New Orleans Rideshare Accident Lawyers

Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft are a common and convenient way to travel in New Orleans. Residents and tourists frequently rely on rideshare drivers for transportation to the French Quarter, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, Caesars New Orleans, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, and major events like Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest.

Rideshares offer an appealing level of convenience, but they also create unique legal issues when accidents happen. Determining who is responsible and which insurance policy applies can be more complicated than a typical car accident claim.

The New Orleans rideshare accident lawyers at Douglas & London can help injured passengers, drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists pursue compensation after serious crashes involving rideshare vehicles.

How Are Rideshare Accidents Different from Other Car Accidents?

At first glance, an Uber or Lyft accident is just like any other motor vehicle collision. However, rideshare accidents can involve multiple insurance policies, questions regarding driver status, and disputes over liability.

Unlike traditional taxi companies, rideshare drivers are generally classified as independent contractors rather than employees. As a result, determining whether Uber, Lyft, the driver’s personal insurance company, or another party is responsible for damages can be a complex process.

Insurance coverage depends on whether the driver:

Was logged into the rideshare app
Was logged in and waiting for a ride request
Was en route to pick up a passenger
Was actively transporting a passenger

The answer to these questions can significantly affect the amount of insurance coverage available.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in New Orleans

Rideshare drivers often spend long hours navigating unfamiliar neighborhoods, busy intersections, and congested streets. These conditions can increase the likelihood of accidents. Common causes of rideshare accidents are:

Distracted Driving: Constant interaction with the rideshare app for navigation, communication, and payments can take a driver’s attention away from the road.
Driver Fatigue: Many drivers work late nights, early mornings, or multiple jobs. Fatigue can impair reaction times, judgment, and decision-making.
Speeding: Drivers may feel pressure to complete rides quickly to take on additional rides. Speeding increases the risk of collisions and can worsen the severity of injuries.
Failure to Yield: Failing to yield while turning, merging, or crossing intersections can cause crashes involving passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Impaired Driving: Rideshares are often used as designated drivers, but rideshare drivers themselves aren’t immune to poor decisions involving alcohol or drugs.
Unfamiliar Areas: Drivers depend on GPS navigation on unfamiliar roads. Unexpected traffic patterns, lane changes, and missed turns can contribute to accidents.

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Rideshare Activity in New Orleans

Rideshare services are most concentrated in areas that attract tourists, convention attendees, nightlife patrons, and air travelers. As a result, Uber and Lyft vehicles are frequently found in and around the French Quarter, Canal Street, the Warehouse District, casinos, convention centers, and the airport.

The City of New Orleans has established designated rideshare pickup and drop-off zones near Frenchmen Street to help manage traffic and improve safety during periods of high demand. Likewise, the airport dedicates areas to rideshare pickup to accommodate large numbers of Uber and Lyft trips.

Common Injuries in Uber and Lyft Accidents

Injuries sustained in a rideshare crash depend on many factors, including vehicle speed, impact angle, and whether safety restraints were used. Some of the most common injuries are:

Whiplash
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Broken bones
Spinal cord injuries
Internal bleeding
Soft tissue injuries and lacerations
Psychological trauma

Severe injuries can require extensive treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care, putting a financial burden on victims and their families.

What Should You Do After a Rideshare Accident in New Orleans?

The actions you take after an Uber or Lyft accident can affect both your health and your ability to pursue compensation. If possible, consider taking the following steps:

Seek medical attention immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, get evaluated as soon as possible. This also creates documentation that can be important for a potential claim.
Report the accident. Contact the New Orleans Police Department to have an accident report prepared. You should also report the crash through the rideshare company’s app.
Gather evidence. Take photos of vehicle damage and road conditions, obtain contact information from witnesses, take screenshots of ride details in the app, and collect the driver’s insurance information.
Don’t discuss fault. Speculation about who or what caused the accident could be interpreted as accepting blame.
Keep records of your losses. Save medical bills, repair estimates, prescription receipts, and documentation of missed work to help demonstrate the full impact of the accident.
Speak with an attorney. Obtaining legal guidance early can help preserve important evidence that can be used to build a strong case.

