Little Rock Uber and Lyft Injury Lawyers
Fighting for injured Arkansas rideshare passengers and drivers
The pay for transportation industry has rapidly changed. While many travelers use taxis, more and more people are turning to the ease of using Uber and Lyft rideshare apps to book their ride. Rideshare apps allow the traveler to control the time they are picked up, where they travel, and even the vehicle they travel in. Uber and Lyft offer anyone with a car a chance to earn extra funds transporting passengers throughout Little Rock and other parts of Arkansas.
At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, our Little Rock rideshare accident attorneys are skilled car accident lawyers. We understand why accidents happen and how to prove fault. In Uber & Lyft accident cases, we understand which insurance policies cover your damages and when the companies may be responsible for your damages, in addition to the driver. Our attorneys fight to get passengers compensation for their pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical expenses.
Insurance requirements for rideshare companies
If the driver’s Uber or Lyft app is turned on, but the driver hasn’t accepted a ride, then both the driver’s policy and the rideshare company’s liability insurance are responsible for the damages. The driver’s insurance is responsible for damages up to his/her policy limits. The rideshare company’s insurance is liable (if the driver is liable)– but only up to $50,000 for injuries or death to one person and $100,000 for multiple people – for one accident. Uber and Lyft are also liable for $25,000 in property damage. The rideshare companies are essentially held partially accountable while the driver is looking for rides which benefits Uber and Lyft.
If the driver’s app is turned on and the driver has accepted a passenger, then if the passenger is hurt or killed by the driver, the full rideshare insurance coverage applies. This coverage covers up to $1 million in damages.
Your attorney can explain whether you have any rights to use the uninsured/underinsured policy for your own vehicle in case the driver’s insurance or the rideshare company’s insurance doesn’t fully cover your damages.
Insurance requirements for Little Rock rideshare drivers
All drivers in Arkansas are required to have state-mandated minimum insurance coverage to cover the damages if someone is injured or killed due to driver negligence. The state minimums are:
- Bodily injury for one accident victim per accident: $25,000
- Bodily injury for multiple accident victims in one accident: $50,000.
- Property damage typically used for car damage: $25,000.
Anyone injured by the driver (other than driver, of course) who can show the driver caused the car accident can demand payment through the driver’s insurance policy. Ideally, drivers carry more than the state minimums.
Uber or Lyft is not responsible for injuries caused by the driver while their app is turned off – which means the driver is not accepting rides.
Insurance requirements for non-rideshare drivers
If the accident was caused by someone other than your Uber/Lyft driver, then that driver should be held accountable for your injuries or the death of a loved one. Just as rideshare drivers must have minimum insurance, so too must every Arkansas driver have the state mandated minimum insurance.
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Steps to take if you’re in an Uber or Lyft accident near Little Rock
The most important step to take is to verify that you were riding in an Uber or Lyft:
- Take screenshots of your phone screen or verify that you used their app in any way possible that you can store on your mobile or other device.
- Try to get the name of the driver and all other identifying information such as the license plate number of the car.
- Get the insurance information and contact information from your Uber or Lyft driver as well as any other party involved in the accident.
Additionally, as with all car accidents, victims should:
- Contact the police. Call the police so they can get the necessary contact information of everyone involved and inspect the accident scene.
- Go to the local emergency room or see a doctor. This way, you can get immediate medical care. Seeing medical staff as soon as possible also helps confirm the severity of your injuries.
- Use your smartphone to take pictures. Take pictures of the vehicles involved to verify the damage to each vehicle. Also, take pictures of yourself before you make any effort to clean up your injuries and damage.
- Don’t volunteer information. Don’t speak with any insurance adjusters until you’ve spoken to your personal injury attorney.
- Call a lawyer. Don’t speak with the Uber/Lyft representative until you’ve met with an attorney.
Experienced Little Rock injury attorneys will demand the driver’s and the rideshare company’s GPS records and electronic records to confirm the driver app was turned on and that you were indeed a passenger in the rideshare vehicle. If the driver has any cameras that record their driving, our Little Rock attorneys will request those videos as well.
Additionally, skilled rideshare attorneys work to show who caused the accident – your rideshare driver or the driver of another vehicle – and hold those drivers responsible.
Talk with an experienced Arkansas rideshare accident lawyer today
Delay can hurt your case. It’s critical that you confirm you were riding in an Uber or Lyft if you’re hurt in a rideshare accident. It’s crucial that we speak with witnesses while their memories are fresh and that the vehicles and accident site are inspected. At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, our Little Rock lawyers put your needs first. We understand the insurance laws, when to settle claims, and when to try your case in court. For help now, call us at 501-213-1512 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
