx of rideshare vehicles adds to local roadway congestion. Heavy travel corridors include I-26 and I-95 near Charleston, I-20 in Columbia, I-85 in Greenville, and US-501 heading into Myrtle Beach. These roads see frequent multi-vehicle crashes and rear-end collisions driven by dense traffic and sudden lane changes and turns.
Busy pickup areas around Charleston International Airport (CHS), downtown entertainment districts, and coastal tourist routes create heightened risks for passengers, pedestrians, and nearby motorists. Rideshare drivers frequently drive while checking app notifications and GPS maps, increasing crash rates at crowded intersections. If you are injured on any state roadway, identifying these local factors is critical to building a successful personal injury claim.
Uber and Lyft Accident Victims in South Carolina
A study included in the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) databases states that since 2010, Uber and Lyft have “facilitated over 11 billion trips” and concludes that ridesharing “contributes to injury burden due to motor vehicle crashes.” All who share the roads with these vehicles are at risk.
Pedestrians
Pedestrians are especially vulnerable at rideshare pickup and drop-off points. Drivers may be distracted, looking for their passengers or checking the rideshare app for directions or other information. South Carolina has laws in place to protect pedestrians and gives guidance to pedestrians to encourage safety.
Rideshare drivers who break these laws and cause injury need to be held accountable.
Passengers
If a rideshare vehicle crashes with another vehicle or is involved in a single-car crash, passengers can be seriously injured or killed. An Uber and Lyft accident attorney in South Carolina will investigate the accident to determine its cause and identify the negligent party.
Occupants of Other Vehicles
When an Uber or Lyft collides with another vehicle, that other vehicle’s occupants are in danger. While these vehicle occupants are at risk at any time during their travels, as with pedestrians, they are most vulnerable at rideshare pickup and drop-off points.
No matter your situation, a South Carolina Uber and Lyft accident lawyer from Shelly Leeke is prepared to take your personal injury case and secure the financial award you deserve.
What to Do After a South Carolina Rideshare Accident
While rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are everyday conveniences, knowing how to protect your safety and legal rights after a crash is critical. Taking immediate, deliberate steps helps establish a clear record for your personal injury claim.
- Call 911 Immediately: Report the collision so local law enforcement and medical personnel arrive on the scene. The official police accident report serves as vital evidence for establishing liability.
- Seek Prompt Medical Attention: Accept emergency evaluation or visit an urgent care facility right away. Documenting your physical injuries immediately prevents insurance adjusters from claiming your condition was unrelated to the crash.
- Gather Key Scene Details: If you are physically able, take photos of the vehicle damage, road conditions, and the driver’s rideshare app status. Collect contact information, driver’s license details, and insurance policy numbers from all involved motorists, as well as contact details for any eyewitnesses.
- Consult a South Carolina Rideshare Accident Attorney: Before making recorded statements to insurance companies, review your case with a personal injury lawyer.
An experienced South Carolina car accident attorney will investigate the collision, identify all applicable Uber or Lyft commercial insurance policies, and file your claim within South Carolina’s strict statute of limitations.
How Uber and Lyft Insurance Works Under SC Law
In standard car accidents, claims are filed against the at-fault driver’s personal policy. For Uber or Lyft crashes, insurance coverage varies depending on the driver’s app status under the South Carolina Transportation Network Company Act (S.C. Code § 58-23-1610):
- App Off (Offline): When the driver is not logged into the rideshare app, they are using the vehicle for personal use. Only the driver’s personal automobile insurance policy applies. Neither Uber nor Lyft provides coverage during this phase.
- App On; Awaiting a Fare (Available): When the driver is logged into the digital network and available to accept a request, but has not yet accepted a ride, South Carolina law requires primary third-party liability coverage if the driver’s personal insurance excludes rideshare activities. Under both Uber’s Insurance Policy and Lyft’s Insurance Policy, mandatory minimum limits during this stage are:
- $50,000 for bodily injury per person
- $100,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage per accident
- On a Trip or En Route to Pickup (Prearranged Ride): From the moment a driver accepts a ride request until the passenger is safely dropped off, state law requires substantial primary coverage. Both Uber’s Commercial Policy and Lyft’s Driver Policy provide up to $1,000,000 in commercial third-party liability coverage, along with Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage for passengers and third parties injured in a crash.
Who Are The Potential Fault Holders
With any motor vehicle accident case, identifying the at-fault party is a crucial first step. Collecting a settlement can only occur if you can prove the at-fault party’s negligent actions caused the accident leading to your injuries.
There are a variety of possible at-fault parties in a motor vehicle accident, and your attorney will investigate the situation to make the proper identification. Those potentially at fault include:
The Uber or Lyft Driver
Drivers who operate their vehicles recklessly, distractedly, while under the influence, or in any other unsafe capacity have failed to fulfill their “duty of care” to passengers and others on the road. This duty of care is shared by all drivers and requires compliance with all traffic and vehicle operation laws, avoidance of unsafe behaviors, and proactivity in taking measures to promote the safety of all who share the roads.
