Arizona Rideshare Lawyers

Did you suffer an injury in a rideshare accident in Uber or Lyft? If so, where can you turn for help? Lyft and Uber have large million-dollar umbrella policies for injured accident victims. However, collecting from these policies isn’t easy. 

Because insurance rules for rideshare vehicles can be extremely complex, having an experienced Arizona rideshare lawyer from Ciccarelli Law Offices by your side can truly make a difference in the outcome of your claim. Call us today to explore your options and learn more about your rights. 

Arizona Rideshare Accident Overview

The popularity of ridesharing has exploded over the past few years as Uber, Lyft, and others have quickly eclipsed cab companies to get people to their destinations. Ridesharing allows us to avoid the stress associated with traffic, parking, or the responsibility of driving home after enjoying drinks with friends. Unfortunately, with more drivers and vehicles operating for Lyft and Uber, opportunities for accidents involving these vehicles and drivers has also increased. 

According to Uber’s Safety Report, Uber vehicles in 2018 were involved in fatal motor vehicle accidents at 0.57 per million vehicle miles traveled. Compare this to the overall national rate of 1.13 per million vehicle miles fatal motor vehicle accidents. Lyft reports a little differently in its safety report, showing that “safety incidents” occurred on 0.0002 percent of rides, with more than 99 percent of all rides having no safety issues.

Why Choose the Arizona Rideshare Accident Lawyers from Ciccarelli Law Offices?

If you are involved in a rideshare accident, you may be unsure what you need to do because the laws related to rideshare accidents are complex. You may find yourself dealing with serious injuries and unable to return to work following your rideshare accident. Having an experienced Arizona rideshare lawyer from Ciccarelli Law Offices can help. We will work hard to get you maximum compensation after a rideshare accident. 

You want an attorney who is not afraid to go to bat for you and has significant experience dealing with rideshare accident claims. At Ciccarelli Law Offices, our experienced attorneys know how to deal with Arizona rideshare accident issues. We have the utmost compassion for your current situation. At Ciccarelli Law Offices, we understand that you have many choices when considering a rideshare accident lawyer. 

We hope you will give Ciccarelli Law Offices a chance to show you what we can do for you and how we will fight for you. We offer a free initial consultation and accept personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis. In other words, you will pay nothing unless we secure a settlement on your behalf. Ciccarelli Law Offices have hundreds of five-star reviews from satisfied clients. Attorney Lee Ciccarelli has been recognized as:

• Super Lawyer 
• Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association
• Having the highest rating (10.0) by AVVO 
• One of the Top 100 Litigation Attorneys by the American Society of Legal Advocates.

If you want a lawyer who truly cares about your future, contact Ciccarelli Law Offices today for assistance with your Arizona rideshare accident.  

What Compensation is Available Following an Arizona Rideshare Accident?

As with any auto accident, you may be entitled to the following compensation for your damages:

• Medical expenses, including ambulance and ER costs, physician expenses, surgery costs, the cost of prescription drugs, and rehabilitative therapies expenses. 
• Lost wages suffered immediately after the accidents, including any future lost wages. Your attorney will calculate lost wages by considering your education, current job, and the likelihood of future career advancements. 
• Pain and suffering, including actual physical pain and emotional pain and trauma that could include anxiety, depression, and PTSD. 

Insurance Issues Related to Rideshare Accidents in Arizona 

All Uber and Lyft drivers must carry private insurance plans that comply with Arizona’s minimum required insurance amounts of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident, and $15,000 in property damage liability. Suppose the driver of an Uber or Lyft is at fault in an auto collision. In that case, this insurance will be the primary source of recovery for injured passengers, as well as injured victims in the other vehicle. Uber and Lyft carry insurance policies with $1 million maximum. 

This policy provides coverage when the rideshare driver logs into the app and becomes available for ride requests. Depending on the phase of the ride, different coverage maximums will apply. When drivers have logged on but not yet accepted a ride, the coverage is 50/100/25, but when the driver is carrying a passenger, the maximum is $1 million. 

To determine whose insurance company will be liable for your injuries and damages following an Uber or Lyft accident, contact an experienced lawyer. Your Arizona personal injury attorney will determine which phase of the ride you were in when the accident occurred. One party may owe you compensation, or multiple parties may owe you compensation; however, maximum financial recovery depends on filing with the correct company or companies. 

