Houston Rideshare Accident Lawyers
Car accidents can lead to debilitating injuries, destructive property damage, and even death. You might think the rideshare driver will keep you safe and get you to your destination in one piece, but they could make an error that puts you in a dangerous situation. The Houston personal injury lawyers of Lowenberg Law Firm know the consequences often suffered by passengers in rideshare vehicle accidents and the devastation of being injured in a crash. You end up with expensive medical bills and other costs you can’t afford and face massive debt. If the rideshare driver was entirely at fault for the collision, you deserve full and fair compensation to cover your losses.
Uber and Lyft are popular rideshare services, especially in large cities like Houston. They’re affordable, convenient, and seemingly safe. You might request an Uber to take you home after you’ve been drinking in order to be responsible. You think it’s the best option to avoid harming yourself or other people. Unfortunately, rideshare drivers aren’t driving experts. They’re regular people working for a company to make money. They can make the same mistakes other drivers make while operating their vehicles.
Whether you were a passenger in the rideshare driver’s car or another vehicle at the time of the crash, you might have suffered injuries requiring emergency medical care and ongoing treatment. You could hold the negligent motorist or rideshare company liable and recover the money you’re owed for the suffering you endured.
At Lowenberg Law Firm, our Houston rideshare accident lawyers have the experience, resources, and skills to handle your insurance claim or lawsuit against the rideshare driver or company and help you seek justice. We will fight hard for you, so you can recover from your injuries and get your life back on track. Call us for a free consultation at (832) 241-6000 and learn more about the services we offer.
Should I Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer?
Car accident cases are complex. They’re particularly confusing when they involve rideshare services. More than one person could be at fault for your injuries, and determining who the responsible parties are can be challenging. Additionally, insurance coverage varies between the driver’s insurance company and the rideshare company’s insurance company. Knowing which you should file a claim with might not be apparent.
If you don’t hire an attorney to represent you, you’re likely to walk away with much less money than you deserve. Insurance companies might take advantage of unrepresented claimants and offer a small settlement to resolve the claim quickly. If you don’t know how to handle the claims process, you might feel tempted to accept the money in front of you even if it doesn’t cover your total expenses. At Lowenberg Law Firm, our Houston rideshare accident lawyers are familiar with reviewing insurance policies for the available coverage and seeking the full amount for our clients.
Types of Rideshare Accidents in Houston
Many scenarios can lead to accidents involving rideshare drivers. You don’t have to be a passenger in their car to be entitled to compensation. You could be in a different vehicle or even be a pedestrian at the time of the collision. The most common types of rideshare accidents are:
- Rideshare passenger – You could hold the rideshare driver or company liable for your injuries if you were in their car when the accident happened.
- The occupant of another vehicle – If you were the driver or passenger in a different car, you might be able to seek compensation from the rideshare driver if they were involved in the crash and their actions contributed to your injuries. If they had a passenger in their vehicle or were on the way to pick one up, the rideshare company could be held liable.
- Motorcyclist, pedestrian, or bicyclist – If you were riding your motorcycle or bike or walking across the ride when a rideshare driver crashed into you, they could be at fault. Even though you weren’t in a car when you suffered injuries, you could file a claim with the rideshare driver or rideshare company’s insurance carrier.
Lowenberg Law Firm can handle any type of rideshare accident case. We’re familiar with navigating insurance claims and litigating cases in court. We’re not afraid to stand up to large insurance companies or intimidating defense attorneys. We bring decades of experience to the table for our clients.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents
A range of factors can result in a rideshare crash, and depending on the circumstances, multiple parties could be liable for the injuries you suffered. One of the main reasons for car accidents is driver error. Every motorist must focus on the task at hand and avoid distractions and anything else that could result in a collision with other vehicles.
The most common causes of rideshare accidents include:
- Fatigued driving
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Speeding
- Failing to check blind spots before changing lanes
- Running a stop sign or red light
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Tailgating
- Road rage
- Driver distractions
- Driving under the influence
Even if you believe using a rideshare service will prevent you from harm, the driver could intentionally or unintentionally place you in danger. Their actions should not go unpunished. Lowenberg Law Firm can help you prepare a solid case and hold the rideshare driver or company accountable for their misconduct.
Common Injuries Caused by Rideshare Accidents
Anyone can get hurt in a car accident. Even if you’re in a minor fender bender, you could end up with physical injuries or property damage. Repairing your vehicle and seeking medical care both cost money. Paying those bills might lead to economic strain if you can’t afford them. Those expenses shouldn’t be your burden to bear if the rideshare driver were to blame for the crash.
The most common injuries suffered in rideshare accidents are:
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal damage and bleeding
- Paralysis
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Psychological injury, such as post-traumatic stress disorder
- Concussion or whiplash
- Traumatic brain injury
- Back injuries
- Wounds and bruises
The Houston rideshare accident lawyers of Lowenberg Law Firm know the trauma of experiencing a car wreck and trying to recover afterward. It’s stressful when you have to take time off work to attend doctor’s appointments and rest. If you can’t afford to pay your medical bills, you can face significant debt. The daily disruptions to your life due to another person’s negligence are unfair and something you shouldn’t have to go through.
We can take over your case and complete each step on your behalf so you can focus on healing. You don’t have to worry about talking to the insurance company, filling out confusing paperwork, or obtaining evidence. We will handle everything for you to make this a stress-free and easy process.
How Much Compensation Can I Recover?
Car accidents cause more than just physical injuries. They also cause emotional pain. Even if you heal, you could struggle with the psychological effects of the collision for the rest of your life. You might need to seek therapy for the trauma you experienced or take medication for anxiety. It becomes expensive to pay for those costs, especially if you continue to incur them for years or even for the rest of your life.
Whether your injury is minor or severe, temporary or permanent, you can pursue compensation for the various losses you suffered, such as:
- Past and future medical bills
- Mental anguish
- Loss of household services
- Property damage
- Physical impairment or disfigurement
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
The amount of money available will depend on the insurance coverage and factors associated with the accident. Rideshare drivers carry personal car insurance based on state requirements. Texas law requires all motorists to either post a surety showing they can afford a certain dollar amount if they cause a crash or buy liability coverage with these minimum limits:
- $30,000 for injury per person
- $60,000 for injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
If the at-fault driver’s rideshare app were turned off at the time of the crash, you would file a claim with their personal insurance company. However, certain scenarios allow accident victims to seek compensation from the rideshare company’s liability insurance carrier.
For example, Uber purchases liability coverage and can compensate for the victim’s losses if their driver causes an accident under these circumstances.
Available or waiting for a ride request
- $50,000 for injury per person
- $100,000 for injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
During trips and picking up riders
- $1 million third-party liability
If the insurance company denies your claim or doesn’t settle for an adequate amount of money, you could file a lawsuit. There is a two-year statute of limitations for car accident cases in Texas. That means you must initiate legal action within two years of the crash date if you want to recover compensation in court. Once two years pass, you won’t be able to file suit against the rideshare driver.
Contact Lowenberg Law Firm Today
At Lowenberg Law Firm, our Houston rideshare accident lawyers have over two decades of experience representing the injured. We work hard to hold people accountable for their careless actions and recover the compensation our clients need to heal their injuries. We will be your advocate during this traumatic time in your life and fight by your side for justice against the negligent rideshare driver.
If you sustained injuries in a car accident involving a rideshare driver, do not hesitate to contact Lowenberg Law Firm. We can meet with you for a free consultation and discuss the details of your case to determine the available options for pursuing the money owed to you. Call now at (832) 241-6000.