Louisville Rideshare Accident Lawyer

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Rideshare apps are convenient, but accidents are far too common these days. If you’re involved in a rideshare accident as a passenger, pedestrian, or another driver, it can be hard to collect what you deserve after an accident caused by a rideshare driver. Thankfully, you can call a Louisville rideshare accident lawyer at The Schafer Law Office to protect your rights and dig through every bit of evidence for your accident recovery. Reach out right away to learn more. 

About Us

At The Schafer Law Office, your rideshare accident recovery is our mission. Since 1993, Louisville residents have counted on our exceptional attorneys for high-caliber personal injury representation. Across the state, Mike Schafer is known as ‘The Lawyer Who Wrote the Book’ because of his distinguished reputation for legal service and resources. Before advocating for victims, Mike worked for insurance companies. He knows their tactics and how to beat them.

Our firm provides total protection. Once we represent you, the phone calls from adjusters stop. We handle every document, deadline, and negotiation so you can focus on healing. Also, we offer personal involvement. You are never just a case number. Mike Schafer is personally involved in every file, supported by a team that listens to your story.

We provide aggressive advocacy for our rideshare accident claim cases. We do our legal homework, preparing extensive demand packages to make sure you receive the full value of your claim and leave nothing on the table. We strive to get you as much money in your pocket as possible.

You also won’t see any upfront costs. Consultations are free, and you pay zero attorney fees unless we are successful with your case. Insurance adjusters are already moving to protect their bottom line. Don’t wait until evidence disappears. Put a veteran advocate in your corner today. Contact The Schafer Law Office today for experience you can trust and the results you deserve.

Guiding You Through the Personal Injury Maze

Louisville Rideshare Accident Attorney

Uber and Lyft began service in Louisville in August 2014, just in time to accommodate thousands of visitors arriving for The Kentucky Derby and The Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. Since then, both companies have been providing Louisville residents with cost-effective options for traveling across the city.

However, services like Uber and Lyft are like any other transportation in that accidents can occur. In just one year, about 2.44 million people were injured in car accidents, and accident compensation increased at a staggering rate of 6.1 percent. Notably, one-third of all rideshare drivers report having been involved in an accident. According to the Centers for Disease Control, people have a 4.6% increased chance of being involved in an accident involving a rideshare.

To put this data into context, it’s helpful for you to understand that your accident wasn’t just bad luck. Rather, it is a systemic issue, and rideshare drivers often are the cause of accidents. Rideshare drivers market themselves as a safe alternative, but this may not be the case. Drivers are distracted, tired, and face increased congestion. Rideshare companies are aware of these increased risks, yet may not be doing enough to vet or train their drivers.

In addition, a rideshare accident often adds an extra layer of complexity to determining who is at fault, what insurance is available, and how you should proceed as an injured party.

If you’ve been hurt in a rideshare crash, you’re probably overwhelmed with questions. How do you file a personal injury claim? How do you find a Louisville car accident attorney who understands the unique laws that apply to Uber and Lyft accidents?  

At The Schafer Law Office, we help rideshare accident victims get full compensation for their injuries. We know how to identify liable parties, collect the necessary evidence, and file a claim for the money you need to both cover your losses and maintain financial stability as you recover.

Uber Accident Attorney in Louisville

Lyft Accident Lawyer in Louisville

Requirements to Become an Uber or Lyft Driver in Louisville

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents

Common Rideshare Accident Injuries

What to Do If You Are in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Kentucky

How Does Insurance Work With Ridesharing Accidents?

Importance of Hiring a Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Louisville, KY

Questions? Speak to a Louisville Uber & Lyft Rideshare Accident Attorney

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Call (502) 584-9511 to speak with a trusted attorney today!

Uber Accident Attorney in Louisville

In December 2019, Uber released a safety report for 2017 and 2018. It confirmed that during that time, there were 97 fatal accidents resulting in a total of 107 deaths. While this may seem low considering that motor vehicle accidents kill thousands of people in the U.S. every year, it’s important to remember that the report excludes all of Uber’s non-fatal collisions, which must be significantly higher.

If you have been injured in an Uber accident in Louisville, you deserve legal advocates who can protect your rights. Uber accidents often involve complex liability issues, but a Louisville Uber accident lawyer at The Schafer Law Office can help you overcome any challenges or attempts to limit your compensation.

Lyft Accident Lawyer in Louisville

Lyft has over two million drivers in the U.S. and Canada. Many people who use the service don’t own a vehicle, and Lyft markets itself as an option that allows people to avoid vehicle ownership. If it were not available, these passengers would have taken public transportation, walked, or bicycled, which is one of the reasons why a Schiller Consulting report found that rideshare services like Lyft accounted for a 180% increase in traffic on city streets.

