Despite the ever-increasing popularity of rideshare services, there continue to be reports of devastating collisions involving Uber and Lyft. Fortunately, injury victims are not without legal recourse when another party’s negligence is the cause of the wreck. With help from a highly qualified South Carolina Uber and Lyft accident lawyer, you can exercise your rights to maximum compensation.
The claims process can be overwhelming, particularly when you are going up against a nationwide corporation and insurance companies with money to burn. When you have a skilled legal advocate with Shelly Leeke Law Firm on your side, you can feel empowered. Our team will help you assert your rights through every step of the claims process so you can access the financial support you need to rebuild your life.
You Have the Right to Be Made Whole
You also have the right to be made whole. This is a common legal expression that means you have the right to be repaid for every way your life has been affected by not only the rideshare accident but the injuries you suffered as well. These can include a combination of compensatory damages, known as economic and non-economic damages, which a personal injury lawyer in South Carolina can help you fight for.
The Right to Economic Damages
Economic damages describe the financial losses you have the right to recover. They are strictly financial, which makes them easiest to quantify. Potential recoverable economic damages could include:
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning potential
- Loss of benefits from your employer
- Damage to your credit score
- Damage to your vehicle
- Rental car expenses
- Increased insurance premiums
- The diminished value of your vehicle
- Medical expenses
- Medical devices, equipment, and home accommodations
- Future medical treatment and care
The Right to Non-Economic Damages
You also have the right to be repaid for your non-economic damages. These losses are intangible, which could make them more challenging to evaluate. Some examples of these emotional and lifestyle losses could include:
- Skin scarring and disfigurement
- Reduced quality of life
- Damage to your professional reputation
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Inconvenience
It is important to note that punitive damages are not a right you have as part of your personal injury case. Punitive damages could be awarded, but only if the court system deems the defendant’s conduct intentionally malicious or grossly negligent. Our team will analyze the specific circumstances of your case to determine whether punitive damages are likely to be awarded.
You Have the Right to File a Claim Against the Liable Party’s Insurance Policy
If you are injured in a collision with an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare service provider, you have the right to take legal action against the liable party. You also have the right to request full compensation for your damages and suffering. When you bring your rideshare accident claim to trial through a personal injury lawsuit, you have the right to be awarded compensation for every single loss related to your injuries and damages.
However, figuring out who should be held responsible for your damages can be more challenging than you might have thought. Your rights will often vary based on who the liable party is found to be. Here are some of the potential opportunities you may have for justice:
The Right to File a Claim Against Uber or Lyft
You may have the right to file a claim against Uber or Lyft if their negligence is responsible for injuries you endure. For example, if Uber or Lyft failed to do due diligence before hiring a driver, only to discover this driver has a history of drunk driving, you may have grounds for a claim against them. You have the right to take legal action against anyone and everyone who has contributed to your injuries.
The Right to File a Claim Against the Uber Driver
You also have the right to file a claim against the Uber or Lyft driver if they are at fault. Sometimes, rideshare drivers are not found responsible for causing accidents. However, if you are traveling as a passenger at the time of the accident, you may have the right to sue the Uber driver when the driver’s rideshare insurance coverage is insufficient.
You may also have the right to file a claim against the Uber driver if they were off the clock at the time of the accident. If you were traveling in another vehicle and an Uber driver hit you, the rideshare driver’s personal auto insurance coverage may be in effect. This means you might have the right to file a claim against their insurance policy to recoup your damages.
The Right to File a Claim Against a Liable Third Party
In some instances, rideshare accidents are not caused by Uber, Lyft, or rideshare drivers. Defective motor vehicle parts, dangerous roadways, vehicle passengers, inclement weather, and other factors have all been shown to contribute to motor vehicle wrecks. Your car accident lawyer will need to carefully investigate to determine who is responsible.
Once we know who is at fault, we can assist you in asserting your right to file a claim against them. Liable third parties are just as much responsible for the damage victims sustain as negligent rideshare companies and drivers. It will be up to your legal advocate to ensure third parties that cause your injuries are brought to justice, whether that means filing a claim with their insurance provider or pursuing a personal injury lawsuit against them.
Connect with South Carolina’s Premier Rideshare Accident Law Firm Today
You have the right to hold the liable party accountable to the fullest extent of the law. You have the right to be fully reimbursed for every single way the trauma of the accident has impacted your life. You have the right to explore all legal opportunities for justice.
But you do not have to go through the claims process alone. Reach out to an experienced rideshare accident attorney with Shelly Leeke Law Firm to request a 100% free consultation today. You can reach us through our quick contact form or by phone to find out what your next steps should be and take control of your future.
