Rideshare Accidents Lawyer in Bridgeport, CT

Rideshare Accidents in Bridgeport, CT

The popularity of ride shares has exploded in recent years. In most cases, companies such as Uber and Lyft offer a safe ride home for people in and around Bridgeport, whether it’s after a night out at Brick & Barrel or after an event in nearby New Haven. With more rideshare vehicles on the road and more people using them, there’s also an increased chance of accidents. You might need the help of a Bridgeport rideshare accident lawyer if you are involved in an accident.

The attorneys at Buckley Wynne & Parese have been fighting for their clients’ rights for over 140 years. Our firm is where you can find an experienced Bridgeport personal injury lawyer who will work hard to get you what you deserve. If you were injured in an accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft, you may be entitled to compensation.

Holding a rideshare company responsible for your injuries can be difficult, which is why you need an experienced attorney who is familiar with the Bridgeport Judicial District on your side.

How Do Rideshare Accidents Happen?

Rideshare accidents, like any car accident, happen for a number of reasons. Between 2021 and 2022, Uber reported 127 crashes and 153 deaths. This is an increase from the time 2019-2020, when they reported 91 fatal crashes and 101 deaths. Many rideshare accidents result from how rideshare services operate. Some causes of rideshare accidents include:

• Distracted driving. Rideshare drivers often use GPS and get alerts from the Uber or Lyft app. This can divert their attention away from the road.
• Inexperience. Drivers from other areas may not be familiar with Bridgeport and the surrounding area roads and traffic laws. This may cause navigation errors that could lead to an accident.
• Fatigue. Many rideshare drivers work late at night when customers need rides home after a night out. This can lead to drowsy driving.
• Speeding. The more rides a driver provides, the more money they make. A driver may go over the speed limit if they are trying to get more rides in before the night ends.
• Vehicle maintenance problems. Unlike commercial fleets, which have maintenance schedules, Uber and Lyft vehicles are owned and maintained by drivers. This can sometimes lead to car problems that wouldn’t happen if a company were responsible for its upkeep.

What to Do After a Rideshare Accident

If you are involved in a rideshare accident as a passenger, you should take certain steps to ensure you are safe and your rights are protected. You should:

• Call 911. If possible, move to a safe place, call for medical help, and the police.
• Seek medical care. Even if you have only minor injuries, some can get worse over time.
• Report the accident to the rideshare company. Keep copies of any communication between you and the rideshare company, and any other parties involved.
• Collect evidence. Document the scene where the accident occurred. Take pictures and videos of damage, your injuries, and road conditions.
• Document the status of the app. Take a picture or a screenshot of the rideshare app’s status.
• Notify your insurance company. Contact your own insurance company, but don’t give any recorded statements.
• Consult a personal injury attorney. A local attorney can help ensure your rights are protected.

After an accident involving an Uber or Lyft, you may want to hire a rideshare accident lawyer. Rideshare accident laws are complex and may involve several different parties. An attorney can help guide you through the process.

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Connecticut is two years from the date of the accident, making it important to build a case within this timeframe.

Determining Liability in a Rideshare Accident

Connecticut operates under a modified comparative negligence system. Connecticut General Statutes § 52-572h allows a plaintiff to recover damages as long as they are not found to be 51% or more at fault for their injuries or the accident. This system is important to understand when it comes to rideshare accidents because of the number of parties that may be involved. It could include the rideshare driver, the rideshare company, the other driver, and you as the passenger.

Each of these parties may be partially responsible for an accident, and since Connecticut has a comparative negligence system, the percentage determined for each of the parties can make a significant impact on your case.

Liability in a car accident is determined by negligence. To prove negligence, you must prove:

• Duty
• Breach of duty
• Causation
• Damages

Who’s Responsible?

In a rideshare accident, the two most common sources of liability are the rideshare driver and the company, such as Uber or Lyft. The driver may be held responsible if it is found that they were driving while distracted, under the influence, or if they failed to obey traffic laws. According to a study in the Journal of Safety Research, about ⅓ of ride-share drivers have crashed while working.

The rideshare company may be found liable if it acted negligently. If they hired a driver with a history of DUIs, for example, it could be determined that the company acted negligently. Rideshare companies may be found negligent if they:

• Did not properly train their driver
• Failed to warn passengers about an unsafe driver
• Failed to monitor complaints about a driver or their driving patterns

An experienced attorney may be able to investigate the history of the rideshare driver and determine if you are eligible to file a claim.

Understanding Rideshare Auto Insurance

Since Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors, not employees, it’s important to know what insurance policy provides coverage in an accident. Connecticut law requires drivers to carry insurance, and it requires the rideshare company to maintain liability coverage on the driver’s behalf. The amount of coverage depends on the app’s status.

• The app is off. When the app is off, the driver’s personal insurance provides coverage.
• The app is on, but no passengers in the vehicle. When the app is on but the driver has not accepted a ride, the driver’s personal insurance may not cover a claim, but Uber may provide coverage.
• The app is on, ride accepted. Once a ride is accepted, Uber provides $1 million in liability coverage.

Auto insurance is valuable when it comes to recovering damages after a rideshare accident. You may also need a Bridgeport rideshare accident attorney to help build a personal injury case. An attorney familiar with rideshare accident laws can help you determine liability and help prove damages.

Possible Damages in a Rideshare Accident Case

Damages in a personal injury case resulting from a rideshare accident may include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Property damage
• Compensation for future or ongoing medical care
• Pain and suffering
• Future lost earning capacity

Available 24/71-800-445-2278

Contact Us Today

Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Navigating the aftermath of a rideshare accident can be overwhelming. An experienced attorney can help by providing information about rideshare regulations and local traffic laws. An attorney can help protect your rights and increase your chances of a positive outcome.

Our attorneys have experience negotiating with insurance companies and litigating cases. Our knowledge of notorious intersections near Bridgeport, such as East Washington Ave and Housatonic Ave, and Route 127 at Stillman St. and Barnum Ave., may also benefit your rideshare accident claim.

FAQs

Q: Can You File a Claim Against Uber if You Get Into an Accident?

A: You can file a claim against Uber if you get into an accident, but it depends on the circumstances of the accident. You may be able to recover damages from Uber or Lyft if the driver acted negligently, if the rideshare company was negligent in their screening or hiring of the driver, or if they failed to correctly monitor the driver. If the insurance provider does not pay a claim, you may also be able to file a legal claim.

Q: Is It Worth Hiring an Attorney After a Car Accident?

A: It is often worth it to hire a lawyer after a car accident, but it depends on the circumstances. If you sustained serious injuries in the accident and have significant medical bills or long-lasting medical issues, an attorney may be able to help ensure that your current and future medical costs are covered.

Q: Do I Get Compensation if My Uber Crashes?

A: If your Uber crashes and you are injured, you may be entitled to compensation. Eligibility depends on the status of the Uber driver’s app at the time of the crash. Whether the app is off, waiting, or with a passenger determines which insurance policy is in effect. It could be the driver’s personal insurance or the company’s, which would have higher limits.

Q: What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident in Connecticut?

A: The amount of a settlement for a car accident in Connecticut depends on the accident. The outcome depends on the severity of the accident and injuries. Any payout depends on key factors such as medical expenses, extent of lost wages and property damage, and the determination of fault and comparative negligence.

Contact a Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Being involved in a rideshare accident can be frightening and overwhelming, but it’s not something you have to go through alone. At Buckley Wynne & Parese, you’ll have a dedicated team of attorneys to offer the guidance and support that you need. Contact us today to learn more about your legal options and get started on your recovery.