A Mississippi rideshare accident attorney can help individuals who have been injured or harmed as a result of an accident involving a rideshare driver or their vehicle. Although ridesharing has become a popular form of transportation, lawsuits are being filed by those injured as a result of potential distracted driving and driver negligence. People who have been injured in accidents involving a rideshare automobile may be able to seek compensation with the help of a Mississippi rideshare accident lawyer.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Mississippi today. Our consultations are free, confidential and without any obligation on your part. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim we can connect you with an affiliated Mississippi rideshare accident attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Ridesharing?
Ridesharing (also known as ride-hailing) is a service users access through a smartphone application, enabling passengers to connect with drivers who provide transportation to and from requested destinations. Popular rideshare services include:
- Uber
- Lyft
- Sidecar (now defunct)
- Zimride
- BlaBlaCar (available in the UK)
Ridesharing services are similar to a taxicab company, but some state and local governments have had trouble regulating and determining specific rules for rideshare operations. Taxicab companies across the United States have complained largely because the rules that apply to them reportedly do not apply to some rideshare companies, including two of the most popular rideshare services, Lyft and Uber. Beginning in July 2016, Mississippi began regulating rideshare services, requiring each company to pay a yearly license fee and drivers to maintain car insurance for both drivers and passengers.
Who is Responsible Should a Rideshare Accident Occur?
People who drive for rideshare services are often classified as independent contractors, and those who have been harmed in an accident with a rideshare driver or company could have trouble resolving legal liability. After a fatal accident involving an Uber driver in 2013 in San Francisco and the lawsuit that followed, Uber and other companies began imposing stricter rules regarding their drivers. Lyft and Uber both started to provide supplemental insurance in the event that accidents occur outside of normal operating duties as well as more rigorous background checks. In the case of the fatal accident that left a six-year old girl dead, Uber had originally tried to claim it was not responsible for her death, however, a lawsuit filed in 2014 claimed otherwise.
Rideshare Lawsuit Claims
Drivers must regularly use and monitor the Uber software while driving, and the Uber lawsuit filed in 2014 claimed that the driver’s use and monitoring of the mobile app and its interface distracted the driver, ultimately leading to the fatal crash. Information contained in the lawsuit regarding the design of the Uber app and interface stated that drivers were asked to use the app in such a way as to violate the law. Should an accident occur, a Mississippi rideshare accident attorney can assist those who have been injured.
How a Mississippi Rideshare Accident Attorney Can Help
Rideshare companies and their drivers have a duty to provide a safe environment for its passengers, drivers, other commuters, and pedestrians. If there are risks of harm associated with rideshare company drivers, the company must also provide adequate warnings and safeguards. If a driver fails to fulfill this duty, they, as well as the company, could be held liable in lawsuits for injuries that may result.
People injured as a result of a car accident involving a rideshare car through no fault of their own may be eligible to recover money for:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
The families of those who have died in car accidents may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Mississippi. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
