West Virginia Rideshare Accident Attorney

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have revolutionized transportation, offering convenience and accessibility. However, with the increasing number of rideshare vehicles on the road, the risk of accidents has also risen. The aftermath can be overwhelming, with medical bills, lost income, and the stress of dealing with insurance companies.

At Robinette Legal Group, we understand the chaos and confusion that follow a rideshare accident. Our experienced rideshare accident attorneys in West Virginia are dedicated to guiding you through the legal complexities and securing the compensation you deserve.

If you’ve suffered a rideshare accident, don’t face it alone. Contact Robinette Legal Group today at (304) 594-1800 for a free consultation and let us fight for your rights.

Free Case Evaluation

How Much Is My Case Worth?

Determining the value of your rideshare accident case involves considering several key factors:

Medical Expenses

• Immediate Medical Costs: This includes emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, and any immediate treatments required after the accident.
• Ongoing Medical Treatments: Compensation covers follow-up appointments, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any long-term medical care needed due to the accident.
• Future Medical Expenses: Estimations of future medical costs are considered, especially for severe injuries that require prolonged care or multiple surgeries.

Lost Wages

• Current Lost Income: If the injury has prevented you from working, you can claim compensation for the wages lost during the recovery period.
• Future Loss of Earnings: In cases where the injury affects your ability to work in the future, compensation may include loss of earning capacity. This considers your potential career trajectory and how the injury impacts your future employment prospects.

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and Suffering: This compensation accounts for physical pain and discomfort resulting from the accident and subsequent injuries.
• Emotional Distress: Injuries can lead to significant emotional and psychological impacts, such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. Compensation can cover these emotional damages.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the injuries result in a diminished ability to enjoy everyday activities and hobbies, compensation can address this loss.

Where Do Rideshare Accidents Occur in West Virginia?

Rideshare accidents can occur anywhere, but certain areas in West Virginia see higher incidents due to traffic volume, road conditions, and local driving habits.

Here are some statistics about rideshare accidents gathered from West Virginia Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

High-Traffic Areas

• Charleston: As the state capital, Charleston experiences heavy traffic, especially during rush hours. Major roads like Interstate 64 and U.S. Route 119 are common sites for rideshare accidents due to the high volume of vehicles. One recent year, Charleston accounted for many traffic accidents, several involving rideshare vehicles.
• Huntington: This city, with its busy streets and intersections, sees numerous rideshare accidents. The convergence of major highways, including I-64 and U.S. Route 60, contributes to the frequency of collisions. Huntington recorded many vehicle accidents, many occurring during peak traffic times.
• Morgantown: Home to West Virginia University, Morgantown has a high density of rideshare usage, particularly in the downtown area and around the university campus. The influx of students and visitors increases the likelihood of accidents. Morgantown’s traffic reports show a notable incidence of rideshare-related crashes, particularly around the university and busy shopping districts.

Common Accident Hotspots

• Interstate Highways: High-speed travel on interstates such as I-64 and I-79 often leads to severe accidents, including those involving rideshare vehicles. These highways are major arteries connecting different parts of the state, making them prime locations for collisions. According to the West Virginia Department of Transportation, many serious accidents occur on these interstates.
• Downtown Areas: Busy downtown districts, with their complex traffic patterns and numerous pedestrians, are common sites for rideshare accidents. Drivers must navigate crowded streets, which increases the risk of accidents. The NHTSA reports higher accident rates in urban centers due to increased traffic density.
• University Vicinities: Areas around universities, especially West Virginia University in Morgantown, see higher accident rates due to the dense population of students using rideshare services. The presence of pedestrians and frequent stops for pickups and drop-offs contribute to the risk.

Contributing Factors

• Distracted Driving: With smartphones’ prevalence, many accidents occur because drivers, including rideshare drivers, are distracted by their devices. The NHTSA identifies distracted driving as a leading cause of traffic accidents, noting that the use of mobile devices is particularly common among rideshare drivers.
• Frequent Stops: Rideshare vehicles often make sudden stops to pick up or drop off passengers, leading to rear-end collisions and other accidents. This pattern is especially prevalent in high-traffic areas and near popular destinations.
• Rush Hour Traffic: The morning and evening rush hours increase traffic, contributing to a higher likelihood of accidents as roads become congested and drivers are in a hurry. Traffic data from the West Virginia Department of Transportation highlights increased accident rates during these times.

Types of Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare accidents can occur in various forms, each with its unique circumstances and potential for injury. Understanding these types can help you recognize the risks and take appropriate legal action if necessary.

Rear-End Collisions

• Description: Rear-end collisions happen when one vehicle crashes into the back of another. These are common in rideshare scenarios where drivers make frequent stops to pick up or drop off passengers.
• Common Causes: Sudden stops, distracted driving, and tailgating. Rideshare drivers often must stop abruptly in traffic, increasing the risk of being rear-ended.

Sideswipe Accidents

• Description: Sideswipe accidents occur when two vehicles traveling parallel to each other collide. These can happen when drivers change lanes without proper clearance or awareness of nearby vehicles.
• Common Causes: Lane changes, merging onto highways, and failure to check blind spots. Rideshare drivers frequently navigate through busy traffic, making sideswipe accidents more likely.

