Legal Help for Ridesharing Accident Claims
Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have become increasingly popular in recent years, providing a convenient and affordable transportation option for people in Louisville and throughout Kentucky. However, accidents involving ridesharing vehicles can be complex and challenging to navigate from a legal perspective. If you’ve been injured in a ridesharing accident, whether as a passenger, driver, or third party, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. Attorney Brian Dettman and the team at Dettman Law are here to help.
Understanding Ridesharing Accidents
Ridesharing accidents can involve a variety of scenarios, including:
- Collisions between ridesharing vehicles and other cars, trucks, or motorcycles
- Accidents caused by negligent or distracted ridesharing drivers
- Crashes involving ridesharing vehicles and pedestrians or bicyclists
- Accidents that occur while a ridesharing driver is waiting for a passenger or driving to pick up a passenger
In any of these situations, determining liability and recovering compensation can be complicated by the unique insurance and legal issues involved in ridesharing cases.
Liability in Ridesharing Accident Cases
Liability in a ridesharing accident case will depend on factors such as:
- The status of the ridesharing driver at the time of the accident (i.e., whether they were actively transporting a passenger, waiting for a ride request, or offline)
- The insurance coverage held by the ridesharing company and the individual driver
- The specific circumstances of the accident and the parties involved
In general, if a ridesharing driver causes an accident while actively transporting a passenger, the ridesharing company’s insurance policy will likely provide primary coverage. However, if the driver is offline or waiting for a ride request, their personal insurance policy may come into play. An experienced ridesharing accident attorney can help you navigate these complex insurance issues and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Damages in Ridesharing Accident Claims
If you’ve been injured in a ridesharing accident, you may be entitled to compensation for damages such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Disability or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The value of your claim will depend on factors such as the severity of your injuries, the extent of your damages, and the strength of the evidence in your case. Attorney Brian Dettman and the team at Dettman Law will work tirelessly to help you recover the full and fair compensation you need to move forward after a ridesharing accident.
Common Factors That May Increase the Risk of Ridesharing Accidents
While ridesharing accidents can happen under a wide range of circumstances, some common factors that may increase the risk of these crashes include:
- Distracted driving, such as when a ridesharing driver is using the app or GPS while driving
- Fatigued driving, particularly during late-night or early-morning hours
- Speeding or aggressive driving in an attempt to complete more rides and earn more money
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance or unsafe vehicles
- Inexperienced or untrained drivers
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
If any of these factors contributed to your ridesharing accident, it may strengthen your case for liability and compensation.
Get Help from a Louisville Ridesharing Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a ridesharing accident in Kentucky, don’t hesitate to seek experienced legal representation. Attorney Brian Dettman and the team at Dettman Law are here to provide the personalized attention and aggressive advocacy you need during this challenging time. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t owe any fees unless we recover money for you.
Contact Dettman Law today at (502) 444-HURT to schedule your free consultation with a Louisville ridesharing accident attorney. We serve clients throughout Kentucky.
Ridesharing Accident Facts and Statistics
- Uber has reported more than 97 fatal crashes and 107 total fatalities in its safety report between 2017 and 2018. (Uber, https://www.uber.com/us/en/about/reports/us-safety-report/)
- There were over 36,000 auto deaths in the United States in 2019. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/2019-fatality-data-show-continued-regional-increases-impaired-driving-fatalities)
- Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death and injury in the United States, with over 6 million crashes occurring each year. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, https://www.nhtsa.gov/traffic-deaths-decreased-2018-still-36560-people-died)
- Studies suggest that the availability of ridesharing services may be associated with an increase in overall vehicle miles traveled and a decrease in public transit use. (American Journal of Epidemiology, https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/187/7/1539/4953714)
- Rideshare drivers have a higher risk of involvement in motor vehicle crashes. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022437524000069
What are some Kentucky-specific ride-sharing accident facts and statistics?
While there are limited statistics specifically focused on ridesharing accidents in Kentucky, there are some general facts and figures related to traffic accidents in the state that may be relevant to ridesharing cases:
- In 2019, there were 732 traffic fatalities in Kentucky, marking a 0.4% increase from 2018. (Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, https://transportation.ky.gov/HighwaySafety/Pages/DailyFatalitySummary.aspx)
- Kentucky’s fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled was 1.48 in 2019, which is higher than the national average of 1.10. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/state-by-state)
- In 2019, there were 158,168 total collisions reported in Kentucky, resulting in 33,914 injuries. (Kentucky State Police, https://kentuckystatepolice.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2019-KY-Traffic-Collision-Facts.pdf)
- Jefferson County, which includes Louisville, had the highest number of traffic collisions in Kentucky in 2019, with 32,095 reported crashes. (Kentucky State Police, https://kentuckystatepolice.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2019-KY-Traffic-Collision-Facts.pdf)
- Alcohol-related crashes accounted for 2,898 collisions in Kentucky in 2019, resulting in 138 fatalities and 1,744 injuries. (Kentucky State Police, https://kentuckystatepolice.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2019-KY-Traffic-Collision-Facts.pdf)
While these statistics do not specifically address ridesharing accidents, they provide context for the overall traffic safety situation in Kentucky. As ridesharing services continue to grow in popularity throughout the state, it is likely that accidents involving these vehicles will also become more common. If you are involved in a ridesharing accident in Kentucky, it is essential to consult with an experienced attorney; like Brian Dettman, who can help you navigate the unique legal and insurance issues that may arise in these cases.
Legal Disclaimer:
The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The facts, statistics, and legal information presented are believed to be accurate but are not guaranteed. Laws and regulations can change over time and may vary by jurisdiction.
This website is an advertisement for legal services provided by Dettman Law. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. No attorney-client relationship is formed by accessing or using this website or by submitting a contact form.
Attorney Brian Dettman is licensed to practice law in Kentucky. This website is not intended to solicit clients for matters outside of Kentucky.
The outcome of any ridesharing accident case depends on the specific facts and legal circumstances of that case. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in future cases. Testimonials or endorsements do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.
Please contact Dettman Law at (502) 444-HURT for additional information or to discuss your ridesharing accident case.