Mississippi Personal Injury Lawyers | Mama Justice – MW Law Firm

Jackson Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Missy Wigginton

Hello friends and family, I am Missy Wigginton, also known as Mama Justice. When meeting me, some people ask me how I got my name…. View Profile

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Rideshare Accident Lawyers in Jackson, Mississippi

If you have been injured in a rideshare accident as a result of a negligent driver, Mama Justice can help you. Contact our rideshare accident lawyers in Jackson to get started on your case.

Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have dramatically improved our ability to transport across Jackson and throughout the state of Mississippi. These services provide our residents with easy, reliable, and affordable transportation at the click of an app. Although rideshare companies have brought numerous benefits to people, they come with some complications as well. This is especially true in cases where motor vehicle collisions occur.
Over the past decade, we have seen a drastic increase in the number of rideshare accidents that take place across the nation. These accidents often involve several insurance companies, all of which deny liability and make it difficult for victims to recover the compensation they need for their injuries and damages.
If you have been injured in an Uber or a Lyft accident, you must seek the assistance of a Jackson rideshare accident lawyer as soon as possible. These cases are far more complex than standard auto accidents, which makes it incredibly important to have a seasoned law firm by your side throughout the entire legal process.
Mama Justice is committed to helping each client we work with get the justice they deserve. Our personal injury lawyers in Jackson will help guide you throughout the entire legal process so you are always aware of what is going on and what to expect along the way. We will educate you with regard to your rights, responsibilities, and what to expect.

What is Ridesharing?

Ridesharing services operate in a manner similar to a taxicab company. However, there are a variety of factors that set ridesharing apart. To begin, people who operate rideshare vehicles do so as independent contractors. The drivers who provide services to riders are not direct employees of rideshare companies. Instead, they are considered to be self-employed. The most popular rideshare companies we see in Jackson are Lyft and Uber.
When people want to request a ride from Uber or Lyft, they use an app on their mobile phone to request a driver. They can select the size of vehicle they need depending on the number of people traveling.
In 2016, Mississippi began regulating rideshare services and requiring companies to pay a yearly licensing fee. They also require that drivers maintain adequate car insurance that covers both themselves and their passengers.

Requirements for Rideshare Drivers

Both Uber and Lyft have specific criteria surrounding who can drive for their company. In order to drive for either company, drivers are required to:
  • Have a valid driver’s license.
  • Have at least one year of experience driving as a licensed motorist (Uber requires drivers who are under the age of 23-years-old to have at least three years of experience).
  • Meet the minimum age requirements (Lyft drivers must be 21-years of age).
  • Provide proof of insurance for the vehicle that will be used.
  • Provide a copy of the vehicle registration.
  • Have a valid inspection of the vehicle at all times.
  • Pass a driving history background check.
  • Pass a safety screening.
In addition to the specified criteria, drivers must also have a four-door vehicle that is in good condition. The vehicle must be less than 10 to 15 years old. However, certain areas may implement additional requirements for drivers.

Contact Mama Justice – MW Law Firm online or by phone at (888) 484-1476 today for a free and confidential consultation.

Who is Responsible for Your Injuries?

Motor vehicle insurance laws are incredibly complex to begin with. When it comes to rideshare accidents, it becomes even more challenging to sift through the regulations and guidelines.
If you have been harmed in a rideshare accident, there are several insurance companies that take part in the recovery process. These include the ridesharing company’s insurance policy, the rideshare driver’s private insurance, and the insurance companies of all other drivers involved. The person responsible for your injuries and damages will be determined by who is at fault for the accident.

If the driver of the rideshare vehicle caused the crash, their insurance company will cover the resulting damages you sustain. However, there are many instances where private insurance companies refuse payments to victims if the driver of the vehicle is working for profit. Drivers should have commercial insurance policies or personal auto insurance policies that specifically include a provision to cover ridesharing. It is important to know that rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft both carry third-party liability insurance. These policies cover up to $1 million to cover both personal and property damage resulting from an accident. As a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, you may be covered by this policy.

