Tucson Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Tucson Uber & Lyft Accidents Lawyer

Rideshare services have become a staple of transportation, and many people in the Tucson area use Uber and Lyft regularly. However, rideshare accidents often happen when you least expect them, turning an ordinary ride into a frightening and stressful experience. That’s when a Tucson rideshare accident lawyer can step in.

Rideshare accident cases can be complicated, often involving multiple parties, shifting insurance policies, and complicated legal issues. At Bleaman Law Firm, PC, we put victims first. Our experienced team is committed to helping you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you need to recover.

If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, contact a knowledgeable Tucson rideshare accident lawyer at Bleaman Law Firm, PC, to explore your legal options.

Helping Rideshare Accident Victims Recover in Tucson, AZ

When you or a family member is struggling in the aftermath of a rideshare accident in Tucson, it is understandable to have many questions about how you can recover your losses and secure compensation for the harm you suffered.

At Bleaman Law Firm, PC, we know how to confront major insurance carriers, including those that provide coverage for Uber and Lyft. In addition, we can help prove liability for your accident, uncover the scope of the damages you can claim from the defendant, and help maximize your recovery as fully as Arizona law allows.

Proving Liability for Your Rideshare Accident in Tucson

Arizona upholds the fault rule for car accidents, meaning that you must prove liability for your recent rideshare accident before you can recover compensation. As a result, most motor vehicle crashes reported in Arizona each year are caused by negligence or failure to use reasonable care.

However, illegal misconduct can also cause a devastating accident, resulting in both civil claims for damages and criminal proceedings. A few of the most common causes of rideshare crashes in the Tucson area include:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Moving violations
• Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs
• Crashes resulting from driver fatigue or long shifts
• Unsafe lane-change and merging accidents
• Failure-to-yield collisions in intersections and crosswalks
• Rear-end, sideswipe, and T-bone impacts
• Multi-vehicle chain-reaction crashes
• Poor weather or low-visibility–related accidents
• Vehicle malfunction or maintenance-related incidents

No matter the circumstances of your rideshare accident, Bleaman Law Firm, PC is committed to providing a thorough investigation, strong legal advocacy, and personalized support to help you move forward with confidence.

Common Injuries in Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor aches to serious, life-altering conditions. Whether the crash happened in a crowded downtown rideshare zone, on I-10, or near the University of Arizona campus, victims are often left dealing with mounting medical bills, time away from work, and a recovery process that can feel overwhelming. Some common injuries in rideshare accidents include:

• Whiplash and other neck injuries
• Back injuries and spinal trauma
• Broken or fractured bones
• Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and bruising
• Chest injuries, including rib fractures and airbag-related trauma
• Shoulder, elbow, knee, and joint injuries
• Lacerations, cuts, and abrasions
• Internal organ damage or internal bleeding
• Facial injuries, including dental or jaw trauma
• Burns from airbags or vehicle fires
• Psychological injuries such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, having an experienced lawyer on your side is essential. The legal process can be complicated, and insurance companies often try to minimize claims or shift liability. At Bleaman Law Firm, PC, we guide you through every step, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurers, and we fight for the full compensation you deserve.

How Rideshare Insurance Works in Arizona

Understanding rideshare accident laws in Arizona starts with insurance. Arizona’s rideshare insurance structure can be confusing because coverage shifts depending on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash, and knowing how coverage tiers apply is an important part of building a strong personal injury claim. There are three tiers:

• Driver offline. The driver’s personal auto insurance generally applies.
• Driver en route to pick up a passenger. The rideshare company typically offers liability coverage up to certain limits.
• Driver with passenger. Full liability coverage is generally provided by the rideshare company, including bodily injury and property damage.

Navigating these layers of coverage can be confusing, and mistakes in reporting or filing claims can limit or delay your compensation. At Bleaman Law Firm, PC, our Tucson rideshare accident attorneys help victims understand which policies might apply, how to pursue compensation, and what steps to take to protect their rights from the very beginning.

