Bridgeport, Connecticut Uber/Lyft Accident Attorneys

Lawyers Helping People Injured in Rideshare Accidents in Bridgeport

Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft have changed how people get around Connecticut. When drivers working for these services are involved in car accidents, the legal process can be more complicated than in other types of cases. Uber and Lyft accidents can involve multiple insurance policies, such as the company's and the driver's, and other corporate liability questions may also need to be addressed. In these situations, it is important to understand your rights and options.

At Tremont Sheldon P.C., we represent people, not corporations. We can help anyone who has been injured in a rideshare accident, including passengers in a rideshare vehicle, drivers and passengers who have been hit by a rideshare vehicle, or pedestrians. We know how rideshare companies and their insurers handle claims, and we have the experience needed to help maximize the compensation a person can receive, so that they can focus on their recovery.

Who Is Responsible for an Uber or Lyft Accident in Connecticut?

Liability for a rideshare accident is not always clear. Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors, and rideshare companies use this classification to direct responsibility in many cases. However, victims may still have options in these cases, and they will need to work with an attorney who understands how the insurance and liability laws will affect these cases.

In a rideshare accident, multiple parties could be responsible, including:

• The Uber or Lyft driver: If the driver was at fault, their insurance or the rideshare company's policy may provide coverage.
• Uber or Lyft's Insurance: Depending on when the accident happened, Uber or Lyft may provide additional insurance coverage.
• Another Driver: If someone other than an Uber or Lyft driver caused the crash, their insurance would typically be responsible for damages suffered by victims.
• A Third Party: Some car accidents may involve vehicle defects, poor road conditions, or other factors, and parties other than the drivers involved may share liability.

Determining fault for a rideshare accident will require a detailed investigation. Our team can review crash reports, rideshare app data, witness statements, and insurance policies to make sure the right parties will be held accountable.

Understanding Uber & Lyft Insurance Coverage

Rideshare companies provide insurance coverage that may address injuries and damages suffered by passengers, people in other vehicles, or anyone else who has been injured in an accident. The amount of coverage and the applicability will usually depend on what the driver was doing when the accident took place. These are the general rules, although there can be exceptions:

• Driver Is Offline or the App Is Off: Only the driver's personal insurance applies in these situations.
• Driver Is Online But Has Not Accepted a Ride: Limited rideshare company coverage will typically apply in these situations, and the driver's insurance policy may also provide coverage.
• Driver Has Accepted a Ride or Has a Passenger: In these situations, Uber and Lyft provide up to $1 million in liability coverage.

While the situations where insurance policies apply may seem straightforward, cases can quickly become complicated. Insurance companies may try to deny claims or shift responsibility. Rideshare accident victims may not realize that they may be entitled to compensation from more than one source. Our lawyers will identify every available insurance policy and work to obtain financial recovery for victims while they focus on their physical and mental recovery.

Common Injuries in Rideshare Accidents

Uber and Lyft accidents can cause multiple types of serious injuries. In many cases, victims will require weeks, months, or even years of medical care. Some may never fully recover. Our attorneys work with clients to address catastrophic injuries that take place in rideshare accidents, including:

• Head and brain injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Neck and back injuries, including spinal cord damage that may lead to chronic pain, loss of mobility, or paralysis
• Broken bones in parts of the body like the arms, collarbones, ribs, hips, or legs
• Internal organ damage, including disruptions of bodily functions due to injuries to organs like the lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, or intestines
• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
• Lacerations that may lead to pain, infections, or permanent scarring
• Wrongful death

Even if injuries seem minor at first, it is important for a victim of a rideshare accident to get checked by a doctor. Some conditions can take time to show symptoms, and insurance companies may use any delay in treatment as an excuse to deny a claim.

How Long Do You Have to File an Uber or Lyft Accident Claim in Connecticut?

Connecticut law limits the time in which a person can take legal action after a rideshare accident. In most cases, a victim will have two years after the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. In some cases, this time limit can be shorter or longer. In almost all cases, however, waiting too long can weaken a case.

Insurance companies will start working immediately after a crash. They may delay a claim, offer a low settlement, or dispute who was at fault. Obtaining legal representation as soon as possible after an accident can help ensure that a strong, comprehensive claim can be filed within the proper time limits.

What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident

If you were involved in a rideshare accident, taking the right steps afterward can help ensure that you will be able to make a successful claim for compensation. Steps to follow include:

• Get Medical Attention: Even if you do not feel injured right away, it is important to get checked by a doctor. Head injuries and internal injuries are not always apparent immediately after an accident.
• Report the Accident: Call 911 to have the police come to the scene and document the crash. Request a copy of the police report later.
• Document Everything: Take pictures of the accident scene, the injuries that are visible, and any vehicle damage. Save screenshots of your Uber or Lyft ride details.
• Get Witness Information: If anyone saw the crash, get their names and phone numbers in case their statement is needed later.
• Do Not Talk to Insurance Companies Alone: Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts by getting people to admit fault or make comments that could make their injuries seem less serious. Before making any statements, talk to the car accident attorneys at Tremont Sheldon P.C..

At Tremont Sheldon P.C., we can help rideshare accident victims gather the evidence they need, and we can protect against insurance company tactics that are designed to limit a victim's compensation.

How Our Connecticut Rideshare Accident Lawyers Help You

We know that dealing with legal matters after an accident can be difficult. We can handle every detail of your case for you, including:

• Investigating the crash and determining who is liable
• Engaging expert witnesses when necessary, including accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals
• Handling all communications with insurance companies
• Calculating the full value of your claim
• Negotiating for the best settlement possible
• Taking your case to court if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair amount

Our lawyers prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This approach can increase the value of settlement offers, because insurance companies know that we will not back down and will fight to secure the full compensation our clients deserve.

