Nobody wants to get in an accident, but there is a silver lining if you get into a wreck and one driver was working for a rideshare company. Virginia has laws requiring rideshare companies to carry huge insurance policies that we can help you access.
Pendleton Law has helped victims of rideshare accidents in Richmond get the legal representation they need and unlock compensation far beyond what the usual auto insurance policy covers. Let our personal injury lawyers in Richmond help you do the same if you’ve been in a rideshare accident.
Virginia’s Laws
Virginia classifies rideshare companies as “Transportation Network Companies”. The laws for these are found in Virginia Code Title 46.2, Chapter 20, Article 15. Among the many rules in that section are the laws for minimum liability coverage.
While operating as a TNC, companies have to provide liability and UM/UIM coverage with a minimum $1 million coverage amount. This coverage starts from when a passenger enters a vehicle until they leave.
Even if there are multiple injured parties, most accident situations can split this amount and still have enough coverage for compensation. On top of this, personal insurance from the drivers and passengers (with PIP coverage) could apply.
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When Are You Covered?
If you are a passenger in a rideshare, you should have little trouble accessing the company policy with our help. The driver’s policies may also cover you depending on whoever caused the accident.
If you’re a driver, coverage depends on if you are logged into the app or not and whether you have a passenger. Rideshare companies provide a lesser amount of coverage when you are logged into the app but off the clock. If you’re not logged in, coverage is like any other accident.
Drivers should also ensure that their personal auto insurance coverage handles rideshare accidents. Sometimes an insurer will reject your claim if you were using your personal insurance for commercial reasons. A rideshare accident lawyer can argue against this rejection for you.
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Why You Need a Rideshare Accident Attorney
With so many insurance policies, passing the buck on who pays is common. This can drag out negotiations and leave you without compensation for longer than necessary. Waiting too long on your settlement can drain your savings and force you to take a smaller one.
Rideshare accident lawyers know how to cut through the red tape and get the insurance companies to pay victims. They will do things for you like:
- Subpoena phone records to see if the driver was logged into the app or not at the time of the crash
- Gather further evidence of liability, damages, causation, and more to build your case
- Calculate the present and future value of your damages so they can fight for the amount you truly deserve
- Negotiate with all the insurance companies and the rideshare company so you don’t have to get involved
- Take your case to court if the companies don’t listen
- Handle getting the money from your settlement
Once you have a rideshare accident attorney on your side, you can focus on your recovery. We will take care of all the legal and insurance details of your accident.
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What Should I Do After a Rideshare Accident?
There’s only one extra step that needs to happen after a rideshare accident to help cover your responsibilities. The other steps remain the same:
- Contact the police to file a report. If you’re taken to the hospital at the scene, arrange to speak with the police later to give a statement.
- Document as much of the accident as you can and gather evidence through photos, videos, and eyewitnesses.
- Exchange insurance information with the other drivers, if you were a driver.
- After you leave the scene, see a doctor as soon as possible to check for injuries, even if you feel fine. Get a copy of the medical record.
At this point, you’ll need to report the accident with the ridesharing service. They will do their own investigation to see if their insurance policy will cover the accident. You can do this through their website. After you’ve done all this, contact our rideshare accident attorneys in Richmond for further advice.
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How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
Virginia has a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims, but you should start your case well before this deadline by speaking with a rideshare accident attorney. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to get evidence to create a strong case.
Insurance companies may also have limitations on how long you can wait before you start a claim. They’ll also use your delay as an excuse to deny you coverage. Therefore seeing a doctor early is so important, even more than speaking with a lawyer.
Hire a Richmond Rideshare Accident Attorney
Pendleton Law has years of experience in Virginia as a rideshare accident law firm. We can cut through the red tape of insurance negotiations so you can get money for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Find out how we can help you in a free case evaluation and consultation. Contact us to schedule an appointment as soon as a doctor has examined you.
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