Hamilton County Uber/Taxi Accident Lawyer
Rideshare services and traditional taxis provide an essential function in Hamilton County. They allow riders to get transportation when they need it and, usually, in relatively short order.
Unfortunately, not all rides end smoothly. If you or a loved one have been injured in a rideshare crash, call a Hamilton County Uber/taxi accident lawyer. An attorney could appreciate the hurdles you face as an injured passenger, driver of another vehicle, or pedestrian. Legal counsel could help you understand the nuances of liability law and how you may be able to seek recovery.
Understanding Ride Share Liability
The degree of insurance coverage could be a significant factor in determining whether the insurance claim route will be a viable option for an injured Hamilton County Uber/taxi accident victim.
Uber Driver Offline
When a driver is offline, meaning they are not available to pick up riders or on a trip, they have no coverage from Uber. The only applicable insurance coverage is the driver’s personal coverage.
Under Tennessee law, there are minimum policy requirements any driver must carry. In an accident where the insured is at fault, that person’s insurance must have a minimum of $25,000 liability coverage for bodily injury or death of another person, $50,000 total coverage for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 coverage for property damage.
Uber Driver Available
When a driver is “available”, either waiting for a trip request or driving to pick up a rider, additional insurance coverage applies if the driver does not have adequate personal insurance coverage. These limits are $50,000 per bodily injury for each person involved in the accident with a maximum of $100,000, and $25,000 total property damage per accident.
Depending on the circumstances, insurance may or may not apply. If a driver is drunk or otherwise violating policy limits, that person may not be entitled to any coverage under his or her policy. After an accident, a Hamilton County Uber accident lawyer could investigate a victim’s crash and determine if there is compensation to be sought from insurance companies.
Uber Driver on a Trip
Uber provides additional commercial insurance for Tennessee drivers once they have accepted a new trip. Coverage is at least $1,000,000 for a combination of injury and property damage when an Uber driver is a fault.
Lyft, taxi, and limousine companies adhere to the same laws. While their policy limits may differ, an experienced attorney could advise victims about the particulars of their case and depending on individual circumstances.
Application of Fault
In addition to insurance, injured victims should be aware of the fact that Tennessee is a “fault” state. This means that the at-fault driver’s insurance company must pay for the damages, including personal injury costs and property damage they caused in the accident. Often, insurance companies are, however, reluctant to own any fault of their beneficiaries and instead refuse payments. This is where a Hamilton County taxi/Uber lawyer could advocate for victims to obtain much-needed compensation.
When the limits of a policy are too little to cover the losses incurred by someone injured in the crash, they may need to consider filing a personal injury lawsuit. An attorney could appraise the circumstances of the collision a client was involved in to advise their options.
Consult a Hamilton County Uber/Taxi Accident Attorney Today
On the rare occasion that an accident occurs, victims are well-advised to consult an attorney to help them navigate what could be a complicated insurance or personal injury lawsuit situation. Compassionate attorneys understand the difficulties of injury and recovery and could assist you in your recovery efforts.
Victims have just one year to file a lawsuit for their injuries, so speaking with an attorney as soon as possible is always a good idea. Get in touch with a Hamilton County Uber/taxi accident lawyer today to get started on your case.
