What You Need To Know About Rideshare Accidents, Filing A Claim, And Liability

In this article, you can learn about:

• What to do if you are in an accident involving rideshare
• How long you have to file an accident claim in Louisiana
• Who can be held liable for an accident in Louisiana

In Louisiana, How Common Are Rideshare Accidents With Injuries?

In the state of Louisiana, there are about 5,000 accidents a year in which injuries are reported. Even more accidents happen where the driver doesn’t realize he or she is injured until later.

Rideshare makes up an increasing percentage of traffic, especially around tourist destinations such as New Orleans, where visitors often rely on using a rideshare service instead of renting a car. Additionally, city residents often choose to use a rideshare instead of driving themselves, and food delivery services are done by some of the transportation network companies.

All this results in an increased number of cars on the road working for one of these rideshare companies – and a higher chance for people to be in an accident with a rideshare vehicle involved.

What Are The Most Common Causes Of These Types Of Accidents? What Are The Most Common Types Of Injuries?

While some drivers are safe on the road, taking advantage of the flexibility in scheduling and only working a limited number of hours a day, others drive long hours. This contributes to congested roadways in Louisiana’s major cities and increases the number of accidents due to negligence or drivers not driving defensively.

If you are a passenger in a rideshare, you are often not aware of what’s happening outside of the vehicle because you are not the driver. You may not know that an accident is about to happen. Thus, you don’t have any warning to brace yourself for an impact. This unawareness can lead to more significant injuries as a passenger than as a driver. The most common injuries are to the neck and back – but any part of the body can be injured.

How Long Do I Have To File A Rideshare Accident Claim In Louisiana?

In Louisiana, you have one year to file a personal injury lawsuit. It’s best to begin the claim process as soon as possible after an accident by obtaining and preserving any necessary evidence.

Who Can Be Held Liable In A Rideshare Accident In Louisiana?

Under Louisiana law, an individual driver is responsible for his or her negligence committed while behind the wheel. But when a person is driving for a transportation network company such as Uber or Lyft, that company (or their insurance provider) can also be responsible for the driver’s actions.

If you’re a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle that’s involved in an accident, the party who is responsible is going to depend on the facts of that accident. It may be that your driver, (the operator of the Uber or Lyft or the rideshare vehicle), is responsible. It may be that the other vehicle’s driver is responsible – or the accident could be caused by a combination of both drivers.

If you’re a passenger in a vehicle that is in an accident and the other vehicle is responsible, you may be entitled to additional insurance coverage from the rideshare company even though the primary payment is going to come from the other driver (or their insurance company).

Will The Rideshare Company Pay For My Medical Treatment As A Rideshare Driver In A Car Accident?

If you’re driving for a rideshare company and you are injured in an accident, you are not entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, you may be eligible for certain medical payments, though it depends on who is responsible for the accident.

An experienced rideshare injury attorney can help you determine how to move forward based on the facts of the accident.

Should A Rideshare Driver File An Insurance Claim Or A Personal Injury Lawsuit Against The At-Fault Party?

A rideshare driver should file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the party at fault. The only way to make sure you’re fully compensated for the injuries caused by another driver is to submit an insurance claim against their insurance carrier.

For more information on Rideshare Accidents in Louisiana, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (504) 384-7770 today.