Worcester Uber + Lyft Accident Lawyer
Rideshare cars are more popular than ever, but they present a risk to passengers as accidents involving Uber and Lyft vehicles are also very common.
Crashes caused by Uber and Lyft drivers often happen because they are distracted, speeding, or fatigued. Drivers might look at their phones to accept new rides while in the process of completing one, leading to a rear-end accident. Other times, drivers might grow tired after driving too many consecutive hours, injuring passengers after falling asleep behind the wheel. After determining the cause of your recent accident, our attorneys can begin preparing your claim so you get the necessary compensation from a liable party.
To get help with your case from the Law Office of John J. Sheehan, call our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers today at (617) 925-6407.
Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Car Accidents in Worcester
Car crashes happen for many reasons in Worcester. The same is true for collisions involving Uber and Lyft vehicles, though distracted driving, speeding, and drowsy driving often top the list as some of the most common causes of these types of accidents.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a major cause of Uber and Lyft accidents, as drivers might take their eyes away from the road to use their phones. Drivers might do this to accept other rides while still completing one, putting the passengers in their cars at risk. Rideshare drivers who text or talk on the phone while transporting passengers might be in breach of their duty of care. This could cause a serious accident, even if the driver is only distracted momentarily. Distracted driving is a top cause of rear-end accidents, especially if an Uber or Lyft driver is already following the car in front of them too closely. Rear-end accidents can be dangerous for backseat passengers, who could suffer whiplash injuries even while wearing seat belts.
Speeding
Driving for Uber or Lyft generates an income. The more passengers drivers accept and the rides they complete, the more they earn. Drivers might attempt to complete too many rides in a shorter period by speeding, endangering their passengers. Speeding is a breach of any driver’s duty of care. Driving too fast over the posted speed limit, especially when weather and road conditions are poor, could make drivers lose control of their vehicles. Speeding could cause single or multi-vehicle accidents, either of which could be devastating for backseat passengers. Speeding cars could roll over upon impact, increasing the risk of victims suffering serious head and back injuries and general physical trauma.
Drowsy Driving
Calling rideshare cars is common at all times of the day, but especially in the evening and into the night. Uber or Lyft drivers who work too many hours in a row might become seriously fatigued, creating the risk of accidents. Rideshare companies typically limit consecutive driving hours, but the general cap is 12 hours at a time. This is an extensive period of driving passengers, and even drivers who do not reach this limit might become tired or fall asleep at the wheel, especially when driving at night. Momentarily nodding off behind the wheel could cause cars to veer into oncoming lanes of traffic, resulting in devastating collisions for all those involved, including rideshare passengers.
Preparing Uber and Lyft Accident Injury Claims in Worcester
When preparing victims’ compensation claims for Uber and Lyft crashes, our lawyers will begin by identifying the liable party. We can then review victims’ injuries to confirm they can file a lawsuit for all damages they have sustained and preserve evidence at risk of being lost.
Identifying the Liable Party
Companies like Uber and Lyft shield themselves from civil liability for accidents their drivers may cause by hiring independent contractors rather than regular employees. That said, these companies do maintain third-party liability insurance, but it only covers a certain amount of victims’ damages, depending on the accident’s circumstances. To file a lawsuit for all damages, we must do so against the driver whose negligence caused the crash. This could be the rideshare driver operating the car you were a passenger in or another driver involved in the accident. Our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can identify the liable party after speaking with you about the collision, reviewing the police report, and analyzing other evidence we collect throughout your case.
Passing the Serious Injury Threshold
To file lawsuits for car accidents, victims must show they pass the serious injury threshold under Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 231, § 6D. This statute states that only victims whose injuries cause whole or partial loss of a body member, permanent and serious disfigurement, hearing or sight loss, a fracture, or death can file claims for all damages, including pain and suffering. The statute also allows victims who have incurred more than $2,000 in medical expenses to file lawsuits, regardless of the injuries they sustained. Showing you pass the serious injury threshold will require medical records from after the accident, and our attorneys can get these documents from hospitals to present to the court.
Preserving Evidence
Another vital aspect of case preparation is preserving evidence. To begin, we may survey the accident site for nearby surveillance cameras, as these devices might have filmed the accident. Footage of the crash could show the defendant’s negligent act, so we will quickly exhaust all potential sources to ensure we obtain footage before it is possibly deleted. We can also prioritize contacting and interviewing eyewitnesses, as their firsthand accounts and in-court testimony may convince a jury of the defendant’s liability. Much of the most important evidence in auto accident claims is only available soon afterward and could degrade or get lost with time, and our lawyers will focus on preserving such evidence to strengthen your chances of a fast and fair recovery.
Call Our Attorneys to Talk About Your Accident in Worcester
Call the Law Office of John J. Sheehan’s Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at (617) 925-6407 for a free and confidential case discussion.
