Rideshare Attorneys Happy Valley
Over four million Oregonians turn to the convenience of rideshare apps, which provide fast, convenient, and affordable transportation. However, using rideshare isn’t risk-free, and traffic collisions still happen. If you were involved in an auto accident in a rideshare vehicle, contact a rideshare attorney in Happy Valley at Bridge City Law to determine your next steps and to protect your rights.
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How a Rideshare Attorney in
Happy Valley Can Help
No one expects to find themselves injured when they request a ride through Lyft or Uber. When hiring a professional transportation service, we all anticipate the ease and peace of mind associated with the rideshare experience and that we’ll have a professional and safe driver. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case, especially due to the ridesharing model, where a driver and their vehicle are only loosely regulated and not subject to the same regulatory scrutiny and industry standards as a licensed taxi or public bus. If you’re involved in a rideshare accident, talk with a personal injury attorney at Bridge City Law to learn about your legal options. A personal injury lawyer can help you file a claim to make sure you are treated fairly and receive the financial compensation you’re owed for your injuries and other damages.
What Factors Impact a Happy Valley Uber/Lyft Accident Claim?
The particular amount of damages sought in this type of accident injury claim will depend on many factors, such as:
- The nature and the severity of the injuries sustained in an Uber or Lyft accident
- The circumstances of the rideshare, such as is the injured party a passenger, a pedestrian, or another driver?
- Insurance details and policy limits
In most states, including Oregon, a rideshare driver is considered an independent contractor. This means that technically, they’re not employees of Lyft or Uber. Rideshare companies often use this legal definition to their advantage as a way to reject responsibility for driver conduct and safety.
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Contact us today and together we can figure out how we can be of service to you.
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When You’ve Been Injured:
- We Are Available To You 24/7
- There is NO FEE OR OBLIGATION for An Initial Consultation
- You Don’t Pay a Fee Until We Successfully Settle Your Case
- We Are Experienced, Skilled, Responsive And Have Handled Thousands Of Cases
- We Take A Compassionate Approach To Personal Injury Law
- We Know How To Negotiate To Maximize Results
THE COMPLEXITIES
of Rideshare Collisions
While different from a common carrier, such as a taxi service company, a rideshare company has a responsibility to its passengers to provide a safe environment. When you’re involved in an auto accident, your injuries could be serious and may result in longer recovery periods or even a permanent disability. It is important that you seek medical attention following a rideshare accident to receive adequate treatment for any injuries you sustain as a result of the rideshare crash and establish that your injuries were associated with the accident.
The most common injuries our law firm sees that are associated with an Uber or Lyft accident in the Portland Metro area include:
- Traumatic brain injuries/TBIs
- Bone fractures/broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Internal organ damage
- Wrongful death
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Spinal injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Whiplash
- Loss of limb
There are many other injuries that can occur in addition to psychological damage. If you were injured in a rideshare accident, speak with a personal injury lawyer to understand your legal rights and options.
You may be able to pursue a personal injury claim or personal injury lawsuit that can result in fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses.
- Traumatic brain injuries/TBIs
- Bone fractures/broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Internal organ damage
- Wrongful death
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Spinal injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Whiplash
- Loss of limb
There are many other injuries that can occur in addition to psychological damage. If you were injured in a rideshare accident, speak with a personal injury lawyer to understand your legal rights and options.
You may be able to pursue a personal injury claim or personal injury lawsuit that can result in fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses.
LIABILITY IN A RIDESHARE ACCIDENT
In the event of an auto accident, buses or taxi companies in Happy Valley are fully insured and are required to comply with several city regulations. Their employees and drivers work for the city or the company. Rideshare drivers are not employees, which can make filing a claim and pursuing compensation after an accident a complex process. This is where an experienced rideshare accident lawyer can help.
Liability in a rideshare accident will depend on two things:
- What the rideshare driver was doing at the time of the accident
- Whether the person injured was a passenger in a rideshare vehicle at the time of the accident.
Passengers in rideshare accidents do have some protection. Lyft and Uber have liability policies when their drivers are on the job, such as: If a passenger is in a rideshare vehicle, but the driver hasn’t officially accepted the passenger’s request for a ride in the app, the following coverage applies:
- $25,000 minimum bodily injury insurance
- $15,000 property damage when the rideshare motorist is logged in but hasn’t accepted a ride request
When the Lyft or Uber driver is logged into the app and has accepted a ride request, collision insurance coverage is $1,000,000.
Because of the difference in insurance coverage for drivers who have and have not accepted a ride request in the app, it’s important only to accept a ride from a driver the passenger has requested. Lyft and Uber are not responsible for the actions of a driver when the driver is not transporting a passenger.
POTENTIAL SITUATIONS
Related To A Rideshare
When a Rideshare Driver is Not Active
If a rideshare driver was not active on the app and was not transporting a passenger and they were involved in an accident with another vehicle, that driver is using their vehicle for personal use, so their personal auto insurance policy coverage would apply at this time. Rideshare companies are not responsible for anything a driver does when they are using their vehicle for personal use.
When a Rideshare Driver is Active on the App But is Not Transporting a Passenger
When a rideshare driver is active on the app but is waiting for a ride request, rideshare companies will cover any collision that is caused by their driver during this time if the driver’s personal insurance is inadequate. These contingent liability policies minimum caps out at $15,000 for property damage and $25,000 for death or injury. In order to collect this compensation, since the coverage is considered secondary insurance, the injured party must file a claim against the driver’s insurance company as well.
When a Driver Has Accepted a Ride and is Transporting a Passenger
The moment the rideshare driver accepts a ride request, the rideshare company’s liability policy is responsible for a collision that is caused by their driver.
As mentioned earlier, rideshare commercial liability insurance policies have a limit of up to $1,000,000 per person per collision, for a maximum of $2,000,000 for all passengers.
Accidents Caused By Uninsured Motorists
If you’re riding in a Lyft or Uber and the rideshare vehicle is hit by an uninsured driver, the rideshare’s insurance policy will cover the collision caused by an underinsured or uninsured driver.
Gap Insurance
Most insurance carriers offer rideshare drivers rideshare insurance, also referred to as gap insurance. This type of policy provides extra coverage for a rideshare driver when they’re not on duty, and it does not punish the driver for using their car for ridesharing. However, these policies are not legal requirements.
CONTACT OUR AUTO ACCIDENT LAW FIRM
We can help.
If you were injured in a rideshare accident due to the negligence of the rideshare driver or another motorist in the Portland Metro area, the experienced and skilled rideshare accident attorneys at Bridge City Law can advise you on how to protect yourself, what your legal options are, and how to pursue them.
Our caring, compassionate legal team understands the challenges of navigating the personal injury claim process after a serious accident and how important it is that you get the care you need to recover from your injuries and receive the compensation you deserve to cover the cost of your losses.
We’re also familiar with complex rideshare liability and insurance policies and can conduct an in-depth investigation to hold all responsible parties liable for damages.
The attorneys at Bridge City Law will advocate for you and fiercely protect your claim so that you receive the best possible outcome.
Amidst the stunning landscape of Clackamas County is the picturesque town of Happy Valley, Oregon. You’ll be enchanted by how small-town charm is woven throughout every corner of the community and enhances the many modern conveniences of this hidden gem that sits on the outskirts of the Portland metro area. Following in its big sister, Portland’s footsteps, Happy Valley also offers a thriving dining scene with diverse and eclectic culinary options. Experience the quality of life in this idyllic city by exploring the abundance of parks, beautiful nature trails, engaging in outdoor activities, and soaking in the breathtaking views of Mount Hood.
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