Uber and Lyft serve as an extra source of income or a flexible source of income for drivers. Drivers simply have to have access to a vehicle and have a license (along with meeting additional eligibility requirements) to be able to drive for Uber and Lyft. Usually, those who drive for these rideshare companies do so because they need the money; therefore, an account deactivation represents a threat to their stability. Deactivations are common after auto accidents; rideshare accidents have become increasingly more common over the years. This means that countless drivers are being deactivated; countless others are remaining deactivated even if the accident was not their fault. If you were involved in an Uber or Lyft accident that resulted in the deactivation of your account, you might be worried about being unable to work. However, you should also worry about the harm that you suffered – as your accident likely resulted in a number of injuries. Depending on the harm that you suffered, you might have grounds to pursue a claim. You could also recover monetary compensation for the harm that you suffered; in fact, your driver account might even be reactivated upon a successful claim outcome.
If your driver account was deactivated after you were involved in an accident that resulted in harm, you should seek legal assistance as soon as possible. You can trust the experts at our firm. At Normandie Law Firm, our lawyers have many years of experience handling all sorts of claims – always representing the best interests of our clients and helping them recover the compensation that they deserve. Our Uber and Lyft accident attorneys are ready to evaluate your claim and provide you with the guidance that you need to take legal action immediately. Do not hesitate to contact our firm immediately.
Common Reasons for Account Deactivation
Driver deactivation is a fairly common phenomenon. By deactivating drivers, Uber and Lyft are essentially covering their bases. Some of the common things that could lead to driver deactivation could include the following:
- Updated background checks (typically occurs when a background check is reordered and a new report appears)
- Complaint of inappropriate contact with passengers after a ride (such as texting a passenger, calling a passenger, or even showing up to their homes/work or other drop-off/pick-up locations)
- Expire documentation (including proof of registration, proof of insurance, etc.)
- Poor ratings (passengers rate drivers poorly after negative experiences)
- Violation of Zero-Tolerance policies (both Uber and Lyft have policies against drivers using drugs or alcohol)
- Complaints of unsafe driving (passengers can rate and review their drivers and experiences; complaints of unsafe driving are always taken seriously)
Car Accidents and Account Deactivation
Many Uber and Lyft drivers also have their accounts deactivated because of auto accidents. Auto accidents can typically fall under updated background checks, poor ratings, and complaints of unsafe driving, as listed above. As soon as drivers (or passengers) report a car accident via the Uber or Lyft app, driver accounts are likely to be deactivated. Typically, driver accounts are deactivated while the rideshare companies investigate the incident. However, many drivers are never reactivated after investigations are complete. Many driver accounts are never reactivated even if the accident wasn’t their fault.
The Common Causes and Injuries Associated with Rideshare Accidents
Car accidents occur for a number of reasons. Unfortunately, car accidents are very common and can occur at any time, regardless of how safe drivers think they are being. Without a doubt, one of the most common causes of car accidents is driver negligence. That is, drivers behind the wheel of a vehicle can act recklessly and contribute to an accident. Some examples of recklessness that could contribute to an accident include speeding, tailgating, and ignoring traffic laws, for example. Car accidents are also common results of poor road conditions. Specifically, city agencies can fail to maintain roads and hazardous conditions can lead to accidents. Car accidents are also commonly causes by defective vehicles or vehicles with mechanical issues.
Regardless of the specific cause of the accident, injuries are always a possibility. Although injuries are more likely to be severe in high-speed accidents, even low-speed accidents considered minor can result in injuries. Some of the injuries commonly associated with car accidents include the following: head injuries, brain injuries, back injuries, neck injuries, fractures, spinal cord injuries, nerve injuries, muscle injuries, torn ligaments, and lacerations, for example.
Uber and Lyft Insurance Policies
Uber and Lyft both offer insurance coverage to their drivers; however, drivers are still required to carry their own policies. Uber and Lyft’s insurance policies are similar – drivers are not covered while they are inactive on the apps, partial coverage applies as soon as the driver is active on the app, and full coverage applies as soon as the driver accepts a ride. Specifically, when the driver is active but not yet on a trip, Uber and Lyft’s insurance cover up to $50,000 for injury, up to $100,000 for total injury, and up to $25,000 in property damage. The differences between the policies are apparent if an accident occurs after a driver accepts a ride. Uber’s insurance offers coverage for $1,000,000 in third-party liability, $1,000,000 in underinsured and uninsured motorist, and $1,000,000 in contingent collision and comprehensive coverage (with a $1,000 deductible). Lyft, on the other hand, offers $1,000,000 in excess liability as well as underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage, and up to $50,000 in contingent collision and comprehensive coverage.
Whatever the case, it is likely that your accident – and the harm that you suffered – will be covered by Uber or Lyft’s insurance policy. However, it might be difficult to handle your claim against the insurance company on your own.
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You Might Have Grounds to Sue
If you were involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, you should consider the possibility of filing a claim against these rideshare companies. Why would you pursue a claim? Without a doubt, Uber or Lyft’s insurance policy might cover the costs associated with your accident; however, it is very likely that the insurance companies will do everything within their reach to avoid any payouts.
Specifically, these insurance companies constantly try to make things needlessly complicated. They ignore calls, do not respond to emails, and do whatever possible to delay the process. This is essentially how insurance companies try to get claimants to stop pursuing their claims – and they often get away with it.
By filing a claim, you are essentially ensuring that you have the appropriate representation to hold these insurance companies accountable; with legal representations, insurance companies are less likely to try to take advantage of claimants. If you would like to learn more about the possibility of filing a claim against Uber or Lyft, do not hesitate to contact our law firm today.