What Are the Most Common Injuries Associated with Rideshare Accidents?

If you are in an Uber or Lyft accident, your injuries are similar to those sustained from an auto accident. The only difference could be that you are in the second seat rather than being in the driver’s seat or the front passenger seat. Being in the second seat could have bearing on your accident if the rideshare vehicle is hit on either side because your injuries could be much more severe if you were sitting on impact side. If the rideshare vehicle was hit from the front or back, you may be more protected but could still sustain serious injuries. 

You might have the following injuries following a rideshare accident:

• Soft tissue injuries, including whiplash, are among the most common injuries sustained in any car accident, including a rideshare accident. Upon impact, the necks of those inside the vehicle may snap forward, then backward in a violent motion, causing soft tissue injury, known as whiplash. An auto accident causes the body to move in unnatural ways, which can strain or tear your tendons, ligaments, or muscles. These injuries often worsen following your accident and may require physical therapy or even surgery. While whiplash injuries usually improve over time, in some cases, long-term effects can include chronic headaches and pain, ongoing bouts of dizziness, ringing in the ears, jaw pain, numbness, or weakness in the hands, arms, or legs, and blurry vision. 
• Head injuries, including concussions as well as traumatic brain injury. “Minor” concussions can nonetheless have long-term effects. Traumatic brain injuries can damage brain tissue that can cause permanent cognitive, physical, or behavioral impairments. 
• Back and neck injuries are common following a car accident that places incredible stress on the human body. Back injuries, like whiplash injuries, can impact your life, keeping you from working or enjoying your normal day-to-day activities.  
• Spinal cord injuries and herniated discs can cause debilitating, even permanent, issues, including paralysis. A complete spinal cord injury can eliminate all movement and sensory abilities below the injury and the loss of organ function. The healthcare costs for a serious spinal cord injury can be millions of dollars, meaning full compensation for the injuries is imperative. 
• Fractures and broken bones are common injuries following a rideshare accident. All fractures require medical attention and can take weeks or months to heal. Fractures can be more serious, requiring hardware placed by a surgeon. Fractures that heal incorrectly can lead to lasting pain and mobility issues. 
• Scarring and resulting disfigurement can occur following a rideshare accident where broken glass is embedded into the face, neck, or arms. 
• Internal injuries are also very common following an auto accident. The most dangerous part of internal injuries is that they can go unnoticed until they become dangerous, even deadly. 

What Are the Most Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents?

The Uber or Lyft driver could have been distracted while driving. Perhaps they were looking at their phone or attempting to adjust the GPS on their phone. A rideshare driver and their customers may become engaged in conversation. This can also become a distraction for the driver. Any of these distractions can result in an accident. 

Since many rideshare drivers may be working as a driver for their second job, the driver could potentially be overly fatigued while driving, and that fatigue could have caused an accident. Either the rideshare driver or the other driver involved in the accident could have been distracted, impaired, fatigued, or driving recklessly or carelessly. The rideshare driver may not be familiar with the route they are traveling when transporting a customer, increasing the chance of “unsettled” driving and causing an accident. 

Speeding is also an issue in rideshare accidents, as with any other automobile accident. A rideshare driver may be attempting to get the passengers to their destination quickly to increase turnaround and pick up another rider. In some instances, Uber and Lyft vehicles may have vehicle maintenance issues that can cause an accident. 

What Should You Do Immediately After an Arizona Rideshare Accident?

As with any auto accident, your priority following a rideshare accident is to ensure everyone obtains medical attention. If you are medically able following your rideshare accident, take photographs at the scene and obtain contact information from any witnesses. After you have notified your own insurance company of the accident, your best course of action is to hire an Arizona rideshare accident lawyer from Ciccarelli Law Offices to ensure your rights are protected. 

Call Our Arizona Rideshare Accident Lawyers Today

If you or someone you love suffered an injury in a rideshare accident in Phoenix, Chandler, Tempe, or anywhere in Arizona, it is crucial to act quickly. You need a law firm on your side that understands the complexities of Uber and Lyft accidents. You need Ciccarelli Law Offices. 

At Ciccarelli Law Offices, our Arizona rideshare accident attorneys have the experience and resources you need, and we can handle these complex cases from the start. Let Attorneys Lee Ciccarelli and his team help you through this challenging time in your life. Call us today to begin fighting for justice.