Charlotte Rideshare Accident Lawyer: Protecting People Injured in Uber and Lyft Accidents

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are a constant presence on Charlotte’s streets, from trips to the airport to nights out in South End. While convenient, a crash involving a rideshare vehicle can create a complex legal situation.

When you are hurt in an accident, you may be left wondering who is responsible for your medical bills and other losses. A Charlotte rideshare accident lawyer can help you understand your options and fight for the financial compensation you may deserve.

These cases often involve multiple insurance policies and powerful corporations, making them difficult to handle on your own. The rules that apply can change depending on whether the rideshare driver involved in the wreck was waiting for a ride request, on the way to pick up a passenger, or actively transporting someone. An attorney from the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin understands these distinctions and can work to build a compelling case on your behalf.

Why Choose the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin for Your Charlotte Ridesharing Accident Case?

When you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, choosing a law firm to represent you can make a significant difference. At the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, we put our clients first, and our track record demonstrates our commitment. We have recovered over $2 billion total for over 78,000 clients since 1997. And counting.¹

Our approach combines experience with a genuine dedication to the people we help.

• A Formidable Team: Our team includes professionals who know how insurance companies operate because some of them are former insurance adjusters and defense attorneys. Many of our attorneys are also North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialists in their fields, a rare certification.
• A Focus on Results: We fight for maximum compensation for our clients. We push back against insurance company delays and use our proprietary software to keep cases moving forward.¹
• A Client-First Promise: We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no  fee unless we obtain a financial recovery for you. Guaranteed.² We listen to your story, answer your questions, and keep you informed every step of the way.

Our mission is to provide excellent legal representation, one client at a time.

Understanding Liability in a Charlotte Rideshare Accident

After a crash involving an Uber or Lyft, the biggest question is often, “Who pays for my injuries?” The answer is rarely simple. Unlike a typical car wreck with two drivers and two insurance policies, a rideshare accident can involve several potentially liable parties and layers of insurance coverage. A knowledgeable rideshare accident lawyer in Charlotte can investigate the specific facts of your case to determine who may be at fault.

The insurance coverage that potentially applies often depends on the driver’s status at the time of the collision. North Carolina law sets out insurance requirements for these different periods.

• The Driver Is Offline: If the driver’s app is off, they are technically not working for the rideshare company. In this scenario, their personal auto insurance policy would likely be the primary source of coverage, just as in any other car accident.
• The Driver Is Online and Waiting for a Request: When a driver is logged into the app and available but has not yet accepted a ride, the rideshare company’s contingent liability policy may apply. This coverage is typically active if the driver’s personal insurance denies the claim or has lower limits.
• The Driver Is En Route to a Passenger or on a Trip: Once a driver accepts a ride request and is on the way to pick up a passenger or has a passenger in the car, the rideshare company’s full commercial insurance policy is generally in effect. This policy usually provides at least $1 million in liability coverage.

Identifying potential insurance policies is a critical first step, but insurance companies may try to shift blame to avoid paying a claim. An attorney can handle these communications and fight to hold the right parties accountable.

What Types of Compensation Might Be Available After a Rideshare Crash?

If you were hurt in a rideshare accident that wasn’t your fault, you might be able to seek compensation for the various ways the injury has impacted your life. While every case is different, the goal is to fully account for any harms and losses, both economic and non-economic.

A comprehensive claim may seek compensation for:

• Medical Expenses: This can cover everything from the initial emergency room visit and ambulance ride to ongoing physical therapy, future surgeries, and prescription medications.
• Lost Wages or Income: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be able to recover the income you lost during your recovery period plus the impact on any future earnings.
• Pain and Suffering: This refers to the physical pain and emotional distress you may have endured because of the accident and your injuries.
• Other Harms and Losses: Depending on the specifics of your case, other damages such as scarring, disfigurement, or loss of quality of life may also be considered.

Calculating the full potential value of a claim requires a thorough understanding of your injuries and how they will affect you long-term. An attorney can work with medical and financial professionals as needed to try to build a case that accurately reflects what you may have been through.

How a Charlotte Rideshare Accident Attorney Can Help Build Your Case

The time after an accident can be stressful. While you focus on your physical recovery, a lawyer can handle the legal details. At the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, we dedicate the necessary assets to build a strong case for each client.

• Investigate the Accident: We can gather critical evidence, such as the police report, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and data from the rideshare app. When needed, we can work with accident reconstructionists to establish how the crash occurred.
• Manage All Communications: We will handle phone calls, emails, and negotiations with the insurance companies involved. This protects you from any adjusters who may try to get you to accept a lowball offer or make a statement that could harm your claim.
• Protect Your Rights: North Carolina’s rules regarding fault can be unforgiving. A small mistake can have serious consequences for your ability to recover compensation. We understand these laws and will fight to protect your interests at every turn.
• Fight for Maximum Compensation: We strive to identify all potential sources of compensation and calculate the full value of what you may be owed. We are not afraid to push back against insurance company tactics and fight for everything you may deserve.

