Springfield Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft rideshare accident in Springfield, Ohio, compensation may be within your reach. The legal team at the Fitch Law Firm LLC can meet with you for a free consultation to assess your case and determine how much you could recover in damages from a negligent Uber or Lyft driver. We believe you should not have to pay for the losses from an accident you did not cause.

Our Springfield Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer will handle your case from beginning to end, looking out for your interests as we work to hold rideshare drivers responsible for the harm they cause. We have secured millions of dollars for individuals injured in car accidents, so we are ready to navigate the legal process for you. You can learn more about your next steps when we review your legal options with you.

Understanding Uber, Lyft’s Insurance Policies Can Be Challenging

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are also called transportation network companies (TNCs). Ohio, like other states, requires these companies to carry insurance coverage that meets the state’s auto insurance minimums. As outlined in Ohio Revised Code Section 3942.01, a Transportation Network Company company must have:

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

In addition to these amounts, Uber and Lyft are legally required to carry a minimum of $1 million in total liability insurance. While they carry this insurance, it is provided by a third party and applies to specific situations where their contract driver is concerned.

These situations occur when (and only when) the Uber or Lyft app is on, the driver is signed in, and:

• The driver is waiting for a rider to request their service
• The driver is on their way to pick up a rider the Uber or Lyft app has matched them with; or
• The driver has a passenger in their vehicle and is en route to a destination

There Are Times When Uber and Lyft’s Insurance Does Not Cover Their Springfield, OH, Drivers

Whenever Uber or Lyft drivers are signed out of either company’s app, those drivers are on their own personal auto insurance. They must have their own coverage in order to drive for the rideshare company they work for. However, should they get into an accident with you while signed out of a rideshare app, getting their auto insurer to pay your claim could be a battle. Auto insurers have rejected claims from these kinds of accidents, saying they are not covered because the drivers were working for commercial purposes, not personal ones.

This, of course, presents a major hurdle for rideshare accident victims who have no way of paying the growing expenses from their accidents. Our attorney handling Uber and Lyft rideshare accident cases in Springfield can help you determine who you should hold liable for your damages and help you file your claim or lawsuit for financial recovery.

The Last Thing You Should Worry About Is How You’re Going To Pay For Your Medical Bills.

Our Lawyer Will Identify Who You Should Sue in Your Uber or Lyft Rideshare Accident in Springfield, OH

While it can be hard to determine whose insurance policy was in effect during your accident, it is still possible to recover damages. You may be able to recover them from multiple parties after an Uber or Lyft collision in Springfield, including:

• Your own insurance policy
• The driver’s auto insurance policy
• Uber or Lyft’s liability policy

As mentioned earlier, Uber and Lyft require their drivers to carry personal auto insurance. However, they only mandate that drivers abide by the state’s minimum insurance coverage requirements. This regulation can affect your claim negatively. For example, if your injuries caused you losses that exceed the minimum coverage of the driver’s personal policy, you will be left to assume the remainder of the costs.

Our lawyer will step in at this point and help you file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver. A court-awarded sum may help you achieve fair compensation when an insurance claim fails to do so.

We Are Prepared to Fight for Springfield Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accident Victims

We know there’s no shortage of ways that rideshare accidents happen. This is why we are prepared to represent you, no matter if you were a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, a rideshare driver hit your car, or biking, jogging, or walking when the Uber or Lyft driver struck you. However your accident happened, we will review the details during a free consultation to see if you can recover compensation that is fair and appropriate for your needs.

Damages You Can Seek After a Rideshare Accident in Springfield

Damages refer to awards you seek after suffering losses due to another person’s negligence. These losses can range from tangible expenses, such as medical bills, to non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering. Some examples of potential compensation include:

• Lost wages and other benefits due to time missed from work
• Pain and suffering, which includes physical, emotional, and mental anguish
• Various medical expenses (e.g., emergency care, surgeries, medications, doctor’s visits, and follow-up medical treatment)
• Rehabilitative therapy (e.g., physical, occupational, and speech therapies)
• Disability and disfigurement
• Reduced earning capacity if your injuries alter your ability to work
• Home modifications to help you cope with living after your injuries
• In-home medical and domestic support to help you learn to meet your daily personal needs

Damages not mentioned here may also apply to your case. Every accident injury is unique, so we will account for the way your losses affect your life. For example, if your doctor finds that you will need ongoing therapy and treatment for your injuries, we will seek compensation for these expenses and your more immediate losses. Once we have reviewed your damages, we will assign a value to your case. We will request this amount for your compensation.

