Car Wreck

Rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber have risen to prominence over the last several years, grabbing a sizable market share from traditional taxi cab and town car companies. Additionally, there has been a surge in food delivery services (like DoorDash) and contract delivery drivers for Amazon. With more and more of these companies offering rides and deliveries from their part-time drivers, we are also seeing accidents involving the drivers for these companies. These accidents can sometimes have confusing liability issues that accompany them. It is important to know how to proceed and what you are entitled to if you are involved in an accident with a rideshare driver, as a passenger or another driver.

Can You Sue the Rideshare company? Who is Liable in a Lyft or Uber Accident?

As with most legal questions, the answer is, it depends. Liability for an Uber or Lyft accident will depend upon whether the driver is logged on to his rideshare company's app, and if so, whether the driver is waiting for a ride request or actively giving a ride or making a delivery. The Texas Insurance Code Chapter 1954 requires rideshare drivers to carry specific insurance policies that provide coverage regardless of their activity, so you will need to ascertain a few facts before you determine your course of action.

Was the Driver Logged on to the Rideshare App?

If the driver was NOT logged onto the ridesharing app, then the driver's personal insurance will be responsible for covering the driver in the event of an accident. There generally will not be any ramifications for the rideshare company, and no real reason to pursue any claims against them. Of course, we would need many more facts to determine the exact course of action. If the driver is logged on to the rideshare app, you will need to determine whether they are in-between rides, or actively participating in a ride.

Was the Driver in-between Rides When the Accident Happened?

This is the largest gray area in the new insurance law. While coverage is required, there is no requirement regarding who must cover the driver. Many insurance companies exclude coverage on drivers using their personal vehicles for ridesharing purposes, and rideshare companies are hesitant to provide the additional coverage since they are not required to by law. Ridesharedashboard.com lays out the coverage options in Texas, pointing out that currently, only GEICO and Farmer's offer coverage to both Uber and Lyft drivers, while MetLife will cover Lyft drivers only, and Allstate is currently working on their rideshare policy.

Nonetheless, the Texas Insurance Code Sec. 1954.052 requires rideshare drivers to be covered by a 50/100/25 policy. This means that they must be covered up to $50,000 for bodily injury or death of each person in an incident, $100,000 for bodily injury or death of a person per incident, and $25,000 for damage or destruction of property of others. This is a higher level of coverage than the standard 30/60/25 policy required for Texas drivers. This should not be an issue as drivers are required to notify their insurance provider if they are driving for a rideshare company. However, it will be very important to determine who is covering the driver in the event of an accident. Fortunately, there is a safeguard in Sec. 1954.054 that requires the rideshare company to cover claims in the event the driver's policy has lapsed or does not cover the claim. If you find yourself in this situation, please get as much information from the driver as possible and contact an attorney immediately.

For driver's logged onto the rideshare app but currently in-between rides:

• Uber Provides: 50/100/25 coverage for its drivers and can supplement the personal policy
• Lyft Provides: 50/100/25 coverage in the event a driver's personal policy does not cover this much.

Was the Lyft or Uber Driver Engaged in a Ride?

The term "engaged in a ride" can mean two things: either the driver was on his way to pick up a passenger, or the driver currently had a passenger in the car. If the driver involved in the accident was currently engaged in a ride, that driver MUST be covered by a $1 million coverage policy according to Texas law. Recent legislative action in many states has pushed for this coverage, influencing these companies to adopt these insurance policies. Should you be involved in an accident with an engaged rideshare driver, whether as passenger or third party, this insurance should provide coverage for damages caused by the driver.

For drivers "engaged in a ride:"

• Uber Provides:
  • $1 million coverage for damages caused by driver
  • $1 million coverage for damage done by an under/uninsured motorist
  • Supplemental coverage for collision and comprehensive personal policies
  • These will cover the rider if a rider is in the car with the Uber driver

• Lyft Provides:
  • Lyft will take over as primary provider
  • $1 million coverage for damages caused by driver
  • $1 million coverage for damage done by an under/uninsured motorist
  • Supplemental coverage for collision and comprehensive personal policies

What Should You Do if You are Involved in an Accident with a Rideshare Driver?

