Common Ways Uber and Lyft Drivers Cause Accidents

Henderson Car Accident Lawyers Jones WilsonUber and Lyft are very popular means of transportation for both out-of-town guests and residents in Henderson. It is easy to book a ride through a cellphone app, and these rides can be less expensive than a taxicab. Unfortunately, Uber and Lyft drivers have no special training or experience and may cause an accident given the long hours they drive and their lack of training. If you or a loved one was injured in an Uber or Lyft collision caused by their driver, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but your claim may be more complicated than a traditional car accident case.

Major Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents

Uber and Lyft drivers have the same duties of care to drive safely and obey traffic laws as other motorists they share the road with. Unfortunately, they frequently engage in unsafe driving practices when they cause a collision. Common reasons for these tragic accidents include:

Speeding

Speeding is always dangerous and can cause victims to suffer more catastrophic injuries or death due to the greater force of impact in a crash. Uber and Lyft drivers are likely to speed as they hurry to transport their passengers to their destination so that they can pick up their next ride and receive their next fare.

Distracted Driving

Uber and Lyft drivers are frequently checking their GPS, texting, or talking on a cellphone while driving, which takes their mind and eyes off the road. Unfortunately, these and other distracted driving practices significantly increase the risk that your driver will cause an accident.

Intoxication

If a ridesharing driver is intoxicated, his driving skills, such as judgment, vision, reaction time, and ability to judge distances, are significantly reduced. He could speed, tailgate another driver, weave between lanes, and engage in other reckless driving practices that result in a wreck.

Fatigue

Driving when drowsy is as dangerous as driving when intoxicated. Uber and Lyft drivers work long hours without a break, which makes it more likely that they will cause an accident due to being less alert or falling asleep at the wheel.

Inexperience

Unfortunately, Lyft and Uber do not provide their drivers with any special training before allowing them to transport passengers. Some crashes are caused when inexperienced and unqualified drivers do not have the skill to respond appropriately to traffic conditions on Henderson’s congested roads and highways.

Violation of Traffic Laws

Speeding, reckless driving, running red lights, and failing to yield are a few of the common Nevada traffic law violations by ridesharing drivers that cause deadly accidents.

Obtaining Compensation After an Uber or Lyft Accident

Both passengers in the rideshare vehicle and occupants of other autos injured in an accident caused by the rideshare driver may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Passengers of the rideshare car may be able to file a claim under Uber or Lyft’s liability policy. Both companies have $1 million in liability coverage. However, there are special rules regarding when this coverage is applicable based on whether the driver was transporting a passenger, available and waiting for a pick-up, or not available.

In addition, injured victims may be able to file a claim for compensation with the driver’s personal auto liability insurance policy that all Nevada drivers are required to have. If another driver was also partially at fault, a claim could be filed with his insurance company as well.

Contact a Henderson Attorney for the Legal Assistance You Need

If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, you need the assistance of a local experienced car accident lawyer who handles these complicated cases. At Jones Wilson Injury Lawyers, our skilled attorneys will thoroughly investigate the cause of your crash and will aggressively fight for the compensation you deserve from all liable parties. We represent out-of-town visitors as well as residents of Henderson injured or killed in these tragic wrecks.

To find out how we can assist you, take advantage of our offer of a free, no-obligation consultation. To schedule your appointment with our car accident attorney in Henderson, contact us online or call our office directly at 702.405.6000 today.

Why Work with us?

Finding the right lawyer to represent your injury case can be extremely frustrating. However, with 35 years worth of experience and insider knowledge of how insurance companies work, the Jones Wilson law firm stands out from the crowd. Other attorneys pick and choose their clients based on case notoriety, but we’re here to help you, no matter how large or small your case.
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