Getting into an accident in Texas involving an Uber or Lyft creates unique problems. Navigating insurance claims with massive rideshare companies adds layers of difficulty beyond a typical car crash. You need a Texas rideshare accident lawyer to protect your rights.
DFW Injury Lawyers can help you seek fair compensation after a rideshare crash. Call us today at (972) 440-2320 for a free case review.
Why Choose DFW Injury Lawyers for Your Texas Rideshare Accident Claim?
After an Uber or Lyft accident, you need a team that is familiar with rideshare laws and committed to your case. DFW Injury Lawyers offers dedicated support for rideshare victims throughout Texas.
Focused Experience With Rideshare Cases
Our attorneys understand the specific insurance policies Uber and Lyft carry and how they apply based on the driver’s status during the crash. A Texas rideshare accident attorney from DFW Injury Lawyers knows which evidence to collect—and how to get it—to build a strong case.
We fight to hold negligent drivers and sometimes the rideshare company itself accountable.
Dedicated Texas Representation
DFW Injury Lawyers is a local Texas law firm deeply rooted in the Dallas-Fort Worth community. We represent clients in Dallas-Fort Worth, up in Amarillo, over to Houston, and throughout the rest of the Lone Star State.
Our familiarity with Texas courts, judges, and procedures gives you an advantage. We’re committed to helping our neighbors navigate the aftermath of serious accidents.
We Do the Heavy Lifting
Dealing with insurance adjusters after a traumatic accident is stressful, so let us take that burden off your shoulders. Once you hire DFW Injury Lawyers, insurance companies must communicate with us, not you.
We protect you from pressure tactics and lowball settlement offers designed to save the insurer money. Your Texas rideshare accident lawyer manages all the paperwork, phone calls, and negotiations related to your claim.
Discuss your DFW rideshare accident case with a knowledgeable team. Call DFW Injury Lawyers now at (972) 440-2320.
How a Texas Rideshare Accident Lawyer Builds Your Case
Winning a rideshare accident claim requires careful preparation and strong evidence. Your rideshare crash attorney takes proactive steps to build the strongest possible case on your behalf. We handle the legal complexities so you can focus on healing.
Investigating Your Uber or Lyft Accident
A thorough investigation is the foundation of a successful rideshare claim. Your rideshare accident attorney will secure the official police accident report containing crucial details about the incident.
We analyze photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries. Locating and interviewing eyewitnesses can provide valuable perspectives that support your version of events.
We also work to obtain critical data from the rideshare company’s app. This data can show the driver's status (offline, waiting for a ride, en route, or carrying a passenger) at the exact moment of the crash. This information is vital for determining which insurance policy applies.
Proving Driver Negligence in Texas
Most car accidents, including those involving rideshare vehicles, happen because someone was negligent. Negligence means failing to use reasonable care, resulting in harm to others.
Common examples in rideshare crashes include speeding, distracted driving (texting, using the app), driving under the influence (DUI), running red lights, or making unsafe lane changes.
Your Texas rideshare crash lawyer uses the gathered evidence to demonstrate how the driver breached their duty of care.
We analyze traffic laws, witness statements, police findings, and sometimes accident reconstruction data to establish fault. Proving the other driver's negligence is key to holding them financially responsible for your injuries and losses.
Our team is skilled at building compelling arguments that show negligence caused your Texas Uber or Lyft accident.
Identifying All Liable Parties
The negligent rideshare driver is sometimes the liable party. However, depending on the circumstances and the driver's status, the rideshare company (Uber or Lyft) might also bear liability under Texas law, particularly through their substantial commercial insurance policies.
Sometimes, a third party, like the driver of another vehicle involved in the crash, could also be partially or fully responsible.
Exploring all potential sources of recovery maximizes your chances of receiving fair payment for your damages after a Texas rideshare crash.
Navigating Complex Rideshare Insurance Rules in Texas
Insurance coverage is often the most confusing part of a Texas rideshare accident claim. Unlike typical car accidents involving only personal auto policies, Uber and Lyft accidents involve different layers of insurance depending on what the driver was doing when the wreck happened.
Rideshare companies provide commercial insurance policies, but they only apply under specific conditions. Understanding these rules is vital for accessing the compensation you need.
These cases demand a lawyer familiar with Texas insurance regulations specific to Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), like Uber and Lyft.
A Texas rideshare crash attorney from DFW Injury Lawyers knows how these policies work. We determine which insurance applies and pursue the maximum coverage for your injuries and losses.
Understanding Uber and Lyft Insurance Policies
Rideshare insurance in Texas operates on a tiered system based on the driver's activity logged in the app:
- Driver Is Offline: If the driver isn't logged into the app, only their personal auto insurance applies. Rideshare company insurance offers no coverage here.
- Driver Is Available (Waiting for Ride Request): After logging in to the app but before accepting a ride, limited liability coverage from the rideshare company could apply if the driver's personal insurance denies the claim or doesn’t provide sufficient coverage.
- Driver Is Picking up or Transporting Passenger: This phase triggers the highest coverage limits. During this period, Texas requires rideshare companies to maintain at least $1 million in third-party liability insurance, plus uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Your Texas rideshare wreck lawyer works to confirm this status and target the correct insurance policy for your claim.
Dealing With Insurance Adjusters
Insurance adjusters from the driver's personal insurer or the rideshare company have one primary goal: to pay out as little as possible. They represent the insurance company's interests, not yours.
Adjusters often contact accident victims quickly, sometimes asking for recorded statements before you fully understand your rights or the extent of your injuries. Giving such a statement can harm your claim later.
Adjusters might try to shift blame onto you, downplay the severity of your injuries, or offer a quick, low settlement before you know the true value of your claim.