A Deeper Dive into the Different Tiers of Rideshare Insurance in Arizona

Arizona law requires rideshare companies to maintain insurance separate from the insurance their drivers must carry. All drivers must have individual auto insurance that includes:

• $25,000 or more for bodily injuries to a single person in an accident caused by the policyholder.
• At least $50,000 in total accident liability coverage, which covers bodily injuries to more than one person in a single accident.
• $15,000 or more for property damage, which can go toward a victim’s vehicle repair costs and other property losses.

In addition to these required coverage options, drivers are also encouraged to have uninsured motorist coverage. Though not required by law, this can be a valuable addition to a personal auto insurance policy if the policyholder is harmed by an uninsured driver. They can file a claim under their own coverage without incurring penalties, since they did not cause the accident.

Uber and Lyft require their drivers to have personal auto insurance that meets Arizona’s minimum insurance requirements, but Arizona also requires these companies to have additional coverage. This rideshare insurance works differently depending on when an accident occurs.

Rideshare Insurance Continued

As already discussed, if a rideshare driver is not logged into their driver app and they are driving their vehicle for personal reasons, their own auto insurance applies if they cause an accident. However, once they have logged into their driver app and marked themselves as available for a passenger’s ride request, the rideshare insurance policy’s first level of coverage applies.

At this level, the rideshare insurance provides up to $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage to a single person or up to $100,000 in bodily injury liability coverage for multiple victims, and up to $25,000 in property damage liability coverage.

Once a rideshare driver picks up a passenger, the second level of the rideshare company’s insurance applies until the passenger is dropped off at their destination. This level of coverage includes up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage. A claimant must first file a claim against the at-fault driver’s personal auto insurance. Once they exhaust this coverage, they can proceed with their claim against the rideshare company’s insurance.

Understanding Comparative Fault in Rideshare Accidents

Arizona follows a comparative fault rule, which can play a major role in your rideshare accident case. Under comparative fault, if more than one party contributed to a crash, fault is shared among those responsible.

This extends to the victim. If you contributed either to the accident itself or to your own injuries, you can be assigned a percentage of fault. Your compensation is then reduced by the percentage assigned to you.

At Bleaman Law Firm, PC, we work closely with our clients to gather evidence, reconstruct accidents, and build a clear picture of liability. Our goal is to minimize any reductions to your compensation and make sure every party that contributed to your injuries is held accountable. There were over 120,000 vehicle crashes in Arizona in 2023, so it is important to seek legal representation.

How Bleaman Law Firm, PC Can Help With Your Insurance Claim Process

It’s important to remember that dealing with any insurance company can be very difficult. Even if the fault for your accident seems perfectly clear, the actual process of holding an at-fault driver accountable and securing as much compensation as possible from their auto insurance policy can be very challenging.

Our Tucson rideshare accident attorneys can be invaluable assets when it comes to filing your claim for coverage and resolving any controversies that arise between you and the insurance carrier.

Most insurance carriers train their representatives to look for any reason they can find to justify the lowest possible settlement or to deny claims outright. Unfortunately, some insurance companies even resort to willful bad-faith tactics to avoid paying claims.

The Importance of Legal Support

Our team can help reduce the risk of bad-faith handling of your claim, and we are prepared to address it appropriately if it occurs. We can also help draft your demand letter to the appropriate insurance carriers after your accident and ensure they handle your claims in good faith.

Once you receive a settlement offer, we can review it against the policy terms to verify that the insurance carrier has delivered a fair offer. Then, after you secure as much compensation as possible through the insurance claim process, you can get on with a personal injury action if you have outstanding damages that insurance won’t cover.

Building a Personal Injury Case for a Rideshare Accident

Any motor vehicle accident has the potential to inflict life-changing injuries and a host of economic damages to the victim, and insurance might not fully cover the losses you experienced. Even if you’re able to maximize your insurance claim settlements through the at-fault driver’s personal auto insurance policy and the rideshare company’s insurance, this may not be enough to fully compensate for the spectrum of losses you suffered from the accident.

