Uber and Lyft accidents raise legal questions that ordinary car accidents do not, since coverage depends on multiple insurance policies and the driver’s status within the app at the time of the crash. An attorney can sort through these layers, identify which policy applies, and pursue compensation on a client’s behalf. The Charleston Uber and Lyft accident lawyers handle these details daily and can guide someone through hiring the right representation.
Do You Handle Rideshare Cases Specifically?
Rideshare accidents differ from ordinary car crashes because coverage depends on the driver’s app status at the time of the collision. An attorney should be able to explain the difference between a driver who is waiting for a ride request, one who has accepted a ride, and one who is actively transporting a passenger. Each stage carries different insurance limits under South Carolina law, and an attorney unfamiliar with these distinctions may miss coverage that otherwise applies to a claim.
A general car accident background is not the same as direct experience with rideshare claims. Ask whether the attorney has represented passengers, other drivers, or pedestrians hurt by a rideshare vehicle, since each role can involve a different set of insurance layers and legal strategies.
How Will You Determine Which Insurance Policy Applies?
South Carolina’s law governing transportation network company insurance requirements sets different coverage amounts depending on whether a driver is logged into the app, waiting for a request, or on a prearranged ride. The maximum amount of required coverage is $1 million. An attorney should ask for the exact time of the crash and request log-on and log-off records from the rideshare company to confirm which policy period applies. This step often determines whether a claim is worth tens of thousands of dollars or up to a million dollars in coverage.
An experienced Uber/Lyft accident attorney also knows that personal auto insurers frequently deny coverage once a driver logs into a rideshare app, which can leave a gap if the rideshare company’s policy has not yet attached. Asking how the attorney plans to identify and close that gap is a useful way to gauge their familiarity with these disputes.
What Experience Do You Have with Uber and Lyft Claims?
Rideshare companies and their insurers often resist claims or delay settlement offers. An attorney with direct experience negotiating against these companies understands their common tactics and knows what documentation strengthens a case. Ask how many rideshare cases the attorney has handled, whether those cases settled or went to trial, and what results clients have seen. A firm that only handles a small number of these cases each year may not have dealt with the specific insurance disputes that come up in Uber and Lyft claims.
How Do You Charge for Rideshare Accident Cases?
Our Charleston personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning payment comes only from a settlement or verdict. Ask what percentage the attorney takes, whether that percentage changes if the case goes to trial, and who covers costs such as filing fees, expert witnesses, or accident reconstruction if the case does not succeed. A clear answer to this question prevents confusion later and helps a person compare options between firms without added stress during an already difficult time.
What Should I Expect During the Claims Process?
A rideshare accident claim can involve multiple insurers, including the driver’s personal policy, the rideshare company’s policy, and potentially the other driver’s insurance if a separate vehicle was involved. Ask the attorney to walk through the general timeline, from gathering records and communicating with the state office that regulates transportation network companies to negotiating with insurance adjusters and, if needed, filing a lawsuit. Understanding this process in advance helps a person know what documents to gather and what delays might be normal rather than a sign that something has gone wrong.
Charleston Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers at Rogers, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman Advocate for Clients in a Rideshare Crash
The Charleston car accident lawyers who specialize in Uber/Lyft accidents at Rogers, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman advocate for clients across South Carolina who have been hurt in a rideshare crash. Our experienced legal team will review the facts of your case and answer the questions above in detail. To learn more or schedule a free consultation, call 843-727-6500 or contact us online. Our Charleston office is located at 171 East Bay Street, and we also have offices in Mt. Pleasant, Aiken, and Columbia, South Carolina.