Since 1995, Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers has represented injured people across the Carolinas. Our rideshare accident lawyers in Summerfield know how to deal with the insurance challenges that make these cases so confusing for clients.
Contact our office to schedule a free consultation with a Summerfield personal injury lawyer[a] to learn more about your legal options.
Why Hire a Summerfield Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Rideshare accident claims are more difficult than most people expect. The insurance structure is different, the liable parties are harder to pin down, and the companies involved have legal teams whose job is to distance themselves from responsibility.
Having a Summerfield rideshare accident attorney on your side from the beginning protects you from being caught in the middle of a coverage dispute while your bills keep piling up.
Multiple Insurance Policies Create Confusion
Unlike a typical car accident where you are dealing with one driver and one insurance policy, a rideshare crash can involve the driver’s personal auto insurance, the rideshare company’s commercial liability policy, and potentially the insurance of a third-party driver who caused the collision.
Which policy applies depends on what the rideshare driver was doing at the exact moment of the crash, and every insurer involved will try to argue that a different policy should be responsible.
A lawyer will know how to sort through these layers and force the right insurer to pay.
The Rideshare Company Will Try to Avoid Responsibility
Rideshare companies classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, and they use that classification to argue that they are not liable when a driver causes an accident.
While their commercial insurance policies do provide coverage in certain situations, the company itself will push back against any claim that treats them as a responsible party. Your attorney’s job is to determine what coverage applies based on the driver’s app status at the time of the crash and hold the appropriate parties accountable.
North Carolina’s Contributory Negligence Rule
North Carolina allows insurance companies to deny your entire claim if they can argue you were even 1% at fault for the accident. In rideshare cases, insurers may try to blame you for not wearing a seatbelt, for distracting the driver, or for choosing to ride with someone who was driving unsafely.
A lawyer who understands this rule can protect you from those arguments by building a clear record of what actually happened and who was truly at fault.
How Rideshare Insurance Coverage Works
One of the most confusing aspects of a rideshare accident claim is figuring out which insurance policy covers your injuries. The answer depends entirely on what the rideshare driver was doing at the moment the crash occurred.
When the App is Off
If the rideshare driver was not logged into the app at the time of the accident, only their personal auto insurance applies. The rideshare company’s commercial policy does not provide any coverage in this situation, and your claim is handled like a standard car accident.
When the App is On but No Ride is Accepted
If the driver was logged into the app and waiting for a ride request but had not yet accepted one, a limited liability policy from the rideshare company may apply.
This coverage is typically lower than what is available during an active trip, and there may be gaps between the driver’s personal policy and the company’s contingent coverage.
During an Active Trip
Once the driver has accepted a ride request and is either en route to pick up a passenger or actively transporting one, the rideshare company’s full commercial liability policy is generally in effect.
This coverage tends to be substantially higher than the driver’s personal policy, which is why establishing the driver’s exact app status at the time of the crash is so important to your claim.
Our Summerfield rideshare accident attorney at Auger & Auger will obtain app records, trip logs, and timestamps to determine exactly which policy was active and pursue the maximum coverage available.
Who Can Be Held Liable
Liability in a rideshare accident depends on the specific facts of the crash and who contributed to it.
More than one party may share responsibility, including:
- The rideshare driver who caused the crash through distracted, fatigued, or reckless driving.
- Another motorist whose negligence caused or contributed to the collision.
- The rideshare company, depending on the driver’s app status and the applicable insurance policy.
- A vehicle owner if the rideshare driver was operating someone else’s car.
- A maintenance provider if a mechanical failure contributed to the wreck.
We review traffic camera footage, witness statements, vehicle damage, electronic trip data, and medical records to build a clear picture of what happened and who should be held accountable for your injuries.
What Compensation May Be Available
If you were injured in a rideshare crash caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to pursue compensation for both the financial losses and the personal harm the accident has caused you.
The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, how long your recovery takes, and how the crash has affected your ability to work and live your daily life.
Compensation you may be able to recover includes:
- Emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and surgery.
- Ongoing physical therapy and rehabilitation.
- Prescription medications and medical equipment.
- Lost wages from time away from work.
- Reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job.
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
- Property damage to your vehicle or personal belongings.
In cases where a rideshare accident results in a fatal injury, surviving family members may have the right to file a wrongful death claim.
How Auger & Auger Handles Rideshare Accident Cases
We are a family-owned firm that has been fighting for injured people for three decades, and we understand that rideshare accident claims require a different approach than a standard car wreck case.
When you hire Auger & Auger, we can:
- Investigate the crash and obtain trip logs, app data, and timestamps to establish coverage.
- Identify every liable party and every applicable insurance policy.
- Gather your medical records, wage documentation, and bills.
- Calculate the full value of your claim including future losses.
- Handle all communication with multiple insurance companies and defense attorneys.
- Prepare your case for trial if fair compensation is not offered.
You pay nothing upfront and nothing out of pocket. Under our A&A Zero Fee Guarantee™, we only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you.
Speak With a Rideshare Accident Attorney in Summerfield
Auger & Auger has the resources to take on rideshare companies and their insurers and fight for the full compensation you are owed.
If you are searching for a Summerfield rideshare accident lawyer near me, call our office or complete our online form to schedule a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.
