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Shreveport Rideshare Accident Lawyers

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have transformed transportation in Shreveport and nationwide. However, with the increasing number of rideshare vehicles using the roads and highways of Northern Louisiana, the number of accidents involving these vehicles has increased significantly. Crashes involving these services aren’t like normal auto accidents. They can present unique challenges due to complex insurance and corporate defense.

If you've been in a rideshare accident, you're not alone. The rise of ridesharing has been linked to increased traffic accidents; studies have found a correlation with a 3% increase in traffic fatalities in U.S. cities.

At Rice & Kendig, our Shreveport rideshare accident attorneys understand these complexities and can help you pursue maximum compensation.

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Table of Contents

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.

Rideshare Companies Won't Protect Your Interests — We Will!

When Uber or Lyft's corporate insurance tries to minimize your injuries and pay you a fraction of what your claim is worth, you need an aggressive legal team with deep knowledge of Louisiana personal injury law and exceptional skills. Let Rice & Kendig fight for the full compensation your injuries demand. Schedule your free case review today.

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:

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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.

TESTIMONIALS

In Their Words:
How We've Helped Clients After Rideshare Accidents

  • I knew that they would take care of us, and I would definitely recommend them to anybody.

  • Rice & Kendig are very good at seeing what the weakness in our case is and what the strength is and developing both sides of the case.

  • They take great care of you. They care, and they make sure that you get what you need, they make sure that you're okay.

  • I suggest Rice & Kendig if you want someone who cares about you and your situation.

  • They did such a good job fighting for us and not dragging it on... Thanks to Rice & Kendig, the matter was over within a year.

  • He called me every day, made sure I was okay... he was just perfect. You couldn't ask for a better attorney.

  • They took care of us right away. They were loving.

BENEFITS

Why Choose Rice & Kendig for
Your Rideshare Accident Case?

After helping Shreveport accident victims for over five decades, we understand what it takes to win against rideshare companies and their insurers. Here's why our clients trust Rice & Kendig with their rideshare accident claims:

  • Exceptional Skills Handling Rideshare Claims
    We understand the unique complexities that set rideshare cases apart from typical accidents. Our attorneys know exactly when and how the rideshare company's $1 million policy applies to maximize your recovery.
  • 50+ Years of Winning Experience
    Insurance companies recognize our name and know we won't accept lowball offers. Our proven track record of multi-million dollar recoveries gives us the leverage to demand fair compensation for your injuries.
  • Direct Access to Senior Attorneys
    You'll never be passed between associates or left wondering who's handling your case. Our senior partners work directly with you from initial consultation to final resolution, providing experienced guidance every step of the way.
  • Local Advantage in Shreveport
    Our deep roots in the Shreveport community give your case a hometown advantage. Five decades of local experience means we know the courts, the judges, and the most effective strategies for success in Northwest Louisiana.
  • Bilingual Legal Services
    Language barriers should never prevent you from receiving exceptional legal representation. Our Spanish-speaking team ensures all clients receive the same powerful advocacy regardless of their primary language.
  • No Recovery, No Fee Guarantee
    You won't pay a dime unless we win your case, period. This straightforward promise allows you to focus on healing while we handle the complex legal battle for the compensation you deserve.
Your Local Advocates

Serving Rideshare Accident Victims
Across Northwest Louisiana

Rice & Kendig delivers top-notch rideshare accident representation throughout Northern Louisiana. Whether your Uber or Lyft accident happened in bustling downtown Shreveport or on quiet rural highways, we understand the local factors that influence your case.

Our attorneys serve victims across:

Office Address

912 Kings Highway Shreveport, Louisiana 71104

Don’t Let the Rideshare Company Win

Contact Rice & Kendig Today

A rideshare accident changes everything in seconds. You don’t have to go through this alone. Our Shreveport rideshare accident attorneys are ready to fight for the most money possible in your case.

We've successfully resolved numerous Uber and Lyft accident claims for Shreveport families and understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll you're experiencing. Let us shoulder the legal burden while you concentrate on healing.

You can also complete our online form or call us for a free, no-obligation consultation. Remember, you pay absolutely nothing unless we win your case.

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