Types of Rideshare Accidents We Handle
The rideshare industry has created unique legal challenges that few attorneys genuinely understand. Our team has developed proven strategies for all types of Uber and Lyft accident scenarios:
Accidents as a Rideshare Passenger
Being injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft means navigating complex insurance policies and multiple liable parties. We'll determine when the rideshare company's $1 million policy applies and identify every available source of compensation for your injuries.
Collisions with Rideshare Vehicles
If an Uber or Lyft driver hits you, your compensation depends on the driver's app status at the time of the crash. Our attorneys trace the digital footprint to determine which insurance policies apply, from personal coverage to the full commercial policy.
Accidents as a Rideshare Driver
You face unique challenges as a driver injured while working, including potential misclassification and insurance gaps. We understand how to secure fair compensation whether you were actively transporting passengers or waiting between rides when injured.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents
Rideshare drivers rushing to complete trips often endanger pedestrians and cyclists with distracted driving and unsafe maneuvers. We hold both negligent drivers and the companies that create these incentive systems accountable for your injuries.
Multi-Vehicle Rideshare Accidents
Complex crashes involving multiple vehicles require expert investigation to establish liability. Our team excels at documenting these complicated scenarios, identifying all responsible parties, and pursuing compensation from every available insurance policy.
Airport and Tourist Area Rideshare Crashes
Out-of-town drivers unfamiliar with Shreveport's roads create hazards around airports and tourist destinations through app distraction and improper navigation. We understand these unique factors and build compelling cases addressing these circumstances.
Common Injuries in Rideshare Accidents

Imagine you’re traveling to a night out on the town with friends, using an Uber. Suddenly, your Uber driver was paying attention to his phone and not the road. What was supposed to be a fun, carefree night has turned into a nightmare. That’s where Rice & Kendig comes to the rescue.
Rideshare accidents often result in serious injuries that can affect your health, ability to work, and quality of life. At Rice & Kendig, we've helped clients recover fair compensation for a wide range of injuries, including:
- Whiplash and neck injuries often cause chronic pain and mobility issues even when they don't appear on X-rays. These "invisible injuries" require proper documentation and expert medical testimony to prove their impact.
- Traumatic brain injuries can range from mild concussions to severe trauma, affecting your memory, concentration, personality, and ability to work. Even a "minor" head injury can have long-lasting consequences.
- Back and spinal injuries frequently require surgery and extensive rehabilitation and may result in permanent disability. The ongoing treatment costs for these injuries can be substantial and must be factored into any settlement.
- Broken bones and fractures may heal relatively quickly or require multiple surgeries and prolonged recovery. Complex fractures can lead to chronic pain and limited function even after healing.
- Internal injuries might not be immediately apparent but can be life-threatening if not properly diagnosed and treated. The force of rideshare collisions often causes serious damage to vital organs.
Our Shreveport rideshare accident lawyers work closely with medical experts to document the full extent of your injuries and their long-term impact. We fight for compensation that covers your immediate medical needs and any future care you require.
What Makes Rideshare Accident Claims Different?
Rideshare accident claims are notably different from typical car accident cases for several reasons:
- Multiple insurance policies may be involved, including the rideshare company's commercial policy and the driver's personal policy.
- Coverage varies based on the driver's status in the app (offline, waiting for a ride request, en route to pick up, or during a trip).
- Corporate liability issues regarding the rideshare company's responsibility for their drivers.
- Driver classification issues since rideshare drivers are typically considered independent contractors rather than employees.
Our rideshare accident lawyers in Shreveport understand these complexities and know how to navigate them effectively to maximize your recovery.
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident in Shreveport

What you do in the minutes, hours, and days following a rideshare accident can make or break your injury claim. Follow these essential steps to protect your health and legal rights:
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
Get medical help immediately, even if you feel fine. Serious injuries like whiplash, concussions, and internal bleeding often don't show symptoms until days later. Prompt medical care creates an official record connecting your injuries to the accident and prevents insurance companies from claiming your injuries came from something else.
Report the Accident to All Necessary Parties
Call 911 first to get the police on the scene to file an official accident report. Next, report the accident through the rideshare app using the safety features. Finally, notify your own insurance company about the incident. Make sure all reports accurately describe how the crash occurred and save confirmation numbers or report IDs.
Collect All Evidence and Witness Information
Document the scene with your smartphone — take photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, visible injuries, and license plates. Get contact information from all witnesses. For rideshare accidents specifically, preserve digital evidence by taking screenshots of your trip details, saving your receipt, and capturing driver information in the app.
Protect Your Claim from Common Pitfalls
Don't give recorded statements to insurance adjusters without legal representation. Avoid accepting quick settlement offers before understanding your injuries' full impact. Stay off social media, and don't post about your accident, injuries, or what you do, such as vacation photos. Follow all medical advice precisely, and don't delay seeking legal help, as evidence can disappear quickly.
Contact Rice & Kendig as Soon as Possible
The sooner our experienced Shreveport rideshare accident attorneys get involved, the better we can protect your rights. We'll immediately work to preserve critical evidence, handle all insurance communications, ensure you receive proper medical care, identify every possible source of compensation, and build a compelling case for maximum recovery. Remember, your initial consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Damages You Can Recover After a Rideshare Accident

