Montgomery County Uber/Lyft Accident Lawyer

You can access a ride share service in almost every major city in the United States. Rideshare services are steadily becoming a staple form of transportation. Though they drive for work, drivers who take trips for Uber and Lyft are not immune to traffic accidents.

In the event of a collision, being a passenger or even a driver puts you in a difficult position. It may not be clear what you should do to resolve a car accident that occurs during a trip. A skilled Uber and Lyft accident lawyer like the ones available at Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C. may be able to guide you towards a favorable resolution.

Does the No-Fault Insurance Rule Apply to Uber and Lyft Accidents in Montgomery County?

Pennsylvania is one of many states that employ a no-fault car insurance system. Regardless of who caused the accident, the driver must use their own car insurance coverage to cover any damages incurred from the accident. As a car accident victim, you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver outside the no-fault system, but your injuries must reach a certain threshold defined by state law to pursue such a claim.

What Is Pennsylvania’s Choice No-Fault Insurance?

Pennsylvania’s No-Fault statute allows for automobile insurance companies to offer different forms of insurance.  Drivers can choose between Full and Limited Tort coverages. Pennsylvania Statutes Title 75 section 1705 compels insurance firms to advise customers of their options.

Insurance companies offer two options:

• Full tort coverage: Permits individuals covered under the policy to sue in court for full damages, including non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
• Limited tort coverage: Only allows for individuals to bring claims for non-economic damages when they experience a serious impairment of a bodily function in a car accident (such as permanent scarring or an injury requiring surgery). If a limited tort driver has a minor injury, they can only bring a claim for economic (out-of-pocket) damages.  

How Does Insurance Coverage Work for Uber and Lyft?

Uber and Lyft drivers operate their own vehicles, for which they are required to carry no-fault insurance. Typically, Uber or Lyft passengers who do not have no-fault coverage will have their medical expenses paid by the no-fault policy covering the rideshare vehicle. 

However, there are differences between how insurance coverage is handled when the driver is in driver mode without an accepted ride and when they have a passenger or are on their way to collect one. The use of driver mode and the presence of a rider complicate car accidents that involve Uber and Lyft further. Because of this, anyone injured in an Uber or Lyft accident should call an experienced Uber or Lyft accident lawyer to help them with their case as soon as they can. 

What Causes Uber and Lyft Accidents in Montgomery County?

Rideshare services relieve passengers of responsibilities like maneuvering through traffic, topping off on gas, and finding somewhere to park. Also, drivers may enjoy traversing cities as they move between drop-off locations and pick up passengers. However, Uber and Lyft have setbacks that add dangers that you may not experience when driving your car for your own purposes.

Accidents involving ridesharing services can occur in a variety of ways. When a rideshare driver is at fault, accidents frequently occur as a result of the following:

• Distracting app notifications
• An unskilled driver
• Mistakes when driving on unfamiliar roads
• Driver fatigue from taking too many trips without rest
• Disobeying traffic laws to make trips quicker

Uber and Lyft drivers often want to complete as many trips as possible to maximize their earnings. This goal has the unfortunate effect of incentivizing irresponsible drivers to engage in reckless behaviors like speeding, driving for extended periods, and constantly monitoring their app even while driving.

Pennsylvania’s Modified Comparative Negligence Law

If you can file a claim for your Uber and Lyft accident, you should know that bearing any fault in your accident could reduce the compensation you can recover from a successful suit. 

Most states employ modified comparative negligence to calculate how much compensation a plaintiff is entitled to in a personal injury case. This law is usually applied in one of two ways:

• The 50 percent rule: A person cannot collect damages if they are 50 percent or more responsible for an accident.
• The 51 percent rule: A person cannot collect damages if they are 51 percent or more responsible for an accident.

The state of Pennsylvania adheres to a 51 percent rule, so a plaintiff can only recover damages from the defendant if they are less than 51 percent to blame for the accident. However, their payout is still adjusted according to their percentage of fault.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Accidents in Montgomery County?

When you are involved in an accident, it is crucial to take action as soon as possible. Car accidents have a limited amount of time in which you can file a claim. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for car accidents is two years. 

Starting from the day of the accident, victims injured in a car accident must bring forth a lawsuit within two years. There is a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury accidents.

Get Legal Advice From an Experienced Montgomery County Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer

In many ways, Uber and Lyft have made traveling throughout major cities more convenient and safer. However, the intricacies of rideshare services’ contracting and insurance policies make Uber and Lyft accidents much more complex than regular car accidents. Accident victims may find it challenging to pursue damages alone due to the intricacies of rideshare accidents and Pennsylvania’s no-fault insurance system. 

Hiring an experienced Uber and Lyft accident lawyer from Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C. could make a huge difference in your ability to secure compensation. As our client, you can expect to receive quality counsel on how to resolve your rideshare accident. With more than 65 years of experience serving the residents of southern Pennsylvania, we may be able to help you recover damages and secure the compensation you deserve. Schedule your consultation today by calling (215) 822-7575 or submitting our contact form.