Ridesharing is a popular way to travel from point A to point B in Boston, MA. Many Beantown residents and visitors are opting out of the hassle that comes with driving around the city for the ease of using Uber or Lyft. However, if a ridesharing driver causes a crash that leaves you with an injury, hire a Boston personal injury lawyer who will help you pursue damages.
DiBella Law Offices, P.C. has nearly 20 years of experience with personal injury claims. Our Boston rideshare accident lawyer will learn about your Uber or Lyft collision and help you decide if now is the right time to file a lawsuit. To learn more, please reach out to us.
How Insurance Applies to Rideshare Accidents in Boston
In August 2016, former Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed legislation to implement regulations for transportation network companies (TNCs). These rules are statewide and cover issues on public safety, vehicle identification, driver background checks, and insurance. Per these rules, rideshare drivers must maintain minimum insurance levels before being hired, and TNCs have to offer $1 million in minimum coverage when a driver accepts a ride request.
Uber and Lyft have auto insurance policies for their drivers. Each offers coverage for drivers who are “available” on the app, heading out to pick up passengers, or carrying passengers. How much money you can recover after a ridesharing car crash depends on the driver’s “stage” when the accident happens.
DiBella Law Offices, P.C. understands the challenges that come with suing a negligent driver who is responsible for your Uber or Lyft crash. A Boston rideshare accident attorney will teach you about Massachusetts’ laws and help you request a reasonable amount of compensation from any at-fault parties. To find out more, please get in touch with us.
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What to Do After a Boston Ridesharing Accident
If you are involved in a ridesharing crash due to no fault of your own, you need to respond the right way. At this point, try to remain calm. Here are things you can do to get through the incident without putting yourself or others in danger:
- Call 911.
- Use your smartphone to take photos and videos from the accident scene.
- Get the contact information of the driver who caused your collision and any accident witnesses.
- Go to a hospital and receive medical care.
- Discuss the accident with police officers so they can put together a crash report.
- Do not accept responsibility for the accident.
In the days following your collision, connect with a personal injury lawyer in Boston. The attorney will answer frequently asked questions and many others about ridesharing crashes. They will be able to explain the compensation you can request as part of a personal injury lawsuit.
Types of Damages You May Seek in a Boston Rideshare Crash Lawsuit
You can ask for compensation if a ridesharing driver was negligent and caused your accident and injuries. A rideshare accident lawyer in Boston, MA, will use evidence to quantify your losses. They will encourage you to pursue economic and non-economic damages for many reasons, such as:
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
A rideshare accident attorney in Boston, MA, investigates your accident. They will use dashcam footage and other evidence to build your case. If your attorney succeeds, you will be well-positioned to get a sufficient amount of compensation from the rideshare driver who caused your crash, their employer, or both.
We've offered crucial support and guidance to individuals who have suffered injuries, ensuring their financial and emotional well-being.
Who Is Responsible for a Boston Ridesharing Accident
In some cases, the rideshare driver is responsible for a crash, and their insurance will cover any losses you incur. At other times, a TNC’s insurance will apply. There are also instances where a third driver is involved in a crash and can be held liable.
Your lawyer learns as much as they can about your collision. They identify any at-fault parties and submit your request for damages accordingly. Your attorney ensures your lawsuit is filed in alignment with Massachusetts’ statute of limitations.
Massachusetts has a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This means you have a maximum of three years from the date you are involved in a ridesharing accident and suffer an injury to sue for compensation. If you wait beyond three years, you cannot file your lawsuit, and you will be 100% responsible for any costs relating to your crash and injury.
Get in touch with us today to get a free consultation.
How to Settle a Boston Ridesharing Crash Case
After you file your lawsuit, expect a lengthy legal process. It can take months or years before you get compensation based on your lawsuit. In the meantime, your lawyer focuses on making your case as strong as possible.
Leading up to your trial, your lawyer will work with you to prepare an argument. They will also notify you if the defendant in your case proposes a settlement. If you receive a settlement proposal, you have the option to approve, decline, or counter the offer.
Do not accept a settlement offer unless it gives you an adequate amount of compensation. If it does not, you can decline the offer without penalty. In this scenario, you and your lawyer keep working together to get ready for your trial.
Why It Pays to Hire a Boston Ridesharing Accident Lawyer
A Boston ridesharing accident attorney takes no shortcuts. They understand your crash and why you are requesting compensation. Your attorney works in lockstep with you to help you get damages that you can use to recover from your accident.
Your lawyer walks you through the trial process and explains all of the possible outcomes. They help you establish realistic expectations for your trial. Along with this, your attorney puts you in the best position to achieve your desired case outcome.
Over the course of your litigation, challenges will come up, and your lawyer will help you address them and minimize their impact. Your attorney is accessible throughout your litigation, too. If you ever have legal concerns or questions, your lawyer will respond to them right away.
Do Not Wait Any Longer to File Your Ridesharing Accident Lawsuit
DiBella Law Offices, P.C. is a trusted advocate for personal injury claims in Boston. Our ridesharing crash lawyer is available to review your case. To schedule a free case consultation, please contact us today.
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