Having a dedicated legal professional on your side levels the playing field and allows you to focus on what matters most — your health.

Steps to Consider After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Charlotte

Your actions in the days and weeks following a rideshare crash can be important. Once you have received medical treatment, there are several steps you can take to help protect your health and your potential legal claim.

1. Continue All Recommended Medical Treatment: It is essential to follow your doctor’s orders. This not only helps with your recovery but also creates a medical record that documents the extent of your injuries. Gaps in treatment can be used by insurance companies to argue that your injuries are not as serious as you claim.
2. Keep Detailed Records: Hold on to all accident-related documents, including medical bills, receipts for prescriptions, and records of your missed time from work. It can also be helpful to keep a journal detailing your pain levels, physical limitations, and how the injuries are affecting your daily life.
3. Report the Accident in the App: Both Uber and Lyft have features within their apps to report an accident. This creates an official record with the company and is an important step in initiating a claim with their insurance.
4. Avoid Giving a Recorded Statement: An insurance adjuster for the at-fault party will likely contact you and ask for a recorded statement. You are not obligated to provide one. Adjusters are often trained to ask questions designed to minimize the value of your claim. You can and should let your attorney handle these communications.
5. Contact a Charlotte Rideshare Accident Lawyer: The sooner you get legal help, the better. An attorney can advise you on your rights and begin investigating your case while evidence is still fresh.

Taking these steps can help build a strong foundation for your case and increase the odds of a positive outcome.

Why Rideshare Accident Claims Are Different

It’s a mistake to treat a rideshare accident claim like a standard car accident claim. The involvement of a major corporation and the layers of insurance can add significant complexity.

Key differences that set these cases apart may include:

• Multiple Insurance Policies: Determining whether the driver’s personal policy or one of the rideshare company’s policies may apply is a central issue that requires careful analysis of the facts.
• Corporate Defendants: When you file a claim against Uber or Lyft’s insurance, you are going up against a large corporation with a team of experienced lawyers and adjusters whose likely goal is to pay out as little as possible.
• Complex Evidence: Proving the driver’s status at the time of the crash may require obtaining electronic data from the rideshare company, which can be difficult without enough pressure.
• Driver Classification Issues: Rideshare companies generally classify their drivers as independent contractors, a distinction they use to try to distance themselves from liability for any driver negligence.

These factors make it very important to have an advocate who understands the specific challenges of rideshare accident litigation and knows how to counter the tactics used by these large companies and their insurance carriers.

Charlotte Rideshare Accident FAQs

Here are answers to some common questions people have after being injured in a rideshare accident in Charlotte.

What happens if the other driver, not my Uber or Lyft driver, was at fault?

If another motorist caused the accident while you were a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, you would typically first file a claim against that at-fault driver’s insurance policy. If that driver is uninsured or underinsured, the rideshare company’s Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may be available to help cover your losses.

How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is generally three years from the date of the injury. However, there are exceptions, so it is advisable to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

Can I seek compensation if I was a pedestrian hit by an Uber or Lyft driver?

Yes. If you were a pedestrian, bicyclist, or occupant of another vehicle and were injured by a negligent rideshare driver, you may have the right to file a claim against the applicable insurance policy, which could be the driver’s personal policy or the rideshare company’s policy.

What if the rideshare driver who hit me was uninsured or underinsured?

Uber and Lyft drivers are rarely totally uninsured. If a rideshare driver causes a wreck in which you are injured, you can possibly seek recovery against the rideshare driver’s personal auto insurance, the rideshare company’s insurance, or against your own UM/UIM (uninsured/underinsured) policy. If you were a passenger in a rideshare, and the rideshare driver is at fault, you are likely going to be covered under the $1M liability policy.

Does it cost anything to hire a Charlotte rideshare accident lawyer from your firm?

At the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means we only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you. Guaranteed. There are no upfront costs to hire us.²

Contact Our Charlotte Rideshare Accident Lawyers Today

If you have been injured in an accident involving a rideshare vehicle, you do not have to face the insurance companies alone. The legal process can be difficult, and a misstep could jeopardize your potential for a financial recovery. At the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, we have the experience and extensive resources to fight for the compensation you may deserve. We have helped more than 78,000 injured people, and we know what it takes to build a compelling case.¹

Our team understands the challenges you are facing, and we are committed to providing clear communication and dedicated advocacy from start to finish. We will listen to your story, investigate your accident, and advise you on a path forward. We fight to get our clients as much as possible, as quickly as possible. Let us put our knowledge and experience to work for you.

But don’t take our word for it. See what our Charlotte clients have to say:

“I was involved in a car accident, a person rear ended me while sitting at a stop light. I had contacted James Scott Farrin in the past when my daughter was in an accident and knew that the service they provided then was excellent so I used them again. They continue to amaze me.” – Sheryl J., Charlotte Google 5-star review¹

If you, or a loved one, have been injured in a rideshare accident, contact the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin today for free help and your no-obligation case evaluation. Contact us at 1-866-900-7078 or through our online form. Tell them you mean business.