Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become increasingly popular across Wyoming since 2017 when the Wyoming legislature changed local laws and began allowing these “transportation network companies” to operate in the state. Lyft and Uber can provide a convenient option for Cheyenne residents and visitors alike who don’t have a car, need a ride to the airport, or just want to spend a night on the town.
Unfortunately, not every rideshare experience is positive. Too often, Uber and Lyft rides leave passengers, drivers, pedestrians, and other people on the road with devastating or deadly injuries. If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Cheyenne, Olson Law Firm, LLC is here to fight for your rights.
Our skilled Cheyenne rideshare accident lawyers have a depth of experience helping clients just like you get the results that matter. We understand how frustrating and frightening it is when you’re injured through no fault of your own. Our trusted and compassionate attorneys are ready to listen to your personal story, answer all your questions about your case, and stand by your side throughout the entire process.
With Olson Law Firm, LLC, you can trust that we’ll do all we can to help you seek the maximum compensation you’re owed. You won’t even have to pay us unless and until we secure compensation for you. Check out testimonials from some of our past clients and you’ll see that we’re not only dedicated to providing the legal skills you need for your case, but we’re also committed to providing you with outstanding customer service.
Don’t wait to get on the road to recovery after a Lyft or Uber wreck. To get started, contact the Cheyenne rideshare accident lawyers at Olson Law Firm, LLC right away. Contact us today by phone or online to schedule your free case evaluation.
Who Could Be Responsible for a Lyft or Uber Accident?
It’s often challenging for victims of Lyft and Uber accidents to figure out their rights after a collision because laws regarding rideshare collisions are complex.
One of the main reasons that these cases are so complicated is that multiple different individuals, companies, or other parties might hold some responsibility for the accident. Liability and insurance coverage depends heavily on what the rideshare driver was doing at the time of the crash.
Uber and Lyft have tried to limit their liability by putting in place multiple rules that outline when they claim they have responsibility for accidents. Although some states have enacted laws that hold rideshare companies to a higher level of responsibility than the companies’ own conditions, Wyoming law does not specifically require these companies to consider their drivers as employees or provide insurance coverage for them.
Some examples of parties that might be liable in an Uber or Lyft accident and the circumstances that are unique to these crashes include:
- Rideshare driver causes a wreck while they are transporting a customer. In this circumstance, the rideshare company might bear responsibility, as well as the Uber or Lyft driver as an individual.
- Another driver causes a crash while Uber or Lyft is transporting a customer. While the driver who caused the accident is likely responsible, Uber or Lyft and the rideshare driver might have insurance coverage that could apply, especially if the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured.
- Rideshare driver causes a wreck while they are on the way to pick up a customer. Both the rideshare driver and their employer might hold responsibility for the crash.
- Another driver causes a collision while Uber or Lyft is on the way to pick up a customer. In addition to the at-fault driver holding responsibility, the rideshare company and the rideshare driver might have insurance coverage that could apply.
- Lyft or Uber driver is in an accident while they’re logged into the app and waiting for a call. The rideshare company might hold liability, as well as whichever driver caused the crash. Company policies for both Uber and Lyft say their companies provide insurance coverage for rideshare drivers while they are waiting for a ride request, although this coverage is much lower than it is after the driver accepts a ride request.
- Rideshare driver is in a wreck while they are “off the clock” and logged out of the app. Under Wyoming law, rideshare drivers are generally considered as independent contractors instead of employees, which typically means companies like Lyft and Uber hold no responsibility for accidents that occur when drivers aren’t logged in.
No matter whether the driver was on or off the clock, some other parties might also hold some responsibility in the accident, such as the vehicle’s manufacturer if a defect contributed to the crash or a government entity if a road hazard caused the wreck. An experienced rideshare accident lawyer can help determine which parties might be liable in your particular accident.
Compensation After Lyft or Uber Accident
The specific amount of money that victims or their families can get after an Uber or Lyft accident depends heavily on the severity of their injuries, as well as the circumstances of the crash, who is liable, and whether the driver was on or off duty at the time of the collision.
In general, the types of compensation available in rideshare accidents may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Repairs or replacement of damaged property
- Outstanding medical bills, including hospitalization, ambulance or medivac transportation, surgeries, medical exams and tests, prescriptions, and other treatments
- Wages lost while recovering from the crash
- Lost ability to participate in hobbies, sports, and other enjoyable activities
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Lost ability to work at all or to earn as much income as before the wreck
- Future medical expenses like rehabilitation, specialist visits, therapies, and specialized medical equipment and devices
- Disability accommodations for your home and vehicle
Additionally, if someone is killed in a rideshare accident, then their surviving family members might be entitled to compensation to help cover some of the damages of their loss, such as:
- Loss of the deceased’s income and financial support
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost companionship, consortium, or parental support
- Loss of the deceased’s contributions to household tasks, such as yard work, caregiving, or cleaning
How a Cheyenne Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney Can Help
Uber and Lyft accidents can seem overwhelming for victims who try to deal with their claims on their own. However, our skilled Cheyenne rideshare accident attorneys can relieve this burden by handling all the details of your case for you, so you can focus on recovery.
Some ways we can help include:
- Gathering evidence
- Preparing your claims
- Negotiating on your behalf with insurance companies to seek maximum compensation
- Fighting for you in court if necessary
What Should I Do If I Am in a Lyft or Uber Accident?
The first priority after a rideshare crash is your health. If you didn’t get medical attention at the time of the accident, have a physician evaluate your injuries as soon as possible.
Be sure to get contact and insurance information from everyone involved in the crash, including the rideshare driver. If you were a rideshare customer at the time of the crash, you can report the crash to the rideshare company by using the app. Be sure to limit the information you provide to the very basics.
If you are able, take photos of the accident scene, including pictures of all the vehicles and their license plates. Be sure to capture images of anything that could have contributed to the crash.
It’s also critical to contact our rideshare collision lawyers, who can help protect your rights and give you the support you need in this difficult time.
What Are the Requirements to be a Driver for Uber or Lyft?
According to Wyoming state law, rideshare drivers must have a valid driver’s license, plus they must register their vehicle and provide proof of insurance coverage for the vehicle that they use to provide rideshare services.
In addition, rideshare services run checks on the driver’s criminal background, registration as a sex offender, and their driving history.
Lyft also requires that drivers are at least 25 years of age and have a smartphone that can run the Lyft driver app. Uber requires drivers to be at least 21 years of age and have at least one year of driving experience in the United States (or at least three years if the driver is under 23).
Additionally, under Wyoming law, either Uber, Lyft, or the rideshare drivers themselves must carry liability insurance to cover:
- Accidents that happen when the rideshare driver is available for rides but hasn’t yet picked up a customer. Insurance must cover collisions with uninsured motorists, as well as at least $50,000 per person for death or injury, $100,000 for death or injury per incident, and $25,000 for property damage.
- Wrecks that occur while the Uber or Lyft driver has a customer in the car. Insurance must cover collisions with uninsured motorists, as well as at least $1 million for death, injury, or property damage.
Talk to a Lyft and Uber Accident Lawyer in Cheyenne Now
If you were injured and are struggling physically and financially after a rideshare accident in Cheyenne, contact Olson Law Firm, LLC right away. Our Lyft and Uber accident attorneys are prepared to help you fight for your rights and the full compensation you deserve.
To get started, contact us today by phone or online and set up your free consultation.