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 Posted on June 10, 2019 in Lyft Accident

Personal auto insurance policies are tricky and hard to understand, and complications increase when someone is injured as a passenger of a rideshare company. In a typical rideshare accident, the injured party (the passenger, in this case) seeks damages from whoever caused the accident (the rideshare driver or another third-party driver.) However, what happens if the rideshare passenger is injured in a hit-and-run accident where the at-fault driver flees the scene?

Uninsured/Underinsured Coverage

When a passenger is a customer of a ridesharing company, the company is liable for the passenger's health. However, if another driver crashes into a ridesharing vehicle, then his or her insurance is liable for the passenger's injuries. However, what happens if the driver who causes the accident doesn't have insurance; will the passenger be out of luck?

Thankfully, ridesharing companies have something called uninsured or underinsured insurance coverage. This insurance coverage is meant to care for passengers injured in crashes where the at-fault driver doesn't have insurance or has limited insurance.

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 Posted on April 08, 2019 in Firm News

Rideshare accidents can often be notoriously complex when it comes to determining who is responsible for your injuries. Depending on the nature of the accident, whose insurance coverage applies can be a hotly contested.

The good news is liability tends to be more straightforward when your Uber or Lyft driver was not at fault in causing the accident. Here's what you need to know about recovering compensation from an accident when your rideshare driver is not liable.

Recovering Compensation When Another Driver Is At Fault

When another driver aside from your Lyft or Uber driver is responsible for an accident and your injuries, you will need to pursue the other driver and their insurance company for compensation. Your personal injury lawyer will work to determine the amount of insurance coverage available to you. From there, your attorney will seek to negotiate on your behalf in order to reach a fair settlement that fully compensates you for all of your injuries.

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 Posted on March 21, 2019 in Uber Accidents

Many of us, at some points in our lives, will be in some sort of auto accident. Some of these accidents are minor, such as a fender bender, and will not result in a legal claim. Others can be more damaging and cause injury to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. After all, the combination of high-speed impacts, massive vehicles, and the general frailty of the human body can lead to some highly unpleasant outcomes.

You may not think that you'll get injured in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, but these types of accidents are occurring more and more frequently. While requesting an Uber or Lyft is rather simple, determining liability in these accidents can be very complex.

When the Injury Is Obvious

It should go without saying that you should always see a doctor if you have an obvious and immediate injury. Doing so is the best way to maximize your chances for a full medical recovery. Visiting a doctor can also give you the opportunity to document your injuries accurately and completely.

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 Posted on January 14, 2019 in Personal Injury

Lyft offers $1,000,000 of liability insurance coverage in the event of a motor vehicle crash in which its passenger is injured. Even with the company's Trust and Safety Team available 24 hours each day, proving liability for a Lyft accident can be anything but simple. Lyft and Uber allow drivers with no commercial qualifications to shuttle passengers in their privately-owned vehicles, but they emphasize, "Safety is our highest priority."

Lyft and Uber vehicles must meet high safety standards, but they do not own or service their own vehicles. They often claim that their drivers are independent contractors and that they. Lyft do not directly employ their drivers. They do so for a variety of reasons, including the hope that such arguments will minimize their potential liability.

Transportation Network Companies

Lyft and Uber drivers are required to use smartphone applications to schedule rides for passengers. Their drivers are also required to adhere to very specific, and often rigid, standards. Our firm's position is that these requirements elevate Lyft and Uber drivers to employee status, and that this status gives injured riders added legal protection.

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 Posted on December 20, 2018 in Personal Injury

If you have been injured in a crash while riding in an Uber or a Lyft, you should contact an attorney who is experienced in rideshare accidents. Whether the driver is at fault or they are hit by another negligent driver, you have a right to be compensated for your time off from work, pain and suffering, and perhaps even punitive damages. A ridesharing injury attorney can help you investigate your case and provide the best possible outcome.Ridesharing apps such as Uber and Lyft have been around for almost 10 years, yet they have grown vastly in popularity just the last few. They are safe and cheap alternatives to riding in taxi cabs. Although rideshares can quickly get you all over town, drivers can also perform their duties in a negligent manner.

Rideshare Insurance Coverage

Previously, there was a lot of ambiguity regarding an Uber and Lyft driver's responsibility when it came to accidents. Now Uber and Lyft offer insurance policies for drivers who are responsible for car accidents; they are now usually responsible for carrying $1 million in liability for riders. The coverage is similar to what you would see individuals receive who are injured in cab rides.

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 Posted on December 19, 2018 in Personal Injury

Following motor vehicle crashes involving ridesharing vehicles, questions will arise whether there is liability on the part of Uber or Lyft when an injury is suffered.

