Fairfax, VA Rideshare Accident Attorney

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Experienced Rideshare Accident Attorneys Representing Injured Clients in Fairfax, Virginia

More and more people are opting not to drive their own vehicles, or they may even choose not to purchase a car altogether due to the explosive growth of car-sharing and ridesharing services. These services can provide convenient and affordable alternatives for getting around town. In fact, they have become so popular in northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., that there are many avid users of Zipcar and Car2Go (car-sharing services that are alternatives to standard rental cars), as well as Uber and Lyft (ridesharing services that are alternatives to taxis).

Like other motorists, Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing drivers are not immune to accidents. When a collision occurs, passengers may suffer severe injuries. However, litigating these types of personal injury cases tends to be more complex than standard car accident claims, making it crucial to have an experienced Uber accident attorney on your side. If you were injured in an Uber, Lyft, or other type of ridesharing accident in the state of Virginia or in Washington, D.C., our Fairfax rideshare accident attorney can help.

Have you been involved in a rideshare accident? Call Shevlin Smith, P.C. today at 703-591-0067 or contact us online to meet with our Fairfax Lyft and Uber accident lawyers.

Why Hire Our Fairfax Rideshare Accident Attorneys

Rideshare accident claims raise issues that many other car accident cases do not. Insurance coverage is often based on app status, and disputes about fault can start early. If an Uber or Lyft crash injured you, choosing the right Fairfax rideshare accident attorney can shape how the claim moves forward.

At Shevlin Smith, P.C., you will work directly with attorneys who focus on strong cases and careful evaluation. We can provide the following benefits:

  • A long-standing personal injury practice built over more than 70 years
  • Extensive trial leadership guided by attorney Michael J. Shevlin for over 20 years
  • Peer recognition through selection to Super Lawyers earned by attorney Shevlin since 2008
  • Attorney-led case development shaped by investigation, insurance review, and strategy

This approach allows our Fairfax rideshare accident lawyers to focus on clear liability and meaningful injuries while guiding you through the added challenges of Uber and Lyft accident claims.

Can You Sue Uber or Lyft for an Accident?

Ridesharing services are a newer alternative to traditional taxis. Although they operate in a similar manner to taxis, Uber and Lyft rides are more flexible and convenient due to their on-demand smartphone apps. For example, a person can pull up the Uber app on their smartphone and request a ride. A driver will usually accept the request within seconds and provide an estimated time of arrival (ETA).

Although Uber and Lyft are perceived by the public to be faster, more convenient, cheaper, and safer than taxis, accidents still happen. When they do, it is important for people involved in crashes with rideshare vehicles to understand the available options. A common question we hear is, "Can I sue an Uber driver for injuries I suffered in an accident?"

The legal options following a rideshare accident may be more complex than in a typical car accident claim. Uber and Lyft do not have a pool of company cars; rather, they work with independent contractors who drive their own personal vehicles. Because of this, the insurance coverage surrounding rideshare accidents can be confusing. It is important to work with an experienced Lyft accident attorney in these cases. We handle cases in Fairfax and throughout Northern Virginia, including Richmond.

Who Is Liable in an Uber or Lyft Accident?

Uber and Lyft do not work like taxis. Drivers are not considered employees of the company. Instead, they are independent contractors. Uber and Lyft are considered software companies that allow people to obtain rides from drivers who also utilize the app. Both of these companies, however, still have accountability for the drivers who use their apps, and the companies provide insurance coverage. The level of coverage, however, is dependent on the circumstances of an accident.

If an Uber or Lyft driver was at fault for the accident you were involved in, liability will depend on the stage of the drive. If the driver had accepted the ride request and was actively en route to their passenger, or if the passenger was in the car at the time, these companies extend up to $1 million in coverage toward the crash. If the driver was waiting for a ride request, Uber and Lyft will only extend minimal coverage.

Are Uber or Lyft Drivers Covered by Insurance?

Ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft provide each of their drivers with a $1 million liability policy in the event of an accident. This means that the driver and their passenger(s) may be covered for their injuries and losses, but the coverage will depend on what the driver was doing at the time of the collision.

Uber and Lyft have a three-part insurance plan, which is as follows:

  • Not Driving for Uber or Lyft at the Time of the Accident:Rideshare drivers who are not available to pick up passengers will have their driver mode turned off. If a pedestrian accident or car accident occurs during this time, the driver would need to rely on their personal auto insurance for coverage. This means that if someone else was injured by the driver in an accident, that person would need to pursue a claim with the driver's personal auto insurance and not with the ridesharing company's policy.
  • In Service But Had Not Picked up a Passenger at the Time of the Accident:This means that a driver was waiting for a ride request to transport passengers when the collision occurred. In this situation, both Lyft and Uber have contingent liability coverage in the event the driver's personal insurance does not provide coverage or does not provide enough coverage. For example, Lyft's contingent liability coverage is $50,000 per person or $100,000 maximum per accident (which is very similar to Uber's contingent liability coverage). While this may sound like a lot of money, this may be just a fraction of a person's losses due to medical bills and lost wages when serious injuries occur.
  • Driving a Passenger at the Time of the Accident:When an accident occurs as a driver is transporting a passenger, the driver and passenger are generally covered under the rideshare company's liability coverage. Both Uber and Lyft have $1 million liability coverage policies as well as $1 million in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which means that even if another driver caused the accident and did not have insurance or enough insurance, the rideshare company's policy should cover the injuries and losses. However, insurance companies are always looking to pay out as little money as possible. Even though the coverage may be there, you might have to fight to get fair compensation, and you will need the help of a rideshare accident lawyer.

