Dallas Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Holding Rideshare Companies Accountable for Negligence in DFW
The rideshare industry has boomed in recent years. As of 2024, 149 million customers use Uber, the leading global rideshare app that employs 7.1 million rideshare drivers. With ridesharing on the rise, it’s no surprise that companies like Uber and Lyft have gained a strong footprint in the busy streets of Dallas. However, the surging rideshare economy is not without consequences.
If you or a loved one was wrongfully injured in a rideshare accident, MR.LAW Accident & Injury Attorneys can aggressively pursue justice on your behalf. Our rideshare accident attorneys understand the devastating impacts that an Uber or Lyft accident can have on innocent lives, which is why our firm is committed to seeking maximum compensation for the wrongfully injured in North Texas.
With a proven track record of results and millions recovered for clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, our highly skilled litigators can provide the experienced representation you deserve to take back your life after a serious injury. From filing a claim to gathering evidence to negotiating effectively with insurance companies and other involved parties, we can fight tirelessly to recover the fair compensation you’re rightfully entitled to.
Injured in an Uber or Lyft accident? Call (469) 689-0200 to schedule a free consultation with our DFW attorneys. Pay nothing until we win your case.
Contact Our Uber & Lyft Attorneys in DFW
Don’t let a negligent rideshare driver or company ruin your future! At MR.LAW Accident & Injury Attorneys, we have a winning track record of results in rideshare accident claims. As distinguished trial attorneys, we’ve successfully recovered millions of dollars for the wrongfully injured throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. As a national plaintiff’s litigation firm with offices in Texas and Illinois, our lawyers are well-versed in the legal intricacies of personal injury law to pursue a favorable outcome in your case. Our team is committed to providing personalized, results-based legal strategies to maximize the damages available to you. Our goal is to make sure you receive the compensation you need to recover from your injuries and move forward with your life.
Don’t pay the price for someone else’s negligence. Contact us online to discuss your case with our trusted attorneys. Se habla Español.
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Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents
According to a recent University of Chicago study, the rise of ridesharing companies has led to a 3% increase in motor vehicle fatalities, making it crucial to understand your rights in the event of a crash. Unlike everyday commuters, rideshare employees depend on driving to make a living, making them more susceptible to cutting corners when it comes to vehicle safety due to financial incentives.
Some common causes of rideshare accidents include:
- Speeding: For decades, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of motor vehicle fatalities, including 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2022.
- Driving while distracted: Distracted driving has grown increasingly dangerous due to technological innovations, such as smartphones and vehicle software. This is especially true for rideshare drivers, who rely on rideshare apps to locate and transport passengers.
- Inexperienced employees: Because the requirements for rideshare employees are less stringent than those for other driving professions, Uber and Lyft employees often have less experience than the average driver, increasing the risk of rideshare accidents.
- Fatigued driving: Driving while drowsy is a common cause of car crashes. Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare drivers are prone to fatigued driving due to working tight schedules or abnormal hours, such as driving overnight to maximize earnings during peak times.
If you were injured by a negligent rideshare driver, our award-winning attorneys can help you pursue justice by representing your best interests in court and maximizing the damages available to you.
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How to File an Insurance Claim After a Rideshare Accident
Regardless of the cause of your rideshare accident, consulting an experienced lawyer is paramount to protecting your rights and recovering fair compensation. Rideshare accident lawsuits are known for their legal complexities and are handled differently than typical car accidents, making it imperative to seek sound counsel as soon as possible.
Filing an insurance claim after a rideshare accident is different than filing a claim after a regular car accident. Rideshare accident claims typically involve multiple insurance companies and specific policies set forth by the rideshare company. Although Uber and Lyft have made their insurance coverage policies more stringent in recent years, these companies also have a reputation for evading fair payouts to maximize profits.
Unfortunately, negligent rideshare personnel can leave injured passengers with minimal compensation for their injuries. To maximize your chance of recovering compensation, it's vital to work with a lawyer who is experienced in handling the legal complexities of these cases. At MR.LAW Accident & Injury Attorneys, our lawyers can thoroughly investigate your case and help you navigate complex insurance policies to pursue a favorable outcome.
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What Are Rideshare Insurance Requirements in Texas?
Rideshare employees are considered independent contractors. Both Uber and Lyft provide drivers with $1 million in liability insurance. However, this coverage is only activated when a driver accepts a ride request and ends when the passenger exits the vehicle, leaving drivers in a gray area on their way to pick up passengers or while logged into the app without being actively en route.