Single-Car Accidents

• Description: These involve only the rideshare vehicle, often resulting from losing control and hitting an object or veering off the road.
• Common Causes: Poor road conditions, driver fatigue, or mechanical failures. Rideshare drivers working long hours may be more prone to fatigue-related incidents.

Intersection Accidents:

• Description: Accidents occurring at intersections often involve multiple vehicles and can be severe due to the potential for side-impact collisions.
• Common Causes: Running red lights, failing to yield, and misjudging gaps in traffic. Busy intersections, especially in urban areas, are high-risk zones for rideshare drivers.

Multi-Vehicle Pileups

• Description: These involve several vehicles and can result in extensive damage and multiple injuries.
• Common Causes: Chain reactions from rear-end collisions, poor weather conditions, and sudden stops. Highways and busy roads are common locations for such accidents.

Fighting the Insurance Company

Insurance companies often employ tactics to minimize the payout or deny claims.

Moreover, your case can get quite tricky because of Uber and Lyft’s insurance policies, which vary depending on whether the driver was waiting for a ride request, en route to pick up a passenger, or actively transporting a passenger at the time of the accident.

Here’s what you need to know:

Challenges with Insurance Companies

• Minimizing Payouts: Insurance adjusters look after the company’s bottom line, not yours. They often offer the lowest possible settlement, downplaying the severity of injuries or questioning the necessity of certain medical treatments to reduce the claim amount.
• Delaying Claims: Another common tactic is delaying the claims process, hoping that the claimant will accept a lower settlement out of frustration or financial need.
• Denying Liability: Insurance companies may argue that their policyholder was not at fault or that the injuries were pre-existing or unrelated to the accident.

The Importance of Legal Support

• Negotiation Skills: An experienced lawyer knows how to counteract these tactics, negotiating effectively to ensure you receive a fair settlement. They can present compelling evidence and legal arguments highlighting the full extent of your damages.
• Litigation Readiness: If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair compensation, your lawyer can take the case to court. This willingness to litigate often motivates insurance companies to settle more reasonably to avoid the costs and risks of a trial.
• Proven Track Record: At Robinette Legal Group, we have a history of successfully challenging insurance companies and securing favorable outcomes for our clients. Our attorneys are skilled in building strong cases that stand up to the scrutiny of insurance adjusters and, if necessary, judges and juries.

Insurance Coverage for Rideshare Drivers

No Passenger (App Off)

• Personal Insurance Only: When the rideshare app is off, the driver’s personal auto insurance is the only coverage available. Neither Uber nor Lyft provides additional coverage during this period.

Waiting for a Ride Request (App On)

• Third-Party Liability: If the driver has the app on and is waiting for a ride request, both Uber and Lyft provide third-party liability coverage. This includes up to $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage.

En Route to Pick Up Passenger or During Ride

• Full Coverage: When the driver is on their way to pick up a passenger or during the ride itself, Uber and Lyft offer full coverage. This includes:
  • $1,000,000 Third-Party Liability: Coverage for bodily injury and property damage caused by the driver.
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Protection if another driver causes the accident and lacks sufficient insurance.
  • Contingent Comprehensive and Collision: Coverage for the driver’s vehicle, up to its actual cash value, with a $2,500 deductible, provided the driver has comprehensive and collision coverage on their personal auto policy.

What to Do After an Accident

Experiencing a rideshare accident can be overwhelming and confusing, but taking the right steps afterward can significantly impact your recovery and your legal compensation.

Here’s what you should do:

• Follow Medical Treatment Plans:
  • Immediate Medical Attention: Ensure you seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. Some injuries may not manifest symptoms right away.
  • Ongoing Treatment: Adhere to your doctor’s treatment plan. Attend all follow-up appointments, and follow medical advice closely to support your recovery and document your injuries.
• Keep Detailed Records:
  • Medical Records: Collect all medical records, bills, and receipts related to your treatment. These documents are vital evidence of your injuries and expenses.
  • Receipts: Save receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses, such as medications, travel costs for medical appointments, and other related expenses.
  • Personal Injury Journal: Maintain a journal documenting your pain, emotional distress, and the impact of the injuries on your daily life. Note any missed workdays and changes in your lifestyle.
• Obtain Police Reports:
  • Accident Report: Request a copy of the police report filed at the scene. This report contains essential information about the accident, including the officers’ observations and any witness statements.
• Gather Evidence:
  • Photographs: Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any property damage. Visual evidence can demonstrate the extent of the accident and injuries.
  • Witness Statements: If possible, collect contact information and statements from witnesses. Their accounts can provide valuable support for your claim.
• Contact Robinette Legal Group:
  • Legal Representation: Reach out to Robinette Legal Group for a free consultation. Our experienced attorneys will handle communications with insurance companies, gather necessary evidence, and build a strong case on your behalf.
  • Expert Guidance: Let our team guide you through the legal process, ensuring you take all the right steps to maximize your compensation.

Get the Compensation You Deserve

Rideshare accidents can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face them alone. We offer experienced, compassionate legal support to help you secure the compensation you deserve. Our proven track record in rideshare accident cases and commitment to clients make us your best choice for legal representation.

Call our West Virginia personal injury lawyers today at (304) 594-1800 for a free consultation and let us fight for your rights.

Robinette Legal Group, PLLC

211 Everhart Dr Ste 200,
Morgantown, WV 26508,
United States
Contact Number – (304) 403-7504