Virginia's Contributory Negligence Law and Rideshare Accidents

Virginia applies a contributory negligence rule that makes rideshare accident claims more complex. Insurers may argue that even a small share of fault should affect a person's ability to recover compensation. In Uber and Lyft crashes, these disputes may focus on pickup timing, ride status, seatbelt use, or quick choices made just before a collision occurred.

Our Fairfax rideshare accident attorneys can address these issues early by reviewing app data, traffic evidence, and witness accounts. This early review matters in Virginia, where rideshare crashes often involve more than one driver and multiple insurance policies. Developing early strategies can help limit arguments about fault before they gain traction.

What Damages Are Recoverable After a Virginia Rideshare Accident?

When filing a claim for damages after a rideshare accident, an experienced Lyft accident attorney can help injury victims obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and income, pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, physical impairment or disfigurement, and other types of losses. In addition to helping clients recover these economic and noneconomic damages, our Fairfax Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can also investigate the case to determine liability and make sure that those responsible for causing the collision are held accountable.

Virginia Rideshare Accident FAQs

Q

What Should I Do if I Am in an Accident With an Uber or Lyft Driver?

Answer:

If you are a victim of a rideshare accident, it is important to know what steps to take to achieve the most successful results in your claim. Whether you were involved in an accident as another driver or as a passenger of an Uber or Lyft vehicle, the first action you should take is to get medical attention for yourself and others injured.

Once you know that help is on the way, collect each participant's name, contact information and insurance details. It can also be beneficial to take photos of various angles of the scene of the accident prior to leaving. If you have not already done so at this point, contact the police from the scene of the accident. Having a police report can be very beneficial when it comes to filing your claim. Although it is not always necessary to file a police report in the event that no injuries have been sustained, any accident involving a rideshare company should be documented in this manner.

Lastly, you should contact a lawyer. If you have been injured, you can work with our Lyft accident attorneys to address your damages and obtain compensation. We handle rideshare accident claims throughout Northern Virginia, including Richmond.

Q

Should I Report an Accident to Uber or Lyft?

Answer:

One step you should absolutely take if you have been in an accident with Uber or Lyft is to report the accident directly to the rideshare company. Once the ride is completed, the apps will prompt you to rate the ride. You can report the accident from there. If you do not want to wait for this prompt to appear, you can call the company directly.

Q

What Will Happen if an Uber or Lyft Driver Was Responsible for a Crash?

Answer:

Uber or Lyft drivers carry two types of insurance coverage: personal and company coverage. If you are a passenger or another driver who was injured, we encourage you to get assistance with your case to ensure that you get the compensation you need and deserve under the proper insurance policy.

Q

If My Vehicle Was Hit by an Uber or Lyft Driver, Can I Sue the Company?

Answer:

Uber and Lyft have protections in place against lawsuits. They do this by designating their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. Although there are some cases that could warrant a lawsuit against the company, a thorough investigation of the incident would be required. Our attorneys can help you understand your options, and we will work to ensure that you can obtain the compensation you deserve.

Learn More About Rideshare Accidents

Our law firm has written a book outlining everything you need to know about rideshare accident claims. From the complex laws surrounding these types of accidents to what kind of compensation you may be able to obtain, our attorneys have taken steps to answer these questions and put the minds of accident victims at ease. Download our free rideshare accident ebook.

Case Results in Rideshare and Car Accident Claims

Our attorneys have handled serious motor vehicle injury cases that involved disputed fault and complex insurance issues. The following examples show how our careful review of evidence and a clear case strategy shaped outcomes in car accident matters:

  • A $10.35 million recovery for a family injured in a crash caused by defective truck brakes
  • A $285,657.76 jury verdict for a crash victim with a cervical spine fracture after a red-light collision
  • A $600,000 policy-limits settlement for a motorcyclist injured when another driver failed to yield

Each case depends on its own facts. Our case results show how Shevlin Smith, P.C. approaches complex accident claims with focus and preparation.

Contact Our Fairfax, Virginia Rideshare Accident Lawyers

At Shevlin Smith, P.C., we understand how difficult it can be to negotiate with insurance companies after an Uber or Lyft accident, especially when there is a dispute over which company is liable for the damages. We are here to fight for your rights after an Uber or Lyft accident and help you obtain maximum compensation.

To discuss your case with our Fairfax Uber and Lyft accident attorneys, contact us today at 703-591-0067. Our team will provide a free, no-obligation consultation and answer any questions you might have about filing a claim against an insurance company or rideshare service.