The objective of a personal injury claim is for the plaintiff to recover the compensation they need to become as whole as possible again after another party has harmed them. Under Arizona law, the plaintiff in a personal injury claim has the right to seek recompense for:

• Property damage. The cost of repairing or replacing the plaintiff’s vehicle. Available insurance coverage from the at-fault driver and/or the rideshare company may cover some or all these costs, but any property damage that cannot be recovered through insurance can be cited as economic damages in the plaintiff’s personal injury claim.
• Medical expenses. If the plaintiff suffered severe injuries, insurance coverage may only cover a portion of the total medical expenses incurred. Therefore, you have the right to seek repayment of all immediate medical treatment costs, as well as the cost of ongoing rehabilitative care you require for severe injuries.For example, if you require multiple surgeries and months of physical therapy to fully rehabilitate, the defendant is responsible for all associated medical expenses.
• Lost income. Some victims of rideshare accidents can’t work while they recover from their injuries. If this applies to your situation, you can include your lost income in your personal injury claim as economic damages. Under Arizona law, the defendant is responsible for lost wages and lost earning capacity if your injuries are severe enough to prevent you from returning to work in the future.

When you hire a Tucson rideshare accident attorney from Bleaman Law Firm, PC, we can calculate the full scope of your immediate and future economic damages. However, you also have the right to claim pain and suffering compensation that can enhance your final case award even further.

How to Evaluate Pain and Suffering Compensation in a Rideshare Accident Case

Because each person’s situation and pain threshold differ, it’s difficult to assign a monetary value to pain and suffering. This is where an experienced Tucson rideshare accident attorney can really shine. Legal counsel is an invaluable asset when determining the value of your pain and suffering.

Arizona does not limit or cap pain and suffering compensation in most personal injury claims, so it is possible for this facet of your case award to overshadow the other types of compensation you recover from the defendant. For example, if you suffered a catastrophic injury that has left you permanently disabled, a good attorney can likely justify several times the amount of your total economic losses in pain and suffering compensation.

What to Expect From Your Tucson Rideshare Accident Attorney

Hiring an attorney after a car accident can significantly improve the quality of your recovery and your overall experience with the recovery process. Instead of contending with your medical needs and your legal affairs simultaneously on your own, you will be able to focus on recovery while your legal team manages your case.

Bleaman Law Firm, PC, takes a client-focused approach to personal injury counsel, learning as much as we can about our client and their experience to ensure we help them secure the fullest recovery possible.

Navigating the insurance claim process is the first step in your recovery from a rideshare accident, and this can be very difficult if you must file claims against both the at-fault driver’s personal auto insurance policy and the rideshare company’s insurance.

The Difference Our Legal Team Can Make

Our Tucson rideshare accident attorneys can assist you with your claims, and once you have recovered as much compensation as possible through insurance, they can help compile your personal injury case.

You may need to file a civil claim against a rideshare driver, their employer, or a third party that caused an accident while you were riding in a rideshare driver’s vehicle. Any civil claim in Tucson can be very challenging to navigate, but our Tucson personal injury attorneys can be ready to answer questions and address concerns as they arise throughout these proceedings.

Many civil claims for damages filed in Tucson do not go to litigation. It benefits both parties to settle cases outside of court, avoiding the time investment and expense that litigation often entails. Additionally, a private settlement allows the parties to have more control over the outcome of the case, whereas litigation would mean the judge has the final say on liability for the plaintiff’s damages and how much they can recover from the defendant.

Timing Is Key

Time is an important factor to consider after any motor vehicle accident. You have a very limited time in which to file your insurance claim after an accident, and it is always preferable to approach the claim-filing process with legal counsel. That’s because if you miss the window in which you must file, you then forfeit your right to pursue compensation.

Your attorney can help file your claim within the applicable deadline and ensure you receive a fair settlement offer. Securing legal counsel as soon as possible after your accident also helps ensure you meet the two-year statute of limitations for civil claims.

What to Do Immediately After a Rideshare Accident

The moments following a rideshare accident can be overwhelming, especially if you’re injured or unsure of who’s responsible for the crash. Taking the right steps early on can make a significant difference to the outcome of your claim, so whether the accident happened near the University of Arizona campus, in a busy downtown rideshare zone, or along a high-traffic corridor like Speedway or Broadway, these steps include:

1. Ensure everyone’s safety and call 911
2. Seek Medical attention, even if you feel fine
3. Document the scene with photos and notes
4. Collect contact information from drivers, passengers, and witnesses
5. Notify the rideshare company and your insurance provider
6. Contact the team at Bleaman Law Firm, PC as soon as possible

Navigating the aftermath of a rideshare accident can be stressful, but you don’t have to manage it on your own. Bleaman Law Firm, PC is here to guide you through each step, to protect your rights, and to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Any motor vehicle accident in Tucson can be a life-changing experience, but rideshare accidents are particularly challenging to resolve due to the complexity of the insurance claim process that typically follows such accidents.

Hiring a local Tucson rideshare accident attorney to represent you allows you to approach the recovery process confidently and with peace of mind. You can rest and recover knowing that your case is in capable hands and that you will have a responsive legal advocate readily available to assist you if you encounter any unexpected challenges on your path to recovery.

When you hire Bleaman Law Firm, PC, to represent your rideshare accident case, you can rest assured that our team has the experience and professional resources necessary to handle the most challenging aspects of your recovery efforts.

The Benefits of Hiring Local Legal Counsel You Can Trust

We regularly handle cases in the Pima County Superior Court, the Tucson City Court, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, Tucson Division. This familiarity allows us to anticipate challenges and to shift our strategies based on the judge in charge of your case. When you work with us, you work with a team that understands how Tucson’s legal system functions at every level.

While each rideshare accident victim will face different challenges in their recovery efforts, anyone in this position benefits when they hire reliable legal counsel to represent them. Bleaman Law Firm, PC, will work diligently to gather the evidence you will need to prove fault for your accident.

Once we have identified the party or parties responsible for your damages, we can help determine the optimal path to recovery. For most people in this situation, this may entail one or more insurance claims followed by a personal injury action.

FAQs

Q: How Much Is My Rideshare Accident Claim Worth in Tucson?

A: Most vehicle accident victims can recover the total of their economic damages plus compensation for their pain and suffering. If you can prove liability for your rideshare accident and have the right attorney to handle your case, you could be entitled to claim more compensation than you may initially expect.

Your Tucson rideshare accident attorney can be an essential asset for maximizing the results of your recovery efforts, both through available auto insurance and a subsequent personal injury case.

Q: Can I File a Claim Against Uber or Lyft for a Rideshare Accident?

A: Both Uber and Lyft are required to have auto insurance that can provide up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage, but this may not be enough to fully compensate your losses if you suffered catastrophic injuries. Your Tucson rideshare accident attorney can help determine where to target your recovery efforts. You will likely need to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance before claiming against the rideshare company’s insurance.

Q: Why Do I Need to Hire a Tucson Rideshare Accident Attorney?

A: There may not be a law requiring you to hire legal representation for your rideshare accident claim, but the right attorney can have a tremendously positive influence on the outcome of all your recovery efforts.

They can streamline the insurance claim process and help maximize the settlement offer you receive from an insurance carrier; they can also resolve any controversies that might arise between you and an insurance company.

Q: Could the At-Fault Driver Go to Jail for Causing a Rideshare Accident?

A: When a driver is proven to be at fault for an accident, they face liability for all the damages they inflicted on others. However, they will only face criminal prosecution if they caused the accident through some illegal misconduct.

Reckless driving and DUI are the most commonly cited examples of this. In addition, penalties for DUI and other criminal actions are more severe when they result in severe bodily harm or wrongful death.

Q: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Tucson Rideshare Accident Attorney?

A: Bleaman Law Firm, PC, uses a contingency-fee billing system for our personal injury clients in Tucson. With this billing arrangement, our client is not required to pay upfront or ongoing legal fees for our firm’s representation. Instead, we take a percentage of the total case award we win on their behalf, only if we win. If we are unable to secure compensation for your damages, you are not obligated to pay anything.

Our Legal Team

Bleaman Law Firm, PC, has years of experience representing clients in a variety of motor vehicle accident cases, including those involving rideshare drivers and their employers.

Anyone who experiences this type of accident is likely to face a far more difficult series of complex legal issues than they would after a standard motor vehicle accident. However, we can provide the comprehensive support you need to approach this case with confidence. Contact our team today and schedule a consultation with a Tucson rideshare accident attorney to learn more about how we can empower your recovery efforts.

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