Rideshare services have undoubtedly revolutionized urban transportation. However, they’ve also introduced more risks on the road. When a rideshare driver is involved in reckless behavior and causes an accident, victims often face severe injuries and financial hardship. The good news? You may have strong legal grounds to sue for compensation. You must, however, prove negligence to build a winning case.

If you are in this situation, you need to enlist a rideshare accident attorney‘s help to ensure your rights are protected. They will answer complex liability questions to help litigate your case successfully. To ensure you build a strong case read on to learn how you can go on with a lawsuit following a rideshare accident.

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Reasons for Reckless Driving in Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare drivers experience a unique set of distractions that increase the risk of an accident. Unlike ordinary motorists, they must continually engage with mobile applications, respond to passenger requests, and navigate unfamiliar routes, all while managing time pressures associated with earning income on the platform.

Key causes of distraction include:

  • Time Pressure and Incentives: Many rideshare platforms use performance-based bonuses that reward drivers for completing more rides in less time. These financial pressures may encourage speeding and aggressive maneuvers to reduce idle time and maximize earnings.
  • Driver Fatigue: Some drivers remain on the road for extended hours or work across multiple platforms to meet income goals. Fatigue diminishes judgment and increases the likelihood of risky actions such as tailgating, running lights, or failing to yield.
  • App-Driven Distraction: Frequent interactions with the rideshare app, such as accepting rides, following navigation, or communicating with passengers, can cause drivers to split their attention between the road and their phone, leading to erratic or unpredictable behavior.
  • Unfamiliar Routes and Areas: Drivers operating in unfamiliar neighborhoods may make sudden turns, stop unexpectedly, or misjudge traffic signals. This can lead to reckless decision-making when combined with inexperience or poor visibility.
  • Impatience or Frustration: Prolonged traffic congestion, delays, or difficult passengers may lead some drivers to become emotionally agitated, increasing the chance of road rage or impulsive, high-risk behavior behind the wheel.

To successfully bring a lawsuit for reckless driving, you must uncover the underlying cause of the rideshare accident. If a rideshare accident attorney can show that the driver failed to act reasonably safely due to one of these distractions, it may strengthen the claim for negligence.

Common Injuries Caused by Careless Driving

Reckless driving frequently results in high-impact collisions, increasing the likelihood of serious or lasting injuries for passengers, other motorists, and pedestrians. Because rideshare passengers usually have no control over the vehicle and may be unrestrained themselves, the injuries can be more severe than in other crash scenarios.

Some of the most common injuries include:

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Even in crashes that appear minor, a sudden jolt or impact can cause concussions or more serious brain trauma. TBIs may result in cognitive impairment, memory loss, or long-term neurological issues, often requiring extended treatment and rehabilitation.
  • Spinal Cord and Back Injuries: Collisions involving abrupt acceleration or deceleration can compress or damage the spinal column, leading to herniated discs, nerve damage, or, in extreme cases, partial or full paralysis. Chronic pain and mobility issues may persist for years after the crash.
  • Broken Bones and Fractures: A crash can throw rideshare passengers against seats, doors, or windows. Arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones are particularly vulnerable to fractures, requiring surgical repair and prolonged recovery.
  • Soft Tissue Damage: Whiplash, ligament tears, and muscle strains are common in rideshare collisions, especially rear-end or side-impact crashes. Though less visible, these injuries can be painful and disruptive, affecting a person’s ability to work or perform daily tasks.
  • Internal Injuries: Blunt-force trauma may cause damage to internal organs, which is not always immediately noticeable. These injuries can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
  • Psychological Trauma: Victims may suffer from anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially if the crash involved high speeds, visible injuries, or loss of consciousness. Psychological harm can interfere with employment, relationships, and overall quality of life.

Each of these injuries carries both physical and financial consequences. An attorney can file a legal claim to prevent you from absorbing treatment costs, missed work, and reduced well-being.

How To Sue for Rideshare Accidents Caused by Reckless Driving

Filing a lawsuit after a rideshare accident caused by reckless driving involves several procedural and legal steps. Because commercial insurance policies, complex liability issues, and large corporations often come into play in these cases, you need to gather thorough documentation. Here’s how the process generally unfolds:

  • Get Medical Attention: Before initiating any personal injury claim, obtaining a medical evaluation is important. Prompt care creates a medical record linking the accident to your injuries, which is key to proving damages later in the process.
  • Gather and Preserve Evidence: Evidence may include photographs of the scene, witness statements, police reports, rideshare app data, and video footage if available. Preserve all communications with the rideshare company and request a copy of your ride receipt for documentation.
  • Report the Incident to the Rideshare Company: Most platforms allow passengers to report accidents through the app. While this doesn’t replace formal legal action, it creates a record of the incident and may trigger the rideshare company’s internal insurance processes.
  • Consult with an Attorney: Legal counsel can determine whether to launch a claim with the rideshare company’s insurer or proceed with a personal injury lawsuit. A rideshare accident attorney will also evaluate whether the driver was “on the clock” during the crash, which can directly affect the insurance policy that applies.
  • File a Claim or Lawsuit: If insurance negotiations don’t produce a fair settlement, your attorney can file a civil lawsuit for negligence. This formal complaint will name the responsible parties, set forth the facts, and request compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
  • Prepare for Discovery and Trial: During litigation, both sides exchange information and evidence in discovery. The process may include depositions, document requests, and expert witness evaluations. The case proceeds to trial for a verdict if settlement or mediation fails.

