Dallas Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers

Experienced Dallas Uber & Lyft Accident Attorneys Ready To Serve You

Assisting Uber & Lyft Accident Victims in Carrollton, Denton, Grapevine, Lewisville, McKinney, and Southlake.

A man calling his lawyer after a Lyft accident in Dallas.

Our world is changing, and, as a result, many of us are using Lyft, Uber, or other rideshare apps with more frequency. Some people have opted to get rid of their car altogether. While Uber & Lyft offer customers a convenient and affordable way to get around, their increased use results in a corresponding increase in the number of Dallas rideshare accidents.

Rideshare accidents present unique liability issues in the event of a Carrollton Uber or Lyft accident. Should you find yourself injured while using a ride sharing company, it is important that you hire skilled Dallas Lyft accident attorneys to seek compensation on your behalf.

My name is Attorney Austin Hartley, and at my Carrollton Uber & Lyft accident law firm, I represent those injured in rideshare accidents and other serious car accidents. From the moment you allow me to begin working on your case, I will handle everything from start to finish, including investigating the accident, to determining the full extent of your damages, to negotiating a settlement award with the insurance company. As an experienced litigator, if the other side is unwilling to fairly settle the claim, I will not hesitate to stop negotiations and take your case to trial.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better attorney to represent me. Austin is incredibly efficient and knowledgable, communicative. My wife & I were extremely impressed with his willingness to go the extra mile, present us all options and “go to bat for us”. Moving forward, he will be a crucial team member in my future business dealings. Don’t hesitate to hire him!”
– Brian R.

Why Are There So Many Uber & Lyft Accidents?

Rideshare drivers may make life more convenient for those in need of their services, but they also make life more dangerous. According to a recent study by the University of Chicago and Rice University, rideshare companies are responsible for a 2% to 3% increase in the total number of fatal traffic accidents in the cities in which they operate.

There a few reasons why rideshare drivers get into accidents:

Driver Inexperience

Like any other activity, driving takes practice. It is no surprise that teenage drivers are among the most dangerous because they are also the least experienced. Uber and Lyft only require that someone has one year of driving experience before allowing that person to drive for the company (if a driver applicant is less than 23 years old, they need to have three years of driving experience). Inexperienced drivers may not have the same ability to “read the road” and are more likely to make simple driving errors.

Driver Fatigue

One of the great things about driving for Uber or Lyft is that someone can do it at any time of the day or night. And often, the busiest times for rideshare drivers are nights and weekends. Thus, many Dallas Uber & Lyft drivers work a day job and then start driving after work. However, this can make for a long day, and drivers may become fatigued. As a driver gets tired, their reaction time increases and they have a harder time thinking clearly. Additionally, rideshare drivers are paid per trip and often receive bonuses for completing a certain number of trips per day. Thus, drivers are actually incentivized by rideshare companies to stay out on the road longer, increasing the risk of fatigued driving.

Driver Unfamiliarity

Dallas Uber and Lyft drivers cover a large area, and there is no way they can be familiar with every neighborhood in the city. This can add to the dangers of taking a rideshare because a driver who is unfamiliar with the local traffic patterns and traffic signs is more likely to overlook a stop sign or miss a turn.

Distracted Driving

Once a Carrollton Uber or Lyft driver picks up a passenger, the app will shift over to an in-app map program that will direct the rideshare driver to the passenger’s destination. While both Uber and Lyft require drivers to use hands-free devices, they still must periodically look down at their phones to see where they are taking the passenger. This can result in a driver removing their attention from the road every few seconds.

Aggressive Driving

While Uber & Lyft encourage drivers to remain courteous and practice safe driving habits, the reality is that these drivers are paid per trip. Thus, on average, the longer a trip takes, the less money they will make throughout their shift. Some rideshare drivers will try to complete trips as quickly as possible to maximize their earnings. A driver may also sense that a passenger wants to get to their destination in a hurry. Drivers may speed, cut in and out of traffic, frequently switch lanes, run stop signs, or engage in other dangerous conduct. Each of these behaviors greatly increases the chance of a Dallas Uber or Lyft accident.

Contact the attorneys at Hartley Law Firm online.

Who Is Responsible for a Dallas Uber & Lyft Accident?

The answer to this question depends on when the accident occurs. Rideshare companies are legally required to maintain insurance on behalf of their drivers. However, this insurance does not apply in all Carrollton rideshare accidents, and even when it does apply, the limits vary. For insurance purposes, a rideshare trip is broken down into four phases:

Phase Zero

During phase zero, the rideshare app is not open or the driver is not accepting rides. In that situation, the rideshare company’s insurance policy is not involved. This means anyone injured by a rideshare driver who is off-duty must rely on either the driver’s personal car insurance policy or their own insurance.

Phase One

As soon as the driver turns on the rideshare app and starts accepting passengers, phase one begins. This phase lasts until the app matches the driver up with a passenger. During this phase, the rideshare company’s insurance policy provides coverage of up to

$50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage; and
$25,000 property damage coverage per accident.

Phase Two

Once the rideshare app matches up a driver and passenger, phase two begins. In phase two, a rideshare company’s insurance policy provides significantly more coverage. Specifically, these policies cover up to $1 million in damages.

Phase Three

Phase three starts once the rideshare driver picks up a passenger. During phase three, the rideshare insurance company provides $1 million in coverage.

More simply stated, any rideshare passenger who is injured in an accident is covered up to a maximum of $1 million. However, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists who are involved in a Dallas car accident with a rideshare driver who is not on an official ride will not enjoy that same amount of coverage.

It is important to hire a Dallas Uber accident attorney knowledgeable about navigating the murky world of insurance coverage concerning personal injuries while using a rideshare service.

Uber drivers can be legal entities and individual entrepreneurs. To connect to the system, they must provide a package of documents, including a driver’s license and documents for the car. Before connecting to the platform, drivers are informed of the rules and that they are required to comply with traffic rules, including the mandatory availability of a first aid kit in the car. As a Carrollton Uber & Lyft accident lawyers, we evaluate whether or not these procedures were followed in order to determine whether any additional liability exists.

Contact a Dallas Uber Accident Lawyers Now

An injured woman talking to her attorney after an Uber accident in Dallas.

If you find yourself or a loved one injured as a result of an Uber, Lyft, or ride sharing accident, give our Dallas Lyft accident lawyers a call or submit a contact form. My firm is here 24/7 to discuss your case with you and schedule your free in person consultation.

Hartley Law Firm handles other types of cases as well, including: