There are several different types of hired vehicles in Memphis, such as Uber, Lyft, taxi, public transportation, and ridesharing vans. With the growing number of rideshare vehicles on the road, the frequency that these vehicles will be involved in a wreck will increase as well.
Although you were not driving when the accident took place, you may still have been hurt in the crash. This may entitle you to a recovery for your injuries and property damages resulting from the accident. However, rideshare insurance policies can be confusing, as they operate differently than personal coverage.
If you would like to seek recovery for your damages in a Memphis uber/taxi accident, David E. Gordon is an experienced accident attorney who is familiar with common carrier insurance policies. He can help you understand the laws and navigate any obstacles getting in the way of your recovery.
Common Carrier Laws
Common carriers include any commercial vehicle that transports people for a fee. In the area, the laws for common carriers are going to apply to Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) city buses in a majority of cases.
The rules governing common carriers, whether they are airport shuttles, taxis, Uber, Lyft, are essentially the same as the rules governing all other drivers on the road. As an accident lawyer could further explain, the law in Memphis requires that Uber, Lyft, and taxi drivers exercise the highest degree of care consistent with human knowledge and experience. This is a slightly higher duty of care than applies to an ordinary driver, but the same rules of the road apply to them as to all other drivers. They get no greater or less protection if they exhibit negligent conduct.
Insurance Policies in Memphis Uber and Taxi Claims
When someone is the victim of an accident with one of these common carriers, they are going to get the benefit of being covered by a commercial insurance policy. Drivers who are not transporting others as part of their business have personal liability policies, but common carriers who are transporting others as part of a business operation, are required to carry commercial policies.
Companies like Uber, Lyft, and MATA have large insurance coverage that is almost always greater than personal liability policies. Even though an Uber or Lyft driver is in his or her personal vehicle, a commercial policy of $1,000,000 should apply.
Recovering Damages
The strategy for recovering damages caused by an Uber or taxi driver is very similar to seeking restitution for losses involving any other driver. It is important that a person first gets the medical treatment that they need and then calls a personal injury lawyer to talk about their rights as soon as possible.
The next step is to give notice to the insurance company with which Uber or Lyft or MATA carries a policy. The notice allows the insurance company to start a file on the incident so they can begin to set up what they call reserves. Reserves is the term applied to the money that these businesses set aside for an individual who will need compensation for the future. They are required by law to set up reserves once people notify them of injuries. David is a Memphis attorney familiar with accidents involving Uber, Lyft, and taxi drivers and and knows how to notify the insurance company correctly.
Seek Help From a Lawyer if You Have Been in Memphis Uber/Taxi Accident
If you have been injured in an accident caused by an Uber, Lyft, or taxi driver, or a Memphis Area Transit Authority bus operator, you could be entitled to compensation, so David E. Gordon hopes you will contact him to discuss your rights.
The job of an insurance adjuster is to give an injured person the smallest amount of money they will accept and close the case as fast as possible. That is why in almost every injury case, an injured person will do better with an experienced personal injury lawyer. When dealing with a Memphis Uber/taxi accident, a Board-Certified attorney can help you seek all of the compensation to which you are entitled. Call today for a free consultation.
