Memphis
Rideshare Accident
Lawyer

Rideshare services have become an extremely popular way to get around the Memphis area. While rideshares may seem like a convenient and safe way to get around the city, rideshare drivers can cause accidents just like anyone else.

Fortunately, when rideshare drivers cause accidents, victims can often recover compensation under Tennessee law. This is true for anyone hurt by a rideshare driver, including rideshare passengers, motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, or others. 

If you have suffered injuries in an accident caused by a rideshare driver, it is in your best interest to contact one of the Memphis rideshare accident attorneys at TopDog Law as soon as you can.

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Table of Contents

Why Choose TopDog Law

You should get legal representation after a rideshare accident in Memphis. The insurance process is convoluted, and various parties may be involved. The rideshare companies have an interest in saving money, as do their insurers. They may even employ attorneys to fight against claims.

Hire a Memphis personal injury lawyer to fight these companies for you. TopDog Law has the resources and experience to help injury victims and knows how to get victims the compensation they deserve.

Memphis is a densely populated metropolitan area, and there is often a higher amount of rideshares operating in this area. This simple fact can lead to more accidents. While rideshare companies have insurance, you may find it challenging to get the recovery you need.

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Car damaged after accident

There are several ways we can support you:

  • Investigating the cause of the accident 
  • Gather evidence to prove liability 
  • Negotiating with the insurance company
  • Evaluating your losses 
  • Following up on your medical treatment so you can heal 

Transportation Network Company Service Act 

Every state has adopted different regulations for ridesharing services. Tennessee codified the Transportation Network Company Services Act (TNCSA) to establish some protections for consumers.

This legislation addresses the insurance requirements for all rideshare services. 

  • A driver must carry $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident when logged on without a passenger.
  • Drivers not logged into the app don’t need elevated insurance. 
  • Uber or Lyft must provide a one million dollar coverage option when accepting a ride or having a passenger. 

Other intricacies may apply to your case under the TNCSA. A Memphis rideshare accident lawyer is knowledgeable about these and other laws that can apply to your insurance claim.

Who is Liable for Rideshare Accidents?

One of the things that makes rideshare accidents more complicated than accidents involving two non-rideshare drivers is the fact that more parties can be involved. This fact can make determining liability more difficult.

In general, rideshare companies have attempted to avoid liability for their driver’s actions by classifying them as independent contractors. That said, rideshare companies carry insurance that covers their drivers in certain situations.

Here is a breakdown of how liability in accidents caused by rideshare drivers usually works:

  • If a rideshare driver does not have the app on and is not engaging in any of the job functions of a rideshare driver, victims will typically file a claim against the driver’s individual insurance policy.
  • If the rideshare driver has the app on and is waiting for a ride, is on their way to pick up a passenger, or is in the process of providing a ride, the rideshare company’s insurance provides coverage.

Importantly, the amounts of coverage provided can be different for different circumstances.

For example, under Uber’s policy, if a driver’s app is on and the driver is available, they provide $50,000 in supplemental coverage if the driver’s insurance does not apply. If the driver is en route to pick up a passenger or provide a ride, they provide $1,000,000 in primary coverage.

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Where Rideshare Accidents Happen in Memphis

You can get rideshare services nearly anywhere, but they are more prevalent in urban or city centers. Memphis, a major city in the state, is a hotbed for these accidents.

Some dangerous areas where these accidents occur include:

  • Sycamore View Road and Summer Avenue
  • Millbranch Road and East Shelby Drive
  • Airways Boulevard and Ketchum Road 
  • Knight Arnold Road and South Perkins Road 

What Causes Rideshare Accidents?

Rideshare accidents can result from a combination of factors, some common to all types of accidents, and others specific to the nature of rideshare services.

Some of the more common causes of rideshare accidents that typically entitle victims to compensation include:

  • Distracted Driving: Like any other motorists, rideshare drivers can become distracted by their phones, GPS devices, or other factors, increasing the risk of accidents. Phone usage, in particular, poses a significant distraction, as rideshare drivers often rely on their smartphones for navigation and communication while on the road.
  • Speeding and Reckless Driving: Rideshare drivers may feel pressured to reach their destinations quickly, leading to speeding and reckless maneuvers.
  • Fatigue: Long hours on the road can lead to driver fatigue, impairing reaction times and judgment.
  • Traffic Violations: Violations such as running red lights or failing to yield the right of way can result in accidents.

The use of smartphones for navigation and communication is a specific challenge for rideshare drivers. The gig nature of the job may also lead some drivers to work long hours, increasing the likelihood of fatigue-related accidents.

Identifying these causes of rideshare accidents is essential for accident prevention and determining liability when they occur. If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident, consulting with a personal injury attorney is in your best interest.

Two cars in a collision, one with Uber branding, and police officers on the scene assessing the accident.

Steps to Take Following a Collision 

Several situations can lead to a rideshare accident, and you can suffer injuries as a passenger, driver, or pedestrian. Depending on who you are, there can be different reporting requirements. There are steps that everyone should take regardless of your involvement in the rideshare accident.

Some steps that everyone should take include:

  • Follow your medical treatment plan so you can get better. You can also use these documents and treatments as evidence for your case. 
  • Gather medical documents, police reports, receipts, insurance, and other accident-related expenses. 
  • Start a pain journal where you write down your account of the accident and how your condition is progressing. This will help prove pain and suffering and how your injuries affect your life. 
  • Do not provide a statement to an insurance company

Call a Memphis Rideshare Accident Attorney Today

When rideshare drivers cause accidents, victims can often recover compensation for their economic and non-economic losses.

At TopDog Law, our rideshare accident attorneys in Memphis help victims hold rideshare drivers and rideshare companies accountable. For your free case evaluation with a lawyer, call our office today at (901) 883-7615 or contact us online.

James Helm

TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Memphis Office

Address: 5350 Poplar Ave suite 850B,
Memphis, TN 38119
Phone: (901) 883-7615

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