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North Dakota Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer
Helping those injured in rideshare accidents get justice
Ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber are disrupting the transportation industry. Their app-based business models, with their convenience and lower prices, are giving the taxi and limo industries a run for their money. We now have a choice on how we travel from place to place; we can choose from different services, different cars, and compare prices. We can keep track of our driver's location, know who is coming to pick us up, and have the ability to check their rating on the app before committing to a ride.
Unlike cab or limo companies, however, ride-share companies operate on a different business model. And this can make decisions about liability after a car accident more difficult. If you are involved in an Uber, Lyft, or other ride-share accident as a passenger, you need to know your rights. Who is responsible for your injuries? Your medical bills? If you have to take time off work to recover, who will reimburse you for lost wages? It's critical to have an experienced and tenacious legal team on your side. The North Dakota injury attorneys at Larson Law are standing by to fight for the compensation you deserve.
How can we help?
- How do ridesharing services work?
- How do Uber and Lyft accidents happen?
- Who are the common victims of Uber and Lyft accidents?
- What are employees versus independent contractors?
- Who is liable in an Uber or Lyft accident in North Dakota?
- What if another driver caused the crash?
- What is the value of my North Dakota rideshare accident?
- How can your North Dakota rideshare accident lawyers help with my case?
- What are the time limits for filing a claim in North Dakota?
- Do you have a North Dakota Uber & Lyft accident lawyer near me?
Free Case Evaluation
Call 701-484-4878 now or fill out the form above to receive a free confidential consultation.
How do ridesharing services work?
With traditional services like taxis and limos, you work directly with the company to secure your ride, and the driver is an employee of that company.
However, an Uber or a Lyft-type company offers “drivers-for-hire,” and contracts with freelance drivers who use their personal vehicles to pick up and transport passengers. Even though Uber and Lyft are currently the major players here in North Dakota, more companies are fighting to enter the market all the time. However, all rideshare applications so far have the same basic components:
- A smartphone app that allows the passenger to request a ride and set their pickup and drop-off locations
- A GPS that allows the driver to navigate, and the app to track the route and calculate the correct fare
- A two-way feedback platform where both the driver and passenger can rate each other, so future drivers and passengers can make informed choices
How do Uber and Lyft accidents happen?
Rideshare accidents can happen just like any other crash. Some common causes include:
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Distracted driving (including using the app while behind the wheel)
- Driving under the influence
- Fatigue from long hours on the road
- Poor weather or road conditions
- Failure to yield or obey traffic laws
In some cases, the Uber or Lyft driver is at fault. In others, another driver may be responsible. Determining liability is one of the most important parts of your case—and one of the most complicated.
Who are the common victims of Uber and Lyft accidents?
Uber and Lyft crashes can involve:
- Passengers in the rideshare vehicle
- Rideshare drivers
- Occupants of other vehicles
- Pedestrians or bicyclists
Regardless of who you are, if you were injured in a rideshare accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation. That’s where we come in.
What are employees versus independent contractors?
Because rideshare companies view themselves as middlemen, they see their drivers as contractors rather than employees. The difference between an employee and a contractor mostly has to do with the amount of control the company has over the worker, whether or not the worker sets their own schedule, or how the worker is paid (salary or contract work). These may seem like small distinctions, but in the world of personal injury lawsuits, it can make a huge difference.
Who is liable in an Uber or Lyft accident in North Dakota?
If you're in an accident as a passenger in a ride share, who is liable for your injuries? There are multiple potential answers, depending on your particular situation:
- The driver of the rideshare vehicle
- The rideshare company
- The insurance company
- The driver of the other vehicle, in cases of two-vehicle collisions
In the majority of cases, the passenger is unable to sue the company. This is because, as discussed earlier, rideshare workers are thought of as independent contractors instead of employees. It is extremely difficult to hold a rideshare company responsible for an accident caused by a non-employee driving their personal vehicle.
Companies like Uber and Lyft do have $1 million liability policies in place in case of accidents. Their insurance policies work as follows:
- $0 when the driver is not logged into the app
- $50,000/$100,000 bodily injury and $25,000 property damage when the driver is logged in but has not accepted a ride request
- $1,000,000 when the driver is logged in and has accepted a ride request
In order to keep yourself 100% protected, only accept rides from the driver you requested via the app, and make sure they officially accepted your ride request. Otherwise, the driver may not be liable in the event of an accident.
Even with their insurance policies in place, both the driving companies and the insurance companies lose money when you try to make a claim. They might attempt to get out of paying by having you sign an agreement that limits your settlement or prohibits you from taking further legal action, or by trying to prove that your injuries aren't as severe as you say they are. In cases like these, it's always important to talk to an attorney before signing anything or making any verbal agreements. Even $1 million may not be enough to cover lifetime medical expenses when you suffer a catastrophic injury, like a spinal cord or traumatic brain injury. If your health care costs exceed that liability limit, you need a legal team on your side to help make up the difference.
What if another driver caused the crash?
If another driver, not the rideshare driver, caused the accident, then that driver’s insurance is the primary source of compensation. However, if the at-fault driver is uninsured or doesn’t have enough coverage, Uber and Lyft also provide uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This is valid only when a passenger is in the vehicle or the driver is en route to a pickup.
This makes it possible for injured victims to still receive compensation, even when the at-fault driver can’t pay.
What is the value of my North Dakota rideshare accident?
If you’ve been hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
The exact amount you may recover depends on the severity of your injuries, their impact on your life, and any available insurance coverage.
How can your North Dakota rideshare accident lawyers help with my case?
At Larson Law Injury & Accident Lawyers, we know North Dakota law, and we know how to stand up against big companies like Uber and Lyft. Our team has helped countless injury victims get the financial support they need after a serious accident. Here’s what we can do for you:
- We investigate the crash thoroughly, gathering police reports, video footage, witness statements, app records, and more to build a clear picture of what happened.
- From rideshare company insurance to third-party drivers and even product liability in some cases (like a defective car part), we pursue every angle to maximize your recovery.
- You won’t need to deal with pushy insurance adjusters. We take care of negotiations and protect your rights from start to finish.
- We work closely with medical providers to document the full impact of your injuries and ensure your future care needs are accounted for in any settlement or court case.
If the insurance companies don’t offer what you deserve, we’re fully prepared to take your case to trial.
What are the time limits for filing a claim in North Dakota?
North Dakota has a statute of limitations that limits how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. In most cases, you have six years from the date of the accident. However, it’s important to act quickly. Evidence can disappear, memories can fade, and insurance companies often move fast to settle for less than your case is worth.
Do you have a North Dakota Uber & Lyft accident lawyer near me?
At Larson Law, our personal injury lawyers meet clients at our office locations in Minot, Bismarck, and Fargo. We can also make arrangements for video or phone consultations for clients who are too ill or injured to come to our offices.
Our North Dakota lawyers protect your rights against reckless rideshare drivers
Count on the skilled legal team of Larson Law for experienced representation when you've been injured in an Uber or Lyft car accident. We want to help you get the compensation you're entitled to. Schedule a free initial consultation via our contact form or give us a call. From our office in Minot, we proudly represent clients throughout Ward, Williams, McKenzie, Pierce, and Mountrail Counties. Call us today to learn how our car accident lawyers can help you.