Nashville Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys
Serving victims of crashes involving ridesharing vehicles in Nashville, Hendersonville, and Clarksville
Because of their convenience, ridesharing app car services such as Uber and Lyft have become an incredibly popular method of getting around Nashville, Hendersonville, and other cities in Tennessee. if you suffer an injury in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle, it’s often difficult to figure out who is responsible for your losses and damages.
Of all the many types of car accidents in which you can be involved, getting injured as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft might be the most complicated. At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, our skilled Nashville car accident attorneys are here to fight for your right to recover compensation when you have sustained an injury in a crash in a taxi or ridesharing vehicle.
Answers to Your Questions
- Who is liable for my Nashville Uber or Lyft accident and injuries?
- What are Tennessee’s rideshare insurance laws?
- How does insurance work after a Nashville Uber or Lyft accident?
- How can a Nashville Uber/Lyft accident attorney help my case?
- Do you have an Uber and Lyft accident attorney near me?
- What are common causes of Uber/Lyft accidents?
"When I was a teenager, Dad got hurt. Insurance company wouldn't pay. We lost our house. But, Dad got a lawyer and we got justice. That's the moment I decided to become an attorney. As a lawyer, I have dedicated my life to helping injury victims."
~ Rocky
Who is liable for my Nashville Uber or Lyft accident and injuries?
Determining liability for a vehicle accident can be a bit complicated. When it comes to a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, the person at fault for the crash could be:
- The Uber or Lyft driver
- The driver of another vehicle
- The auto parts manufacturer, if a defective product led to your injuries
- Other passengers in the ridesharing car
At a time like this, it is helpful to have the services of a knowledgeable Nashville car accident attorney. At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we investigate the crash, determine who is liable for your injuries, and hold those at fault financially responsible.
What are Tennessee’s rideshare insurance laws?
In Tennessee, the Transportation Network Company Services Act (TNCSA) (TN 55-12-141) became effective in January 2016. It requires rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber to meet specific legal guidelines for car insurance for their drivers. This new law requires rideshare companies to provide liability insurance when drivers are on the clock with their ridesharing app. This helps to account for any gaps in coverage between the driver’s personal car insurance and the rideshare company’s insurance policy.
The law also requires ridesharing companies operating in Tennessee to provide at least $1,000,000 in liability coverage when the driver is engaged in a ride that was prearranged through the app. On a related note, taxi cabs must also have liability coverage for passengers who suffer injuries in the event of a crash.
If the rideshare or taxi driver was behaving negligently at the time of the crash, such as driving drunk or under the influence of drugs, if they were distracted and got into a crash, or if they were speeding, driving recklessly, or any other kind of negligent behavior, the driver may have to rely on their personal liability coverage.
How does insurance work after a Nashville Uber or Lyft accident?
After an accident involving a rideshare vehicle, insurance issues can get complicated fast. Generally, however, both Uber’s and Lyft’s driver insurance works the same. It depends on the status of the driver at the time of the accident. If the driver is:
- On their own time, meaning they’re not logged into the Uber or Lyft app. This means they’re considered to be on their own time and not working. If they cause a car accident, their personal auto insurance will be responsible for any resulting injuries and property damage.
- Logged in but waiting for a ride, meaning they’re on the clock but not in the process of transporting or picking up a passenger. If the driver causes an accident, you can still call on their insurance for compensation for your injuries. However, if your losses exceed the driver’s policy limits – as they often do – you may have to turn to Uber or Lyft’s insurance to recover the compensation to which you’re entitled.
- Logged in and picking up or transporting a passenger, meaning they’re actively on the job. If the rideshare driver causes an accident in this scenario, their Lyft or Uber insurance should provide you compensation for your injuries and losses. Our Nashville attorneys can assist you with this should the rideshare company refuse to offer a proper settlement.
Our rideshare accident attorneys can explain the complexities and details behind your potential case in a personal consultation.
How can a Nashville Uber/Lyft accident attorney help my case?
If you have been injured as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, you may not be sure whose insurance will be covering your injuries and losses. More than one party could be at fault, so how do you know how to proceed? An experienced attorney from Rocky McElhaney Law Firm is prepared to discuss your legal options and represent you as you pursue fair compensation after your injury. Whether you settle with the insurance company or go to trial, we will protect your interests to the end.
Do you have an Uber and Lyft accident attorney near me?
Rocky McElhaney Law Firm has two offices in Nashville: one at 545 Mainstream Dr., Suite 105 and one at 615 Main Street, B21. We also have state-of-the-art offices in Hendersonville and Clarksville. If you are too injured to come to our offices, we will make home and hospital visits. You can also schedule a phone or video consultation.
What are common causes of Uber/Lyft accidents?
Generally, Uber and Lyft crashes happen just like every other car accident. Some of these reasons include:
- Impaired driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports 1,135 people were killed in Tennessee drunk driving accidents in 2019. Rideshare companies must vet their workers to ensure they have a clean driving record and no history of drunk driving.
- Distracted driving. The CDC reports that nine people are killed every day as a result of distracted driving. Anything that takes a driver’s attention away from the road counts as a distraction. In fact, at 55mph, just sending or reading a text is like driving the length of a football field blindfolded. Lyft and Uber drivers may attempt to drive while looking at a GPS or the app on their phone, or even while chatting with their passengers.
- Fatigued driving. Operating a vehicle when drowsy affects a driver’s judgement, reaction time, and coordination – similar to drunk driving. The CDC reports up to 6,000 fatal crashes occur annually due to drowsy driving. Uber and Lyft workers often driver as a second job and can be at risk of fatigued driving if they’re overworked and tired.
- Speeding. Crashes involving excessive speed are four times more likely to result in fatalities than non-speed crashes. The two most common types of speed-involved accidents are crashes into guardrails/fences and collisions into other vehicles. If a rideshare driver is driving too fast for conditions, especially if they’re trying to fit in as many rides as possible during their shift, they can cause a high-speed accident.
Our Nashville team of “Gladiators in Suits” will investigate your accident to determine who or what was at fault and then work to hold them accountable for your injuries.
Experienced Nashville rideshare accident lawyers in your corner
If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, talk to one of the Gladiators in Suits at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm today. From our offices in Nashville, Hendersonville, Murfreesboro and Clarksville, we’re proud to represent clients throughout Tennessee. Our experienced Nashville car accident lawyers are here to advocate for you and fight for the results you want. To schedule a consultation, call 615-425-2500 or contact the firm online.
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