Douglas & London is uniquely prepared to help you navigate a potential claim against a rideshare company. We not only have a deep understanding of how insurance companies operate, but we also know the intricacies of The Big Easy’s rich nightlife culture. You can trust us to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

Understanding Uber and Lyft Insurance Coverage

One of the most important aspects of a rideshare accident claim is determining which insurance policy applies. The following factors come into play when evaluating liability:

Driver is offline. If the rideshare driver is not logged into the app, the driver’s personal automobile insurance policy typically applies.
The driver is logged in but waiting for a ride request. When a driver is available for rides but hasn’t accepted a trip yet, limited rideshare insurance coverage may be available.
The driver is picking up a passenger. Once a ride request has been accepted, rideshare companies provide substantially higher liability coverage.
The driver is transporting a passenger. The highest level of rideshare insurance coverage is available when a passenger is in the vehicle and the trip is underway.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Rideshare Accident?

Several parties may share responsibility for a rideshare accident, including:

Rideshare drivers who engage in negligent behavior like distracted driving, speeding, running red lights, following too closely, or driving under the influence
Another motorist who strikes an Uber or Lyft
Vehicle manufacturers, when accidents are caused by brake failures, steering defects, or faulty parts
Government entities, when poorly maintained roads, malfunctioning traffic signals, or dangerous road conditions are contributing factors

Rideshare Accidents Involving Pedestrians and Cyclists

Not all rideshare accident victims are passengers. Pedestrians and bicyclists are particularly vulnerable in dense cities like New Orleans. Common scenarios include:

Drivers making unsafe turns
Failure to yield at crosswalks
Distracted driving
Opening vehicle doors into bicycle lanes
Sudden stops in traffic

New Orleans’ historic areas and entertainment districts cater heavily to foot traffic. Rideshare vehicles frequently stop to pick up and drop off passengers in these crowded spots, increasing the danger to pedestrians and cyclists.

What Compensation Is Available After a Rideshare Accident?

People injured in Uber and Lyft accidents may be entitled to recover compensation for losses such as:

Emergency treatment and hospitalization
Physical therapy
Prescription medications
Future medical care
Lost income and employment benefits
Reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life
Property damage

How Do You Prove Liability in a Rideshare Accident Claim?

Building a successful claim requires substantial evidence that can include:

Police reports
Witness statements
Vehicle damage photographs
Medical records
Surveillance footage
Dashcam footage
Cell phone records
App activity records
Electronic vehicle data

Because rideshare companies maintain digital records that can be easily deleted, quickly obtaining and preserving evidence is important. Failing to file a claim before the statute of limitations deadline can bar you from recovering compensation no matter how strong your case is.

In Louisiana, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file. Louisiana also follows a modified comparative fault system, meaning you won’t be allowed to recover damages if you’re found to be 51% or more at fault for your own accident.

Because exceptions can apply in certain circumstances, it’s important to understand your legal options as soon as possible. Douglas & London is here to walk you through those options so you can make an informed decision on what to do next.

Contact a New Orleans Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Rideshare accident cases involve complicated insurance issues and multiple potentially liable parties. Douglas & London has successfully handled complex injury claims in New Orleans for decades. We know what it takes to help victims pursue compensation after a serious accident.

Our legal team can:

Investigate the crash
Identify liable parties
Preserve critical evidence
Review insurance coverage issues
Consult with experts
Negotiate with insurers
Take your case to court if necessary

We understand the painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertain future that accident victims face. Our team works to build strong claims that account for both current and future losses.

If you were injured as a rideshare passenger, driver, pedestrian, bicyclist, or occupant of another vehicle, our car accident lawyers can review your case and explain your options. Contact Douglas & London today for a free consultation and take the first step toward recovery.