Dayton Rideshare Accident Lawyer

At The Fitch Law Firm LLC, Dayton, Ohio’s rideshare accident lawyers can help secure financial compensation if you were injured in a car collision. We can help you understand your rights and fight for compensation if you were a rideshare passenger or driver in a Dayton area crash.

In the evolving landscape of urban transportation, ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have become integral to daily life in Dayton. However, accidents involving these services can present unique legal challenges for passengers, drivers, and third parties alike. If you’ve been involved in such an incident, it’s essential to understand your rights and the complexities of pursuing a claim. Our Dayton Car Accident Lawyer team specializes in rideshare accident cases, offering expert guidance to navigate the legal process effectively.

By filing an insurance claim or suing the rideshare company, you may be able to recover financial losses. During a free consultation, we can discuss your legal options with you regarding your medical bills, lost income, and other damages.

Recovering Damages Via an Uber or Lyft Collision Claim

Under Ohio law, victims of $ car accidents can demand a fair and just payout from the negligent party who caused their crash. It may be possible to secure this compensation through an insurance claim settlement or a civil lawsuit, trial, and verdict. The damages you could recover generally fall into two categories: economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages in a Dayton Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accident

Economic damages are the financial expenses and losses experienced due to the accident. They also can cover damages that are likely to occur in the future. Such damages can include:

• Medical bills for (emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, and medications)
• Lost wages and work benefits
• Reduced earning ability
• Car repair or replacement
• Other property damage

Non-Economic Damages in a Dayton Uber and Lyft Accident

Non-economic damages are the intangible losses experienced by injured accident victims following a crash, such as:

• Mental anguish
• Pain and suffering
• Disability and disfigurement
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of companionship

Rideshare accidents can result in a range of injuries, from minor to severe, impacting not just your physical well-being but also your financial stability and quality of life. Whether you’re a passenger, a rideshare driver, or another road user affected by a rideshare accident, securing the compensation you deserve is crucial for your recovery. For dedicated support in addressing the aftermath of a rideshare accident, consult with our Dayton Personal Injury Lawyer, who is committed to advocating for your best interests.

Our rideshare accident attorney will review the damages in your Dayton Uber or Lyft rideshare crash and assign a value to your case. This is the figure we will seek in your compensation case.

You May Be Able to Recover Wrongful Death Damages

Wrongful death damages cover the losses of surviving family members after an accident caused their loved one’s death. If your loved one lost their life in a fatal rideshare accident, we are truly sorry for your loss. We know this is a difficult time, so we want to help you in any way we can.

Our Uber or Lyft accident attorneys can help you seek financial awards that can ease some of the financial burden brought on by the loss of your loved one. If your family is awarded wrongful death damages, you could pay for your loved one’s:

• Final medical expenses
• Funeral and burial arrangements
• Loss of decedent’s household income

Our Auto Accident Lawyer Can Determine Liability in Your Rideshare Accident

If you were injured in an accident that a rideshare driver caused, there is most likely insurance to help with your damages. However, the issue is whose insurance will pay for your damages. Uber and Lyft both require drivers to have their own auto insurance.

Uber and Lyft also provide third-party coverage only under certain circumstances, which may or may not apply to your situation. This is why it can be challenging to determine when a rideshare service is liable for accident damages. With the help of an Uber accident lawyer, your rideshare collision will be investigated thoroughly so that someone on your side can determine fault.

Ohio Requires Rideshare Providers to Carry Insurance

Under Ohio law(Ohio Revised Code § 3942.02), transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft must provide coverage that meets the minimum auto insurance policy limits. A rideshare service must carry:

• $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per person in any one accident
• $100,000 per collision
• $25,000 in property damage coverage

Additionally, rideshare services must carry a minimum of $1 million in total liability insurance. However, Uber and Lyft’s third-party insurance policies apply only in certain situations, such as when:

• The app is on, and the driver is waiting for a ride request.
• The app is on, and the driver is matched with a rider, who they are picking up.
• The driver has a passenger in the car.

Rideshare Companies’ Insurance does Not Cover Drivers When the App Is Off

When the app is turned off, Uber and Lyft’s auto insurance coverage policies do not apply to any accidents a driver causes. Drivers for these companies are independent contractors, so when the Uber or Lyft app is off, they are off the clock, and their personal insurance applies.

Since personal insurance doesn’t cover commercial driving, it is likely that any accidents that happen while working for Uber or Lyft won’t be covered under the driver’s personal policy. Without a rideshare accident attorney in Dayton, it may be hard to recover any damages from your accident, whether a rideshare driver hits you while inside or outside the driver’s vehicle.

How We Can Help With Your Uber or Lyft Rideshare Claim or Lawsuit

A Dayton Uber and Lyft rideshare accident attorney from our firm will fight for your financial recovery if you hire us to represent you in your auto rideshare injury crash. We will represent your interests at every point of the claims process and handle your case based on a contingency fee. You will not need to pay us anything upfront for our services, which include:

• Keeping you informed of all developments in your case
• Protecting your right to hold the at-fault parties responsible
• Investigating your accident, reviewing your evidence, and gathering more evidence
• Building a strong case, talking with witnesses, and consulting expert witnesses, such as an accident reconstructionist
• Identifying the liable parties in your accident, including any third parties or other motorists who could be responsible
• Communicating with all involved parties, including the rideshare company and insurers
• Representing you in all legal proceedings so you can focus on healing from your injuries
• Filing your claim and negotiating with the insurer
• Litigating the case and representing you at trial, if necessary

We Will Establish Negligence in Your Dayton Rideshare Accident

In addition to assigning a value to your rideshare accident case, we must prove the Uber or Lyft driver who harmed you acted negligently. We will have to prove, based on the evidence, that:

• The Uber or Lyft driver owed you a duty of care on the road.
• The driver did not uphold the duty of care to you.
• The driver’s failure to uphold this duty caused a car accident.
• The accident injured you, and you are now due compensatory damages.

