Lowell Uber + Lyft Accident Lawyer

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Car accidents can cause devastating injuries for victims, and getting compensation for their damages could become even more complicated when crashes involve rideshare drivers.

Lawsuits filed after Lyft and Uber accidents are typically against the negligent drivers who cause these collisions. While rideshare companies have third-party liability insurance policies, payouts may fail to cover all of victims’ damages from accidents. After confirming you pass the serious injury threshold, we can file your lawsuit within the statute of limitations. We will also confirm your claim’s value so we know your deserved recovery, whether it comes from an out-of-court settlement or jury award.

Call (617) 925-6407 to discuss your case for free with the Uber and Lyft accident lawyers of the Law Office of John J. Sheehan.

What to Understand About Getting Compensation for Uber and Lyft Car Accidents in Lowell

Our lawyers can help victims navigate the many complexities surrounding getting compensation for Lyft and Uber accidents. These include determining who can be named as a defendant in a lawsuit, confirming plaintiffs pass the serious injury threshold, filing cases within the statute of limitations, calculating claims’ values, and meeting the standard of proof when lawsuits go to trial.

Who Can Be Named as a Defendant in a Lawsuit

One of the most important things about rideshare injury lawsuits is that they often do not include rideshare companies. Uber, Lyft, and companies that offer similar services hire independent contractors instead of regular employees. This shields them from liability for drivers’ actions while transporting passengers, including acts of negligence that may cause accidents and injuries. Because of this, victims must name the individual drivers whose negligence or recklessness caused their injuries as defendants in Uber or Lyft accident lawsuits. The liable party might be the person driving the vehicle you were a passenger of, and it could also be a different driver who was involved.

To determine who breached their duty of care, our attorneys may involve accident reconstruction experts to review photographs, police reports, witness statements, and other evidence. Because you may not have easy access to either vehicle after an Uber or Lyft accident, make sure to take photographs before leaving the scene.

How to Pass the Serious Injury Threshold

Most auto accident victims in Massachusetts, including those hurt as passengers in rideshare cars, must get over the serious injury threshold to file lawsuits and get non-economic damages. According to Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 231, § 6D, this right is limited to victims who have incurred more than $2,000 in medical expenses, lost a limb or other body member, lost their sight or hearing, were left permanently and seriously disfigured, or suffered a fracture. Victims’ survivors may also pursue wrongful death lawsuits for fatal Lyft and Uber accidents in Massachusetts.

Victims can assert their serious injuries with medical records and statements from their treating physicians. We can organize this information on victims’ behalves while they are still healing and continue to request medical records as they are generated.

Rideshare passengers often sit in the backseats of vehicles, putting them at a higher risk of suffering injuries if other negligent drivers rear-end Uber or Lyft cars. Backseat passengers may not pay attention to the road as carefully, meaning they might not have time to brace themselves for impact or anticipate a collision, potentially increasing their risk of certain injuries, like facial lacerations from broken glass.

Following the Statute of Limitations

Those injured in auto accidents of any kind only have a certain period during which they can file compensation claims. According to Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 260, § 2A, that is the three years following a crash. Despite having the entire amount of time provided under the law to submit injury complaints in court, our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers urge victims not to wait that long. Important evidence could be lost when cases are delayed, weakening victims’ likelihood of a fair recovery. By contacting our attorneys immediately, we can start preparing your case right away, hastening your recovery.

How to Know Your Claim’s Value

Lyft and Uber maintain third-party liability insurance in case of accidents. The coverage limits vary depending on a collision’s circumstances. For example, more compensation may be available if the victim was injured while a ride was in progress versus if the driver’s app was on and they were available to accept rides. Knowing the exact cost of your injuries is important, as accepting an insurance payout could fail to compensate you for crucial damages.

For example, many victims often underestimate their pain and suffering from serious injuries, as these damages are hardest to quantify. In addition to tallying your hospital costs and lost wages, we will evaluate your intangible damages from a collision. To do this, we may get help from mental health experts who can evaluate you and offer statements regarding your emotional distress. Asserting your claim’s value during settlement negotiations after filing a lawsuit is also important, and we can ensure this takes place when we represent you in your case.

How to Meet Standard of Proof for a Lawsuit

In the event that your Uber or Lyft accident case goes to trial, our lawyers will be ready to meet the standard of proof. We can prepare for this from the beginning of your case by identifying evidence to preserve, experts to enlist, and eyewitnesses to interview. Meeting the standard of proof requires us to show the driver owed you a duty of care which they breached, causing the accident, your injuries, and your damages. When defendants realize we can meet the standard of proof after discovery and during settlement negotiations, they may offer a larger settlement to keep the case out of court, and we can determine if this favors you.