Taking an Uber or Lyft is an easy way to move around Pascagoula without relying on your own vehicle or public transportation. Despite this, an accident could present you with unique and challenging questions about liability and where to file an injury claim. Most drivers for these ridesharing companies are considered contractors and must carry their own insurance, clouding the claims process.
Speaking with a Pascagoula Uber/Lyft accident lawyer could better prepare you for the process of filing a claim. Should you choose to move forward, an experienced car accident attorney could help gather and preserve evidence, build a strong case, and pursue compensation for your damages.
In some personal injury cases, the defense team may argue that the plaintiff is partly responsible for the accident. According to Mississippi’s pure comparative negligence law, any compensation to which the victim is entitled to could be reduced by an amount that is equal to their percentage of fault.
For example, if an injured plaintiff is eligible to receive damages, but a jury finds them to be 33 percent at fault for their own injury, their compensation may be reduced by their percentage of liability.
Mississippi courts are mandated to apply the comparative fault rule in any case in which fault is shared. The defendant may allege that the passenger’s actions somehow contributed to the accident. An experienced rideshare accident lawyer in Pascagoula could gather evidence to defend against claims of shared fault.
Most Uber and Lyft drivers are not employees but paid contractors with their own vehicles, maintenance, and insurance. For passengers inside these rideshare vehicles, arguments over shared fault shared between different parties can complicate the legal proceedings. In some cases, the rideshare company, the driver, and the driver’s insurance company may all hold some degree of liability.
An accomplished attorney could review the facts of the case and help determine which party may bear responsibility for the accident.
The deadline for filing a lawsuit on behalf of the victim is also referred to as the statute of limitations. This is the deadline that a complainant has to file a civil action. Mississippi Code Section 15-1-49 dictates that injured individuals have three years from the date of the accident to initiate a personal injury lawsuit in civil court.
Attempting to file the case outside this three-year period could lead to a case dismissal, depriving a victim of his or her potential recoverable damages. Fortunately, a Pascagoula Uber/Lyft accident lawyer could help one file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations.
Uber and Lyft accidents are relatively new in terms of litigation, so proper preparation and evidence analysis could be key to presenting your case in court. A skilled Pascagoula Uber/Lyft accident lawyer could determine which particular party to include in a civil claim and how best to pursue compensation for your injuries.
An initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer could be your opportunity to understand your options for moving forward with civil litigation more clearly. Call today to schedule a consultation.