Like Uber, accidents involving Lyft vehicles lead to complex personal injury claims. By hiring a ridesharing accident lawyer, you stand a chance of receiving the full compensation you are entitled to. A Louisville Lyft accident lawyer at The Schafer Law Office works tirelessly for you and helps to strengthen your claim against insurers.

Requirements to Become an Uber or Lyft Driver in Louisville

There are certain requirements in place for those who want to drive for Uber or Lyft in Louisville. You must:

  • Be 21 years of age or older (25 for Lyft)
  • Hold a valid driver’s license
  • Be able to provide proof of work eligibility and vehicle registration
  • Complete a background check that covers your criminal history and driving record

Kentucky law also requires all rideshare drivers to take a two-hour defensive driving course online. Despite these precautions, Uber and Lyft drivers still get into serious accidents that lead to severe injury or death.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents

Many of them drive in higher-risk conditions: Uber and Lyft rides are often requested late at night, in bad weather, during heavy traffic, or in other adverse conditions. Drivers may also experience fatigue when they work late or for long hours without stopping to take a break. Other causes of rideshare accidents include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Negligent drivers
  • Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol
  • Ignoring posted speed limits
  • Driver inexperience
  • Aggressive driving
  • Driving while exhausted
  • Unfamiliar roads
  • Poor road conditions
  • Lack of proper vehicle maintenance

A Louisville Uber accident lawyer can identify all liable parties based on the cause of the accident. In some cases, there may be additional defendants, such as the municipality if the roads were poorly maintained, or the vehicle manufacturer if defective brakes made it impossible to prevent an accident.

If you were involved in an accident caused by a rideshare driver, call The Schafer Law Office for comprehensive support. We can build a compelling case to support your narrative, challenge lowball settlement offers, and resolve your case.

Common Rideshare Accident Injuries

Rideshare accidents involve motor vehicles, which are heavy and especially dangerous when traveling at high speeds. When a collision occurs, it can leave the occupants of both vehicles seriously hurt. If a cyclist or pedestrian was involved, the injuries can be even more catastrophic because they have little to no impact protection. Common rideshare injuries include:

If you’ve suffered injuries in an accident involving a negligent Uber or Lyft driver, you may be entitled to compensation, such as the following:

  • Medical expenses
  • Ongoing treatment costs
  • Lost wages
  • Decreased or lost earning ability
  • Pain and suffering
  • Disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of consortium
  • Wrongful death expenses, such as funeral and burial costs

Additionally, families of those wrongfully killed by negligent rideshare drivers often lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in lifetime financial support. A Louisville Lyft accident lawyer determines a claim value that accurately reflects all of your losses so that you’re not left in financial straits by someone else’s negligence.

What to Do if You Are in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Kentucky

If your Uber or Lyft ride ends in an accident, your first priority should be making sure that you and all passengers and drivers are okay. Call 911 to request the police and, if anyone appears to be injured, an ambulance. While you’re waiting for them to arrive, take the following steps:

  • Exchange contact information with all parties. If there were any witnesses, get their information as well.
  • Take pictures and record as much information about the accident as you can.
  • Report the accident to the company on the Uber or Lyft app if you are a rideshare passenger.
  • Get a thorough medical evaluation if you don’t need to go to the hospital in an ambulance.
  • If an examination shows that you’ve been injured, hire a lawyer who has experience representing victims of Uber or Lyft accidents.

How Does Insurance Work With Ridesharing Accidents?

Uber and Lyft provide insurance to their ridesharing drivers. However, both companies have strict requirements for when the coverage is applicable, even if a driver is in an accident while transporting a passenger. Below is an overview of rideshare accident scenarios that clarify which party is responsible for covering your losses, depending on when the collision occurred.

  • The driver’s personal insurance may cover your accident if it occurs while they are off-duty and not using the company app.
  • If a driver has been active on the app but hasn’t accepted a ride, the rideshare company’s reduced contingent policy provides coverage of up to $50,000 per person, $100,000 per person if the driver is not insured, and $25,000 for property damage.
  • If the rideshare driver accepts a ride and has passengers in their vehicle, Uber and Lyft have a $1 million insurance policy that will cover any damages if they are liable or underinsured/uninsured.

With a successful claim, you may recover a variety of damages, including medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and compensation for your pain and suffering. It’s always helpful to speak to a qualified lawyer. Injuries sometimes lead to lingering medical concerns or unexpected bills. Plus, many accident victims are often surprised to discover that the true value of their claim is significantly higher than they realized after consulting with an experienced attorney.

