When you hear about a person injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, it’s easy to feel alone.
Especially if you think about the Uber and Lyft injury statistics, there are over 100,000 rideshare accidents every year. It’s a huge number in the US alone.
But here’s the thing…
If you’re injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, choosing the right rideshare accident lawyer makes all the difference.
The right lawyer could mean hundreds of thousands of dollars more in compensation for your injuries. The wrong lawyer could cost you just as much.
In a sea of lawyers with marketing departments screaming “rideshare expert!”, how do you find the best one?
It’s all here in this comprehensive guide to choosing the best lawyer for your Uber and Lyft accident case.
Your Complete Guide:
- How Rideshare Accident Cases Are Different
- What Qualifies a Great Rideshare Accident Attorney
- Questions to Ask Before You Hire
- Red Flags to Look Out For
- How to Get the Maximum Compensation for Your Injuries
Let’s get to it.
How Rideshare Accident Cases Are Different
Here’s the thing most people don’t realize about rideshare accidents.
Rideshare accidents are not just regular car crashes. They’re exponentially more complex. Much more.
Here’s why.
When you’re hit by the “average” driver, there’s typically just one insurance company involved.
But rideshare accidents can mean taking on:
- The rideshare driver’s personal insurance company
- Uber or Lyft’s corporate insurance company, as well as
- The other driver’s insurance company, and/or
- Your own insurance company
And things get worse.
Uber and Lyft have 3 different coverage periods. Depending on when your accident happened, you could have access to $1 million in coverage … or almost nothing.
You need a skilled rideshare accident attorney near me who understands this tricky insurance coverage from day one.
What Qualifies a Great Rideshare Accident Attorney
If you want to know the secret to choosing a winning rideshare accident lawyer, I’ll give it to you for free.
A great rideshare accident attorney is the one who has these specific qualifications:
Rideshare Accident Experience
Don’t hire just any personal injury attorney. You need a rideshare accident lawyer who has won real cases.
Ask them: “How many rideshare accident cases have you handled?” If they won’t give you a specific number, keep looking.
Track Record of Large Settlements
Rideshare settlements range wildly: between $25,000 and more than $1 million. In general, big injury cases yield big settlements.
So you want an attorney who has brought home multiple six- and seven-figure settlements on behalf of rideshare accident victims.
Thorough Understanding of the Coverage Periods
Remember those three different insurance coverage periods from Uber and Lyft I mentioned above? Your lawyer had better know those like the back of their hand.
They should be able to break it down for you easily during your consultation.
You can test them with this question: “Can you walk me through Uber’s 3 coverage periods?” If they stumble, that’s a red flag.
Experience Fighting Corporations
This is an important one, and the reality is…
Uber and Lyft are multi-billion-dollar corporations with armies of lawyers hired to pay you as little as possible. You need a lawyer who is not afraid to take them on.
Ask the attorney: “How many large corporations have you fought and won against in your career?” If they won’t give you a number, keep looking.
Questions to Ask Before You Hire
Before you sign on the dotted line, ask the attorney these critical questions:
“What’s Your Success Rate With Rideshare Cases?”
The best rideshare accident lawyers win 90% or more of their cases. If they won’t give you their specific numbers, walk away.
“How Much Was Your Largest Rideshare Settlement?”
This will let you know if they are capable of handling big cases. You want a lawyer who has won hundreds of thousands (or millions) of dollars in settlements before.
“Do You Work on Contingency?”
Most good rideshare accident lawyers work on a “no win, no fee” contingency basis. In simple terms, this means that they get paid only if you get paid and you don’t pay a cent up front.
If they demand money upfront, walk away.
“How Long Do Rideshare Cases Usually Take?”
Expect anywhere from a few months to over a year, depending on how complex the case is. Be suspicious of lawyers who promise lightning-fast results.
“Will You Handle My Case Personally?”
Some law firms may pass your case off to junior associates or new lawyers. Make sure you are getting the experienced lawyer you’re paying for.
Red Flags to Look Out For
Avoid these lawyers like the plague:
- Lawyers that try to pressure you to sign on the spot
- Lawyers that promise you specific amounts of money
- Lawyers with no rideshare accident experience
- Lawyers who want money up front
- Lawyers who won’t explain the process to you clearly
- Lawyers who have bad online reviews from former clients
Also, be cautious if:
- The lawyer doesn’t return your calls in a reasonable amount of time
- The lawyer is juggling too many cases at once
- The lawyer can’t explain the rideshare insurance coverage periods easily
- The lawyer has never fought against Uber or Lyft before
How to Get the Maximum Compensation for Your Injuries
The right rideshare accident lawyer is going to fight tooth and nail for every dollar you deserve. This means getting maximum compensation for your injuries.
“Maximum compensation” includes all the standard things:
- Medical bills – both current and future
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation costs
But what separates good rideshare accident lawyers from the best of the best?
The best of the best rideshare accident attorneys also know the types of damages unique to rideshare accident cases. Things like:
- Psychological trauma resulting from rideshare safety concerns
- Loss of confidence using rideshare services in the future
- Costs for alternative transportation during your recovery
The Insurance Game You Need to Win
I’ll let you in on a secret that the insurance companies would really hate you to know…
Insurance companies count on you not having a lawyer.
The statistics show that people with personal injury lawyers receive settlements that are 3x larger than those who try to fight insurance companies on their own.
Rideshare insurance companies are all too familiar with this fact, and they use every dirty trick in the book to reduce their payouts:
- Dragging out the payment process as long as possible, hoping you’ll settle for less
- Arguing about which coverage period applies
- Trying to say that their driver wasn’t technically “on duty” when the accident occurred
- Blaming you for the accident and making it look like you were partially at fault
A skilled rideshare accident lawyer shuts these tactics down in a New York second.
Your Next Steps After an Uber or Lyft Injury
Been in a rideshare accident? Don’t wait.
Every day you don’t take action could mean less money in your pocket.
Insurance companies start building their case against you the moment you apply for coverage.
You should, too.
Start by getting consultations from at least 2-3 experienced rideshare accident attorneys. Most offer free consultations with no obligation, so there’s no risk.
During each consultation, pay attention to:
- How well they explain the legal process to you
- Whether they ask you detailed questions about your accident
- If they show genuine interest in your case
- How confident they are in getting results for you
Remember, the insurance companies have entire legal teams working against you from day 1. Shouldn’t you have a real expert on your side, too?
Putting It All Together
Choosing the right lawyer for your rideshare accident is not just about credentials and experience (though that matters a lot). It’s about finding an attorney who:
- Understands the nuances of rideshare cases
- Knows how to beat insurance companies at their own game
- Will fight tooth and nail for maximum compensation
- Communicates clearly with you throughout the process
The bottom line?
Rideshare accidents are complicated. Insurance companies know this. They use it against you.
With the right rideshare accident lawyer on your side, you can level the playing field. You can get the compensation you so richly deserve for your injuries.
Don’t let Uber, Lyft, or their insurance companies take advantage of you. Fight back and get the legal help you need.
