Nashville Rideshare Accident Attorneys

Helping Victims of Ridesharing Crashes

When you’re involved in a car accident, it can be a confusing and stressful time. When you’re a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, you may not even know how to get the compensation you need to recover.

At Kinnard Law, our rideshare accident lawyers have extensive experience handling these types of claims. We know how to prove liability and fight for the compensation you deserve, and we’re ready to help you, too.

Contact our firm at (615) 933-2893 today to learn more about how we can help you.

What You Need to Know About Rideshare Accidents

Ridesharing is a popular way to get around Nashville and other cities. Unfortunately, with more rideshare vehicles on the road comes more rideshare-related accidents.

Drivers for Uber and Lyft must meet certain eligibility criteria, such as possessing a valid driver's license, having a clean driving record, and meeting age requirements. The exact requirements may vary slightly between the two companies.

Both Uber and Lyft drivers in Tennessee are required to undergo background checks, which typically include criminal history and driving record checks. Additionally, vehicles used for ridesharing must meet certain safety and inspection standards set by the companies and possibly local authorities.

Ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft are required to provide insurance coverage for their drivers. This coverage typically includes liability insurance, which covers bodily injury and property damage to third parties, as well as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and contingent comprehensive and collision coverage for the driver's vehicle.

Here's how insurance coverage works based on the status of the rideshare driver:

• Logged Off/Not Accepting Rides: Both Uber and Lyft provide limited coverage when the driver is logged off or not accepting rides. During this time, the driver's personal auto insurance is primarily responsible for covering any accidents that occur.
• Logged On/Waiting for a Ride Request: When the driver is logged on to the app but hasn't accepted a ride request yet, both Uber and Lyft provide increased coverage compared to when the driver is logged off. Both Uber and Lyft provide contingent liability coverage for third-party claims. This coverage kicks in if the driver's personal insurance denies a claim or if it doesn't fully cover the damages. Uber's contingent liability coverage offers up to $50,000 in bodily injury per person, $100,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident. Lyft's contingent liability coverage offers similar coverage limits.
• Accepted Ride or En Route to Pickup/Drop-Off: Once the driver accepts a ride request and is en route to pick up or drop off a passenger, Uber and Lyft provide their highest level of insurance coverage. Both companies offer third-party liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage of up to $1 million. Additionally, they provide contingent comprehensive and collision coverage for the driver's vehicle with reduced deductibles or sometimes no deductible at all. The coverage limits during this phase are typically the highest and are designed to protect both the driver and the passengers in the event of an accident.

Who is Liable?

In a rideshare accident, liability for damages and injuries can be complex and may involve multiple parties. Here's a breakdown of who can potentially be held liable:

• Rideshare Driver: The rideshare driver can be held liable if their negligence or reckless driving caused the accident. This could include behaviors such as speeding, running a red light, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If the driver was logged into the rideshare app and actively engaged in providing services at the time of the accident, their personal liability insurance and the ridesharing company's insurance coverage may come into play.
• Ridesharing Company (Uber, Lyft, etc.): Ridesharing companies can also be held liable for accidents involving their drivers under certain circumstances. If the accident occurred while the driver was actively providing services (i.e., en route to pick up or drop off a passenger, or during a trip), the company's insurance coverage typically applies. Additionally, if the company's negligence, such as improper background checks or vehicle maintenance procedures, contributed to the accident, they could be held liable.
• Other Motorists: If another motorist's negligence or wrongful actions caused the accident, they can be held liable for damages and injuries. This could include situations where another driver runs a red light, rear-ends the rideshare vehicle, or engages in distracted driving behaviors.
• Third Parties: In some cases, liability for a rideshare accident may extend to third parties, such as vehicle manufacturers (if a defective part contributed to the accident) or road maintenance authorities (if poor road conditions played a role).
• Passengers and Pedestrians: If a rideshare accident injures passengers or pedestrians, liability may also fall on the party responsible for their injuries. For example, if a passenger's actions contributed to the accident (e.g., distracting the driver), they may share liability. Similarly, pedestrians who jaywalk or behave recklessly may bear some responsibility for their injuries.

Compensation for Rideshare Accident Injuries

After a rideshare accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. The amount of compensation you may be entitled to will depend on the specific circumstances of your case.

You may be able to recover compensation for the following damages:

• Emergency medical expenses
• Future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation and therapy
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Lost benefits
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Disability
• Reduced quality of life
• Property damage
• Loss of consortium
• And more

Contact our firm at (615) 933-2893 to schedule a free consultation with our team.