Wrongful Death Damages May Be Available in a Springfield Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accident

If you lost a loved one due to a rideshare accident involving Uber or Lyft, please accept our condolences. We are truly sorry for your loss. We will offer comfort and legal guidance in any way we can. We can review if you are eligible under Ohio law to seek damages that cover your family’s expenses after your loved one’s passing. Wrongful death damages in Ohio can be awarded to the decedent’s survivors and can include compensation for:

• Their final medical bills for the care they received
• Burial and funeral expenses paid to lay them to rest
• Loss of the decedent’s financial support
• Surviving family members’ pain and suffering because of their loved one’s death

We know that no amount of compensation will replace your loved one, but it can help you deal with the financial strain of their absence. We will compassionately handle the entire legal process for you while you spend time with your family.

How Our Springfield, OH, Attorney Can Help Your Uber, Lyft Case

A Springfield Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer with the Fitch Law Firm LLC will guide you through your fight for your financial recovery. Once you become our client, we will represent you in all legal proceedings and handle all communications on your behalf. You will have the time you need to focus on your recovery with the peace of mind that your legal matters are being taken care of.

We work on contingency, which means you do not have to pay us any fees to get started on your case. Once we get to work, we will do all the following and more in your case:

• Look out for and protect your interests at all times
• Investigate how your accident occurred, review your evidence, and gather any additional evidence we need (e.g., the police report, witness testimony, accident reconstruction expert witness testimony, surveillance footage)
• Canvass the accident scene and surrounding area for evidence you might have difficulty tracking down on your own (e.g., accident photos and videos from witnesses’ smartphones, and dashcam, security camera, and surveillance footage)
• Identify all liable and at-fault parties in your accident
• Build a robust case against the liable party
• Meet and communicate with all parties, including the rideshare company and their insurers and/or legal representatives
• Negotiate for a fair settlement that compensates you for your injuries and related expenses and losses
• File your lawsuit with the civil court within Ohio’s statute of limitations if we do not reach a settlement
• Fight for your financial award at trial, if necessary
• Explain Ohio’s personal injury and insurance laws and how they apply to your case
• Answer all your questions and concerns

We Track Your Deadlines for You and File Important Paperwork on Time in Your Springfield Rideshare Accident Case

When we represent you, we give your case the undivided attention it deserves. We also give you the individualized attention you deserve. Some of the tasks we take on include:

Accurately Valuing Your Case After a Rideshare Accident

When we calculate compensation, we leave no stone unturned. We will review your medical records to see how your injuries will affect you down the road to make sure we are seeking fair compensation. This way, we can protect you from unfair settlement offers you may receive from an insurer.

Balancing Negotiations with Legal Deadlines

We aim to settle your claim before we take legal action, but if this is not possible, we will not hesitate to represent you in a trial. Sometimes, when insurers see we have filed a lawsuit on your behalf, they return to negotiations and offer you a fair settlement. Regardless, we can help you abide by the statute of limitations should we need to take your case to court.

Keeping You Updated on Your Springfield Rideshare Case’s Status

We want you to focus on your health and family instead of the legal hassle. When we handle your case, we will keep you up to date on the progress of your claim or suit. We can answer your questions and provide guidance throughout the legal process.

We Must Prove Who Acted Negligently in Your Springfield, OH, Rideshare Accident

Sometimes insurance companies may say you caused your own accident and that they are not responsible for any damages you suffered. Our Springfield Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer can combat this by proving four elements that show how the Uber driver or Lyft driver who harmed you acted negligently. Your case evidence must help us prove:

• The Uber or Lyft driver owed you a duty of care while behind the wheel.
• The ridesharing driver did not uphold this duty.
• The driver’s actions caused your accident.
• The accident injured you, leaving you with damages that you must be compensated for.