What If the Uber or Lyft Driver Was Not at Fault?

In some cases, a rideshare driver may not have been responsible for an accident. If another driver caused the crash, the claim would typically go through that driver's insurance. However, these cases can still be complex, especially if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.

Uber and Lyft provide uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for passengers in their vehicles, but this coverage may not extend to other drivers or pedestrians. If you were involved in a rideshare accident caused by a third party, our attorneys will work with you to explore every available option and make sure you can receive full compensation for your injuries.

What If I Was a Pedestrian or Cyclist Hit by an Uber or Lyft Driver?

Not all rideshare accidents involve vehicles. Pedestrians and cyclists can also be struck by Uber or Lyft drivers, and they may suffer serious injuries. In these cases, insurance coverage may depend on whether the driver was actively using a rideshare app at the time of the accident. Some combination of the driver's insurance and Uber/Lyft's insurance may cover claims in this case. A victim may also be eligible for coverage under their own insurance policy

If you are a pedestrian or cyclist who was hit by an Uber or Lyft driver, you may need to file multiple claims to receive full compensation. Our attorneys will handle this process for you, working to ensure that all available coverage will be provided through the applicable insurance policies.

What If a Rideshare Driver Was Distracted at the Time of a Crash?

Uber and Lyft drivers rely on their smartphones for navigation, ride requests, and passenger communication, and they will often interact with their devices while driving. Unfortunately, this can lead to distracted driving accidents. Distracted driving can involve:

• Looking at a rideshare app or another app instead of the road
• Entering an address into a GPS navigation system while driving
• Responding to passenger messages
• Searching for a rider in a busy area

If a rideshare driver caused an accident because they were distracted by their phone or other activities, they can be held responsible for the damages suffered by a victim. Our attorneys will work to prove that a driver was distracted through app activity logs, phone records, and witness testimony.

Deactivated Driver Accounts

After an accident, Uber or Lyft may deactivate the driver involved, but this does not mean they are accepting liability. Deactivation is often a precautionary measure, and it does not impact a victim's right to obtain compensation. However, if a driver is removed from the platform, it may make it harder to contact them or obtain their insurance information.

Our legal team can take steps to secure critical evidence before it is lost. We can obtain the driver's trip history and status at the time of the accident, preserve app-based evidence such as ride confirmations and GPS tracking, and communicate with Uber or Lyft to confirm insurance coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rideshare Accidents

What If an Accident Occurred Because an Uber or Lyft Vehicle Was Unsafe?

Uber and Lyft require drivers to maintain their vehicles, but the companies do not directly inspect them. This means that some rideshare vehicles may be operating with serious mechanical problems, such as faulty brakes, worn out tires, broken headlights, and engine or transmission problems.

If an accident was caused by a mechanical issue that the driver neglected to repair, they could be held liable for failing to maintain their vehicle. Additionally, if the defect was due to a manufacturer's error, a claim may be possible against the vehicle manufacturer. Our lawyers will investigate whether improper maintenance or a vehicle defect contributed to a crash.

What if an Accident Occurred Because a Rideshare Driver Was Fatigued?

Uber and Lyft drivers often work long hours, and some may drive for multiple rideshare companies or hold additional jobs. Fatigue can have the same effects as driving under the influence, slowing a person's reaction times and impairing their judgment.

While Uber and Lyft limit the number of consecutive hours a driver can be logged into the app, some drivers may try to bypass these rules by switching between multiple platforms. If a rideshare driver was overly fatigued at the time of a crash, we can use ride history records, driving logs, and witness testimony to support a claim for compensation.

What If the Rideshare Driver Was Intoxicated When a Car Accident Occurred?

Rideshare drivers are held to the same legal standards as other drivers when it comes to impaired driving. If an Uber or Lyft driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of an accident, they can be held responsible for any injuries or damages they cause.

Drunk or impaired rideshare drivers may also be subject to criminal charges, but this will not automatically result in compensation for victims. If a person was injured in an accident involving a rideshare driver who was intoxicated, our attorneys can take steps to recover compensation through their insurance and, in some cases, Uber or Lyft's insurance policies.

What If an Uber or Lyft Driver Assaults a Passenger?

While most Uber and Lyft rides are safe, there have been incidents in which rideshare drivers have assaulted passengers. These cases are extremely serious, and they may involve physical assault, harassment, or other misconduct.

Uber and Lyft have faced lawsuits for failing to properly screen or monitor their drivers in these situations. A person who was harmed by a rideshare driver may have legal options against both the driver and the company. Our attorneys can help a person understand their rights and pursue justice for the harm they have suffered.

What if an Uber or Lyft Accident Took Place While a Person Was Traveling to Connecticut?

Many people use Uber or Lyft while traveling, whether for work or vacation. If a person was involved in a rideshare accident in Connecticut but lives in another state, they can still pursue a claim.

Our firm represents both Connecticut residents and out-of-state visitors who were injured in Uber or Lyft accidents within the state. We handle the entire legal process on behalf of our clients, working to ensure that they will receive the compensation they deserve even if they are no longer in Connecticut.

Call Our Bridgeport, CT Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer Today

Rideshare accident claims can be complicated. If you or a loved one was injured in a rideshare accident, Tremont Sheldon P.C. is here to help. Our team has extensive experience handling complex personal injury cases, including Uber and Lyft accident claims. We understand the challenges these cases involve, and we will guide you through every step of the process.

We offer free consultations, and we work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs and no fees unless we win your case. To speak with an experienced Bridgeport rideshare accident attorney, call 203-335-5145 or fill out our online contact form today. Let us handle the insurance companies while you focus on your recovery. We serve all of Connecticut, including Stratford, Shelton, and Fairfield.