1. Get to a safe place and call 911. Safety and health are the first priority.
2. Take pictures of the accident and surroundings.
3. Get the names, phone numbers, addresses of everyone involved and any witnesses.
4. Get the name of the rideshare driver, determine whether they were logged on to the rideshare app, whether he/she was engaged in a ride, and get a picture of the insurance policy
   • Under Sec. 1954.056b, the drivers are required to provide this information in the case of an accident
   • If you are the passenger of a rideshare when the accident occurs, screenshot the app on your phone

5. Call your attorney.

 

To review companies' insurance policies, click on their Logo below:

Airbags can often mitigate chances of severe or deadly injuries to the driver and other passengers. According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, airbags have saved more than 50,000 lives in the United States alone. In some cases, however, an airbag can malfunction during a collision or can be deployed improperly during a non-accident, leading to additional injuries. In many of the car or truck accident cases that we handle, our clients sustain injuries from the airbag. Because airbags were designed to operate instantaneously by using a range of sensors and an internal explosion, even the tiniest malfunction within its system can create devastating effects.

Causes of Malfunctioning Airbags and Resulting Circumstances

Common reasons airbags malfunction may include:

• Nonactivated sensors;
• Defective airbag sensors;
• Faulty electrical components; and
• Defective crash sensors;

If the airbag malfunctions for any of these reasons, it may result in a variety of problematic circumstances:

• The airbag may be deployed during a non-accident;
• The airbag may fail to deploy during a collision;
• The airbag may deploy in the wrong area of the vehicle; or
• The airbag may deploy too late (after the accident has already occurred)

Common Injuries Related to Airbags

Airbag injuries can occur even if the airbag functions properly during a collision. Airbags may lead to a range of injuries to various parts of the body. The force of the airbag, which is estimated to deploy at 100 to 220 mph, along with the chemicals used within the device, may create significant trauma to the body. Common injuries include:

• Abrasions;
• Burns;
• Broken bones;
• Eye injuries;
• Brain injury;
• Internal bleeding; and
• Broken ribs

What Are Your Options and Solutions if You are Injured by an Airbag in Texas?

If you experienced airbag-related injuries due to the negligence of another driver in an automobile accident, you may be entitled to recovery. If you are experiencing discomfort or pain after an airbag related injury, it is important to seek medical attention. We do not charge a fee on injury cases unless we collect damages for you. Call us today at (817) 993-9249 or contact us online.

We've all been there...stuck on the highway while the driver in the left lane (i.e. the "fast" lane) is going slower or the same speed as the cars on the right. This can cause congestion and considerable frustration to drivers wanting to pass. Texas Transportation Code Section 545.051 actually requires slower drivers to use the right hand lane. However, it would appear that many drivers are unaware of this requirement.

Does Driving Slowly in the Left Lane Cause Accidents?

As personal injury attorneys, we have seen many car accidents that happened on the highway due to unsafe passing. This typically happens when the faster driver weaves in and out of lanes trying to pass the slower drivers. Vox published a helpful video that does a fair job explaining the danger of driving slowly in the left lane.

 

Texas is Cracking Down on Driving in the Left Lane

Texas DPS has ramped up its enforcement of left-lane citations in the last several years. DPS officials have noted that driving slowly in the left lane is a hazard and requires enforcement.

Whether it was a car wreck, a truck accident, or a wrongful death, if you or a loved one have been seriously injured on a Texas highway, contact our experienced Personal Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Why Do I Have Chest Pain After an Auto Accident?

Car accidents are common sights on Texas roads. Whether on busy highways or country backroads, accidents happen daily. Even though improvements in vehicle safety features continue to lower a driver’s risk of injury or death on roadways, the chances of completely avoiding an injury as a result of a collision are pretty slim. Most drivers will walk away with at least some bruising, small cuts and scrapes, or whiplash. These drivers would most likely consider themselves lucky to have avoided more serious injuries. Unfortunately, though these “minor” injuries are easily seen, they may not necessarily be the complete extent of a person’s injuries.

Should I Be Worried if I Experience Chest Pain After a Car Wreck?

