We are a personal injury law firm in Lexington, SC, and we are accepting personal injury and wrongful death claims arising from car accidents involving Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare service providers. We represent injured rideshare passengers, as well as drivers and other occupants of vehicles involved in these accidents. Our firm accepts rideshare accident cases throughout South Carolina, including Columbia and Lexington.
A rideshare accident can leave you facing medical bills, missed work, and questions about who should pay for your losses. We offer free consultations to review the specific circumstances of your accident and discuss the types of compensation you may be entitled to pursue. We can also help you determine whether your case may support a settlement claim or lawsuit.
Rideshare accident claims can involve insurance questions that do not arise in an ordinary car accident. Depending on the circumstances, coverage may be available through the driver’s insurance, insurance maintained by the rideshare company, or both. A personal auto policy may exclude coverage while the driver is using the vehicle for rideshare work. This makes identifying the applicable policies an important part of investigating your claim.
The driver’s app status matters. Different insurance requirements apply when a driver is logged in and waiting for a request versus driving as part of an accepted ride. Under South Carolina law, a prearranged ride begins when the driver accepts the request, including the trip to pick up the passenger. Coverage requirements therefore do not depend solely on whether a passenger was already in the vehicle.
Rideshare companies generally classify their drivers as independent contractors. Uber, for example, describes its drivers this way. That classification can complicate efforts to hold the company itself responsible for a crash. Company liability and available insurance coverage are separate questions that require careful review. Whether company-provided insurance applies, and how much coverage is available, depends on the accident’s facts, the driver’s activity, applicable law, and the policy terms.
Rideshare work can also create specific opportunities for careless driving. A driver may stop in a travel lane or park somewhere unsafe to pick up or drop off a passenger. Looking for an unfamiliar address may lead to sudden turns or unexpected stops. Checking ride requests, following directions, or switching between apps can take a driver’s attention away from traffic. Using multiple phones at the same time can create additional distractions.
These circumstances do not automatically prove that a rideshare driver caused an accident. Our investigation can examine how the collision happened and whether another driver also contributed. Police reports, witness statements, photographs, video, and available trip records can help clarify what occurred. We can review the evidence and identify which parties and insurance policies may be involved.
An injury claim should account for more than the bills you have already received. Depending on the evidence and circumstances, compensation may include:
- Past and future medical bills: Emergency care, hospital treatment, surgery, medication, physical therapy, and reasonably necessary future care.
- Lost wages: Income lost while recovering, along with reduced future earning ability when supported by the evidence.
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain and the ways your injuries interfere with daily activities and enjoyment of life.
- Mental distress: Emotional suffering related to the accident and injuries, including anxiety, fear, or ongoing distress.
- Permanent disability, scars, and other disfigurement: Lasting physical limitations or changes in appearance that affect your life.
The value of a claim depends on the injuries, supporting evidence, responsibility for the accident, and available coverage. Medical records and information about your recovery can help explain both your immediate losses and your future needs. If a loved one died in a rideshare accident, we can also review whether a wrongful death claim may be available and explain who may bring it.
During your free consultation, we will listen to your concerns, review the information you have, and explain possible next steps. You can bring an accident report, medical bills, photographs, rideshare receipts, or insurance letters if available. You do not need every document before contacting us.
If you need a rideshare car accident lawyer in Lexington, SC, call (803) 359-3301 to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury attorney in Lexington, South Carolina. Same-day appointments are typically available. We welcome inquiries from injured people and families throughout South Carolina.
All cases are unique. Prior results obtained by an attorney in one matter do not indicate that similar results can be obtained for other clients in other matters.