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 Posted on December 01, 2020 in Lyft Accident

There are plenty of questions that may arise after a rideshare accident. It's easy to understand that you may not understand your rights, how to prove liability, against whom to file a claim, and what the process looks like. There are several factors that can impact your entire claim, and it's in your best interests to have a lawyer on your side to safeguard your best interests.

Want to discuss your rights with an experienced attorney? Call our firm today. We've spent 30+ years helping victims of negligence in Virginia and DC.

Going After the Right Party

Because insurance matters can complicate a rideshare accident, having a lawyer on your side can give you a better understanding of your initial claim. A lawyer can help you understand the circumstances related to the crash and whether or not the driver was on duty. If the driver is off duty, we'll identify his or her personal insurance company with whom to file a claim.

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 Posted on November 16, 2020 in Lyft Accident

If you suffer a severe injury because of someone else's negligence, even in a rideshare accident, it's crucial to understand how to pursue compensation. In a rideshare accident, you must recognize the insurance coverages provided and when they apply. Either way, you're going through an insurance company to get money to cover expenses related to the injuries you sustain.

In personal injury law, the compensation you pursue falls under two main categories: economic and non-economic. These each cover a different portion of your losses after a rideshare accident. Our firm will help you understand your rights. We utilize over 30 years of experience on your behalf.

If you suffer injuries in a crash, we encourage you to call our firm today!

Economic Damages

The economic damages you may recover are related to your expenses that come out of your own pocket. There is a receipt, statement, or other paper trail that shows the exact amount of money you either spent or lost because of the injury you sustained.

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 Posted on November 03, 2020 in Lyft Accident

As rideshare companies become more and more popular, you start to see many vehicles with an associated sticker indicating the company for whom they work. While it is a great opportunity for many, there are some individuals who can be negligent and cause a severe collision.

One question that may be brought up is whether or not these companies have strict enough requirements and background checks to ensure safety. An attorney experienced in ridesharing cases will be able to investigate whether the rideshare company failed to perform a proper background check when hiring a driver or failed to monitor driver's safety after being hired.

Here are the various requirements for both Uber and Lyft. Do you think they're enough?

Requirements for Drivers

• Age: Both Uber and Lyft require that the driver be the minimum age to drive in the city and/or state.
• Driving experience: For Uber, a driver must have at least one year of being licensed or three years if the driver is under 23. Lyft determines this requirement based on the state, but they're typically the same in how they look at driving experience.

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 Posted on October 16, 2020 in Ridesharing Accidents

In most accidents in Virginia, the claim process relies on the traditional fault-based system in which you can take action against a negligent driver to pursue compensation from his or her insurance company. In rideshare accidents, there are other issues that arise in addition to the standard ones typically encountered. Working with a lawyer can help you understand these other issues and protect your interests.

Since 1986, we've been a trusted, premier firm in Virginia. Call us today at 703-591-0067 for the diligent help you need pursuing compensation.

When Does the Rideshare Company's Insurance Company Pay?

The rideshare company has insurance to cover drivers in the event of an accident, but there are certain limitations involved. If the driver has a sticker but their app is off, they are still considered off-duty. The insurance provider for the rideshare company has no obligation to cover an off-duty driver.

However, the insurance company does provide coverage when the driver's app is on. If there are no passengers, though, the coverage is typically limited to the 25/50/25 policy. This policy means that there is coverage for up to $25,000 for a single person who was injured; $50,0000 total if more than one person was injured; and $25,000 for property damage. When the driver has a passenger, the insurance policy changes, and $1 million in coverage is typically available to compensate injured persons.

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 Posted on October 09, 2020 in Lyft Accident

The moment an accident occurs, it can be shocking. You're unsure of what to do next, you may be dealing with a physical injury, and you need to protect yourself and your ability to pursue compensation. It's vital to recognize who common victims are in a rideshare accident and the severity of the crashes to take legal action for the losses you endure.

Rely on our experience to get you through the legal process after a rideshare accident. Call our firm at 703-591-0067 and learn why we've been trusted for over 30 years.

Passengers

If the rideshare driver has a passenger in his or her vehicle when he or she causes an accident, the passenger may be able to pursue potential compensation for any injuries sustained. The passenger may report the accident and go through the steps necessary to file a claim for injuries.

