Tupelo Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Rideshare apps offer convenience, but a crash involving an Uber or Lyft often brings confusion and financial stress. A Tupelo rideshare accident lawyer clarifies liability and fights for the compensation you require for recovery. 

Insurance companies representing rideshare giants prioritize their profits over your well-being. Richard Schwartz & Associates challenges these corporations and demands fair treatment for injured victims. 

You’re facing a complex battle against powerful legal teams, but our firm balances the scales. Call us today at (662) 584-4330 to discuss your claim for free.

Schedule A Free Consultation

Why Choose Richard Schwartz & Associates for Your Tupelo Rideshare Injury Claim

Rideshare cases differ significantly from standard car accident claims due to corporate policies and multiple insurance layers. Our team understands the specific challenges Uber and Lyft accidents present in Lee County. 

We Know Tupelo Roads and Traffic Patterns

Local knowledge strengthens your case. Our attorneys know the dangerous intersections Downtown and the heavy traffic congestion near Tupelo Regional Airport. We understand how traffic flows through the Crosstown intersection and where drivers often speed on West Main Street. 

Our local familiarity allows us to counter arguments from out-of-state insurance adjusters who don’t know Tupelo.

Decades of Experience Fight for You

Rideshare companies often use aggressive defense strategies to minimize payouts. Richard Schwartz & Associates brings over 44 years of experience to your corner. We have recovered more than $1 billion for our clients across Mississippi. We’ve built a reputation for refusing to back down.

Results Matter in Insurance Disputes

Insurance carriers respect law firms that take cases to trial. Our firm prepares every case as if it will go before a judge and jury, which pressures insurance companies to offer fair settlements. We analyze every detail of the rideshare driver's actions and the company's hiring practices. 

Our team identifies every potential source of compensation available to you. Call Richard Schwartz & Associates today at (662) 584-4330 to learn how we can help.

Liability and the Rideshare Driver's Status

Determining who pays for your injuries depends entirely on the rideshare driver's status at the moment of the crash. Uber and Lyft divide driving time into distinct periods, and each period triggers different insurance coverage levels. 

A Tupelo rideshare accident lawyer examines the driver's app data to prove their status. Without this proof, rideshare companies often deny responsibility.

Your attorney identifies the correct insurance policy by confirming the driver's status during these specific phases:

• Driver Is Offline: If the app is not running, we file a claim against the driver’s personal insurance policy, as corporate coverage doesn’t apply.
• Waiting for a Request: The company provides limited liability coverage when the driver has the app open but has not yet accepted a ride.
• En Route to Passenger/Transporting the Rider: The $1 million commercial policy activates when the driver accepts a request and protects you continuously until the ride ends.

Insurance Companies Use Specific Tactics to Deny Claims

Rideshare corporations and their insurers employ teams of adjusters to reduce their financial exposure. These adjusters use predictable strategies to devalue your claim. They hope you accept a quick settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries. 

A Tupelo rideshare accident lawyer recognizes these tactics instantly.

Shifting Blame

The rideshare company often claims the driver acts as an independent contractor rather than an employee. They use this classification to distance themselves from the driver's negligence and argue the company bears no responsibility for the contractor's actions. 

We challenge these assertions by examining the company's control over the driver.

Delaying the Investigation

Delaying the claims process serves the insurance company's interests. They know medical bills pile up quickly, and hope financial pressure forces you to accept a low offer. Adjusters may even claim they need more time to review police reports or witness statements. 

Our team pushes the process forward aggressively, demanding timely responses from adjusters.

Recorded Statements Traps

Adjusters often request a recorded statement shortly after the crash. They ask leading questions designed to make you admit fault or minimize your pain, preparing to use your words against you later in the process. 

You have the right to refuse these requests; let our attorneys handle all communication with the insurance company.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Challenges

Mississippi law requires drivers to carry liability insurance, but many still don’t. If an uninsured driver hits your rideshare vehicle, you face a complex situation. While rideshare companies provide UM coverage, accessing it proves difficult. 

The company may argue that the other driver had some coverage or that your injuries don’t qualify.