In Texas, the amount of coverage depends on the “period” of rideshare, including:
- Period 0: No coverage is provided if the driver isn’t logged into the Uber/Lyft app. In these cases, the driver’s personal auto insurance may apply. The minimum requirements include $30,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $60,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident, and $25,000 of liability coverage for property damage per accident.
- Period 1: If the rideshare driver is logged into the app but hasn’t accepted a ride request, rideshare companies should provide liability coverage for any accident in which the driver is at fault. This includes up to $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person, $100,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident, and $25,000 of liability coverage for property damage per accident.
- Periods 2 and 3: When the driver accepts a trip and is en route to the pick-up location (Period 2) or has a passenger in their car (Period 3), the liability coverage is increased to $1 million for both bodily injury and property damage, as well as limited coverage for damage to the driver’s vehicle and uninsured motorist coverage.
While it may seem like rideshare insurance policies should cover all damages in an accident, this isn’t always true. In some cases, rideshare companies may deny responsibility by claiming their employees were acting negligently at the time of the accident. At MR.LAW Accident & Injury Attorneys, our experienced attorneys can help you hold rideshare companies accountable for their actions and fight for the compensation you deserve.
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Who Is Liable in a Rideshare Accident?
Determining liability in a rideshare accident can be complex and confusing. Depending on the unique circumstances of the accident, various parties may be liable for resulting damages. Common liable parties include:
- Rideshare drivers
- Negligent motorists
- Rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft
In claims involving multiple insurance companies, insurers often blame one another to evade liability. Our highly skilled litigators are familiar with these unjust tactics, empowering us to protect our clients from being taken advantage of while seeking the fair compensation they deserve.
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Establishing Liability in a Texas Rideshare Accident
If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident due to negligence, establishing liability is imperative to seeking compensation. Our Dallas attorneys can help you recover damages in your case by establishing these core elements:
- Duty of Care: You must prove that the rideshare driver or company owed you a duty of care, such as obeying traffic laws and driving responsibly.
- Breach of Duty: Then, you must show that the negligent party breached their duty of care by acting negligently or recklessly, such as speeding or driving under the influence.
- Causation: Next, you must establish a direct link between your injuries and the other party’s negligence.
- Damages: Finally, you must prove that the defendant’s negligence resulted in compensatory harm (“damages”), such as medical bills, lost wages, or loss of earning capacity.
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Uber & Lyft Requirements Under Texas Law
Texas has strict requirements for Uber and Lyft drivers. Texas Occupations Code § 14-2402 outlines laws and regulations governing the age, driver’s license and insurance requirements, and vehicle requirements and inspections for rideshare drivers. If you were injured in a rideshare accident, securing skilled representation from a qualified attorney is a must to navigate the legal intricacies of state-specific rideshare laws and recover compensation in a rideshare accident claim.
What is Rideshare and What Should You Do After an Accident?
Rideshare services, such as Uber and Lyft, are platforms that connect drivers using their own vehicles with passengers seeking transportation. While ridesharing offers convenience, the aftermath of a rideshare accident can be overwhelming for victims unfamiliar with navigating these specific types of cases.
Steps to Take After an Uber or Lyft Accident
If you’ve been in a rideshare accident, what you do in the aftermath can significantly impact the success of your claim. Follow these steps to protect yourself and strengthen your case.
- Prioritize Your Safety and Health: Seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. Some injuries can worsen over time, and having documentation from a medical professional is critical for your case.
- Report the Accident: Notify law enforcement and ensure an official accident report is filed. Additionally, report the accident to the rideshare company through their app.
- Gather Evidence: Collect as much information as possible, including the names and contact details of all drivers and witnesses, photos of the accident scene, and insurance information.
- Do Not Accept Immediate Settlements: Rideshare companies and their insurers may pressure you with a quick settlement offer. Consult an experienced Lyft accident lawyer before accepting any payment.
- Contact a Rideshare Accident Lawyer: The legal complexities of rideshare cases make it essential to work with a qualified attorney. They can help you understand your rights, investigate the accident, and negotiate aggressively with all liable parties.
Multiple Parties May Be Responsible for Your Damages
Rideshare accidents are often more legally complex than standard car accidents due to the involvement of multiple parties. Determining liability is a critical step in pursuing fair compensation, as more than one individual or entity may share responsibility for the victim’s damages.
Potential Parties That May Be Liable in a Rideshare Accident Include:
- The Rideshare Driver: If the Uber or Lyft driver operates recklessly or fails to adhere to traffic laws, they can be held directly responsible for the accident.
- The Rideshare Company (Uber or Lyft): Some cases involve negligence on the part of the rideshare company, such as inadequate driver background checks, failure to enforce safety standards, or poor app-driven practices that encourage dangerous driving behavior.
