Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft offer convenience, but a crash introduces complex legal challenges that standard auto insurance policies often don’t address. If a negligent rideshare driver caused your injuries, a Hattiesburg rideshare accident lawyer can protect your interests against billion-dollar tech companies.
Richard Schwartz & Associates brings over 40 years of experience to the Hub City, fighting for injured passengers and motorists every day. Call us today at (601) 299-4540 to discuss your legal options for free.
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Hattiesburg Rideshare Accident Guide
- Why Choose Richard Schwartz & Associates for Your Hattiesburg Rideshare Claim
- Identifying the Liable Parties in Rideshare Crashes
- App Status and Rideshare Insurance Coverage
- Common Causes of Rideshare Collisions in Hattiesburg
- Recovering Damages for Your Injuries With a Hattiesburg Rideshare Accident Lawyer
- Dealing With Aggressive Insurance Tactics
- Accidents Involving Uninsured Motorists
- FAQ for Hattiesburg Rideshare Accident Lawyer
- Your Recovery Begins With One Call
Why Choose Richard Schwartz & Associates for Your Hattiesburg Rideshare Claim
After an Uber or Lyft wreck, you need a legal team that combines local knowledge with the resources to challenge massive corporations. Our firm recovers more than $1 billion for our clients because we refuse to back down.
We know the tactics insurance adjusters use to minimize payouts, and we counter them with aggressive representation.
We Know Hattiesburg
A crash near the University of Southern Mississippi presents different challenges than a collision at Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport. We know the traffic patterns around Turtle Creek Mall and the congestion on Broadway Drive.
Our local knowledge allows us to investigate local cases effectively. We identify obscure traffic camera locations and interview witnesses from local businesses. Our deep roots in Hattiesburg strengthen every case we build.
We’re Not Afraid of a Fight
Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors to avoid liability and hire powerful legal teams to distance themselves from the actions of their drivers. Richard Schwartz & Associates fights these companies directly.
We demand the maximum compensation available under the law. Our attorneys review the corporate insurance policies that activate during specific ride periods and prevent these companies from hiding behind the independent contractor defense.
A Track Record of Success in Mississippi
With over 6,100 5-star reviews, our reputation speaks for itself. We prepare every case for trial, which forces insurance companies to take our demands seriously. You receive the full attention of a firm that prioritizes your well-being.
Contact Richard Schwartz & Associates today at (601) 299-4540 to schedule your consultation.
Identifying the Liable Parties in Rideshare Crashes
Determining who bears fault in a rideshare collision requires a detailed investigation. Unlike a typical car wreck where two drivers dispute the blame, rideshare cases involve the driver, the corporate entity, and potentially third-party motorists.
A Hattiesburg rideshare accident lawyer examines every angle to identify all sources of compensation. We analyze the electronic trail the app leaves behind. This data reveals the driver's speed, braking patterns, and activity on the app at the moment of impact.
We also investigate the driver's history. Rideshare companies must vet their drivers, but they often miss red flags.
Factors indicating corporate negligence:
- Inadequate Background Checks: The company failed to identify a driver’s history of reckless driving or DUI convictions.
- Vehicle Maintenance Standards: The company failed to enforce regular vehicle inspections, resulting in mechanical failures.
- Negligent Hiring Practices: The platform approved a driver who lacked a valid license or proper insurance documentation.
App Status and Rideshare Insurance Coverage
Insurance coverage in rideshare cases depends entirely on the driver's status within the app at the time of the crash. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft categorize driving time into specific periods, each associated with distinct insurance coverage tiers.
To establish liability, a Hattiesburg rideshare accident lawyer meticulously analyzes the driver's app data to confirm their status at the time of the incident. Without this critical evidence, rideshare companies often refuse to accept responsibility.
The three phases include:
- Inactivity: The driver has the app turned off, so their personal auto insurance policy doesn’t cover the accident.
- Availability: When the driver’s app is on, and they’re waiting for a request, a limited liability coverage from the rideshare company applies.
- Transport: Once the driver accepts a ride or actively transports a passenger, the full $1 million commercial insurance policy activates.
Common Causes of Rideshare Collisions in Hattiesburg
Rideshare drivers face unique distractions that other motorists don’t typically encounter. They rely heavily on GPS navigation, often looking at their phones to find pickup spots near crowded areas, such as The District at Midtown or Kamper Park. This split attention creates dangerous situations for passengers and other drivers.
Drivers earn money by completing rides quickly. This financial incentive encourages them to speed down West Pine Street or make aggressive lane changes on US 49. We document these behaviors to prove negligence.
Distracted Driving and App Interaction
The rideshare app constantly pings the driver with new requests, route updates, and messages from passengers. Drivers often take their eyes off the road to accept a ride or check a notification. This momentary distraction can lead to rear-end collisions and intersection crashes.
We subpoena phone records to prove the driver interacted with the app at the time of the crash.
Unfamiliarity With Local Roads
Many rideshare drivers come from outside Hattiesburg to work during busy events at Southern Miss or on weekends and don’t know the layout of one-way streets or complex intersections. This lack of familiarity sometimes leads to illegal turns and failure to yield the right-of-way.
A Hattiesburg rideshare accident lawyer investigates your crash to establish the driver's negligence.
Specific hazardous behaviors include:
- Abrupt Stops: The driver slams on the brakes to pick up or drop off a passenger in an unsafe location.