If a driver who is not operating the rideshare vehicle you are in causes the crash, you may be covered by the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

You may be able to recover compensation for your injuries and damages by pursuing legal action against the driver’s personal injury policy.

A skilled and seasoned rideshare accident lawyer in Jackson can review the circumstances surrounding your accident. Our lawyers at Mama Justice can help to determine who is at fault and pursue legal action against negligent parties to help you recover the compensation you need and deserve.

Insurance Coverage in Rideshare Accidents

If you have been harmed in a rideshare accident, the time at which your accident occurred will determine the amount of coverage available to you for your damages. Understanding the limits to each policy will provide you with a better idea of how much you are able to recover.

Uber Insurance Coverage

When the Uber app is up and running, and the Uber driver is waiting for a ride request, the driver is provided the following coverage:

  • Up to $50,000 injury liability per person
  • Up to $100,000 total liability per accident
  • Up to $25,000 property damage per crash

Once a rider has been accepted and the driver is en route, the policy limits change. Should an accident occur at this time, the limits from Uber are increased to up to $1 million in total liability coverage and up to $1 million total bodily injury coverage.

 

Lyft Insurance Coverage

There are several types of coverage that may apply to Lyft drivers. This includes:
  • Primary auto liability.
  • Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage up to $1 million per accident.
  • Contingent liability: Applies when the app is in driver mode and the Lyft driver is waiting for a request for a ride to come in.
  • Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage.
When the Lyft app is set to driver mode, but the driver has not yet received a request for a ride, the company will cover up to $50,000 per person and up to $100,000 per accident for bodily injury coverage. During this period, coverage for property damage is capped at $25,000 per accident. Once a Lyft driver accepts a ride, the $1 million coverage policy is in effect until the ride is completed. During this period, the $25,000 in property damage coverage is applicable as well.

Call us at (888) 484-1476 to discuss your situation during a free consultation. You may also contact us using our free online case evaluation form.

What to Do After a Rideshare Accident in Jackson

If you have been involved in a rideshare accident, there are various things you should do to ensure your health and wellbeing are protected. Furthermore, various actions can help you obtain the best position from a legal standpoint to get justice and hold negligent actors accountable. Some of the most important things you should do following an accident include:

Common Injuries from Rideshare Accidents

Like other types of collisions, rideshare accidents often end in serious injuries for those involved. We see numerous people in Jackson suffer catastrophic injuries in crashes caused by negligent drivers. Some of the most common injuries sustained by victims of Uber and Lyft crashes include:

  • Spinal cord injuries that lead to paralysis
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Broken bones/compound fractures
  • Cuts, scrapes, and abrasions
  • Head injuries
  • Neck and soft tissue injuries
  • Loss of limbs

There are also many instances where people end up passing away as a result of their injuries. Whether you were injured in a rideshare accident, or your loved one has lost their life as a result of a negligent driver, you deserve justice.

Let Mama Justice Help You

We understand that most victims feel incredibly overwhelmed after being involved in an accident. We recognize the challenges that victims face. At Mama Justice, we are committed to treating each client we work with like family. We work to help our clients achieve their legal goals and we are dedicated to empowering victims to take control of their situation at the same time.
We take pride in guiding our clients through the technicalities and helping them understand exactly where they are in terms of the legal process. We provide our clients with real insight as to what their expectations should be regarding the outcome of their personal injury case. Our Jackson personal injury lawyers will remain by your side every step of the way and advocate on your behalf.
If you have been hurt in an Uber or a Lyft accident, you must act quickly to protect your legal rights. The Jackson rideshare accident lawyers at Mama Justice are available to meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss your accident and to help you move forward and get justice. Our law firm offers free, no-obligation consultations in Jackson or any of our thirteen offices across Mississippi.

Contact our rideshare accident law firm today by calling (662) 262-6264.

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