With ridesharing continuing to grow in popularity, rideshare accidents are becoming increasingly common as well. If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, can you sue Uber or Lyft? Find out what you need to know from an experienced Birmingham rideshare accident attorney.

3 Important Questions After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Alabama

Whether you can sue Uber or Lyft after a rideshare accident in Alabama depends on the circumstances involved. Here are three important questions that you (or your attorney) will need to answer in order to determine your legal rights:

1. Who (or What) Caused the Accident?

In order for Uber or Lyft to potentially be liable for your rideshare accident, the rideshare driver must have been at fault in the collision. If someone else was at fault in the accident, you may still be entitled to financial compensation—just not from Uber or Lyft.

This highlights another important point: When you need to seek just compensation after a rideshare accident (or any type of auto accident), it is critical not to make any assumptions about the claim (or claims) you may be eligible to file. To recover just compensation, you must file the right claim (or claims), and this starts with determining who (or what) caused the accident.

How do you determine the cause of an auto accident? This requires a prompt investigation, and this makes it important for you to hire an Alabama rideshare accident attorney as soon as possible. Once you hire an attorney, your attorney will be able to determine what evidence is available, and then your lawyer will be able to use the available evidence to provide an accurate assessment of your legal rights.

2. Was the Uber or Lyft Driver Logged Into the App?

If the Uber or Lyft driver was at fault in your accident, then the next question is: Was the Uber or Lyft driver logged into the app? If not, you would not have a claim against Uber or Lyft in this scenario. However, if the rideshare driver was at fault and was logged into the app, then you may be able to sue Uber or Lyft if you cannot recover your losses under the rideshare driver’s insurance policy.

3. Was the Uber or Lyft Driver Providing a Ride (or on the Way to Pick Up a Passenger)?

If the Uber or Lyft driver was at fault, was logged in, and was providing a ride (or on the way to pick up a passenger), suing Uber or Lyft may be a possibility in this scenario as well. Practically speaking, however, if you have a claim against Uber or Lyft, you will most likely be dealing with the rideshare company’s insurer. Just like other big companies, Uber and Lyft have insurance policies that protect them against direct liability, so your Birmingham rideshare accident attorney will most likely be filing an insurance claim on your behalf.

What if You Can’t Sue Uber or Lyft for Your Rideshare Accident?

While suing Uber or Lyft is a possibility in some scenarios, it is not a possibility in others. So, what are your options if you can’t sue Uber or Lyft? In this scenario, your options may include filing a claim against:

  • The Rideshare Driver’s Insurance Company – Regardless of whether the rideshare driver was logged in or providing a ride, you should be able to file a claim with the rideshare driver’s insurance company if he or she was at fault in the accident. Auto insurance is mandatory in Alabama (and rideshare drivers are subject to enhanced insurance requirements), so the driver should be covered.
  • Another Driver’s Insurance Company – Just because you were involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft vehicle, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the rideshare driver was at fault in the collision. If another driver was at fault, then that driver’s insurance company may be fully liable for your accident-related losses.
  • Your (or a Family Member’s) Insurance Company – If you don’t have a claim against another driver’s insurance company (i.e., because you got hit by a driver who was illegally uninsured), you may be able to file a claim under your insurance policy. If you don’t have auto insurance but a member of your household does, you may be able to file a claim under his or her policy instead. However, whether this is an option depends on why the accident happened and what type of coverage you or your family member has available.
  • A Government Agency – If your rideshare accident was the result of an issue with the road instead of an issue with someone’s driving, then the government agency that is responsible for the road could be liable. However, special rules apply to claims against the government, so you will need to speak with an experienced attorney who can explain your legal rights under the circumstances at hand.
  • A Vehicle Manufacturer, Repair Shop, Bar or Restaurant, or Another Third Party – Vehicle manufacturers, repair shops, bars and restaurants, and other third parties can also be held liable for auto accidents in varying circumstances. If a vehicle defect, negligent vehicle repair, or drunk driver is to blame for your accident-related injuries, then you may need to sue one of these third parties instead of suing Uber or Lyft.

Regardless of the circumstances at hand, the first step toward protecting your legal rights after a rideshare accident in Alabama is to hire an attorney who can help you. At Alabama Personal Injury Lawyers, LLC, we handle all auto accident cases on a contingency-fee basis, which means our clients pay nothing unless we win.

Discuss Your Legal Rights with a Birmingham Rideshare Accident Attorney for Free

Were you injured in a rideshare accident in Alabama? If so, we can help, but it is important that you contact us promptly. To discuss your case with an experienced Birmingham rideshare accident attorney as soon as possible, call 205-855-2745 or request a free consultation online now.