Houston Uber Accident Attorneys
Help when you’re injured in an Uber, Lyft or other rideshare accident in Texas
The Houston area is massive, and rideshare services like Uber help locals and tourists alike navigate their way through the city. These brands are trusted names throughout Texas and the rest of the country, and the rideshare apps grow in popularity every day. With more Uber vehicles hitting the road every year, it stands to reason car accidents involving them would increase as well.
When you’re involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft, filing a claim for compensation can be a much different process than a traditional car crash. Insurance may work differently, fault may work differently, and an entire host of complications may come into play. The attorneys at the Kishinevsky Law Firm want to help. Our Houston personal injury attorneys understand the issues involved with claims against rideshare companies, and can guide you through the process with ease.
What are common causes of Uber accidents?
Like many other Houston car accidents, the majority of rideshare accidents happen because of driver negligence, including:
- Drunk and impaired driving. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reports 23,157 DWI crashes occurred in 2020 – causing 1,024 deaths and over 5,800 injuries. Uber and Lyft have a responsibility to thoroughly vet their drivers to ensure they don’t have a record of drunk driving.
- Distracted driving. Driving while distracted is dangerous for everyone, and an accident can happen in an instant. Rideshare drivers are at a high risk for distracted driving due to passengers, trying to read a GPS and drive at the same time, using their app, adjusting controls, or eating behind the wheel.
- Fatigued driving. Driving while tired can be as dangerous as driving while impaired. It affects judgement, reaction time, and coordination. Because many Uber drivers work long hours as drivers or drive part-time as a second job, they may find themselves fatigued behind the wheel, which can drastically increase the potential for a serious accident.
- Speeding and reckless driving. The TxDOT reports 381 people were killed in speeding-related accidents in 2020. Only 190 of these people were drivers, meaning the rest were passengers, pedestrians, and others unfortunate enough to be fatally injured by reckless drivers. Even with posted speed limits, when weather or traffic conditions don’t allow, motorists must understand how to adjust their speed and driving accordingly.
Our Houston personal injury attorneys can launch an investigation into the circumstances of your accident to determine who was at fault for causing your injuries, and then work to hold them accountable.
Who is liable for my Houston rideshare accident injuries?
Because of the nature of how rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft work, determining liability can be tricky. There may be more than one liable party; however, it’s our legal team’s job to investigate each situation to determine who is potentially responsible. These parties may include:
- The Uber or Lyft driver. If a rideshare driver’s negligent or reckless actions caused an accident and your resulting injuries, the Kishinevsky Law Firm first seeks compensation through the driver’s insurance coverage. Drivers for rideshare companies are required to have coverage as a condition of their jobs – and if they don’t, we’ll find out why.
- The rideshare company. There are certain circumstances where Uber can be held responsible for the actions of their drivers. However, these companies also have the legal power to do everything they can to avoid liability. One of the ways they do this is by not classifying their workers as employees, and claiming they are merely a link between drivers and passengers. The attorneys at the Kishinevsky Law Firm can work to show liability on the part of the company when they hire negligent drivers.
- Other at-fault drivers or parties. If you were involved in an accident with an Uber caused by another driver, our Houston attorneys can seek compensation for your injuries and losses from that driver’s insurance company. If your accident occurred due to a defective vehicle part, we can also seek compensation through a product liability claim against the legally responsible parties.
Depending on how your Uber accident happened, one or multiple parties could be liable for your injuries. The attorneys at the Kishinevsky Law Firm have the knowledge and resources to determine the right ones, and then hold them accountable.
Does insurance work differently after an Uber accident?
Insurance issues involving accidents and collisions with Ubers or other rideshare companies can become complex quickly. In general, rideshare driver insurance works depending on the status of the driver at the time. For example, when the driver is:
- On their own time: They aren’t logged into the rideshare app, and they are considered to be “on their own time” rather than driving for Uber. In the event of an accident, the driver’s personal car insurance is responsible for covering any injuries and losses they cause.
- Logged in and waiting for a ride: They’re on the job but not driving or picking up a passenger. If the driver causes an accident, their personal insurance carrier is usually still responsible for compensation in this scenario. However, if your injuries and losses exceed their personal auto insurance policy limits, their insurance with Uber could potentially be required to step in and provide additional insurance coverage.
- Transporting a passenger or picking one up: They are actively on the job. If the driver is involved in an accident under these circumstances, the insurance of Uber or any other rideshare service at issue should be responsible for providing insurance coverage for the damages caused by the accident.
Generally speaking, Lyft’s policies regarding insurance mimic Uber’s, but our Houston car accident attorneys can help explain which insurance should apply and when. We understand these complexities and want to help you secure the compensation to which you’re entitled for your injuries.
How can your Houston Uber accident attorneys help?
Unlike common carrier transportation like buses and taxis, the rideshare industry is largely unregulated. This means recovering compensation after a serious accident can be a more overwhelming and difficult process as compared to your average fender-bender. However, you can look to the attorneys at the Kishinevsky Law Firm to advocate and work on your behalf, including determining issues like:
- If there are multiple liable parties
- The status of the Uber driver at the time of the accident
- Which insurance policy or policies may be applicable to your claim
- The extent of your injuries and losses
We can also launch an investigation into the cause of your accident if the insurance company raises any doubt about fault or negligence, or the source of your injuries.
Is there an Uber accident lawyer near me?
You can find The Kishinevsky Law firm at 13831 Northwest Fwy., Suite 312, in Houston. We offer plenty of parking, and there’s a bus stop right in front of our building. If you are too injured or disabled to come to us, we can come to your home, hospital, rehabilitation center, or set up a conference via telephone or Zoom. You can count on us.
Houston Uber accident attorneys on your side
After a car accident in or with an Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare company, don’t try to go it alone. These types of claims can be complicated, and you don’t want companies to take advantage of you while you’re trying to recover from a serious injury. The Houston attorneys at the Kishinevsky Law Firm want to help you secure the compensation to which you’re entitled. Our consultations are always free. Get in touch with us today by calling 832-529-1111 or filling out our contact form.
