Uber/Lyft – Rideshare Accident Attorneys in West Des Moines, Iowa
If you or a loved one was injured in a rideshare accident in the state of Iowa, don’t hesitate to contact the personal injury attorneys at Lombardi Law Firm today.
The popularity of Uber and Lyft ridesharing services in Iowa has continued to grow over the past decade. Although many people are using rideshare services to travel to and from work, a growing number of people are jumping onboard Lyft and Uber for convenience. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in the number of rideshare accidents across our state as well. Our firm recently handled one in West Des Moines.
Being injured in a rideshare accident can have a life-changing impact on the victim. Quite often, injured parties are rushed to area hospitals where they have to undergo emergency surgery and spend days in central Iowa hospitals. Regrettably, many victims are left with catastrophic injuries that impacts their ability to work, enjoy life, and perform even simple tasks. Victims often require extensive medical treatment that is painful and costly. So, what should you do? Is there a way to get help with the financial challenges?
In some cases, victims can recover compensation from at-fault parties to help alleviate the financial burdens they face moving forward. If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, it is crucial that you reach out to a rideshare accident attorney in West Des Moines as soon as possible to explore the legal options available to help you recover. We handle cases across the state of Iowa.
We at Lombardi Law Firm strongly believe that rideshare accident victims should never be forced to spend thousands of dollars on medical care and expenses they face as a result of the reckless actions of another motorist. For this reason, our rideshare accident attorneys in West Des Moines, Iowa work to ensure our clients are able to hold wrongdoers and at-fault drivers accountable. We provide responsive and effective legal representation to ensure our clients are able to maximize their recoveries so they are in the best position possible to move forward after being injured in an Uber or Lyft accident.
Our team takes great pride in the representation that we provide for our clients and we are confident in our abilities to help you protect your best interests and legal rights. Contact our Iowa rideshare-Uber-Lyft accident attorneys at your earliest convenience to schedule a free case evaluation to see how we can help you. It doesn’t cost you to talk with us to find out if you even have a case.
Liability in Rideshare Accidents in Iowa
Liability in rideshare accidents is determined by who caused the accident. In other words, who was at-fault. The state of Iowa is considered a “fault” state. As such, victims who are deemed “not at fault” following a collision are legally entitled to file personal injury claims against the other driver’s insurance company.
If you are a passenger injured in a rideshare accident, you are probably not at-fault and you have a right to hold liable parties accountable for your injuries and damages. There are several parties that may be subjected to lawsuits. These parties include:
- The driver of the Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare vehicle.
- The rideshare company.
- Any other driver who caused the crash.
Each liable party should have an insurance policy that may compensate you for the economic and non-economic damages you face from your accident. However, it is extremely common for each insurance company to deny liability and fight against covering your expenses following a crash or the adjuster will make a minimal settlement offer that barely covers any of your expenses. Steve has been watching this happen for over 40 years.
For this reason, it is imperative to reach out to a rideshare accident attorney in Iowa who will aggressively fight on your behalf to ensure your legal rights and best interests are protected. A qualified accident-attorney will sort through the liability issues and help you obtain the recovery you deserve from those at fault. Contact our law firm today to see how we can help you.
Determining Liability in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Iowa
The most challenging part of being involved in a rideshare accident is determining who is responsible for the injuries and damages you endure and to locate the right insurance company who will cover the damages. Uber and Lyft companies are both equipped with high-powered attorneys and extensive protections to minimize their liability following a crash. These lawyers are denial pros. Working with a knowledgeable Uber or Lyft accident lawyer in West Des Moines is imperative following your crash. A responsive legal team can advocate on your behalf to ensure your claim does not get ignored or outright denied.
When it comes to rideshare accidents, there are two types of liability that can be considered. These include the company or the driver.
Company Liability: Uber and Lyft vehicles are driven by people who are considered independent contractors to the company. These drivers provide their own vehicles and work schedules that best suit their own needs. When rideshare drivers are involved in accidents, they are provided liability coverage by the rideshare company so long as the app is on and they are involved in a car accident with you as a passenger.
Rideshare companies are required to maintain a minimum of $1 million in total liability when passengers are inside ridesharing vehicles. If the driver is actively logged into the app, but is not actively transporting a passenger, they maintain coverage that is at least $50,000 per person, with a $100,000 total liability coverage per accident. These policies also include minimum coverage in the amount of $25,000 for property damage.
Driver Liability: If you are a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, the Uber or Lyft driver must be logged into their app in order for you to be covered under company liability policies. Outside of this time, the only coverage available is liability insurance that is possessed by the driver of the vehicle.
In most areas, traditional liability insurance policies prohibit the commercial use of vehicles. As a result, innocent victims are met with more challenges while trying to recover. Your attorney can assist you by investigating other resources of compensation to help you recover after your accident.
Working with a rideshare accident attorney in Iowa is in your best interest when it comes to ensuring you get the justice you deserve after being harmed in a crash. Our team at Lombardi Law Firm provides assistance for crash victims when it comes to communicating with self-serving insurance companies. Our team is willing and able to fight on your behalf to ensure you are able to hold all liable parties accountable.
