Katy Ridesharing FAQs
The Houston area alone hands out over 3 million vehicle registrations each year. Meanwhile, the rideshare industry—including the two giants Uber and Lyft—continues to grow at astounding rates. With this rapidly-growing number of cars on the road, accidents naturally follow. Getting in a regular car accident is confusing and frustrating enough. When you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft and suffer injuries in a car accident, it’s a whole new headache as you try to figure out who’s to blame. That’s why you need the services of an experienced rideshare accident lawyer in Katy. Like the rideshare industry itself, this is a new and ever-changing area of law. Understanding what comes next and how you collect compensation for your injuries is important. Uncertainty leads to more stress. The questions below may help you get a better idea of what happens next for you. To find out more, speak with a compassionate and aggressive Katy rideshare accident lawyer.
Whose insurance covers the passenger in a Katy ridesharing accident?
If you are a passenger in a rideshare vehicle when an accident happens, the rideshare company’s insurance may cover your injuries, but only up to a certain amount… and you can count on the company putting up a big fight. They do not want to pay out any claim, especially if your injuries are severe and may require a substantial amount of money to help you recover. If your driver caused the accident, their insurance may cover your injuries, too. Rideshare companies may require the driver’s insurance to cover you. If there are any medical expenses left after their limits are exceeded, then the rideshare company’s insurance might kick in. Again, do not count on this happening out of the goodness of these corporations’ hearts. Rideshare companies do not want to pay for accidents and injuries. They will fight to keep money in their pocket. That’s why you need an aggressive Katy rideshare accident lawyer to fight for for you and help you collect every dollar you deserve. Rideshare companies have professional legal teams; why shouldn’t you? Don’t let them stack the deck.
Does the rideshare driver have to carry special insurance in Katy?
Yes. Because the rideshare driver is using their personal vehicle, they are subject to Texas insurance requirements just like anyone else on the road. (Whether or not they follow those requirements is another story entirely!) If your driver is underinsured, meaning they do not carry enough insurance coverage to cover your medical expenses, you may need to file a rideshare accident injury claim to recover additional compensation. This might sound tedious, but do you really want to be in a position where you have to pay for medical bills related to your rideshare accident? Of course not! Partnering with a trusted Katy rideshare accident lawyer gives you access to years of experience helping accident victims like you recover compensation for your injuries. The last thing you want is to face financial hardship because of an accident you did not cause.
Do I have to go to court for my Katy ridesharing accident?
Many people fear the courtroom, and that’s entirely understandable. But going to court and going to trial are not the same. A trial can be a costly and time-consuming endeavor. In car accident claims, it often means the insurance company refuses to settle for a fair and reasonable amount, leaving you no other option than to make your case before a jury. While most rideshare accident injury claims settle out of court, we want to make sure you get every dollar you deserve. That might require going to trial. We will take all necessary steps to avoid this additional stress, but insurance companies have a vested interest in not paying your claim. This is also why your case depends on a Katy ridesharing accident lawyer who has proven trial experience. You do not want a lawyer whose first time in court is with you.
Why do I need to file a Katy ridesharing accident claim?
Unfortunately, most insurance coverage will not provide enough money to cover serious or lifelong medical expenses. Most insurance companies will fight to prevent you from receiving full compensation. After all, they don’t make any money if they pay your claim! Your only options may be to sue them. By filing a rideshare claim, you allege another driver caused your accident, resulting in your injuries. Filing this claim gives you the chance to state your claims, through your lawyer, that your medical expenses and other financial losses should be covered by the at-fault party, not by your savings account. Filing your claim properly and promptly can give you the chance to recover maximum compensation for your injuries. You should not bear the burden of paying your medical expenses or covering your financial losses that result from your rideshare accident. Give yourself the best chance of reaching that goal by partnering with a skilled rideshare accident attorney in Katy.
Do I have to file a Katy ridesharing accident claim soon?
