Bryan-College Station Rideshare Accident Attorney

Things to know

Texas Law

In Texas, a bill was passed into law in 2017 that preempts local regulations for ride sharing companies and replaces them with statewide operating standards, including minimum insurance requirements.

Licensing and Insurance Required of Drivers

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation now oversees ride sharing companies and has the power to revoke licenses to operate in the state if businesses like Uber and Lyft don’t comply with state rules. The law includes provisions aimed at protecting customers and requires that ride sharing drivers undergo a yearly criminal background check, not be on the sex offender registry, and carry minimum auto insurance coverage that applies when drivers are between rides ($50,000 for each person injured in an accident; $100,000 per incident; and $25,000 for damage to property) and $1,000,000 in insurance coverage for death, bodily injury, and property damage for each incident when the driver is engaged in a ride.

Receipts and DUI

TNCs have to provide an electronic receipt to customers, and maintain records for all rides within the past five years. The law also provides for a zero-tolerance standard for intoxication related offenses by ride sharing drivers.

What Is the Cause of the Rideshare Accident?

Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have very strict rules regarding how their drivers operate their vehicles. For example, all rideshare drivers are required to follow the traffic laws of the state in which they are operating their vehicle. This means that rideshare drivers are supposed to follow speed limits, stop at red lights, and yield to other vehicles on the road. Unfortunately, many rideshare drivers do not follow these rules, which can lead to accidents.

Some of the most common rideshare accidents occur as follows:

• Rideshare drivers are not paying attention to the road because they are busy texting or talking on the phone
• Rideshare drivers are speeding because they are trying to pick up another customer
• Rideshare drivers are not paying attention to the road because they are looking at their GPS or rideshare app
• Rideshare drivers are not paying attention to the road because they are preoccupied with a passenger or a personal phone call

If you were injured in a rideshare accident, you should not have to pay for your medical bills or other expenses associated with your injuries. At Paradowski Law, our rideshare accident lawyers are committed to helping victims of rideshare accidents recover the compensation they need to move on with their lives. We will work to prove that the rideshare company was at fault for the accident and that it should be held liable for all of your damages.

What Damages Can I Recover in a Rideshare Accident Lawsuit?

The damages you can recover in a rideshare accident lawsuit depend on the severity of your injuries. If you were injured, but not seriously, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses you have had to deal with as a result of the accident. If you were seriously injured, you may be able to recover compensation for your pain and suffering, as well as your future medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.

Some of the most common types of damages our rideshare accident lawyers can help you recover in your lawsuit include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Property damage

At Paradowski Law, our rideshare accident attorneys are committed to making sure our clients receive the maximum compensation they deserve. We will work to prove that the rideshare company was negligent and that it should be held liable for all of your damages.

Expectations

Ride share companies, when faced with injury and death claims, regularly claim their drivers are independent contractors and not employees. Under section 2402.114 of the Texas Occupational Code, a driver who is authorized to log in to a transportation network company’s digital network is considered an independent contractor for all purposes, and not an employee of the company in any manner, if (1) the company does not (a) prescribe the specific hours during which the driver is required to be logged in to the company’s digital network; (b) impose restrictions on the driver’s ability to use other transportation network companies’ digital networks; (c) limit the territory within which the driver may provide digitally prearranged rides; or (d) restrict the driver from engaging in another occupation or business; and 2) the company and the driver agree in writing that the driver is an independent contractor. And the Texas Insurance Code, at section 1954.102, provides that “A transportation network company does not control, direct, or manage a personal vehicle or a transportation network company driver who connects to the company’s digital network except as agreed by written contract.”

You need Paradowski Law to navigate the maze of roadblocks ride share companies and their insurance companies put up.

What Compensation Can Our Rideshare Accident Attorneys Help You Recover?

At Paradowski Law, our rideshare accident lawyers can help you recover compensation for all of the damages you have suffered as a result of your injury. We will work to prove that the rideshare company was negligent and that it should be held liable for all of your damages. We have the resources and experience to effectively represent you in your case. We will work to ensure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries and that you can focus on your recovery.

If you were injured in a rideshare accident, we can help. Call us today!