Reno, NV Rideshare Accident Lawyer

In Reno, Nevada, various ridesharing apps come with many advantages to tourists and residents. For instance, the ability to pay drivers digitally and share the status of a trip with contacts appeals to security-conscious passengers. Uber and Lyft drivers also can save you the trouble of expensive parking rates and long walks by dropping you near casinos, museums, and other tourist attractions.

As an Uber or Lyft driver transports you from point A to point B, you face the same risks as you do anytime you are a passenger in any other motor vehicle. A rideshare accident can happen at any moment, leaving you with severe physical and psychological injuries.

Dealing with a Reno car accident could stir up anxiety for anyone. Still, your stress could increase threefold if you have to face Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare company and the insurer backing them up.

With a record of over 100,000 satisfied clients, Richard Harris Law Firm has the experience to answer your questions and defend your rights. When you call or text us at (702) 213-9779, a Reno accident representative can schedule your free legal consultation with our Nevada personal injury team at a time and place convenient for you. 

When Reno Uber and Lyft Rideshare Companies Fail Their Duties

All motorists, including Uber and Lyft drivers, have a duty to avoid doing things that are likely to cause injury to a passenger. The following acts could indicate that Uber or Lyft rideshare drivers failed to uphold their responsibility to their passengers.

Impaired driving

The legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit is 0.04 for commercial drivers and 0.08 for drivers of passenger vehicles. Yet, drivers can be arrested and convicted for DUI with a lower BAC if controlled or prohibited substance use leads to injury accidents.

Behavior that could lead to the charge of DUI includes:

  • Weaving, swerving, or straddling lanes
  • Sudden stops or delayed starts
  • Driving too fast or too slow
  • Failure to use headlights at night
  • Tailgating

Since Nevada has 24-hour access to alcohol and marijuana is legal here, Reno rideshare drivers might face the temptation to use drugs or drink and drive. Yet, the human cost of impaired driving is too high to take any liberties. In one 4-year period, 745 people lost their lives in impaired driving accidents on Nevada roadways.

Speeding

When rideshare drivers are in a hurry, they might not realize that their actions could cause serious injuries or death. In reality, though, speeding is one of the top causes of Nevada motor vehicle accident fatalities.

Uber and Lyft drivers must obey traffic laws, including speed limits. At times, weather and road conditions would require responsible drivers to drive slower than the posted speed limit.

Improper intersection usage

Intersection accidents account for about one-third of Nevada’s collisions, injuring more than 2,000 people in one 5-year period. Uber and Lyft drivers take passengers all over the city, so they might sometimes find themselves in unfamiliar territory. Still, they should know Reno traffic laws, including when drivers can turn right on red, what flashing yellow arrows mean, and the rights of pedestrians.

Did your rideshare driver heed these safe driving practices during your trip?

  • Slowing down at intersections
  • Making complete stops at red lights and stop signs
  • Looking right before turning on green
  • Signaling turns and lane changes
  • Yielding to bicyclists, pedestrians and lately, to scooter riders

Richard Harris Law Firm can help you determine whether improper intersection usage contributed to your motor vehicle accident. Call or text (702) 213-9779 today to schedule a free accident consultation with our experienced lawyers.

Distracted driving

Reno rideshare drivers should be focused on the road, but distractions are sometimes unavoidable or difficult to control. The following distractions could easily lead to an accident:

  • Talking to passengers
  • Looking at passengers, pedestrians, or the landscape
  • Eating and drinking
  • Using a cellphone, including consulting map apps or GPS
  • Adjusting dials and controls (e.g. radio, climate control)

As Reno lawyers who hear a lot of different drivers’ stories, we know that it only takes an instant for a rideshare accident to occur. We also know personal injury law and how it applies. For instance, it is illegal for Uber, Lyft, and other drivers to use a handheld device at a stoplight. Rideshare drivers should pull off the road or use hands-free features that use voice commands to avoid collisions.

Holding rideshare companies liable for preventable accidents can save lives in the future. As a victim, you deserve justice. Richard Harris’s team of Reno lawyers is equipped with the knowledge and resources to help you pursue maximum compensation for your injuries. To speak to a member of our Reno automobile accident team, click “Get Help Now” in the top right corner of your screen.

Reno Rideshare App Users Deserve Fair Compensation

Uber and Lyft use insurance companies, such as Allstate, Progressive, and Geico, to insure rideshare drivers in case of an accident. In general, ridesharing liability applies from the time a ride request is accepted until the ride ends. Otherwise, rideshare drivers’ accidents are covered by the drivers’ individual policies.

Injured passengers have the right to pursue legal damages for the losses resulting from a Reno vehicle accident.

Medical expenses

Qualifying medical expenses could include emergency transport, surgeries, prescriptions, and aftercare appointments for an injury.

If you are in a Lyft accident in Reno, the ridesharing company may also provide first-party coverage such as MedPay or PIP to cover healthcare expenses. Uber’s third-party insurance covers up to $100,000 per accident if the driver’s liability coverage does not apply.

Lost wages

Did you miss work as a result of a Reno rideshare accident injury? Your rideshare accident lawyer can seek to recover your lost wages. If your medical injuries permanently prevent you from working, you can claim damages for your lost earning potential.

Property damage

As a Uber or Lyft passenger, you may not have any personal belongings to replace. However, an experienced Uber and Lyft accident attorney can assist innocent drivers involved in rideshare accidents. If your vehicle was damaged or totaled, fair rideshare accident compensation should include the towing, repairs, and replacement if necessary.

Pain and suffering

Not all injuries can be healed with medical treatment. As a Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare accident victim, you could also face emotional and psychological injury. In Reno, NV, you could win pain and suffering damages if you experience:

  • Ongoing physical discomfort
  • Mental distress
  • Scarring or disfigurement that affects your self-esteem
  • Changes in your ability to enjoy life

Since these non-economic losses are subjective, getting the support of a rideshare accident lawyer can go a long way to proving your claim. It is vital to consult with an experienced attorney to avoid accepting an unfair settlement. If you want to know what your case is worth, fill out our convenient contact form for a free claim review.

Wrongful death expenses

You or an estate representative could receive monetary compensation if your close family member died in a Reno ridesharing accident. A rideshare accident lawyer can advise you on how to seek damages for:

  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Hospital bills related to the fatal injury
  • Missed wages and loss of expected financial support
  • Loss of love, companionship, and affection
  • Punitive damages for malicious or reckless acts

In your time of grief, handling a claim against a rideshare company or one of its drivers may seem overwhelming. Take a load off by working with our full-service law firm. Richard Harris’s compassionate Reno lawyers take care of the details so that you can focus on regaining your peace of mind.

Why Reno Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers Take Action Fast

The goal of our Reno lawyers is to pursue justice for innocent drivers, passengers, and pedestrians involved in ridesharing accidents. For any legal claim to be successful, lawyers must meet the statute of limitations.

Practice areas carry differing deadlines. By law, injured victims must begin a ridesharing accident case within 2 to 3 years of the event. For instance, if you got into a Lyft accident in 2021, you might only have a couple of years to establish your case. Contacting our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers is the easiest and most accurate way to find out how much time you have left.

Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing companies will do what they can to protect the interests of their businesses and drivers. Even with the law on your side, without the assistance of knowledgeable Reno lawyers, getting what is fair for your injury after an accident could be difficult. Why risk losing what is rightfully yours?

Across various practice areas, 98 percent of Richard Harris Law Firm’s cases have been successful, resulting in over $1 billion in compensation received by satisfied clients. Call or text (702) 213-9779 to learn what our team of lawyers can do for you.

 

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