Scottsdale Rideshare Accident Attorney

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become household names. A decade or so ago, most people would have balked at the idea of getting into a stranger’s personal vehicle and hitching a ride across town. Now, nearly everybody has a rideshare app on their phone. Unfortunately, accidents involving rideshare vehicles do occur. At Shapiro Law Team, we are here to help if you need a Scottsdale rideshare accident attorney by your side. We have the resources necessary to conduct a complete investigation into these cases and take on aggressive insurance carriers to ensure you are properly compensated.

Why Choose Shapiro Law Team?

At Shapiro Law Team, we offer hands-on service to every client that comes through our door.
We believe that every case is unique, which means that every client receives personalized attention so we can focus on their goals and needs.
We have a track record of success and have secured significant settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of our clients.
We offer free initial consultations so that our clients understand our processes and are comfortable with taking the next steps forward with their cases.

How Will an Attorney Help a Rideshare Accident Claim?

Rideshare accidents can become incredibly complicated, particularly when it comes to ensuring that injury and property damage victims recover the compensation they are entitled to. Unfortunately, most rideshare accident victims do not have the resources necessary to handle every aspect of these claims.

A skilled Scottsdale car accident lawyer can step in and handle every aspect of these claims. The role of an attorney in these situations will include:

Gathering the evidence necessary to prove liability, including photographs taken at the scene, video surveillance, eyewitness statements, accident reports, rideshare app data, and more.
Making sure that their client is fully evaluated by a trusted medical professional who can treat their injuries and help properly calculate total losses.
Engaging in negotiations with insurance carriers and the rideshare company to help ensure that their client recovers maximum compensation.
Preparing the claim for trial if necessary to ensure that their client is treated fairly throughout every step of this process.

Who is Liable in a Rideshare Accident?

There may be various parties that can be held liable in the aftermath of a rideshare accident in Scottsdale. Rideshare drivers are just like anybody else on the roadway, and they do not have any particular driver training, aside from their regular driver’s license. It is very possible that an Uber or Lyft driver will be held liable if they make a mistake and cause a crash. However, it is just as likely that other drivers on the roadway can be held liable for a crash involving a rideshare vehicle. Various types of evidence will be gathered and used by insurance carriers and/or a personal injury jury to determine liability.

Rideshare Accident Injuries in Scottsdale

Injuries that result from rideshare accidents in Scottsdale can be severe. Just like any other vehicle accident, those involved in these collisions can suffer from a wide range of injuries, including the following:

Severe sprains or strains
Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord trauma
Concussions
Whiplash
Broken or dislocated bones
Internal organ damage
Internal bleeding
Lacerations or puncture wounds
Significant scarring or disfigurement

We do want to point out that it is not uncommon to see that rideshare passengers are more relaxed when it comes to seat belt regulations. Often, people think of rideshare vehicles in the same mindset that they do mass transportation, such as buses. When individuals do not wear their seatbelts in passenger cars, the chances of sustaining a severe injury when a crash occurs increase exponentially.

In addition to the traumatic injuries listed above, it is not uncommon for rideshare accident victims to suffer from a wide range of emotional and psychological trauma. This can include feelings of anxiety, fear, stress, depression, and even symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Understanding Rideshare Insurance Policies

It can be very challenging to understand how insurance will work in the aftermath of an Uber or Lyft accident in Scottsdale, Arizona. For incidents where someone other than the rideshare driver is at fault, the claim will be handled much like any other vehicle accident case that occurs on the roadways of Scottsdale. The at-fault driver’s insurance carrier will be responsible for covering the expenses of those involved.

However, if an Uber or Lyft driver is responsible for causing the crash, what happens next will depend on their “status” at the time the incident occurred.

If a rideshare driver was not signed into their app to work when they caused a crash, then their personal insurance carrier will be responsible for covering the expenses of any injury or property damage victims, much like any other vehicle accident.
If a rideshare driver was signed into their app to work but did not have a passenger and was not on the way to pick one up, then their personal insurance carrier will still be primarily responsible for covering victims’ expenses. However, both Uber and Lyft do have supplemental policies that kick in if the personal carrier denies a claim or if the limits of the policy are exhausted.
If a rideshare driver was signed into their app to work and had a passenger or was on the way to pick one up, then the major rideshare companies have $1 million insurance policies that are supposed to kick in to cover every party involved.

Even though this is an explanation of how it should work, that does not necessarily mean that the insurance carriers involved are going to readily hand over the compensation. Insurance carriers will look out for their bottom line, and they do not want to make any payments if they can avoid it. A Scottsdale rideshare accident attorney can fully investigate every aspect of these claims, properly determine liability, and vigorously pursue compensation from the insurance carriers involved.

