You’ve had an amazing night out with friends, maybe had a few drinks, and decide to grab an Uber or Lyft for the ride home. It’s something most of us do without giving it a single thought. It’s the responsible thing to do, after all.
But what happens if the vehicle is involved in an accident during this trip? Who pays for damages and medical bills should you get injured? How is fault established?
Ridesharing accidents involving a client are complex, which is why they require specialized lawyers. Still, you’re dealing with major tech corporations, backed by strong legal teams whose job is to minimize claims and reduce public impact.
In these cases, time is of the essence, which is why more Uber and Lyft accident victims are seeking law firms that implement and use advanced technologies. Let’s see why rideshare accidents are such a sensitive topic and how technology helps fill in the gaps.
Why Rideshare Accident Claims are Complicated
To be fair, a car accident claim shouldn’t increase in complexity just because it happened in a rideshare. But convoluted rules and clever legal loopholes make it so.
One confusing issue is the driver’s status in the app at the exact moment of the crash. The amount a passenger can receive if they get injured in an Uber or Lyft vehicle is directly influenced by this status.
Here’s how ridesharing companies decide on the amount and who supports the consequences:
- App is off: driver’s personal insurance covers everything
- App is on, status is waiting: Uber/Lyft pays a max of $50k/person or $100k/accident
- Trip in progress: the Uber/Lyft commercial policy kicks in with a $1 million limit
Of course, these are the clear-cut cases, when it’s clear where the fault lies. However, car accidents are not always transparent, leaving room for interpretation.
The Importance of Local Attorneys
Car accident victims have the right to submit insurance claims; there’s no denying that. But the amount you are entitled to and how you receive it vary by state.
In California, under SB 371, coverage for passenger protection in hit-and-run or other accidents caused by others has been reduced. Florida is a “No-Fault” state, which means victims must first exhaust their own $10,000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP) before Uber’s liability kicks in. New York is in a similar situation, as the PIP still applies first for immediate medical bills.
There’s some good news as well: Oklahoma’s legislators are working hard to double the mandatory minimums for when the driver’s status is “online but waiting.”
This is why, if you’re involved in a rideshare accident in Oklahoma, it’s essential to look for a well-seasoned Uber & Lyft accident attorney in Tulsa or nearby cities. If the accident occurred in California and was caused by an uninsured third party, you need all the help you can get from a local rideshare accident lawyer.
Technology Makes a Difference
Nowadays, it’s not just geographic location and legal expertise that matter when rideshare accident victims choose a law firm; technology also plays a role.
Big tech companies like Uber and Lyft use the latest technologies to determine fault and decide which claims to honor. This improves processing speed and reduces human error. So, in a world where almost everything is automated, you can’t afford to go at traditional paper-pushing speed.
Modern law firms use case management software to keep track of deadlines, manage sensitive documents and files, and centralize communication. This reduces the risk of sensitive elements slipping through the cracks.
Automation also plays a significant role in accelerating historically slow processes, such as discovery and document assembly. Even new leads are now screened via an AI-powered chatbot that determines if a caller has a viable case.
Finally, clients are kept in the loop through automated workflows that send status check texts at each new phase of the case. This reduces “just checking in” phone calls and emails, freeing up staff for actual legal work.
Law and Tech Must Work Together
In an industry where high-volume caseloads meet razor-thin deadlines, there’s no more room for “ifs and buts” when it comes to tech adoption. Law firms must identify the best ways to adopt and implement modern technologies to automate repetitive, time-consuming work. This is the only way forward, especially when you’re trying to keep tech giants accountable.
