Charlotte Uber/Lyft Accident Lawyer
The growth of rideshare services like Uber and Lyft has revolutionized transportation in Charlotte. While these services offer convenience, they’ve also introduced new dangers on our roads. When a rideshare accident happens, victims face unique challenges that don’t exist in typical car crashes. Multiple insurance policies, complicated liability questions, and corporate legal teams create obstacles that can prevent you from getting the compensation you deserve.
If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Charlotte, the rideshare accident lawyers at Stewart Law Offices can help. Our attorneys have protected the rights of crash victims for over 30 years and understand the complexities of rideshare insurance claims. We know how to navigate the multiple layers of coverage, determine who’s liable, and fight against insurance companies that try to minimize your compensation. Whether you were a passenger, another driver, a pedestrian, or a cyclist, we’re prepared to investigate your accident thoroughly and demand full compensation from all responsible parties.
If you were injured in a rideshare accident or lost a loved one in an Uber or Lyft crash, reach out to us for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7. If you’re unable to visit our Charlotte office, we’ll come to you—whether at home or in the hospital.
How Our Charlotte Uber/Lyft Accident Attorneys Can Help Protect Your Rights
After a rideshare accident in Charlotte, you have the same fundamental rights as any accident victim under North Carolina law. You have the right to seek medical treatment, file a claim for compensation, and hold negligent parties accountable. However, rideshare accidents create additional complexities that make legal representation essential.
Our Charlotte rideshare accident attorneys understand these unique challenges. We can investigate your accident, determine which insurance policies apply, identify all liable parties, and build a compelling case for maximum compensation. While you focus on recovering from your injuries, we handle all legal aspects of your claim.
Common Causes of Uber/Lyft Accidents
Rideshare crashes can occur for many reasons, but negligent acts by drivers are always a central factor. Common causes include:
- Distracted driving while using the rideshare app
- Fatigue from long hours on the road
- Speeding or unsafe lane changes
- Failure to obey traffic signals
- Poorly planned pick-up or drop-off maneuvers
- Rear-end collisions at high speeds
Identifying exactly why the crash happened is essential for building a strong compensation claim.
What Factors Determine the Value of Your Uber/Lyft Accident Claim?
The value of your rideshare accident claim depends on multiple factors unique to your situation. Some of the key factors our attorneys evaluate include:
- The severity and nature of your injuries
- How much medical treatment have you required and will need in the future
- How long you’ve been unable to work and your future earning capacity
- The degree of pain, suffering, and emotional trauma you’ve endured
- Whether you’ve suffered permanent disability or disfigurement
- How has the accident impacted your quality of life
- The circumstances surrounding the accident and available evidence
- Which insurance policies apply, and what are their coverage limits
It’s sometimes necessary to bring in medical professionals, economists, and other experts to help accurately value your claim. At Stewart Law Offices, we thoroughly investigate every aspect of your case to pursue maximum compensation.
How Can Insurance Impact the Value of My Rideshare Accident Case?
Insurance coverage in rideshare accidents is more complex than in typical car crashes. Understanding which policies apply is crucial to recovering full compensation. Rideshare drivers use their personal vehicles, but their personal auto insurance typically doesn’t cover accidents that occur while driving for profit.
To address this gap, Uber and Lyft carry commercial insurance that becomes available based on the driver’s status at the time of the crash:
When the driver is logged into the app but hasn’t accepted a ride:
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 in property damage per accident
When the driver has accepted a ride request or has a passenger:
- $1 million in third-party liability coverage
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage
This higher coverage applies from the moment the driver accepts your ride request through the completion of your trip. Our attorneys know how to identify all available insurance policies and pursue compensation from every applicable source.
What Types of Compensation Can I Recover for My Uber/Lyft Accident Injuries?
In North Carolina, you can seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages resulting from your rideshare accident. Our attorneys will aggressively fight to get you maximum compensation for all losses, including:
- Past, current, and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Prescription medications and medical equipment
- Lost earnings and earning capacity
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
The specific compensation available depends on your unique circumstances and the full extent of your damages.
Understanding North Carolina’s Contributory Negligence Rule in Rideshare Cases
North Carolina’s strict contributory negligence rule bars you from compensation if you are even one percent at fault for a rideshare accident. Insurance companies aggressively seek evidence of your contribution, claiming you distracted the driver, weren’t wearing a seatbelt, gave bad directions, or were jaywalking, to avoid paying.
Our Charlotte rideshare accident lawyers proactively counter these claims, gathering evidence of the other party’s negligence to protect your right to compensation.
Our Charlotte Uber/Lyft Accident Attorneys Will Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Injuries
Rideshare accidents frequently result in severe and life-altering injuries. At Stewart Law Offices, we have experience representing victims who have suffered:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Nerve damage
- Burns
- Amputations
- The wrongful death of a loved one
Seek medical attention immediately after a rideshare accident, even if your injuries seem minor. Medical treatment creates documentation linking the accident to your injuries and prevents minor injuries from worsening. Our attorneys will ensure all your medical expenses and future treatment needs are included in your claim.
What Must Be Proven to Recover Compensation After an Uber/Lyft Rideshare Accident?
To recover compensation after a rideshare accident, you must prove that someone was negligent and that their negligence caused your injuries. This requires establishing four key elements:
- Duty of care: All drivers owe others a duty to drive carefully and obey traffic laws
- Breach of duty: The at-fault party violated this duty through some error or omission
- Causation: The breach directly and proximately caused the accident and your injuries
- Damages: You suffered actual losses and injuries as a result
To support your claim, even with Uber or Lyft insurance, strong evidence is crucial. Our lawyers effectively gather and present necessary evidence, including police reports, witness statements, medical records, accident reconstruction, scene photos/videos, rideshare app data, and expert testimony.
Charlotte Rideshare Accident Claims Statute of Limitations
You have three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Charlotte, according to North Carolina’s statute of limitations. This deadline applies to rideshare accidents just like any other car crash. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to compensation.
However, waiting too long can also make it harder to gather evidence, locate witnesses, and build a strong case. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories fade, and critical documentation becomes harder to obtain. Contact Stewart Law Offices as soon as possible after your rideshare accident so we can begin protecting your rights immediately.
Visit Our Uber/Lyft Accident Attorneys in Charlotte
Contact Our Charlotte Rideshare Accident Lawyers
Victims of rideshare accidents in Charlotte deserve experienced representation. At Stewart Law Offices, we’re here to guide you through the legal process and help you secure the compensation you deserve. With over 30 years of experience, we understand how to build strong rideshare accident cases and overcome the unique challenges these claims present.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We’ll handle everything while you focus on healing from your injuries.
Seeking Immediate Medical Care After Your Rideshare Accident in Charlotte
If you’ve been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial for your health and your legal claim. Charlotte has several highly-rated hospitals with 24/7 emergency departments:
- Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center – 1000 Blythe Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203 (Level I Trauma Center)
- Atrium Health University City – 8800 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28262
- Atrium Health Pineville – 10628 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210
- Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center – 8201 Healthcare Loop, Charlotte, NC 28215
Disclaimer: Stewart Law Offices does not endorse these facilities. This information is provided solely to help accident victims access emergency medical care in the Charlotte area.