Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have grown in popularity across the United States, but it is important to remember that rideshare drivers are just like anyone else: they can make mistakes behind the wheel. When they do, their passengers, pedestrians, and people in other vehicles may pay the price.
The Cambridge ridehshare accident attorneys at GED Lawyers believe that everyone deserves legal representation. Call now to learn more about your rights at no cost or obligation. Our Cambridge car accident lawyers would be honored to represent you.
Our Rideshare Accident Lawyers in Cambridge Fight for Justice
Auto accidents that involve rideshare vehicles are often more complex than other personal injury cases. This is because there are extra parties—the rideshare company and their insurer—that you will have to contend with as you seek compensation.
You do have one big advantage in such cases: Lyft and Uber carry larger insurance policies than your average driver, so you could potentially recover more compensation than you would by filing a claim or suit against the individual driver.
At GED Lawyers, our Cambridge personal injury lawyers support rideshare accident victims by:
- Closely investigating the crash and collecting all evidence that could strengthen your case, including Cambridge Police Department reports, photos, and witness testimony
- Communicating with all liable parties, legal teams, and insurers on your behalf and keeping you updated on what they say and do regarding your case
- Negotiating with the insurance company for a fair settlement and pushing back against any attempts they make to pay less than your case is worth
- Taking your case to trial if necessary—many cases settle before this stage, but if yours does not, we will hold a mock trial as we prepare to represent you in front of a judge and jury
Want to find out what we can do for you? Call GED Lawyers today. Our multilingual staff can assist you in Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, Creole, Russian, Greek, or Turkish.
Compensation That Our Cambridge Rideshare Attorneys Can Pursue for You
You may already be wondering how much your case is worth and who will pay for your damages. Our Cambridge lawyers can pursue damages for all of your accident-related losses, including physical and mental losses like:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Reduced quality of life
- Disability
We can also seek reimbursement for the money you spent or lost because of the accident, such as:
- Car repair bills
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
As for who owes you compensation, this is often a difficult question that requires careful investigation. In rideshare accident cases, you could potentially recover damages from multiple insurance companies, including:
- Your personal injury protection (PIP) policy
- The rideshare driver’s bodily injury liability policy
- The rideshare company’s insurance, which only applies when their drivers have or are actively looking for a passenger
- Another liable party’s insurance, if your case involves multiple negligent parties
Our rideshare accident lawyers can tell you whose insurance applies in your case and the best way to pursue the money you need. If you prefer to meet on the weekends or in the evenings to discuss your case, we can schedule an appointment at the time that works best for you.
How Rideshare Accidents Happen and What to Do About It
Driver negligence is a common cause of motor vehicle accidents, including those that involve rideshare vehicles. Uber and Lyft accidents may occur when a driver:
- Fails to yield the right of way
- Exceeds the speed limit or drives too fast for the environmental conditions
- Ignores stop signs or red lights
- Gets distracted (e.g., by the rideshare app) and stops paying attention to the road
Other possible negligent parties include the rideshare company, a vehicle part manufacturer, or the local government agency responsible for maintaining safe roadways.
If you are involved in a rideshare accident in Cambridge, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself and strengthen any future legal actions:
- First and foremost, get medical care. Any delay in care not only puts your health at risk, it is a sign to the insurance company that you were not seriously injured.
- Collect evidence from the accident scene, if you can. In addition to getting the other driver’s contact and insurance information, use your phone to take pictures of your injuries, the vehicles, and the road.
- Report your accident promptly. Under Massachusetts law, you have just five days to inform the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) about your crash.
- Talk to our personal injury lawyers first. Do not try to speak to anyone’s insurer, not even your own, by yourself. They may try to undermine your case by getting you to say things that are against your interests.
- Avoid social media. The insurance companies may monitor your activity for anything they can use against you. For example, they might use a photo of you smiling as proof that you have already recovered and were not badly hurt.
While you should prioritize your health after a rideshare crash, do not ignore your legal options. The statute of limitations on car accident cases is typically three years. However, it is not a good idea to wait until the last minute to start a lawsuit: it often takes time to get a lawsuit off the ground, and evidence is generally stronger and fresher when the accident is still recent.
GED Lawyers has experience with confronting large insurers and powerful companies like Uber and Lyft. Put your case in our hands so you can concentrate on getting treatment and spending time with the people you love.
Our Car Accident Law Firm Will Evaluate Your Case for Free
GED Lawyers has been making it easier for our diverse community to access legal representation since 1995. To find out what our Cambridge rideshare accident attorneys can do for you, call our firm today. We charge no attorneys’ fees until we put money in your pocket.