- Illegal U-Turns: The driver attempts to reverse direction quickly after missing a turn on a busy street.
- Blocking Traffic: The vehicle stops in a travel lane rather than pulling over to the curb.
- Failure To Signal: The driver changes lanes without warning.
- Fatigue: The driver operates the vehicle late at night after a long shift, reducing reaction times.
Recovering Damages for Your Injuries With a Hattiesburg Rideshare Accident Lawyer
A rideshare accident often results in significant medical expenses and time away from work, but Mississippi law permits victims of negligence to recover financial compensation for their losses. We do not rely on the insurance company's valuation.
We often consult with medical professionals to determine the long-term impact of your injuries.
Medical Expenses and Rehabilitation
Your settlement must cover every medical bill related to the accident, including emergency room visits at Forrest General Hospital, surgeries, physical therapy, and medication. We also include the cost of future treatments if your injury causes permanent damage.
Lost Income and Earning Capacity
A severe injury keeps victims out of work. You may lose your regular paycheck and the ability to perform your job duties in the future, so we calculate these lost wages and demand reimbursement. If you must change careers due to a disability, we seek compensation for the loss of earning capacity.
Non-Economic Damages
Pain and suffering constitute a major part of your claim. The physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life require financial recognition. We tell your story to the jury or the insurance adjuster, helping them see the human cost of the accident.
Dealing With Aggressive Insurance Tactics
Insurance companies aim to protect their bottom line and often delay and deny claims. They might argue that you were partially at fault or that your injuries pre-existed the accident. A Hattiesburg rideshare accident lawyer acts as your shield, handling all communication with the adjuster.
Tactics insurers use to devalue claims:
- Recorded Statements: Insurance adjusters often ask leading questions to trap you into admitting fault.
- Lowball Offers: They may propose a quick settlement that covers only a fraction of your true expenses.
- Medical Authorization Requests: Insurers sometimes request unlimited access to your medical history to identify past injuries.
- Delaying Payment: They may drag out the process, hoping you’ll accept a smaller amount out of desperation.
- Disputing Severity: The adjuster may claim your injuries aren’t as serious as your doctors report.
Accidents Involving Uninsured Motorists
Sometimes the rideshare driver isn’t at fault because another negligent driver hit your Uber or Lyft. If that driver lacks insurance, the rideshare company’s policy includes Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
This coverage steps in when the at-fault driver cannot pay and protects you.
Third-Party Liability Disputes
Complex crashes often involve multiple liable parties. If a commercial truck hits your rideshare vehicle on Highway 98, both the trucking company and the rideshare driver might share the blame. We untangle this web of liability and file claims against every responsible party to maximize your settlement.
Passenger Rights in Mississippi
Passengers rarely bear fault for a crash. You put your trust in the driver and the platform, got into a wreck, and have the right to pursue full compensation for your injuries. We make sure the insurance companies respect this right.
Steps we take to build your case:
- Preserve Evidence: Your lawyer sends a spoliation letter to the rideshare company demanding that it save all app data.
- Interview Witnesses: We contact people who saw the crash to get their unbiased accounts.
- Review Medical Records: Your attorney analyzes your treatment notes to link your injuries directly to the crash.
- Negotiate Settlements: We present a strong case to the insurer and demand a fair payout.
FAQ for Hattiesburg Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Who Pays if the Rideshare Driver Was Off Duty?
If the driver wasn’t logged into the app, their personal auto insurance pays for the damages. The rideshare company bears no liability in this scenario. However, if the driver had the app on but no passenger, a limited corporate policy might apply if the personal insurer denies the claim.
We verify the driver’s status to determine the correct policy.
Can a Passenger Sue the Rideshare Company Directly?
Direct lawsuits against the company are challenging due to the independent contractor classification of rideshare drivers. Most often, victims file a claim against the company's commercial insurance policy.
If the company acted negligently in hiring or retaining a dangerous driver, we can file a lawsuit directly against the corporation for negligence.
Can a Hattiesburg Rideshare Accident Lawyer Help a Pedestrian Injured by an Uber Driver?
If an Uber hits a pedestrian, that person may have a valid claim. Pedestrians face high risks when rideshare drivers get distracted, especially at busy crosswalks on Hardy Street or near the USM campus.
Other people may also have a claim, including passengers riding in the Uber or Lyft, drivers and passengers in other vehicles the rideshare driver hit, and bicyclists involved in the crash.
What Happens if the At-Fault Driver Fled the Scene?
If the other driver flees, the company’s Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage typically applies, and you pursue compensation through this policy. We investigate to locate the fleeing driver, but we also work hard to ensure the rideshare policy covers your losses if the police cannot find the suspect.
How Long Do I Have To File a Rideshare Injury Claim in Mississippi?
Mississippi enforces a strict three-year statute of limitations; if you miss this deadline, you lose your right to compensation forever. Contacting a Hattiesburg rideshare accident lawyer at Richard Schwartz & Associates promptly allows us to preserve evidence, such as dashcam footage, before it disappears.
Your Recovery Begins With One Call
The days following an Uber or Lyft crash bring uncertainty, but you don’t have to face the insurance giants alone. Richard Schwartz & Associates provides the strength and local experience you need to win. We fight for every dollar you require to rebuild your life.
Don’t let a rideshare company minimize your suffering. Contact an experienced Hattiesburg personal injury lawyer at our Hattiesburg office now at (601) 299-4540 to schedule a confidential consultation.
Schedule A Free Case Consultation