Your Texas rideshare accident lawyer shields you from these strategies. We handle all communications with adjusters, protect your rights, and counter any attempts to undermine your case's value.
Seeking Compensation for Your Injuries With a Texas Rideshare Accident Attorney
After being hurt in a rideshare accident in Texas caused by someone else's negligence, you deserve compensation for all your losses. The goal isn't just to cover immediate bills; it's to secure a financial recovery that addresses the complete impact of the accident on your life.
Calculating the full value of a claim requires careful assessment of both tangible and intangible damages. Your Texas rideshare crash attorney fights for a settlement or verdict that truly reflects the harm you suffered in the Uber or Lyft crash.
Calculating Your Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to your specific, calculable financial losses from the rideshare accident. These form the baseline of your compensation claim. Your Texas rideshare accident attorney gathers extensive documentation to prove these costs.
Examples include:
- Medical Bills: All costs for ambulance transport, emergency room care, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, physical therapy, medication, and necessary medical equipment
- Future Medical Expenses: Costs for anticipated ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, or long-term care related to your injuries
- Lost Wages: Income lost due to being unable to work while recovering
- Loss of Earning Capacity: Compensation if your injuries permanently affect your ability to earn income at the same level as before the accident
- Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace your vehicle if it was damaged in the crash
Meticulously documenting these financial losses strengthens your position when dealing with the insurance company after a Texas rideshare collision.
Pursuing Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for the intangible, personal harms caused by the accident. While it’s harder to assign a dollar value, these losses are very real and significantly impact your quality of life.
Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injuries
- Mental Anguish: Damages for severe emotional responses like anxiety, depression, PTSD, or fear resulting from the traumatic event
- Physical Impairment: Compensation for loss of function or limitations caused by permanent injuries
- Disfigurement: Damages for scarring or other permanent changes to your appearance
- Loss of Consortium: Spouse may claim damages for the loss of companionship and support
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the inability to participate in hobbies and activities you previously enjoyed
A skilled Texas rideshare crash attorney understands how to present compelling evidence to demonstrate the extent of your non-economic suffering and secure fair compensation for it.
A Texas Rideshare Accident Attorney Is Your Advocate in Negotiations and Court
The path to compensation usually involves negotiation, but sometimes requires litigation. Your Texas rideshare accident lawyer acts as your advocate throughout this entire process.
The initial step is negotiating with the responsible insurance company to reach a fair settlement agreement. Most personal injury cases, including rideshare accidents, are resolved at this stage.
However, DFW Injury Lawyers prepares every case as if it will go to trial. If the insurance company refuses to offer a settlement that fully covers your damages, we won't hesitate to file a lawsuit and fight for your rights in court.
We’re committed to pursuing your best possible outcome, whether at the negotiating table or before a judge after a Texas rideshare crash.
Frequently Asked Questions for Texas Rideshare Lawyer
Clients often have similar questions after being involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft vehicle. Contact a Texas rideshare accident attorney at DFW Injury Lawyers for specific advice about your situation.
What Should I Do if an Insurance Adjuster Calls Me After My Uber/Lyft Accident?
You shouldn't give a recorded statement or sign any documents from an insurance adjuster without speaking to your attorney first. Adjusters work for the insurance company and aim to minimize payouts.
Let your Texas rideshare accident lawyer handle all communications with insurers.
How Long Do I Have to File a Rideshare Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
In Texas, the statute of limitations generally gives you two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you typically lose your right to seek compensation in court forever.
Since investigations and negotiations take time, contact a Texas rideshare accident attorney well before the two-year deadline approaches to protect your legal rights.
Can I Still Recover Damages if I Was Partially at Fault for the Rideshare Accident?
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule, sometimes called the 51% rule. This means you can still recover damages if you were partially responsible for the accident, as long as your share of fault is 50% or less.
However, your awarded compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. A rideshare accident lawyer in Texas can evaluate how comparative fault might apply to your specific case.
What Information Is Helpful To Give to My Texas Rideshare Accident Lawyer?
Providing your attorney with as much information as possible helps their investigation. Useful items include:
- The date, time, location, and police report number (if available).
- Information about the rideshare driver, their vehicle, and any other vehicles involved.
- Screenshots from the Uber or Lyft app showing your trip details.
- Photos or videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries.
- Names and contact details for anyone who saw the accident.
- Documentation related to the treatment received for your accident injuries.
Your Texas rideshare accident attorney can guide you in gathering the necessary documentation.
Who Can File a Claim After a Texas Rideshare Accident?
Different people might have the right to seek compensation after an accident in Texas involving an Uber or Lyft. The specifics depend on your situation, but these parties often pursue claims:
- Passengers: You may sue for damages if an Uber or Lyft driver or another party's negligence injured you during your ride.
- Other Drivers: You can pursue a claim against a negligent rideshare driver and potentially the rideshare company if their actions caused your accident and injuries.
- Pedestrians and Cyclists: You can seek compensation from the rideshare driver and possibly the company if an Uber or Lyft vehicle struck and injured you while walking or cycling.
Rideshare accident cases are complex due to multiple parties and insurance policies. A Texas rideshare accident lawyer can sort through these details, determine who is liable, and fight for the money you deserve.
Take Control After Your Texas Rideshare Crash
Don't let the confusion of rideshare insurance rules and aggressive insurance adjusters prevent you from getting the help you need. Let DFW Injury Lawyers manage the complexities of your claim and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Let us handle the legal battle so you can concentrate on healing. Call DFW Injury Lawyers today at (972) 440-2320 for your free, no-obligation case evaluation with a dedicated Texas personal injury attorney.