Determining Coverage Gaps

We analyze the rideshare company's specific policy regarding uninsured motorists. Some policies only apply if the driver was en route or transporting a passenger. If the driver was waiting for a request, the coverage might not apply. 

We identify coverage gaps and look for alternative sources of compensation. Your own auto insurance policy might also provide protection.

Stacking Policies Maximizes Compensation

Mississippi allows stacking of UM coverage in certain situations. This means you might be able to combine limits from multiple policies to cover your damages. We review every policy in your household to see if stacking applies. This strategy significantly increases the funds available for your recovery.

How a Tupelo Rideshare Accident Lawyer Uses Evidence

Building a winning case requires concrete evidence. Relying solely on the police report often leaves gaps in the story. A Tupelo rideshare accident lawyer employs advanced investigation techniques to reconstruct the event. We move quickly to preserve evidence before it disappears.

Crucial Evidence We Secure:

• Electronic Data: Your lawyer can demand the rideshare company's server logs to confirm the driver's login times and ride acceptance status.
• Vehicle Black Boxes: We download data from the vehicle’s Event Data Recorder to show speed, braking, and steering inputs.
• Surveillance Footage: Your attorney may canvas local businesses and traffic cameras near the crash site to find video of the collision.
• Witness Testimony: We interview bystanders and passengers immediately to capture their memories while they remain fresh.
• Driver History: Our legal team investigates the driver’s background for past accidents, traffic violations, or complaints.

The Danger of Distracted Driving in Rideshare Cases

The rideshare business model encourages drivers to use their phones. Drivers must constantly interact with the app to accept rides, follow GPS directions, and communicate with passengers. This reliance on technology creates a dangerous environment. 

A split second of distraction can lead to severe collisions. Drivers often stare at their screens waiting for the ping of a new ride or scan the map for surge pricing areas. These actions take their eyes off the road. 

Rideshare drivers often rely heavily on GPS in unfamiliar neighborhoods. They might make sudden lane changes or erratic turns based on delayed GPS instructions. They might drive too slowly while looking for a specific address. 

Dealing With Multiple Defendants After a Tupelo Rideshare Crash

Rideshare cases often involve suing multiple parties. You might need to sue the driver, the rideshare company, and potentially a third-party driver. Each defendant has their own insurance company and legal team who, in all likelihood, will try to point fingers at each other to avoid paying.

Coordinating Claims

Managing multiple claims requires organization and strategy, so we coordinate the claims to prevent any defendant from escaping liability. We ensure that each party pays its fair share and handle communication between all parties involved.

Corporate Liability Arguments

We look beyond the driver's negligence and examine whether the rideshare company failed to screen the driver. Perhaps the driver had a history of reckless driving that the company ignored, or the vehicle failed a safety inspection. We hold the corporation accountable for its systemic failures.

Common Rideshare Accidents in Tupelo

Certain types of crashes occur frequently with rideshare vehicles, and understanding the patterns helps us build a stronger case. We analyze the mechanics of the crash to prove negligence.

Sudden Stops for Pickups and Drop-offs

Drivers often stop in travel lanes to load or unload passengers, which can block traffic or force other drivers to swerve. This practice violates traffic laws and creates hazards. We use traffic laws to show the driver acted negligently by stopping in an unsafe location.

U-Turns and Illegal Maneuvers

Rideshare drivers often rush to reach a passenger. They might make illegal U-turns or turn against traffic signals. These maneuvers catch other drivers by surprise. We check the crash site for "No U-Turn" signs and traffic signal timing to prove the driver violated local traffic ordinances.

FAQ for Tupelo Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Let Us Start Building Your Claim Today

The decisions you make after a rideshare accident shape your financial future, and insurance companies want you to settle for less than you need. Richard Schwartz & Associates wants you to receive every dollar available. 

We take on the stress of the legal battle so you can focus on healing. Don't let an insurance adjuster dictate your recovery. Take control of your claim with an experienced Tupelo personal injury lawyer and call Richard Schwartz & Associates today at (662) 584-4330.

Schedule A Free Consultation

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