Recoverable Damages From Your Scottsdale Rideshare Accident

There may be various types of compensation available to you if you are involved in an accident with a rideshare vehicle. This can include both economic and non-economic types of compensation. At Shapiro Law Team, our attorneys strive to obtain the following for our clients in the aftermath of all vehicle accident cases we take:

Full coverage of all medical bills related to the crash
Lost income if a victim cannot work while recovering
General household out-of-pocket expenses
Pain and suffering damages
Loss of quality of life damages

The total amount of compensation available after a rideshare accident in Scottsdale will vary depending on the facts and circumstances related to each particular incident.

Steps to Take Following a Rideshare Accident in Scottsdale

In the aftermath of a rideshare accident that occurs in or around Scottsdale, Arizona, there are various steps that victims can take to help ensure that they recover the compensation they are entitled to. Some of these steps can be taken at the scene of the crash, while others need to happen in the days immediately following the incident.

Call 911. Just about every vehicle crash that occurs in Arizona needs to be reported to the police. This is especially true for rideshare accidents that operate in a sort of quasi-commercial status. The police need to come to the scene so they can conduct a preliminary investigation and possibly determine fault for the incident.
Seek medical care. Any person involved in a vehicle accident needs to seek immediate medical care. Even if the injuries do not seem severe, it is important to let a doctor conduct an evaluation to determine if there are any unseen or hidden injuries. Seeking immediate medical care establishes a direct link to the crash and the injuries, something insurance carriers need to see.
Gather evidence. If it is safe to do so at the scene of a crash, individuals involved can gather as much evidence as possible. This can include using a phone to take photographs of vehicle damage, injuries, debris, skid marks, traffic and weather conditions, and more. Additionally, if there were any eyewitnesses, their names and contact information need to be written down as quickly as possible.
Reach out to an attorney. Accidents involving rideshare vehicles in Scottsdale can be complicated, and a skilled attorney can help handle every aspect of the claim. An attorney can take over and handle all communication with other parties involved.
Report the incident to insurers. An initial report needs to be made to your insurance carrier following a rideshare accident. However, you do not need to go into detail right away. You need to limit how much information you give to insurance carriers. The first conversation should stick to where the crash happened, the names of others involved, and whether or not you are seeking medical treatment.
Keep documentation of all expenses. You need to keep track of all expenses you incur due to the rideshare accident. This includes medical bills, proof of lost wages, property damage expenses, out-of-pocket expenses, etc.
Continue all medical treatment. You should continue all treatment recommended by your doctor until you have reached what they consider maximum medical improvement. If you fail to continue medical treatment until you have fully recovered, the insurance carriers could use this as a reason to say that you were not truly injured in the first place, and they could deny the claim.

Time Limit to File a Scottsdale Rideshare Accident Lawsuit

There are a few timelines that we want you to be aware of in the aftermath of a rideshare accident in Scottsdale. First, please understand that the insurance carriers involved have very strict reporting deadlines in these cases. Often, insurance carriers require those involved in accidents to report the incident within a day or two after the crash occurs. Failing to do so could result in the claim being delayed or even denied altogether.

Additionally, the Arizona personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date an accident occurs. If a rideshare crash victim fails to file a claim against the at-fault party within two years from the date the incident occurs, they will be unable to recover the compensation they are entitled to.

It is crucial to work with a skilled rideshare accident lawyer who can handle every aspect of these claims, including making sure that all deadlines are met when it comes to filing for compensation.

How to Afford a Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Scottsdale

In the aftermath of a rideshare accident in Scottsdale, we understand that many crash victims struggle financially. This is particularly true when dealing with injuries and extensive property damage. That is why the attorneys at Shapiro Law Team handle rideshare accident claims on a contingency fee basis. This means that our clients will not be responsible for paying any upfront or out-of-pocket costs related to their case. We will not collect any legal fees until after our clients recover the compensation that they are entitled to. We believe that this type of fee arrangement allows for individuals to hold at-fault parties accountable, regardless of their current financial resources.

Contact a Scottsdale rideshare accident attorney today

If you or somebody you care about has been injured in an accident while inside of a rideshare vehicle or caused by a rideshare driver, contact the attorneys at Shapiro Law Team as soon as possible. We have the resources necessary to conduct a complete investigation into the case, determine liability, and help secure full compensation for your losses. We refuse to back down from aggressive insurance carriers, and we have no problem taking your case to trial if necessary. When you need a Scottsdale rideshare accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling (480) 637-5692.