Experienced Uber and Lyft Injury Lawyers in South Charleston, SC
Rideshare services have become an everyday part of transportation in Charleston. Residents use Uber and Lyft to commute to work, visitors rely on them while exploring the Historic District, and travelers request rides to and from Charleston International Airport, cruise terminals, hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues throughout the city. As rideshare usage continues to grow, so does the number of collisions involving these vehicles.
Unlike many other motor vehicle claims, rideshare collisions often involve additional legal and insurance considerations. Questions regarding driver status, available insurance coverage, and the parties involved can make these cases more complicated than traditional vehicle collision claims.
Charleston Uber and Lyft injury lawyers Drew Ashby and Max Thelen help individuals evaluate potential claims arising from rideshare-related collisions, starting with a free consultation. Every case should be reviewed according to its unique facts, the available evidence, and South Carolina law.
Rideshare Vehicles Travel Throughout Charleston Every Day
Uber and Lyft drivers operate across virtually every part of the Charleston area, transporting passengers between residential neighborhoods, tourist destinations, business districts, healthcare facilities, and local attractions.
Rideshare activity is common near:
Because rideshare drivers spend much of their time accepting ride requests, locating passengers, and navigating unfamiliar destinations, their driving environments often change from one trip to the next.
Rideshare Claims May Involve Multiple Insurance Policies
One of the primary differences between a rideshare collision and a typical vehicle collision involves insurance coverage.
Depending on the circumstances, a claim may involve:
- The driver’s personal automobile insurance.
- Uber or Lyft insurance coverage.
- Another driver’s liability insurance.
- Uninsured motorist coverage.
- Underinsured motorist coverage.
- Multiple insurance carriers.
Which policy may apply often depends on what the rideshare driver was doing at the time of the collision. Determining those facts requires a careful review of the available evidence.
Driver Status Can Become an Important Issue
Insurance coverage may differ depending upon whether a rideshare driver:
- Was not logged into the rideshare application.
- Was waiting to receive a ride request.
- Had accepted a passenger request.
- Was traveling to pick up a passenger.
- Was transporting a passenger.
Electronic records maintained by the rideshare company may become important when establishing the driver’s status during the collision.
More Than Passengers May Be Injured
Many people assume rideshare claims involve only paying passengers. In reality, several different individuals may suffer injuries during the same roadway event.
A rideshare collision may involve:
- Uber passengers.
- Lyft passengers.
- Occupants of another vehicle.
- Pedestrians.
- Cyclists.
- Motorcyclists.
- Drivers of other vehicles.
Each person’s claim should be evaluated independently based on the injuries sustained and the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Investigating a Rideshare Collision Often Requires Additional Documentation
In addition to the evidence commonly collected after any vehicle collision, rideshare cases may involve records maintained by the transportation platform itself.
Depending on the circumstances, relevant evidence may include:
- Police reports.
- Driver app activity.
- Ride history.
- GPS location data.
- Trip timelines.
- Witness statements.
- Dash camera footage.
- Business surveillance video.
- Vehicle damage.
- Medical records.
- Cell phone records when appropriate.
Preserving this information early may help determine how the collision occurred and what insurance coverage may be available.
Serious Injuries Can Affect Every Aspect of Recovery
The injuries sustained during a rideshare collision vary depending upon vehicle speed, impact angle, occupant position, and numerous other factors.
Injuries may include:
- Traumatic brain injuries.
- Neck injuries.
- Back injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Broken bones.
- Internal injuries.
- Soft tissue injuries.
- Shoulder injuries.
- Knee injuries.
- Permanent disabilities.
- Catastrophic injuries.
- Fatal injuries.
Some injuries require ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, or future medical care that extends well beyond the initial emergency response.
Recovering Financial Losses Requires a Complete Evaluation
Medical expenses represent only one portion of a serious injury claim. Individuals often experience financial and personal losses that continue long after the collision itself.
Depending on the facts of the case, damages may include compensation for:
- Emergency medical treatment.
- Future healthcare expenses.
- Physical rehabilitation.
- Lost income.
- Reduced earning capacity.
- Physical pain.
- Emotional distress.
- Permanent impairment.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Property damage.
- Wrongful death damages where permitted under South Carolina law.
Every claim should be evaluated individually based on the evidence, the injuries sustained, and the applicable legal standards.
Careful Investigation Can Help Clarify Complex Questions
Because rideshare claims frequently involve multiple insurance companies, electronic records, and several potentially responsible parties, conducting a thorough investigation is often an important part of evaluating a case.
Rather than relying on assumptions, every claim should be supported by documentation that reflects what occurred before, during, and after the collision.
Contact Charleston Uber and Lyft Injury Lawyers Drew Ashby and Max Thelen
Being injured in an Uber or Lyft collision can leave you facing questions about insurance coverage, medical expenses, and your legal rights. Understanding your options begins with reviewing the facts specific to your situation.
Charleston County Uber and Lyft injury lawyers Drew Ashby and Max Thelen assist individuals involved in rideshare-related collisions throughout the Charleston area. They can evaluate the available evidence, explain how South Carolina law may apply, and discuss the legal options available based on the circumstances of your case.
To schedule a free consultation, call (803) 900-7777 or contact Drew Ashby or Max Thelen online.