Yes. According to the Texas statute of limitations for car accident, you only have two years after the date of your accident to file a claim against the at-fault party. Two years seems like a long time right now, but think about everything you may have to deal with:
- Extended hospital stays
- Multiple surgeries
- Time off work
- In-facility rehabilitation
- In-home care
Before you know it, two years have gone by and you have missed your chance to hold the negligent driver accountable. If you miss this important deadline, you cannot bring a rideshare accident injury claim against the at-fault driver. This means you could be on the hook for all of your medical expenses! Do not let this happen to you. Speak with a lawyer today!
How much is my Katy ridesharing accident claim worth?
Every accident victim wants to know the answer to this question, but no one can tell you with certainty exactly how much your claim is worth. What your lawyer can do is work with you and with their trusted resources to create an accurate estimate of your future needs. Your lawyer’s resources—which may include accident recreation experts and actuaries—will help by determining the severity of your injuries and calculating how much your medical expenses may be in the future. They will also calculate how much time you will spend out of work to determine how much salary you may lose. Taking all of these calculations together, your legal team now has an accurate estimate of the true value of your claim. This gives your lawyer a good starting point for negotiations with the insurance company. The last thing you want is to not know the full value of your claim, settle for way less than what your claim is worth, and then end up on the hook for your medical bills because the money you got was not nearly enough. You can avoid this situation by partnering with a trusted and experienced Katy rideshare accident lawyer.
How quickly will I get the money I’m owed for my Katy ridesharing accident?
Like so many questions about the law, the answer here depends. We know you are hurting and we know you have mountains of medical bills. We want to help you get money to pay those bills as quickly as possible. But we also want to make sure you are not short-changed, and that you get every dollar you deserve. This can take time. Some rideshare injury claims will settle in a few months. Others may require a trial that can take a year or more. One of the biggest factors in how long it takes to collect money for you is how severe your injuries are and your medical prognosis. The more severe your injuries, the more costly they are, and the longer it will take to collect compensation. Don’t let time scare you away. Patience pays. The most important thing here is that you do not pay a penny out of your own pocket for your medical expenses. The best way to reach that goal is to file a rideshare accident injury claim as soon as possible after your accident and let your lawyer start fighting to collect every dollar you deserve. By starting this process soon after your accident, you can focus all of your effort and energy on your physical recovery while your legal team focuses on holding the negligent party liable and collecting maximum compensation for you.
Can I just settle my Katy ridesharing accident claim?
Yes, and that is often your lawyer’s goal. But you should never settle without a lawyer. Many insurance companies prey on accident victims like you. Insurance companies are in the business of making money, and if they pay the full value of your claim, they will not turn a profit. That’s why they contact you so soon after your rideshare accident and offer you an “exclusive, time-sensitive” offer. Don’t believe them! When an insurance company makes you a quick settlement offer and pressures you to take it, they do that because it is in their best interest, not yours. They want to make you go away for as little money as possible. They do not care if you do not have enough money to pay your medical expenses, they do not care if you recover from your injuries, and they never lead with their highest number. All they care about is settling your case for less than it’s worth! They may even tell you that you do not need a lawyer to review the settlement offer or that a lawyer will only take money from the offer, leaving you with less. This isn’t true. In reality, working with a lawyer can increase your settlement amount and the money you have to pay your bills. The insurance company also won’t tell you that if you take their initial offer and then later realize the settlement funds have run dry but you still have bills to pay, you’re out of luck! When you sign the settlement offer, you waive your right to bring any future claims against the insurance company for this accident. That’s why it is vital to your recovery that you work with a skilled Katy personal injury attorney who can help you collect every dollar you deserve.
What can your Katy rideshare lawyers do for me?
Our lawyers can help you maximize your financial recovery by aggressively negotiating with the insurance company. Without the right legal team at your side, you risk financial hardship by having to pay your medical expenses and absorb your financial losses, all resulting from an accident you did not cause. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a rideshare accident, speak with an aggressive and experienced Katy rideshare accident lawyer today.