There may be extreme cases in which the damages to a rideshare passenger exceed $1 million, therefore surpassing the insurance coverage limit.

If this happens to you, you can file a personal injury claim against the company, but there are challenges involved: technically, Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors, so the companies don’t assume responsibility for their actions. You’ll need to work with a Louisville personal injury lawyer who has the qualifications and experience to guide you through such a complex case.

Importance of Hiring a Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Louisville, KY

Rideshare accidents are not always the same as a regular motor vehicle crash. Both Uber and Lyft provide a ridesharing platform connecting drivers with riders. Their drivers are independent contractors who operate their own cars. Therefore, injured riders and third parties, such as drivers or pedestrians, may not be able to recover financial damages from Uber or Lyft unless documents are obtained and the case is properly investigated.

This system is intentionally designed to limit corporate liability for injuries resulting from driver negligence. The Louisville rideshare accident attorneys at The Schafer Law Office know how to pursue full compensation after Uber and Lyft accidents. This may involve investigating the circumstances of the collision, as well as vehicle safety, driver qualifications, and their training.

We may also request the police report and rideshare account data to verify the driver’s status when the accident took place. While you recover, we are hard at work on your case, collecting the evidence needed to support your claim.

FAQs

Q: How Can I File a Claim in Kentucky Against a Rideshare Company?

A: Filing a claim against a rideshare company in Kentucky often involves filing an insurance claim. However, you may need the assistance of an experienced attorney because the driver’s insurance coverage may depend upon their status at the time of the accident.

Since Kentucky is a no-fault state, before you can seek additional damages from the rideshare company’s commercial policy, your initial medical expenses are typically covered by your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Discuss your specific circumstances with a lawyer.

Q: Can I File a Claim in Kentucky Against a Lyft Driver for a Car Accident?

A: Yes, you can file a claim against a Lyft driver in Kentucky if their negligence caused an accident. As a choice no-fault state, Kentucky law provides specific paths for recovery depending on your role in the accident and the driver’s app status. Reach out to a qualified and knowledgeable lawyer to discuss what happened during your car accident.

Q: Can I File a Claim in Kentucky Against an Uber Driver if They Cause a Car Accident?

A: Yes, you can usually file a claim against an Uber driver in Kentucky if they cause an accident. However, because Kentucky is a choice no-fault state, the process and the insurance policy you target depend on your role in the crash and the driver’s status on the Uber app. It’s always a good idea to contact a licensed legal professional about your accident so they can help you explore your legal options and empower you to take action.

Q: What Is the Average Settlement for a Successful Claim for an Uber Accident?

A: It can be difficult to provide information about the average amount you can expect as a settlement average in Kentucky for a successful claim following an accident with an Uber driver, as each accident is unique. Most successful Uber accident claims in Kentucky depend on the medical treatment required and the impact the accident has on your life.

Accidents that cause severe or catastrophic injuries that seriously impact your life tend to result in higher accident payouts.

Michael Schafer

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Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer at The Schafer Law Office for Dedicated Help

If you or a loved one needs to hire a rideshare accident lawyer, give the experienced team at The Schafer Law Office a call. Using rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft is convenient, but it can be dangerous if the driver is distracted or inexperienced. If you’ve been hurt in a rideshare accident, you may have difficulty recovering your damages. A Louisville car accident attorney can protect your interests during negotiations with insurers and protect your rights in court if necessary.

These claims involve complex tri-level insurance structures and corporate legal teams specifically trained to limit payouts. In Kentucky, having a lawyer provides you with several critical advantages, including retrieving app data to prove the driver’s status. Also, rideshare companies frequently attempt to avoid liability by arguing their drivers are independent contractors.

An experienced attorney knows how to challenge this to access corporate commercial policies. We leave no stone unturned when it comes to your case.

The Schafer Law Office provides legal representation to people who have been injured in a wide range of preventable accidents, including those involving rideshare vehicles. Initial consultations are free, and we never charge a fee unless we successfully recover money for you. To schedule a confidential case review and learn why so many clients have trusted us with their claims, contact us today.

See Also:

Louisville Car Accident Settlements

Child Injured in Car Accident in Louisville

Louisville Car Accident

Resources

The Lawyer Who Wrote the Book

Here are some helpful articles, research studies, statistics, and Kentucky accident resources to assist you in finding the right information you need. There are plenty of articles on a variety of subjects, such as recalls, auto accident updates, forms, studies, and press releases from The Schafer Law Office.

View Free Books

View all Resources

Common Questions

Do I Need to See a Doctor After an Accident?

Who Pays My Medical Bills After a Car Accident in Kentucky?

What If I Can’t Work After My Accident in Kentucky?How Long Do I Have to Make a Claim After My Accident?

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