A personal injury attorney from our firm can help you assign liability and identify the policy or policies in place when your collision occurred.

You Have a Limited Time to File Your Rideshare Lawsuit

Many rideshare claims settle outside of court and never go to trial. When we seek compensation for our clients, we typically start by filing an insurance claim and presenting evidence to support a just settlement.

With a strong case, the insurer usually negotiates with us to avoid a lawsuit. When litigation is necessary, there are time limits on how long you have to file the initial documents to begin the lawsuit. This deadline is generally two years under Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10 for a personal injury and under Ohio Revised Code § 2125.02 for wrongful death.

We encourage you to reach out to us as soon as possible. Two years can go by quickly, and if the legal filing deadlines for your Dayton Uber or Lyft rideshare case expire before you file, the court likely will dismiss your case.

Hiring Us to Represent You Requires No Upfront Fees

Our Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer in Dayton can start on your case right away without any cost to you. We do not require any upfront payment from you to start on your case because we work on contingency. This means we receive no money from you unless we secure compensation for you in your case.

Our payment is a percentage of your award, which we will both agree upon before our firm starts work on your case. We will address any concerns or questions you have about our payment arrangements during a free consultation.

Our Attorneys Are Compassionate Advocates for Our Injured Clients

After an Uber or Lyft rideshare accident in Dayton, we know it is a stressful time. You may receive calls from the insurance company while trying to recover and get back on your feet. Your medical bills are piling up, and perhaps you are unable to return to work right now.

Our rideshare accident attorney is here to make your life a little easier. We will answer all of your questions and address any concerns. Our goal is to obtain the compensation you will need to return to your life. We will handle any calls from the insurance company or Uber and Lyft. Let us do the heavy lifting while you focus on healing.

Our Case Results Speak for Themselves

Our attorneys have more than 30 years of experience representing accident victims. Some of our car accident case results include:

• $5,000,000 for a wrongful death trucking accident
• $1,450,000 for a client who suffered a fractured leg and ankle
• $1,150,000 for a client who suffered a traumatic brain injury
• $600,000 for a client with a broken hip and other injuries

While there are no guarantees, our team pursues an appropriate payout for every client, just as we did for those we represented in these cases.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dayton Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accidents

Our Ohio accident lawyers specialize in rideshare collisions and can answer all your questions regarding your specific Uber or Lyft accident, but we can also answer some general questions now to help you understand the basics of these accidents:

Should I Report the Accident to Uber or Lyft?

Yes, you should report the accident to the rideshare company. Both Uber and Lyft have dedicated channels for rideshare drivers, passengers, and third parties involved in accidents during a rideshare trip or while the driver is on the clock. Reporting the accident to the rideshare company starts the claims process, and a representative should reach out soon.

Rideshare drivers and passengers can report an accident through the app or online. Third parties must go to the Uber or Lyft website to fill out a report form. In addition, you should also call emergency services so everyone can get medical treatment if needed, and the police can file an accident report.

What if I’m an Uber or Lyft Driver Injured in an Accident?

If you were driving for Uber or Lyft when another party caused your accident, you may also be able to file an insurance claim with your rideshare company. An Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer can help you explore your options for seeking compensation.

What Causes a Rideshare Accident?

Many of the regular causes of vehicle accidents apply to rideshare accidents. Both rideshare drivers and other motorists may commit any of the following acts while on the road and cause an accident:

• Speeding
• Failure to yield or stop
• Failure to obey traffic laws
• Improper lane changes or turns
• Driving under the influence

However, rideshare drivers may be more likely to:

• Drive while distracted: Rideshare drivers may chat with passengers to provide a welcoming experience and increase their driver rating. Their duty to customer service can take away their focus from the road, even for a moment.
• Drive while fatigued: Some rideshare drivers work for Uber or Lyft full-time or may take trips after working their regular job. While both apps limit drivers to a certain amount of driving time per day, some rideshare drivers may continue to increase their earnings. This leads to drowsy driving, which impacts a driver’s focus and reaction time.

Can I Sue Uber or Lyft for My Rideshare Accident?

Filing an insurance claim and negotiating a settlement may be a more efficient and effective option for securing compensation. Uber and Lyft have those $1 million insurance policies to cover rideshare passengers and third-party motorists involved in a rideshare accident.

Since rideshare drivers are not employees, the company is not responsible for these accidents. So, directly filing a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft may not yield results. However, if negotiations and litigation against the insurance company do not provide you with the compensation you deserve, we can explore other legal options for getting justice.

A Dayton Uber or Lyft Accident Attorney Can Help You

To learn more about your rights and how you may be able to secure a settlement or verdict in your case, reach out to The Fitch Law Firm LLC today. Our team of knowledgeable and experienced rideshare accident attorneys in Dayton, OH, can provide you with the aggressive legal representation you need to get the justice you deserve.

We will assess your case for free and evaluate your legal options. Contact our legal team today to get started.