Steps You Should Take Following a Rideshare Accident in West Des Moines, Iowa
If you are injured in a rideshare accident, it is crucial that you take action to ensure your legal rights are protected. Of course, your ability to perform these steps is based on what you are physically capable of after being harmed. If for some reason you are unable to physically act then call us ASAP, hire us and we will act to protect you.
515-222-1110 or email me at sdlombardi@aol.com
If possible, it is important that you gather the contact information for everyone involved in the accident. This information will help you obtain compensation from all at-fault parties. You will need the names and phone numbers and insurance policy information for every person. Gathering this information increases your chances of getting justice following your accident.
Taking pictures of the accident scene, and all cars involved is a good idea. Taking photographs of your injuries is extremely helpful. If you can, take pictures of all vehicles involved before they are moved. Take photos to show the point of impact, and where the accident occurred. Take pictures that represent the weather conditions, the time of day, and the location where the accident occurred.
If you hire us, we will obtain a police report as soon as possible. It is crucial that a police officer responds to the scene of the accident. Make sure you report the accident to the police. Police can provide you with a written report that details the circumstances surrounding your accident. Furthermore, police reports will include contact and insurance information for every person involved in the accident, which can further assist you with getting justice.
Contact your insurance company whenever possible. Even if you are not driving, it can be helpful to have your insurance company assist you in recovering following a crash. Insurance companies can help investigate the accident and that can be helpful to determine fault.
Finally, it is crucial that you seek the assistance of a competent and qualified legal team, such as the rideshare accident attorneys at Lombardi Law Firm in West Des Moines, Iowa. Our team can take the investigative work off your hands and help prove your case so you can recover. You can sleep while we lose sleep protecting your right to recover.
Our team will help you with an array of services following your crash, including:
- Gathering evidence from the scene of the accident.
- Working with experts who can recreate the accident to uncover critical details of your crash.
- Obtain police and medical reports to show what happened and how much medical care you require moving forward.
- Aggressively negotiate full and fair compensation on your behalf.
- Provide responsive and effective representation at trial.
- Taking photographs.
- Hiring a private investigator, if necessary.
If you have been injured in an Uber or a Lyft accident in Iowa, it is crucial that you reach out to our team as soon as possible. Waiting can have a damaging impact on your ability to recover after being harmed. Don’t wait. Contact our law firm today to see how we can help you.
Call or email us at 515-222-1110 or sdlombardi@aol.com.
Why Working with a Rideshare Accident Attorney is In Your Best Interest
When it comes to recovering from a rideshare accident, most victims are unfamiliar with what is required of them. The complex legal system makes it extremely challenging for victims to focus on protecting their legal rights while recovering. In many cases, victims find it truly beneficial to retain the legal assistance of a knowledgeable and responsive legal team.
Victims who are harmed in rideshare accidents are able to recover compensation to help alleviate the financial burdens related to the losses they endure. Some of the damages our team helps victims recover compensation for include:
- Medications
- Surgical procedures required for injuries sustained in the accident
- Emergency room visit costs
- Doctor appointment costs
- Rehabilitation services
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Lost wages
- Lost earnings from being forced out of work indefinitely
- Mental health therapy, whenever necessary
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of limbs or the loss of limb functions
- Loss of enjoyment
- Loss of consortium
- Reduced earning capacity
- Permanent disability
- Brain damage
- Broken back and spinal surgery
- Quadriplegia or Paraplegia
The injuries you sustain in rideshare accidents can be life-changing. Many victims are left with painful injuries that impact nearly every part of their lives. For this reason, it is crucial that you reach out to a personal injury attorney in Iowa who is skilled and aggressive in helping you protect your legal rights and best interests. Contact our law firm today to get started.
Lombardi Law Firm Can Help You Recover
Being involved in a rideshare accident can be life-changing. Regrettably, Uber and Lyft accidents are responsible for hundreds of injury accidents each year across our state. Victims are often left with painful injuries that require extensive treatment. Not only do victims suffer directly from these accidents, but their families are often left to bear towering financial burdens and emotional consequences as well.
There are far too many incidents caused by drivers who are distracted, impaired, or engaging in other negligent actions. If you have been injured in a rideshare accident as a result of another driver’s actions, it is crucial that you reach out to an Uber/Lyft accident attorney in Iowa as soon as possible. You may have legal options available to hold wrongdoers accountable for their actions and recover.
For decades, the personal injury attorneys in West Des Moines at Lombardi Law Firm have fought aggressively to protect the best interests and legal rights of victims in West Des Moines and throughout Iowa who have been injured in motorcycle crashes. Our team is committed to helping our clients get the maximum amount of compensation available to cover their damages and help them move forward.
Our team has helped our clients recover millions of dollars for victims who have been injured in Uber or Lyft accidents. We are committed to helping you get the justice and compensation you need and deserve following your accident so you can reach your goals moving forward. Contact our law firm today at (515) 222-1110 or email Steve at sdlombardi@aol.com to schedule a free case evaluation with our team to discuss the legal options available for you. Call us immediately.