Following an accident, a person may begin experiencing chest pain. If his external injuries were little more than some scrapes or bruises, he may be inclined to attribute the chest pain to the similar soft tissue pain that many experience in even low-speed accidents. This thinking could be very dangerous. Pain in your chest following an accident could indicate an injury to your ribs, your lungs, or even your heart. You should take every pain symptom seriously and get a full and thorough examination by a doctor to rule out any great chest injuries that could have occurred.

Common Causes of Chest Pain Following a Car Wreck

Having handled several hundred car accident cases, we have seen our share of chest injuries following a car crash. Some of the more common causes are:

• Muscle Strains

• Bruised Ribs or Broken Ribs

• Internal Injuries (Heart and Lungs)

Chest Pain Injuries from Seatbelts and Airbags

The number of lives saved by seatbelts and airbags is undeniable. However, each year seatbelts and airbags are responsible for face, neck, and chest injuries. The impact to a chest from a sudden stop can break ribs and bruise delicate heart tissue. In the latter case, symptoms may not appear for weeks or months following an accident and can be incredibly painful when they do appear.

What to do if You Experience Chest Pain After an Auto Accident

If you are experiencing any chest pain following a car accident in Texas, it is extremely important that you seek medical attention quickly. Left untreated, chest pain can develop into more serious, sometimes life-threatening, conditions. If you or your loved one has suffered personal injuries due to a car wreck, please speak with an attorney. Our attorneys can help point you in the right direction to the best doctors that can help you with your pain and suffering. We do not charge a fee on injury cases unless we collect damages for you. Call us today at (817) 993-9249 or contact us online.

Why Do Law Enforcement Officers Write Accident Reports?

Under Texas law, a law enforcement officer investigating a motor vehicle accident must submit a written report of any accident involving injury, death, or property damage believed to be greater than $1000 within ten days of the date of the accident (Texas Transportation Code, Subchapter D, Sec. 550). If no injuries occurred, or if the damage to property was less than $1000, no report is required.

Who Can Get an Accident Report?

The Texas Transportation Code states that accident reports can be made available to any of the following persons/entities after submitting a written request and paying any required fees:

• any person involved in the accident;
• a person authorized to represent any person involved in the accident;
• a driver involved in the accident;
• an employer, parent, or legal guardian of a driver involved in the accident;
• the owner of a vehicle or property damaged in the accident;
• a person who has established financial responsibility for a vehicle involved in the accident;
• an insurance company that issued an insurance policy covering a vehicle involved in the accident;
• an insurance company that issued a policy covering any person involved in the accident;
• a person under contract to provide claims or underwriting information to a person with financial responsibilities for the vehicle or to an insurance company that issued a policy for a vehicle damaged in the accident or an individual injured in the accident
• a radio or television station that holds a license issued by the Federal Communications Commission;
• a newspaper;
• any person who may sue because of death resulting from the accident;

How Can I Get My Accident Report?

If you were involved in an accident, and an officer prepared a report, you may obtain a copy of your report by going to the website of the county, city, or municipality in which the accident occurred and submitting a written request. If an accident occurred outside city limits, you can go to the investigating agency’s website, i.e. Sheriff’s Office or Department of Public Safety. Be advised, you may be required to pay a fee for your report. Included below are some helpful links to various DFW city websites where you can request your report or find out more information.

County Websites to Request Accident Reports

• Collin County
• Dallas County
• Denton County
• Hood County
• Johnson County
• Parker County
• Tarrant County
• Wise County

DFW Metroplex City Websites to Request Accident Reports

• Arlington
• Bedford
• Crowley
• Dallas
• Everman
• Euless
• Fort Worth
• Hurst
• Keller
• Kennedale
• North Richland Hills
• Saginaw
• Sansom Park
• Watauga
• White Settlement

Accident reports are important in personal injury cases because they contain information about the at-fault party, their insurance company, and the responding officer’s determination as to how the accident occurred and who was at fault, all information that an attorney would need to begin pursuing a personal injury claim. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you obtain your accident report as well as provide you valuable information, support, and guidance while pursuing your personal injury claim.