Boston is a bustling city of commuters, tourists and workers, many of which rely on rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft. If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, understanding your rights and securing fair compensation can be overwhelming. At Brooks & Crowley LLP, our Boston rideshare accident lawyer is dedicated to protecting the rights of passengers, pedestrians, and others injured in accidents involving rideshare vehicles.
Although companies like Uber and Lyft claim to screen their drivers with background checks, gaps in driver oversight can still lead to rideshare accidents with injured victims. An experienced personal injury attorney in Boston will be your best legal advocate to hold a rideshare driver accountable, so call Brooks & Crowley LLP immediately for help.
Why You Need a Boston Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer
Rideshare accident cases present unique legal challenges that differ from traditional car accident claims. With 30+ years of experience in personal injury law, our Boston rideshare accident attorney understands the complexities involved in determining liability and navigating multiple insurance policies. The increase in rideshare services throughout Massachusetts has led to a corresponding rise in accidents, making experienced legal representation paramount during the personal injury claim process.
Understanding Rideshare Accident Claims
When you're injured in a rideshare accident, multiple parties may be responsible for compensating you, including the rideshare driver's personal insurance, the rideshare company's insurance, other motorists' insurance, and potentially your own coverage.
Our rideshare accident attorney in Boston will thoroughly investigate your case to identify all liable parties and pursue maximum compensation. We handle cases involving passengers injured in rideshare vehicle accidents, including motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians struck by rideshare drivers.
Uber Accidents in Boston
Uber accidents are often caused by distracted or negligent Uber drivers. Uber drivers deal with distractions from their phones, GPS devices, and passenger interactions, which can lead to serious accidents throughout Boston's busy streets.
Our Boston Uber accident lawyer understands Uber's insurance structure, which varies depending on whether the driver was offline, waiting for a ride request, or actively transporting passengers. When an Uber driver is transporting passengers, Uber maintains substantial liability coverage that may apply to your injuries. We'll fight to ensure this coverage is properly applied to your uber accident claim.
Lyft Accidents in Boston
Similar to Uber cases, accidents involving Lyft vehicles require specialized legal knowledge. Our Boston Lyft accident attorney is fully equipped to handle claims involving Lyft's insurance policies and driver liability. Whether you were a passenger, pedestrian, or occupant of another vehicle, we will work diligently to recover the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents We Handle
Our Lyft rideshare accident lawyer in Boston and Uber accident lawyer in Boston handle cases involving:
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Distracted driving, including texting and phone use
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Drowsy or fatigued driving
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Speeding and reckless driving
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Impaired driving (alcohol or drugs)
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Failure to yield to pedestrians
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Multi-vehicle collisions
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Vehicle defects and product liability
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Accidents occurring while entering or exiting vehicles
Wrongful Death Claims in Rideshare Accidents
The tragic loss of a loved one in a rideshare accident is devastating for families. Fatal rideshare accidents occur with alarming frequency, particularly in urban areas where pedestrians, motorcyclists, and other vulnerable road users share the streets with rideshare vehicles. When a rideshare accident results in death, surviving family members have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim.
As your Uber & Lyft accident lawyer in Boston, we provide compassionate yet aggressive representation for families who have lost loved ones. Wrongful death claims can provide compensation for funeral and burial expenses, medical costs incurred before death, loss of the deceased's income and benefits, loss of companionship and emotional support, and pain and suffering experienced by surviving family members.
These cases require sensitive handling combined with thorough investigation to establish liability and secure just compensation. Whether your loved one was a rideshare passenger, a pedestrian struck by a rideshare vehicle, or another motorist, we will hold all responsible parties accountable and fight for the full measure of damages your family deserves.
Insurance Coverage in Rideshare Accidents
A critical factor in any rideshare case is determining which insurance policy applies. Massachusetts passed comprehensive legislation in 2016 regulating rideshare companies, which established mandatory insurance requirements that vary based on the driver's status at the time of the accident. As your Uber & Lyft accident attorney in Boston, we'll examine whether the driver was:
Offline: Only the driver's personal insurance applies when they are not logged into the rideshare app.
Available for requests: When logged in but no ride has been accepted, the transportation network company must provide minimum liability coverage of $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $30,000 for property damage, along with uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection.
En route or transporting passengers: When en route to pick up or carrying a passenger, the transportation network company must provide $1 million in liability coverage, plus uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and contingent collision coverage.
Our Boston rideshare accident lawyer will obtain all necessary evidence to establish the driver's status at the time of your accident and pursue all available insurance coverage under the 2016 Act's provisions.
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident
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If you've been injured in a rideshare accident, take these important steps:
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Call 911 immediately and request police and medical assistance. Most rideshare apps include an emergency button that shares your location and vehicle information with dispatchers.
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Document everything possible, including photos of the vehicles, your injuries, and the accident scene. Take a screenshot of the rideshare app showing your active trip.
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Collect contact information from the driver, other motorists, and witnesses.
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Seek medical attention promptly, even if you don't think you're seriously injured. Delayed treatment can be used against you by insurance companies.
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Contact a qualified rideshare accident lawyer in Boston before speaking with insurance adjusters. Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts or shift blame to reduce their liability.
Compensation You May Be Entitled to After a Rideshare Accident
Victims of rideshare accidents may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent disability, property damage, and in tragic cases, wrongful death damages for surviving family members.
Why Choose Brooks & Crowley LLP
Our experienced rideshare accident lawyer in Boston brings comprehensive knowledge of Massachusetts rideshare regulations and insurance law to every case. We offer a free initial consultation to help you understand your legal options and how we can help you with your accident claim. We are compassionate and empathetic legal professionals that will support you in your journey to healing and recovery every step of the way.
Our firm will handle all communications with insurance companies, gather critical evidence, consult with expert witnesses when necessary, and fight aggressively for the full compensation you’re entitled to collect. We understand that rideshare law continues to evolve, and we stay current on all legal developments affecting your rights.
Contact Our Boston Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today
Don't let insurance companies undervalue your claim. Whether you need a Boston rideshare accident attorney for an Uber case, a Lyft case, or any other rideshare accident, Brooks & Crowley LLP is here to help. Call now to get started with a free initial consultation.