The day of the traditional taxicab or even public transit are continually becoming less common. Uber and other common carriers like Lyft are frequently used to commute in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, Ubers are not immune to wrecks, and their common carrier status could significantly impact a civil claim, requiring the assistance of an Altoona car crash attorney.
Whether you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft that crashed, or were struck by a common carrier vehicle, you could have grounds for civil litigation. Therefore, it could be beneficial to speak with an Altoona Uber/Lyft accident lawyer about your legal options for filing a claim.
As with any civil claim arising from a vehicle wreck, there has to be another driver at fault for the accident. However, when one of the vehicles is a common carrier, such as an Uber or Lyft, some unique aspects apply.
The real difference between a passenger vehicle and common carrier wreck is how insurance is applied. A commercial vehicle, such as an Uber, taxi, or bus may have an additional layer of insurance that will apply to a claim.
In other words, if someone is a passenger in an Uber, and the Uber driver operates the vehicle carelessly and causes an accident, the passenger may have coverage on his or her own personal auto policy, as well as on the policy of the Uber vehicle. Additionally, in a claim for damages against the Uber driver, there would also be an insurance policy on the Uber driver. The victim can also pursue a claim for underinsured motorist coverage under his or her own policy.
These additional layers of insurance can be confusing without legal guidance. A well-practiced attorney from the area could further explain Uber/Lyft insurance coverage and how it applies to a civil case during a free case consultation.
Ultimately, the insurance company for the at-fault driver will be required to provide compensation. This could be the Uber driver, the common carrier company, or another driver who caused the crash with the Uber vehicle.
The first step to recover compensation in Altoona is to notify the insurance companies, with help from a common carrier accident lawyer. A seasoned attorney could help navigate the different insurance policies and present a claim to the appropriate insurance companies for all of the injured party’s losses, including economic damages such as lost wages and medical bills, and also non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Filing a civil claim against an at-fault common carrier company can be challenging without the right legal guidance. Uber and Lyft are large companies who will work hard to deny any liability for an accident.
Due to this, it is important that you obtain a legal representative who could work diligently for your right to compensation. Reach out to an Altoona Uber/Lyft accident lawyer at Marcus & Mack today to schedule your initial case consultation for free.