Could You Recover Compensation?
Without a doubt, you might have grounds to pursue a claim if you were involved in an accident while driving for Uber and Lyft. Depending on the details surrounding your claim, you might have grounds to recover monetary compensation for the harm that you suffered.
Some of the categories of compensation that might be available for recovery could include the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages
If you were deactivated as a driver, a successful claim outcome could also result in your account reactivation. If you would like to learn more about the type and amount of compensation that you could be eligible to receive, do not hesitate to seek legal assistance with the experts at our law firm at your earliest convenience. Our lawyers are ready to aggressively fight for your right to recover the compensation that you deserve.
Reviews from Real Clients
I contacted Normandie Law Firm for help after my Lyft accident, and they really went above and beyond for me.
(Juan M. Lyft Driver – Rear End Auto Accident)
The Lyft accident lawyers at Normandie Law Firm were able to negotiate a large settlement that covered my medical costs, lost wages, and more.
(Stephan T – Passenger Injured in Lyft Vehicle )
I called the Rideshare accident experts at Normandie after being hit by a Lyft driver when I was walking across the street, and I definitely didn’t regret it. Most experience law firm for rideshare accidents.
(Juanita G – Victim of Pedestrian Accident)
The Uber accident attorneys at Normandie Law Firm are by far the best lawyers around. As an Uber driver I appreciated all they did for me and my family.
(James P. Uber Driver)
My Uber accident lawyer was truly committed to my injury claim and was able to get me an awesome recovery for my injuries.
(Arash S Uber Driver)
I called Normandie Law Firm for help with my Uber accident case, and, thanks to my lawyer, I was able to recover an amazing settlement for my injuries.
(Candice T. Side Impact w Uber driver)
What are the Most Important Steps to Follow after a Rideshare Accident?
After suffering an Uber or Lyft accident, it can be difficult to determine what to do. Although pursuing a claim might not be the first thing on your mind after a rideshare accident, there are a number of steps that you should follow immediately after being in an accident to ensure that you could eventually file a claim.
Consider the following recommendations:
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Take photos of the scene of the accident
- Take photos of all the injuries sustained
- Identify any cameras that might have captured your accident (if possible, gather surveillance video)
- Take screenshots of the Uber or Lyft app to show that the accident occurred while you were on an active ride
- Gather witness information (including any passengers that were with you)
- Gather both insurance and contact information for all parties involved in the accident
- File an incident report with the police
- Contact Uber to report the incident
- Take screenshot of deactivation messages that appear on the app
- Seek legal assistance immediately
If you are ever unsure of your next step, do not hesitate to simply seek legal assistance immediately. Our lawyers are ready to guide you every step of the way.
Your Claim is Subject to a Deadline
There is no doubt that those who experienced rideshare car accidents have the right to file a claim against Uber or Lyft, especially if the accident contributed to a deactivation. Considering that these accidents can lead to deactivation – and driving for Uber or Lyft is typically a primary source of income for drivers – prompt legal action is essential. Taking prompt legal action is also important for filing before any applicable deadlines.
All claims are subject to a statute of limitations; a statute of limitations establishes the exact length of time that claimants have to pursue their claims. If claims are not filed within the time allowed by the applicable statute of limitations, claimants can lose their right to sue (and the right to receive any form of compensation for the harm suffered).
What deadline applies to your rideshare accident claim? In California, rideshare accident claims – and all car accident claims – are typically subject to a two-year statute of limitations; therefore, claimants only have two years to file their claims. This is a strict timeline; however, exceptions could apply and toll the statute of limitations.
To ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the deadline that applies to your claim, it is essential that you seek legal assistance immediately. Our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers are ready to evaluate your claim and provide you with all the information that you need to file your claim on time. Contact us today.
Contact Normandie Law Firm Today
Were you involved in an Uber of Lyft accident? If so, it is likely that you suffered a number of injuries. Your driver account might have also been deactivated. Because your livelihood likely depends on rideshare driving, you might be more concerned about your account deactivation than the harm that you suffered in the rideshare accident. Whatever the case, you can trust the rideshare accident lawyers at Normandie Law Firm to provide you with all the information that you need to pursue a claim against Uber or Lyft. If you are ready to discuss your claim with the experts at our law firm, do not hesitate to contact us at your earliest convenience.
Normandie Law Firm is a personal injury law firm with many years of experience handling all sorts of claims – including rideshare and car accident claims. Our lawyers are dedicated to representing all victims and helping them recover the compensation that they deserve (which often includes driver account reactivation). At our firm, we believe that everyone should have access to legal services; therefore, we offer free legal services, which include free consultations and free second opinions. During our free consultations and free second opinions, our lawyers will be available to answer all your questions, address all your concerns, and provide you with all the information that you need to begin or continue your rideshare accident claim. To benefit from these free legal services, do not hesitate to contact our law firm at your earliest convenience.
Our law firm offers a Zero-Fee guarantee which ensures that our clients never have to worry about paying any upfront legal fees for any of our legal services. Our firm is also strictly based on a contingency structure; therefore, our clients will never be required to pay anything until after reaching a successful claim outcome. That is, if you do not win, you will not be required to pay anything.
Are you ready to discuss your legal options with the experts at our firm? Our lawyers can help you sue for the harm that you suffered and recover monetary compensation beside being reinstated as a driver. If you are ready to discuss your claim with our rideshare accident lawyers, do not hesitate to contact us today.
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