Rideshare drivers must obey all state traffic and impaired driving laws. In South Carolina, Uber and Lyft drivers operating personal vehicles under a Class D driver’s license are subject to the standard 0.08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit under S.C. Code § 56-5-2933. Driving with a BAC at or above this limit or driving while otherwise impaired constitutes clear driver negligence.
The Other Vehicle’s Driver
Sometimes, other drivers breach their duty of care and cause a collision with the rideshare vehicle.
The Rideshare Company (Uber or Lyft)
While rideshare companies classify drivers as independent contractors, corporate entities can be held directly liable for negligent hiring, failing to perform required background checks, or retaining drivers who have a documented history of reckless driving or safety violations.
Vehicle And Auto Part Manufacturers
If a crash or severe injury was caused by a mechanical failure such as defective brakes, faulty steering systems, or exploding airbags, the automotive manufacturer may be held accountable through a product liability claim.
Government Entities
When a broken traffic signal, poor road maintenance, or a collision with a government vehicle causes an accident, the responsible government entity may be liable.
While standard South Carolina personal injury claims have a three-year deadline under S.C. Code § 15-3-530, claims against government agencies fall under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act (S.C. Code § 15-78-110). These cases carry much shorter filing deadlines and strict procedural rules. Missing your applicable deadline permanently bars you from pursuing compensation in court, leaving you personally responsible for medical bills, lost income, and long-term recovery costs.
Alert: Deadlines vary, and exceptions exist, so talk to an attorney today. Contacting a South Carolina Uber and Lyft accident lawyer near me immediately to protects your right to compensation.
Comparative Negligence in South Carolina
South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence standard. Established in the landmark state court case Nelson v. Concrete Supply Co. (1991), this rule determines how financial responsibility is split when more than one driver shares blame for a crash.
Under this law, you can still collect compensation for your injuries as long as you were not mostly to blame. If a judge or insurance adjuster finds that you were more than 50% at fault for the accident, state law completely bars you from recovering any money. If your share of fault is 50% or less, your total payout is simply reduced by that percentage.
Ways a South Carolina Rideshare Accident Lawyer Near Me Will Help Your Case
Having an Uber and Lyft accident lawyer in South Carolina fighting for your interests can make a positive difference in the outcome of your case and reduce the stress you experience as your case progresses.
Under the leadership of firm founder Shelly Leeke, a South Carolina Bar-admitted attorney with nearly 20 years of personal injury experience, the firm is equipped to help you navigate the complexities of your claim.
Instead of attempting to decipher complex laws and insurance policies on your own, you can focus on your recovery while leaving these important tasks in your attorney’s hands. Your attorney will:
- Examine the circumstances of your accident and identify the party at fault
- Collect evidence to prove the at-fault party’s negligence
- File your claim within the statute of limitations and prepare and submit any additional legal paperwork
- Value your case to ensure your needs are met, and your losses are covered. Medical costs, income loss, emotional and physical suffering, property damage, and your reduced quality of life will all factor into your settlement demand.
- Negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance companies and other representatives. It is easy to say the “wrong thing” accidentally or be manipulated into accepting a low settlement by unethical insurance adjusters. When your attorney handles these negotiations, you do not have to worry about making those mistakes.
- Present you with all of your options if the at-fault party refuses to offer a fair settlement. If you go to court, your attorney will provide you with superior representation in all proceedings.
Your Recovery Starts with a Free Consultation
Call us at (843) 604-3273 or reach out to the Shelly Leeke Law Firm to schedule a free consultation today. The sooner you partner with a skilled, compassionate Uber and Lyft accident attorney in South Carolina, the sooner you will experience peace of mind and see financial recovery. You can trust your South Carolina lawyer to give your case the customized attention it needs so you can receive the settlement you deserve.
FAQs: Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers in South Carolina!
How long does it take to get compensation in a South Carolina rideshare accident case?
The timeline depends on the severity of your injuries and how fairly the insurance company handles your claim. Straightforward out-of-court settlements often take several months. Cases involving serious injuries, disputed fault, or formal court filings can take a year or longer to reach a resolution.
Should I accept a settlement offer after a South Carolina rideshare accident?
Evaluating a settlement requires looking at both immediate costs and long-term needs. Early offers often come before the full extent of your injuries is known. Your attorney will review any proposed settlement with you, but the final decision to accept or reject an offer rests with you.
How does a judge or jury evaluate a South Carolina rideshare accident case at trial?
At trial, a judge or jury evaluates evidence from both sides to assign fault and decide on fair compensation. Under South Carolina’s modified comparative fault law, you can recover damages if you were 50% or less at fault, though your payout decreases by your assigned percentage of fault.
Who pays my medical bills while my South Carolina rideshare claim is pending?
Rideshare insurance companies do not pay medical bills as you receive them. Instead, liability coverage pays a lump-sum settlement after your treatment is complete. While your claim is pending, your medical bills are typically covered by your health insurance, personal MedPay coverage, or medical liens arranged by your attorney.
Can I sue Uber or Lyft directly after a crash in South Carolina?
Uber and Lyft classify drivers as independent contractors; you generally file claims against the driver’s insurance policy or the rideshare company’s commercial policy rather than suing the corporation directly. However, you can sue Uber or Lyft directly if corporate negligence, such as negligent hiring or failing to run background checks, contributed to the crash.