Other Drivers

Drivers and motorcyclists are at risk any time a rideshare driver is negligent. Typically, this arises should the rideshare driver be distracted, under the influence, or otherwise reckless. In highly trafficked areas, it is easy to see how even the slightest distraction can lead to a devastating crash.

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 Posted on September 23, 2020 in Ridesharing Accidents

In a rideshare accident, just like any other area of personal injury law, it's vital for you to recognize and prove negligence to pursue the compensation you deserve. Unfortunately, not everyone knows what can occur on the road and the various ways in which a rideshare driver can be liable for an accident and the injuries that arise.

There are multiple ways rideshare drivers can be responsible for causing a crash. Here are some of the most common forms of negligence that can lead to a rideshare accident.

Our firm has been representing the injured since 1986. Through diligence and tenacity, we aim to help you, too. Call us today at 703-591-0067.

Phone and App Distractions

Rideshare drivers rely on their phone and app to ping them when there is a new passenger waiting for a ride. The notification they receive requires the driver to look down at the phone and manually respond by accepting or denying the fare. This action can cause an immediate and potentially dangerous distraction.

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 Posted on September 18, 2020 in Lyft Accident

Whenever you rely on a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft, you never expect to encounter a severe situation in which you suffer an injury. Unfortunately, these types of accidents can happen. As a potential passenger, another driver, a bicyclist, or a pedestrian, you need to recognize what rights you have to pursue compensation.

Note: Rideshare accidents are down with COVID-19 impacting how many people work or do business, but you have time to file a claim. Speak with a lawyer to better understand your rights. Call us today at 703-591-0067.

It can feel confusing not knowing what can be done after a rideshare accident, but there are specific circumstances you need to know if you're injured in this type of collision. Typically, your options are dependent on various circumstances, and speaking with an attorney can help you recognize the factors that impact your claim.

With a lawyer from our firm on your side, you can feel peace of mind throughout the process. We explain every step to you, discuss your rights and options, and protect you from insurance companies. We'll champion your rights to pursue the compensation you deserve.

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 Posted on March 23, 2020 in Truck Accidents

At the core of every truck accident claim is one primary concern: who is liable for the accident. Liability determines accident fault, which could turn into compensation for those who suffer severe personal injuries due to peoples' negligent actions.

Therefore, who is liable in an accident with a commercial truck?

Determining Liability in Commercial Truck Accidents

Determining liability in commercial truck accidents is relatively similar to determining liability in passenger vehicle accidents. First, an experienced Fairfax personal injury attorney can review the facts of the accident's official police report.

After reviewing the facts, the attorney will think through and assign potential fault percentages. A fault percentage is the amount of responsibility a person has in causing an accident.

However, Virginia is a no-fault insurance state, so why would an attorney assess potential fault percentages? Because people can sue for damages if their car accident meets certain conditions.

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 Posted on March 12, 2020 in Truck Accidents

What You Need to Know About Semi-Truck Blindspots

Every vehicle on the road has blind spots. However, the most significant blind spots belong to semi-trucks. Not only are these areas much larger than the other cars on the road, but the truck driver improperly checking them can have devastating consequences.

Every driver should know about semi-trucks' blind spots, also called "no-zones" to avoid a truck accident. That's why Shevlin Smith created the following infographic highlighting truckers' lack of vision while behind the wheel.

"If You Can't See Their Mirrors, They Can't See You"

This catchphrase is one of the easiest ways to remember where those blind spots are. You should also try to remember:

• 20 feet ahead - The driver may not be able to see you if you quickly jump lanes in front of them. Truck drivers also need that extra space to come to a safe stop.

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 Posted on March 06, 2020 in Truck Accidents

Car accidents and commercial trucking accidents may have some similarities, but when it comes to obtaining justice for the injured, they are entirely different. That's why Shevlin Smith is here to tell readers that the considerations for commercial trucking accident claims are not like the considerations for passenger vehicle accident claims.

Duty of Care

Legally, a duty of care is an obligation one party has to another. All drivers have a duty of care to other motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists.

Generally speaking, motorists have a duty of care to:

• Drive safely given weather conditions;
• Adhere to traffic patterns like stop signs, stoplights, and lanes;
• Follow traffic laws like driving under speed limits, refraining from drinking and driving, and using turn signals.

While commercial truck drivers must adhere to the general duty of care obligations, they also must follow guidelines outlined by state laws and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

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