If we can prove these damages in your Uber or Lyft collision that occurred in Springfield, Ohio, then we will press forward to seek your financial recovery.

Time Limits for Taking Legal Action in a Springfield, Ohio, Rideshare Accident

If you decide to sue in your Springfield Uber or Lyft accident, be aware that you do not have unlimited time to do so. In Ohio, lawsuits are subject to statutes of limitations, and if you do not file within the prescribed time, you risk having your case dismissed.

Per Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10, you generally have only two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline begins counting down from the date of your accident.

According to Ohio Revised Code Section 2125.02, you have the same amount of time – two years – to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages after your loved one’s passing.

How Much it Will Cost You to Hire a Lawyer at Our Firm

Because we represent injured parties on a contingency fee basis, this payment plan means you do not owe us any upfront fees for us to get started on your case. If we secure compensation for you, we will take an agreed-upon percentage from your settlement or court award. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.

You have nothing to lose by accessing our free consultation. After speaking with you, we can determine how to handle your case.

Springfield Uber and Lyft Accident FAQ

Uber and Lyft accident claims are some of the most complex types of motor vehicle accident insurance and civil claims. You may have unanswered questions regarding the insurance claims process for the Springfield rideshare accident, what you can expect from your case, how much your Uber or Lyft accident claim is worth, and more.

We answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Uber and Lyft accident claims in Springfield, Ohio, below. If you have additional questions that we do not answer here, you can reach out to our office to discuss your concerns during a free, no-obligation consultation about the accident.

Should I Accept an Insurance Company’s Offer?

When Uber or Lyft’s insurance company (or any insurance company for that matter) makes you a settlement offer, you should be leery. This is particularly true if the offer comes in soon after you file a claim. Insurance companies never want to pay out on a claim in full. They lose money every time they pay out on claims, so they will do everything possible to avoid this profit loss.

When the insurance company makes you an offer, it is not because they believe you are entitled to compensation. More than likely, the insurance adjuster recognizes that your claim is worth significantly more based on the damages you have described. If an insurance company can convince you to accept an offer that is worth far less than your damages, it can avoid further financial loss.

You can take steps to protect yourself by having your Uber or Lyft accident lawyer in Springfield review your rideshare accident insurance settlement offer first. If the settlement offer amount does not meet your needs or it does not live up to the insurance company’s financial obligation to you, our attorney can handle the negotiation process for you.

Should I Give the Insurance Company a Statement?

After the accident, you likely will have to deal with an insurance company. Instead of giving the company a statement, it may be in your best interests to direct the insurance company to our Uber or Lyft accident lawyer in Springfield. The insurance company will argue that it needs to have your version of events on record. However, what the company does not tell you is its adjusters are looking for ways to take advantage of you.

One approach is having an adjuster ask you to make a recorded statement. The insurance company will then manipulate your statement and twist it to make it appear as though you have admitted fault or accepted guilt for causing the accident. If you hope to avoid being taken advantage of in this way, you can direct the insurance company to your attorney, who can provide them with the information they need to establish liability in your claim.

Can I Recover Punitive Damages After a Springfield Rideshare Accident?

You could be awarded punitive damages if the court system finds the defendant’s actions grossly negligent or reckless. Punitive damages are rarely awarded, and they are not a loss you are entitled to recover. Instead, the intent is to discourage a defendant from repeating the same actions in the future.

Call The Fitch Law Firm LLC After a Springfield, OH, Uber or Lyft Accident

A negligent Uber or Lyft driver may be liable for your losses after a rideshare accident in Springfield, Ohio, and you have the right to hire legal representation to help you seek compensation. Whether we file an insurance claim or lawsuit, we can fight for your recovery, negotiate a favorable outcome, and protect your legal rights.

Call us today for a free consultation. The sooner you call, the sooner our personal injury

“We will stop at nothing.”