- Other Motorists: Not all rideshare accidents are solely the fault of the rideshare driver. Other drivers on the road can also contribute to the collision through negligent or reckless behavior.
- Manufacturers or Maintenance Providers: Mechanical failures, such as faulty brakes or poorly maintained vehicles, could point to liability on the part of auto manufacturers or maintenance companies.
- Third Parties: Pedestrians, cyclists, or even municipalities responsible for road conditions may play a significant role in the accident.
A skilled Dallas rideshare accident lawyer can thoroughly investigate your case to identify all liable parties, ensuring you pursue the full amount of compensation available for your injuries and losses.
How Rideshare Companies Reduce Their Liability
Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies are well-equipped with extensive legal teams whose primary goal is to minimize liability and protect their bottom line. These companies often attempt to deflect responsibility by leveraging the distinction between employees and contractors.
Common Tactics Used by Rideshare Companies Include:
- Denial of Responsibility: Rideshare companies classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. This tactic allows them to argue that they are not liable for accidents caused by their drivers.
- Limiting Insurance Coverage: Both Uber and Lyft provide insurance coverage for their drivers, but the coverage may vary depending on the phase of the ride. For example, if the driver was not actively carrying passengers or en route to pick someone up, the coverage may be limited or denied outright.
- Shift Blame to the Driver: Rideshare companies may emphasize the driver's negligence to mitigate their own responsibility for the accident.
- Insurance Company Tactics: Adjusters for Uber and Lyft’s insurance providers often attempt to offer quick, lowball settlements that fail to cover the full scope of the victim’s injuries.
- Complex Legal Language: The terms within rideshare agreements often obscure liability, making it harder for victims to understand their rights.
Facing these tactics alone can make it challenging to secure the compensation you deserve. That’s why working with Uber accident lawyers who has tried rideshare cases is critical to safeguarding your legal rights.
Why Choose MR.LAW Accident & Injury Attorneys for Your Case?
At MR.LAW Accident & Injury Attorneys, we understand how life-altering a rideshare accident can be. Our team of dedicated rideshare accident lawyers has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Armed with years of experience, we take pride in holding negligent drivers, rideshare companies, and other parties accountable.
If you’re searching for an Uber accident lawyer or a knowledgeable Lyft accident lawyer to handle your case, look no further than our seasoned team. With personalized attention, compassionate guidance, and aggressive advocacy, we’ll work tirelessly to achieve the outcome you deserve.
Contact Our Rideshare Accident Attorneys Today
Don’t face the aftermath of a rideshare accident alone. Whether you were injured as a passenger, driver, or pedestrian, MR.LAW Accident & Injury Attorneys is here to advocate for your rights. Justice begins with one simple action—contact our firm today, and put a proven team of Dallas rideshare accident lawyers in your corner.
Call us at (469) 689-0200 to schedule a free consultation with experienced lawyers in DFW. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing until we win your case.
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"Attorney Raphael & Attorney Mathias are both very forthcoming & handle each case with care!"I have worked with this office on many different life care plans for personal injury cases and each time it’s been wonderful. Attorney Raphael and Attorney Mathias are both very forthcoming and handle each case with care. I would definitely recommend them!- Brandy C.
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"Damon took my case when others would not consider it."
Damon is the one attorney who took my case when others would not consider it. He is good at explaining the next steps and possible outcomes. Professionalism shows through in all he does. I recommend him for your legal matter.
- Carolyn -
"Mr. Mathias went above and beyond for me!"
Mr. Mathias went above and beyond when I got in an automobile accident making the situation stress free. He allowed me to concentrate on getting a new vehicle and getting the appropriate treatment instead of worrying about medical bills and settlements.
- James -
"Truly amazing attorney!"
Truly amazing Attorney! This guy went above and beyond my expectations, from a broken wired up jaw. To a well deserved settlement. Thanks again!
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"Better outcome than imagined."
MR.LAW Accident & Injury Attorneys handled our case well and gave us a better outcome than we could have ever imagined. Thanks to Damon, Ori and their entire team!
- Eric B. -
"Attorney Ori Raphael fights for you!"Ori gives it his all to fight for you!- Amir A
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"Hire these guys!"These guys are great! Ori really went above and beyond and every time I needed good advice or help, he was there for me.- R.J.
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"Mr. Raphael was very helpful and responsive to our needs!"Mr. Raphael was very helpful and responsive to our needs. He provided excellent service with polite,gentle and sensitive care,from the time he greeted us all through the process. I felt very confident trusting him with our case and he came through for us and got us more than we imagined.- Avi P.