While dealing with any type of car accident can be stressful, it can be especially stressful if the driver who hit your Uber or Lyft fled the scene. In hit-and-run accident cases, accident victims’ legal rights are clear, but asserting their legal rights effectively can involve additional challenges. If you are dealing with injuries you suffered in a hit-and-run accident, keep reading to learn what you need to know from an experienced Birmingham rideshare accident attorney.

5 Important Facts for Rideshare Passengers Injured in Hit-and-Run Accidents

As the victim of a hit-and-run rideshare accident, the most important thing you need to know is that you have options available. As a result, you should not give up hope. An experienced Birmingham rideshare accident attorney will be able to evaluate all of your options, and, if there is a way to seek financial compensation for your injuries, your attorney will be able to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Here are five more important facts for rideshare passengers injured in hit-and-run accidents in Alabama:

1. It Might Be Possible to Identify the Hit-and-Run Driver

Even if the driver who hit your Uber or Lyft fled the scene, it may still be possible to identify the hit-and-run driver. Some Uber and Lyft drivers have dash cameras, and if your driver captured the accident on video, this could provide you with the information you need.

Traffic cameras and security cameras frequently capture accidents as well, especially in urban areas. Additionally, even if your accident wasn’t caught on video, your attorney may be able to identify the hit-and-run driver through other means. The police may investigate as well, and your attorney may be able to work with the police to locate the driver who hit your Uber or Lyft.

If your attorney can identify the hit-and-run driver, then your attorney will be able to file a claim under the driver’s insurance policy—if the driver has coverage. If the hit-and-run driver was working at the time of the accident, his or her employer (or rideshare or delivery company) could potentially be liable as well.

2. If Your Rideshare Driver was At Fault (or Partially At Fault), You May Have a Claim

Regardless of whether it is possible to identify the hit-and-run driver, it will also be worth assessing whether your rideshare driver was at fault (or at least partially at fault) in the accident. While hit-and-run drivers often flee the scene because they don’t want to be held responsible for causing an accident, determining the specific cause (or causes) of any type of auto accident requires a thorough investigation.

Rideshare drivers typically have insurance (required by the rideshare companies and Alabama law), and passengers can file claims when their drivers are responsible for their injuries. In fact, even if your rideshare driver was only partially at fault, you may still be able to seek full coverage under your driver’s policy based on Alabama’s “joint and several liability” law. Uber and Lyft have insurance that covers accident claims as well, and if you can’t obtain full coverage under your driver’s policy, your Birmingham rideshare accident attorney may be able to help you file a claim with Uber or Lyft’s insurer.

3. If You Have Auto Insurance, You May Have a Claim Under Your Policy

A third potential option after a hit-and-run accident is to file a claim under your own auto insurance policy. If you have an auto insurance policy that includes uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, you can file a UIM claim if the hit-and-run driver was at fault and either:

  • The hit-and-run driver cannot be identified;
  • The hit-and-run driver is uninsured; or,
  • The hit-and-run driver doesn’t have enough insurance to fully cover your losses.

As the Alabama Department of Insurance (DOI) explains, “[t]his coverage in effect takes the place of the insurance that the other driver should have purchased but did not.” When you file a UIM claim, your insurance company “stands in the shoes” of the hit-and-run driver’s insurer. This means your insurance company is only required to pay if you can prove that the hit-and-run driver was at fault—and this makes it critical to have an experienced Birmingham rideshare accident attorney on your side.

4. You Should Not Make Any Assumptions About Your Legal Options

When you are dealing with accident-related injuries, it is important not to make any assumptions about your legal options. Accident-related injuries can get expensive very quickly, so you need to ensure that you are making informed decisions about seeking just compensation.

If you have a claim for your Uber or Lyft accident, you may be entitled to just compensation for your non-financial costs as well. These include things like pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and post-traumatic stress. These can add significantly to the value of your claim, and you do not want to settle for less than you deserve.

5. You Can (and Should) Hire an Attorney at No Out-of-Pocket Cost

Due to the unique challenges involved in protecting your legal rights after a hit-and-run rideshare accident, it is especially important to have experienced legal representation. In this scenario, you can (and should) hire a Birmingham rideshare accident attorney at no out-of-pocket cost.

It costs nothing to find out what options you have available, and, if you have a claim for financial compensation, you will not have to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win. To give yourself the best chance of recovering the compensation you deserve, you should schedule a free consultation as soon as possible.

Discuss Your Situation with a Birmingham Rideshare Accident Attorney for Free

Do you need to know more about filing a claim after a hit-and-run accident in Alabama? If so, we encourage you to contact us promptly for a free consultation. To discuss your situation with an experienced Birmingham rideshare accident attorney, call 205-855-2745 or tell us how we can reach you online today.