A personal injury attorney will help an injured party determine liability by looking into the details of the case, such as which driver was the cause, whether the Lyft or Uber drivers are required to carry insurance, and whether those injured should sue Lyft or Uber, its driver or another motorist.

Is it Best to Sue Uber When the Driver of the Uber Car was at Fault?

Personal injury attorneys can help if you were harmed when you were:

• A passenger of a Lyft or Uber car • Riding or driving in another car hit by a Lyft or Uber car • A motorcyclist, bicyclist or pedestrian hit by a Lyft or Uber car

If you were involved in a crash with a Lyft or Uber driver, you must be able to show that the driver was negligent to have grounds for a claim. As with any car accident claim, the person filing the case must be able to show two things to secure the case: damages (how badly you were harmed) and liability (who was at fault for causing the injuries).

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 Posted on November 28, 2018 in Firm News

People throughout Virginia and Washington DC know Attorney Michael J. Shevlin as a trustworthy plaintiff attorney for personal injury and medical malpractice clients. For years, he has dedicated his career to the pursuit of fair compensation for the wrongfully injured. There is no limit to what he will do for his clients, and it shows in his history of impeccable case results and appreciative client testimonials.

For his recent work and successes, Attorney Michael Shevlin has been named to the 2019 Super Lawyers® list for Washington DC and Virginia. This is an incredible honor reserved for only a small number of practicing attorneys. In fact, when the annual Super Lawyers® selection process ends, no more than 5% of legal professionals in any given state will have been named as a member.

While it is an achievement to be selected to Super Lawyers® just once, it is even more impressive for someone to be named several times. Attorney Michael Shevlin has actually been selected as a Super Lawyers® member each year from 2008 to 2019.

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 Posted on November 26, 2018 in Personal Injury

Ridesharing services have grown increasingly popular in recent years. Uber and Lyft are convenient alternatives to standard taxi services. Taking a rideshare car to your destination with these services is generally cheaper than a taxi because the drivers are using their own personal vehicles.

However, just like with any other vehicle, an Uber or Lyft vehicle can get into an accident. If you happen to be in the car when a crash occurs, it can be devastating and a scary experience. If you suffer injuries, you will question what to do next.

What to Do After a Rideshare Accident

The safety of everyone involved in the crash is the main priority. Check to ensure that you are okay and then see if anyone else is injured. Call 911 immediately, even if no one seems injured, so that police and an ambulance come to the scene. Be sure to move yourself to a safe position so that traffic does not pose a safety risk to you or others.

A police investigation of the crash is often helpful. The police will take statements from those involved in the crash and those who witnessed the crash. The statements usually prove important should a personal injury claim be made at a later date.

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 Posted on November 20, 2018 in Health Issues

Rideshare programs are among the fasting-growing in the U.S. With transportation services like Uber and Lyft, riders can get rides virtually anywhere in their city, and oftentimes, at much cheaper rates than conventional taxi rides.

While they are growing in popularity, it's also important to remember that accidents can still happen. When they do, it's important to know what to do when you're a passenger in a ridesharing vehicle.

What To Do After The Accident

Uber drivers have had both fault and no-fault accidents that resulted in injuries to a passenger. Accidents can result in time off from work, pain and suffering, and medical bills. If you are involved in an Uber accident, seek medical attention immediately. Seeking medical attention is important to document the fact that you were injured and the scope of your injuriesIf you are able to do so safely, take as many pictures of the vehicles and crash scene as you. Pictures may help prove the positioning of the vehicles at the time of the crash as well as the extent of damage to the vehicle. Pictures can also document roadway conditions and configuration.

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 Posted on November 16, 2018 in News

Each year, the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys (VADA) and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (VTLA) honors two attorneys with an award for maintaining the utmost level of integrity, civility, and professionalism. The VADA selects a plaintiff's attorney as a recipient for the award, while the VTLA chooses a defense attorney also to receive the award.

Last month, our esteemed partner and friend, Thomas G. Smith, was presented with the 2018 VADA-VTLA Civility and Professionalism Award. The VADA recognized how Tom serves as a shining example of how attorneys can maintain the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct while also producing high-quality work. Tom is living proof that zealous advocacy does not demand from attorneys a sacrifice in their principals regarding ethics, civility, and professionalism.

At Shevlin Smith, we are all tremendously proud of our colleague and friend, as he demonstrates continued excellence in his work and character. For more than 10 years, Tom has been regularly named as one of the Best Lawyers in America in the area of medical malpractice law each year, earning special recognition as the Washington D.C. Metro Area Medical Malpractice Lawyer of the Year. He has also consistently earned the status of Virginia and Metro D.C. Super Lawyer in the practice of medical malpractice law each year since 2007 – a feat that only 5% of the lawyers in Virginia can boast about.

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