Rideshare Accidents Lawyer in Hartford, CT

Rideshare Accidents in Hartford, CT

Rideshare services have transformed the way people get around. Uber and Lyft provide a convenient way to get home from downtown Hartford after a night out. Just tap a button on your phone, and you have a ride on its way. A problem with the increased use of rideshare services is the greater risk of accidents. If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, you may need the help of a Hartford rideshare accident lawyer.

The attorneys at Buckley Wynne & Parese have over 100 years of combined experience helping clients recover damages. When you need a Hartford personal injury lawyer, we are the firm that will stick with you throughout the entire process, providing you with professional legal representation.

Our familiarity with Hartford-area streets and intersections, whether you are catching a ride in the busy downtown or in the suburbs, allows us to provide the tailored legal support you need.

What Makes Rideshare Accidents Unique?

Studies show that cities with high rideshare usage rates experience more accidents than cities without such services. A University of Chicago study found that fatal accidents increased by 3% in areas where Uber and Lyft were used.

Rideshare accidents differ from other car accidents because they involve the added complexity of a commercial entity. In some circumstances, drivers operate under their own personal auto insurance, but in others, they are covered under the rideshare company’s auto insurance.

Connecticut state laws require rideshare drivers to carry personal auto insurance and to present proof of insurance while driving. The law also requires the rideshare company to maintain auto insurance on the driver’s behalf. These factors make it necessary to consult with an experienced Hartford rideshare accident attorney to help you navigate a rideshare accident claim effectively.

Reasons Rideshare Accidents Happen

Rideshare drivers do not necessarily receive any training from Uber or Lyft before they start taking passengers. They have no additional experience behind the wheel than other drivers on the road. Some reasons they are involved in accidents include:

• Rideshare drivers often work long hours. They only get paid when they are transporting passengers, and it can take many hours of waiting and driving to make money. For some, it is also a second job.
• Distracted driving. Rideshare drivers use an app to get ride notifications, use their phones or in-vehicle navigation for directions, and communicate via text. All of these issues can lead to increased distractions behind the wheel. Distracted driving claimed 3,275 lives in 2023.
• Aggressive driving. Speeding to get a passenger to their destination so they can pick up their next ride and ignoring traffic signs and signals to make more money may increase the risk of an accident.
• Looking for their passengers. When rideshare drivers are looking for the passengers they are picking up rather than what’s in front of them, it can lead to an accident.

Common Rideshare Accident Injuries

Auto accidents result in a variety of injuries. These can be minor or life-altering. Some common injuries from rideshare accidents include:

• Neck and back injuries are most common in rear-end crashes.
• Broken bones are common in any type of accident and vary in severity.
• Internal organ damage
• Spinal cord injuries often occur in high-speed crashes and usually require long-term medical care and treatment.
• Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, can range from minor to severe, depending on the force of the impact.
• Traumatic brain injuries often occur during a side-impact collision, where passengers have less protection.
• Crushing injuries

Thorough documentation of injuries is important in a claim to help prove the connection between the accident and the injuries.

Steps to Take After a Rideshare Accident

If you have been involved in an accident while riding in a rideshare vehicle, the steps immediately after the accident are crucial. If possible, get to a safe place and call 911. While you wait for emergency services, check yourself and others for injuries. You then want to:

• Exchange information with other parties involved in the accident.
• Document the scene by taking pictures and videos of the area, the vehicles involved, any intersections, and the area surrounding the accident scene.
• Take a picture of the status of the rideshare driver’s app. This is important when determining what insurance policy will cover the damages.
• Seek medical attention. Even if you have only minor injuries, see a doctor to have your injuries documented.
• Talk to witnesses and get their contact information.
• Contact a rideshare accident attorney.

Possible Damages After a Rideshare Accident

If you are injured because of someone’s negligence, in Connecticut, you may be entitled to compensation for any losses suffered as a result. You may be able to see damages for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of future wages

Rideshare Accident Liability

Determining liability after an accident involving a rideshare driver can be difficult. Connecticut regulations for rideshare companies require them to perform background checks and register with the state every year. The regulations also prohibit them from hiring drivers with certain criminal convictions. If the rideshare company fails to follow these regulations, it may be held liable for the accident and your injuries.

Other parties may also be held liable, and liability may be split among them. Connecticut General Statutes § 52-572h defines the state’s modified comparative negligence system. If you’re involved in an accident and are found to be at least 51% responsible for the accident, you are not eligible for compensation.

This rule is important because of the number of parties that may be involved in a rideshare accident. It could be the driver, the rideshare company, you as the passenger, or another party, such as the person responsible for maintaining the vehicle, the vehicle manufacturer, or another driver.

Understanding Connecticut Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare accidents in Connecticut have unique insurance and legal challenges. In addition to insurance standards that may affect liability and compensation, the Connecticut statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is 2 years from the date of the injury. If the claim is not filed within this timeframe, you may forfeit your right to receive compensation.

Navigating the insurance companies involved in a rideshare accident makes the claim even more complex. The policy responsible for covering damages depends on the driver’s app status.

• If the app is off, the driver’s personal insurance provides primary coverage.
• If the app is on and the driver is waiting for a ride request, limited liability coverage from the rideshare company may cover the accident in addition to the driver’s personal policy.
• If the app is on and a ride is accepted, the full commercial coverage from the rideshare company provides the coverage. This is typically a 1 million policy.

The insurance complexities of a rideshare accident make the legal experience of an attorney helpful when you seek compensation for your injuries.

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Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer

If you hire a rideshare accident lawyer after an accident involving an Uber or Lyft, it can help ensure that your legal rights are protected. An experienced attorney will understand rideshare accident laws and be familiar with Hartford-area traffic laws and roads.

An attorney may be able to help your case by investigating the accident and gathering evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and any video footage. An attorney may also negotiate with insurance companies and calculate the damages that you are entitled to.

FAQS

Q: What Is a Reasonable Settlement Offer for a Rideshare Accident?

A: A reasonable settlement offer after a rideshare accident varies depending on the circumstances of the accident, the extent of injuries, and who is responsible for the accident. A settlement offer could include compensation for medical bills, loss of wages, and property damage. An experienced attorney may be able to help determine what type of compensation is fair.

Q: Is an Uber Driver Responsible for an Accident?

A: An Uber driver is not automatically responsible for an accident. If the Uber driver was distracted or speeding, they could possibly be responsible, but another driver could also be at fault. If it is determined that another driver was responsible, their insurance may be responsible for compensation. If your Uber driver is at fault, the rideshare company’s insurance may be responsible for compensation.

Q: Do I Get Compensation if My Uber Crashes?

A: Depending on the situation, you may be entitled to compensation if your Uber crashes. If you suffered injuries as a result of the accident, you may be able to file a claim to receive damages. An attorney familiar with rideshare accident laws may be able to help you determine if you are entitled to compensation.

Q: Can I File a Claim Against Uber if I Was a Passenger in Another Car?

A: If you were a passenger in a car that an Uber or Lyft driver hit, you may be able to file a claim against the rideshare company’s policy for damages. The amount of coverage depends on the app’s status at the time of the accident. An attorney can help you determine who was at fault and which insurance company is responsible.

Contact a Rideshare Accident Lawyer

If you are facing the legal process after a rideshare accident, contact the legal team at Buckley Wynne & Parese. We are ready to offer the professional legal representation you need to fight for the compensation you are entitled to and protect your rights.