Rideshare Accident Attorneys

The number of rideshare vehicles, such as Uber and Lyft, on the roads has skyrocketed over the past 10 years. More vehicles on the road have resulted in an increase in accidents and injuries. It’s estimated that fatalities involving rideshare vehicles have increased the total number of fatalities due to car accidents by 2% to 3% per year.

Virginia rideshare accidents have also seen a notable increase. Recent data indicates a 15% rise in rideshare-related incidents in recent years, with urban areas, including Fairfax in Northern Virginia, experiencing the highest rates.

At Weiner, Spivey & Miller, PLC, our senior attorneys have been fighting for fair compensation for the seriously injured for decades. Our team includes lawyers who have worked for insurance companies, so we understand their thinking and tactics – and we put that knowledge to use for our clients.

Causes Of Rideshare Accidents

Like other crashes, rideshare accidents can occur for a variety of reasons. Some common causes include:

• Distracted driving: Rideshare drivers often rely on GPS and app notifications, which can lead to distractions, including conversations with passengers that divert their attention from the road.
• Fatigue: Many drivers work long hours, sometimes late into the night, which causes fatigue. Drowsy/tired driving increases the risk of accidents.
• Speeding: To maximize earnings, some drivers may speed to complete more rides, but excessive speed can reduce reaction time and increase collision severity.
• Inexperience: Not all drivers have extensive road experience, and their lack of driving skills or knowledge of local traffic laws can contribute to accidents.

Understanding the cause of your rideshare accident helps establish liability and facilitates appropriate compensation for your injuries.

Liability In An Uber Or Lyft Accident

Identifying liability can be complex due to the involvement of multiple parties. Those who could hold or share liability include:

• The rideshare driver: If the driver’s negligence, such as distracted driving or speeding, caused the accident, they can be held liable.
• Rideshare companies: Uber and Lyft may share liability if you can prove their policies or practices (poor driver vetting, etc.) contributed to the accident.
• Other drivers: In some cases, other motorists involved in the accident may be at fault and, therefore, liable for damages.
• Third parties: Manufacturers of faulty vehicle parts or government entities responsible for poor road maintenance may also bear liability.

As you can see, rideshare accidents tend to be more complicated than other crashes, typically due to liability issues. However, an experienced injury lawyer can help you uncover who is responsible for your injuries and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

We Are Advocates For The Injured

If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, getting solid legal advice is critical to receiving compensation for your injuries. Rideshare accidents can be more difficult to resolve because multiple parties are involved (the rideshare company, the Uber or Lyft driver, other passengers, and you).

Our rideshare accident lawyers at Weiner, Spivey & Miller, PLC in Fairfax have the experience, resources and tenacity to help you obtain the compensation you need and deserve. Our attorneys have over 190 combined years of experience in advocating for the injured in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. We have former senior-level insurance defense lawyers on staff, so we have a solid understanding of how insurance companies will approach your case.

Contact Us Today To File A Claim For Your Rideshare Accident

If you need experienced representation for your rideshare accident case, please call 703-273-9500 or contact us online for a free consultation.

We Fight For Victims Of Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare vehicle crashes into vehicle at toll plaza: Marie arrived from overseas to Washington, D.C., for a five-day government conference. A 28-year-old married mother of two, she was thrilled to see our nation’s capital and delighted to see family members here in the U.S. After a happy reunion at an uncle’s home, a group of relatives offered to drive Marie back to her hotel. At an unfamiliar toll plaza on the Dulles Toll Road, they slowed down to be sure that they were in the correct lane. Unfortunately, a rideshare vehicle, its speed set to cruise control, was right behind them. The crash was tremendous. The seven people in Marie’s car and the six people in the rideshare all sustained injuries. Marie’s were the worst: badly displaced fractures of her femur and collar bone; a concussion; and an injury to the nerves in her right eye, which has left her permanently unable to focus. Gene Miller and Ed Weiner successfully mediated a confidential settlement in the upper six figures for Marie and separate settlements for each of her injured family members.

Taxi passenger receives jury award for injuries from collision: Walter was a passenger in a taxicab, which was struck by a Metro bus. Walter suffered a detached retina in his left eye and two herniated discs in his back. Surgery was required to repair his eye, but ultimately resulted in the formation of a cataract. There was an offer of $30,000 before trial, but Walter declined. Ed Weiner and Lawson Spivey moved forward with the trial. The jury awarded Walter $495,000.

Woman hurt on bus when wheelchair tips over: Though Violet was 74 years old and had been in a wheelchair for several years, she remained active. She loved to cook and grew beautiful indoor plants and flowers. Violet was a frequent client of a local van service, which specialized in transporting clients in wheelchairs. During a trip with her husband for a doctor’s appointment, Violet’s wheelchair fell over after the driver failed to secure it properly. Violet suffered fractures to her right orbital bone (around her eye) and to her hip. The break in her hip could not be surgically repaired. It caused Violet permanent pain, which could only be treated with powerful narcotic medication. The final offer from the van service’s insurance company before trial was $50,000. Lawson Spivey and Ed Weiner tried the case. The jury awarded Violet $250,000.

Click here to see our results on behalf of other clients.