If you've been injured in a rideshare accident, you may be entitled to various types of compensation, including:
Economic Damages
Quantifiable financial losses resulting from your accident:
- Medical Expenses
Emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation. - Future Medical Costs
Ongoing treatments, medications, medical equipment. - Lost Wages
Income lost while recovering from your injuries. - Diminished Earning Capacity
Reduction in your ability to earn money in the future. - Property Damage
Cost to repair or replace damaged property. - Transportation Expenses
Costs for alternative transportation during recovery. - Home Modification Costs
Changes needed to accommodate injuries.
Non-Economic Damages
Intangible losses that affect your quality of life:
- Pain and Suffering
Physical pain and discomfort from injuries. - Emotional Distress
Anxiety, depression, and other psychological effects. - Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Inability to participate in activities you once enjoyed. - Loss of Consortium
Impact on relationships with your spouse. - Permanent Disability or Disfigurement
Long-term effects of visible injuries.
Punitive Damages
In rare cases involving extreme or gross negligence or misconduct, punitive damages may be available to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
Our experienced attorneys will carefully calculate the full value of your claim, ensuring that all current and future losses are accounted for in your settlement demand.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Rideshare Accident?

Determining liability in a rideshare accident can be complex. Depending on the circumstances, potential liable parties may include:
- The rideshare driver if their negligence caused the accident.
- The rideshare company (Uber, Lyft, etc.) often try to avoid liability by classifying drivers as independent contractors.
- Other drivers who may have contributed to or caused the collision.
- Vehicle manufacturers if a defect played a role in the accident.
- Government entities are responsible for road design or maintenance if poor conditions contribute to the crash.
Our skilled Shreveport rideshare accident attorneys will identify all potentially liable parties to maximize your compensation.
Understanding Louisiana's Rideshare Laws and Insurance Coverage

Navigating the aftermath of a rideshare accident means confronting a maze of Louisiana-specific laws and complex insurance policies. Unlike regular car accidents, rideshare crashes involve shifting coverage based on the driver's status at the time of impact, along with specialized state regulations that govern companies like Uber and Lyft.
Statute of Limitations
Louisiana recently changed its laws regarding how long you have to file an injury claim after an accident.
- Pre-July 2024 accidents: One-year filing deadline from the date of the accident.
- Post-July 2024 accidents: Extended two-year filing deadline.
Missing these deadlines could permanently bar your right to compensation.
Transportation Network Company Act (Act 158)
Louisiana passed specific legislation regulating rideshare companies in 2019. This law established minimum insurance requirements and mandated background checks for drivers. It also clarified that rideshare drivers are independent contractors rather than employees, which affects how liability is determined in accident cases.
Pure Comparative Fault Rule
Louisiana operates under a "pure comparative fault" system, meaning you can recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the accident. Your percentage of fault would reduce your compensation, but you remain eligible for recovery regardless of how much fault is assigned to you.
Mandatory Rideshare Identification
State law requires all rideshare vehicles to display company insignia while in service. If your accident involved a vehicle without proper identification, this could constitute a violation that strengthens your case.
Insurance Coverage by Driver Status
What makes rideshare accidents uniquely complex is how the insurance coverage changes based on what the driver was doing when the crash occurred:
- Driver Offline (Not Using App)
- Only the driver's personal auto insurance applies
- Often lower coverage limits
- Potential complications if the policy excludes commercial use
- Driver Logged In, Waiting for Request
- Limited liability coverage: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
- Property damage coverage limited to $25,000
- Coverage is contingent on denial by driver's personal insurance
- Driver En Route to Pickup or During Trip
- $1 million third-party liability coverage
- Potential comprehensive/collision coverage
- Up to $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist protection
Our Shreveport attorneys have deep knowledge of Louisiana's rideshare regulations and insurance requirements. We understand precisely when and how each coverage phase applies and how to maximize your recovery from all available insurance policies.
Confused About Who's Liable for Your Rideshare Accident Injuries?
The answer depends on complex factors that most attorneys don't fully understand. At Rice & Kendig, we've developed specialized strategies for every rideshare accident scenario, from passenger injuries to collisions with Uber drivers.
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