Given the legal and procedural complexities, especially when large insurers or rideshare platforms are involved, pursuing a claim without professional legal support can severely limit the outcome. Working with legal counsel ensures you meet deadlines, establish liability accurately, and pursue all available compensation.

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Compensation Available After a Rideshare Accident

Victims of rideshare accidents caused by reckless driving may be entitled to seek compensation for a wide range of losses. The law allows for compensation of economic and non-economic losses, depending on the extent and impact of the injuries. The potential compensation in your case includes the following:

  • Medical Expenses: This includes emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and follow-up care. Those costs may also be recoverable if the injury requires long-term treatment, such as physical therapy or consultations.
  • Loss of Income and Future Earnings: If the injury does not allow you to work temporarily or permanently, compensation may be available for the earnings lost and the projected reduction in future earning capacity. You can prove this through pay stubs or a vocational professional report.
  • Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages account for the physical and emotional distress endured as a result of the crash. Though harder to quantify, these factors play a vital role in a full recovery and often depend on the severity and length of the injuries.
  • Property Damage: If the victim’s vehicle, phone, or other belongings sustained damage in the collision, the claim may include the cost of repair or replacement. In some cases, rental car expenses or loss of use may also apply.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Injuries that interfere with a victim’s ability to participate in hobbies, family activities, or daily routines can justify additional compensation. This category addresses the broader impact of the injury on a person’s quality of life.
  • Permanent Disability or Disfigurement: In cases where the injuries result in long-term or visible impairments, the law may allow for further damages to account for those limitations’ personal and professional consequences.
  • Loss of Consortium: When a serious injury affects a victim’s ability to maintain a relationship with a spouse or partner, the uninjured party may have a separate claim for loss of companionship, affection, or support.

Compensation in a reckless driving accident case differs from one case to another. This happens because the resolution depends on the specific facts of each case. A  legal professional can evaluate these factors to build a strong case for full recovery.

Who to Sue for a Rideshare Accident Caused by Reckless Driving

Determining liability in a rideshare accident involving reckless driving requires a close look at the facts and the parties involved. Unlike standard car accidents, these cases can involve multiple layers of responsibility, depending on whether the driver was actively working during the crash and whether other entities contributed to the incident. Potential parties that may be responsible include:

  • The Rideshare Driver: If the driver’s reckless behavior—such as speeding, tailgating, or disregarding traffic signals, caused the crash, they may be held personally liable. Their personal insurance coverage may sometimes apply, though most private auto policies exclude commercial activity unless special endorsements are in place.
  • The Rideshare Company: When the driver is logged into the app and actively transporting or on the way to pick up a passenger, the company’s commercial liability policy may apply. These companies usually allocate up to $1 million in liability coverage under certain conditions, but the specific terms vary depending on the driver’s activity during the crash.
  • Third Parties: In some situations, another driver, a commercial vehicle, or a negligent party unrelated to the rideshare platform may have contributed to the accident. You may file claims against multiple parties to secure full compensation in these situations.
  • Vehicle Manufacturers or Maintenance Providers: If a mechanical failure, such as brake failure or steering malfunction, contributed to the problem, a product liability or negligent maintenance claim might be appropriate.

Because rideshare companies regard drivers as independent contractors rather than formal employees, establishing the company’s liability requires legal and factual analysis. However, their insurance policies may still apply if the accident’s conditions meet specific thresholds outlined in platform policies.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim After a Rideshare Accident

The amount of time you have to file a claim after a rideshare accident depends on the laws of the state where the incident occurred. Different states set their statutes of limitations for personal injury lawsuits.

For instance, you have two years to file your personal injury and wrongful death actions in Georgia. However, in some states, the deadline may be shorter, especially when a government agency is involved, or notice requirements apply before filing a formal lawsuit.

Missing the statute of limitations can cause you to lose the right to pursue compensation, even if your underlying claim is valid. This is why timely legal consultation is key. In certain limited situations, such as when an injury is not immediately detectable, the legal clock may begin when the injury was discovered rather than on the accident date. This exception, known as the discovery rule, is narrowly applied, and only a personal injury lawyer can determine whether it applies to your case.

For minors injured in rideshare accidents, many states allow additional time. The statute of limitations may pause until the child turns 18, giving them a specific period after adulthood to file a claim. Still, you may have to act early to preserve relevant evidence.

Suppose you delay taking legal action within the permitted time frame. In that case, it can result in a complete bar to recovery, regardless of the extent of your car accident injuries or damages involved. That’s why consulting your rideshare accident lawyer soon after the incident is important to identify deadlines and protect your right to pursue damages.

Get Legal Help After a Rideshare Accident

If reckless driving caused injuries in a rideshare crash, consult an attorney promptly to protect your rights. Although you can sue for injuries from careless driving, these cases differ from typical car accident claims. You need legal counsel to handle the legal issues and advise you on moving forward with legal action. Your rideshare accident lawyer will compile the necessary documentation to demonstrate how reckless driving occurred and how it led to your injuries. Contact your personal injury attorney immediately and secure legal support to seek justice.

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