Columbus Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers
Strong advocacy when Central Ohio rideshare drivers cause injuries and deaths
Uber and Lyft rideshare services are becoming more and more popular in and around Columbus. They’re a convenient way for residents, tourists, workers, and students to reserve rides. For drivers, they’re a fun way to earn extra income or even work full-time. Uber and Lyft rides are also dangerous. Many drivers don’t know where they’re driving. The drivers are often looking at their GPS systems for directions and their smartphones to reserve the next passenger. Rideshare accidents happen – a lot.
At Soroka & Associates, LLC, we understand the unique challenges involved in Uber and Lyft accident claims. Our Columbus Uber and Lyft accident lawyers work with investigators, just as we do in car accident cases, to determine how the accident happened, and which driver is responsible. We also understand when drivers can rely on their own minimum insurance policy, and when they and Uber or Lyft need to have additional coverage. Our lawyers are respected across Central Ohio for our impressive record of high jury verdicts and negotiated insurance settlements in personal injury cases.
How can we help?
- How do Uber and Lyft services work?
- What types of Uber and Lyft car accidents do you handle?
- Why do Columbus Uber and Lyft accidents happen?
- What are common Uber and Lyft accident injuries?
- Will insurance cover my damages in a Columbus rideshare accident?
- Can I file a lawsuit if I was sexually or physically assaulted by a rideshare driver?
- What is the value of my Uber or Lyft accident claim?
- How much time do I have to file an Uber or Lyft claim in Ohio?
- Do you have an Uber or Lyft accident lawyer near me?
How do Uber and Lyft services work?
Passengers reserve rides through an Uber app or Lyft app. By using the app, a passenger can be picked up at a specific location at a specific time. Uber and Lyft are now providing as many or more rides than most taxi services in most American cities. Uber has a bigger share of the national market than Lyft.
Both Uber and Lyft are expanding their services. For example, Uber Eats makes meal deliveries. Uber is investing heavily in autonomous vehicles.
What types of Uber and Lyft car accidents do you handle?
At Soroka & Associates, our car accident lawyers are skilled at handling all types of car accidents. Uber and Lyft accidents happen in the same ways and for the same reasons as car accidents.
Our Columbus Uber and Lyft accident lawyers represent passengers, the occupants of other vehicles, the rideshare drivers themselves, pedestrians, and bicycle riders who are hurt in any type of rideshare accident. Sometimes, the Uber/Lyft driver is responsible. Sometimes, another driver is responsible.
Uber and Lyft accidents include:
- Head-on crashes
- Broadside accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Intersection accidents
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- Other types of car accidents
Why do Columbus Uber and Lyft accidents happen?
Many of the reasons for Uber and Lyft accidents are the same as for car accidents:
- Driver distraction
- Driver fatigue
- Intoxicated driving
- Speeding and other traffic violations
- Driving too fast for traffic or weather conditions
- Defective auto parts
Some of the reasons that Uber and Lyft accidents happen – that are fairly unique to Uber and Lyft include:
- Looking at a GPS system. Many rideshare drivers don’t know the popular destinations around Columbus let alone the roads to use so passengers can get home, to work, or anyplace in and around Columbus.
- Using their smartphones. Drivers often look at their smartphone every time a text message, email, reservation request, or another type of information item is sent. They may call or receive calls from passengers. These events are all forms of driver distraction that can cause severe injury or death.
- Working too many hours. Some Uber and Lyft workers have a day job and then work after hours to earn more money. Other Uber and Lyft drivers work long hours. Driver fatigue can easily cause a driver to lose control and cause an accident.
Our personal injury lawyers review the apps and other electronic equipment to determine if a ride was confirmed, and if driver distraction was the cause of an accident.
What are common Uber and Lyft accident injuries?
Our Columbus Uber and Lyft lawyers represent accident victims who suffer life-changing, permanent, and/or severe injuries including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Traumatic amputation/limb loss
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Burn injuries
- Fractures including multiple and complex fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Vision loss or hearing loss
- Back, neck, and shoulder pain
- Ligament, nerve, tissue, and muscle damage
We also represent families when a loved one tragically dies in an Uber or Lyft accident.
Will insurance cover my damages in a Columbus rideshare accident?
Insurance coverage in Uber and Lyft accident cases is very complicated. At Soroka & Associates, we understand these complex insurance issues. Who pays for your injuries depends on how the accident happened, the status of the Uber or Lyft driver at the time of the accident, and who the victim is. Injuries to children, for example, may be handled differently than injuries to adults.
In Ohio, all drivers, including Uber and Lyft drivers, are required to have the following minimum liability insurance coverage:
- Bodily injury – one victim, one accident: $25,000
- Bodily injury – multiple victims, one accident: $50,000
- Property damage – $25,000
A shorthand for these three insurance coverages is 25/50/25. Car owners should purchase as much insurance as they can afford. Car owners should also buy uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage in the same amounts as their liability coverage.
Uber drivers and Lyft drivers must have 50/100/25 insurance if they are on duty – but have not accepted a ride. If Uber or Lyft does not pay for this coverage, then rideshare driver should pay for this coverage – and inform their carrier that they are an Uber/Lyft driver.
Uber and Lyft drivers must have $1 million in liability coverage and $1 million in UM/UIM coverage that is effective once they accept a ride (whether or not the passenger is in the car). Generally, Uber or Lyft pays for this coverage.
What is the value of my Uber or Lyft accident claim?
You deserve maximum compensation when negligent drivers cause you injuries or the death of a loved one. At Soroka & Associates, we demand compensation for all your economic and human damages including all your:
- Medical bills – current and future – including if you need medical care for the rest of your life
- Lost income and benefits – including disability pay if you can’t work again
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Property damage
- Scarring and disfigurement damages
- Loss of function and loss of life’s pleasures
If a loved one died, we file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the family members against the responsible parties.
In cases of wanton wrong, we file punitive damages. Punitive damages are capped in Ohio.
How much time do I have to file an Uber or Lyft claim in Ohio?
You must file a formal complaint within two years from the date of the accident. However, don’t wait. The sooner you meet with us, the sooner we can answer your questions, review your medical care, and seek compensation for the liable parties. We also need to investigate the accident site, speak with witnesses, review cell phone records, and take other steps – while the evidence and everyone’s memories are still fresh.
Do you have an Uber or Lyft accident lawyer near me?
The Columbus office of Soroka & Associates is located at 503 South Front Street, Suite 205. We are conveniently located close to Rt. 23 and I-71. If you are too injured or ill to travel, we will come to you.
Speak with our experienced Columbus Uber and Lyft accident lawyers today
Contact the Columbus attorneys at Soroka & Associates to learn more about how we can help with your rideshare claim. You can call us at 614-358-6525 or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation. When we accept personal injury cases, we handle them on a contingency fee basis. This means that we get paid only if there is a financial recovery. We serve clients in Columbus and throughout Central Ohio, including in Licking County, Delaware County, Fairfield County, and beyond.