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Rideshare Accidents Involving Passengers

Have you or a loved one been injured in an auto accident involving a rideshare driver in Knoxville, Tennessee? Contact DZ Law today to schedule a free consultation with our Knoxville rideshare accident lawyers. We will help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

Rideshare services are a convenient way to get around Knoxville and other parts of Tennessee. You might be heading home from a night out in Market Square, or catching a ride to McGhee Tyson Airport when an accident happens. The convenience of a rideshare ride can quickly turn into chaos. 

As a passenger, you may find yourself dealing with severe injuries, expensive medical bills, and property damage. You may also face challenges when trying to figure out who is responsible for your injuries—whether it's the rideshare driver, another driver, or even the rideshare company itself. 

That's where DZ Law comes in. Based in Downtown Knoxville, we're here to help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve. Our team, including primary attorneys Robert Dziewulski and Ashleigh Beer-Vineyard, knows Tennessee rideshare laws inside and out. Robert has been recognized as a Mid-South Super Lawyer for transactional litigation in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Ashleigh was selected as a Mid-South Super Lawyer in 2022. 

We emphasize proactive legal strategies and provide comprehensive legal solutions tailored to clients' needs for personal injury cases. You don't have to face this alone - our Knoxville legal team will handle every aspect of your claim, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies, while you focus on healing.

Legal Rights of Rideshare Passengers in Tennessee

If you're injured as a rideshare passenger in Tennessee, understanding your legal rights can make a significant difference in your recovery process. These rights are in place to protect you and help you navigate the challenges that often arise after accidents involving rideshare vehicles. Here are some of the important legal rights that protect you as a rideshare passenger:

      The Right to Safe Transportation: When you use a ridesharing service like Uber or Lyft, you enter the vehicle with the expectation that your ride will be safe and the driver will act responsibly. Tennessee law requires drivers to follow traffic laws, maintain control of their vehicles, and operate in a manner that doesn't endanger passengers or other road users. If a rideshare driver disregards these obligations—for instance, by speeding, driving recklessly, or failing to follow road signs—you have the right to hold them accountable for any injuries you suffer as a result. These laws are in place to ensure that passengers are not left vulnerable when they rely on rideshare services to get around.

      The Right to Seek Compensation Through a Personal Injury Claim: If you've been injured in a rideshare accident, you have the right to pursue a personal injury claim to seek compensation for the harm you've suffered. This includes both physical injuries and financial losses resulting from the accident. Whether the negligence lies with the rideshare driver, another motorist, or multiple parties, Tennessee law allows passengers to recover damages for their losses. Filing a claim might feel overwhelming, especially as you deal with medical treatment and other disruptions to your life, but it is an essential step in ensuring that you are not left to bear the financial burden of the accident alone.

      The Right to Insurance Coverage: Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are required by law to carry insurance coverage that protects passengers during rides. However, this coverage can be complex, as it depends on the driver's status at the time of the accident. If the driver was actively transporting passengers or on the way to pick someone up, the rideshare company's insurance policies typically apply. In these cases, you may be covered under policies that provide higher limits than the driver's personal insurance. On the other hand, if the driver was not actively providing rideshare services, their personal insurance might apply instead. Understanding these details can be challenging, but knowing that coverage is available is an important right you have as a passenger.

      The Right to Prompt Medical Attention: After a rideshare accident, seeking medical attention should be your top priority. Tennessee law protects your right to receive timely medical care to address your injuries. Receiving prompt medical attention not only safeguards your health but also creates a record of your injuries, which can be used to support your claim.

      The Right to Legal Representation: If you're a rideshare passenger in Knoxville or elsewhere in Tennessee, you have the right to work with an experienced personal injury attorney to help you through the claims process. Legal representation is particularly important in rideshare cases because of the complexities involved, such as dealing with multiple insurance companies and determining liability. An attorney can ensure that your rights are protected. Having someone advocate for you can take the stress off your shoulders, allowing you to focus on healing.

Whether you were injured in Knoxville or anywhere else in the state, knowing these rights can empower you to take the right steps toward securing compensation and justice.

 

 

Evidence Collection

When you're injured as a passenger in a rideshare accident, gathering evidence is one of the most critical steps you can take. This evidence will help establish liability and strengthen your case against the responsible party. Here are some types of evidence you should focus on collecting:

      App Data: App data can provide essential details to help establish what happened during the rideshare accident. The rideshare app you used provides important information, such as the time and date of the ride, the driver's status, and the details of your trip. For example, if the accident happened while the driver was actively engaged in transporting you, this app data can establish that the rideshare company's insurance coverage should apply. Screenshots of your ride details, including confirmation of the trip, the driver's name, and the license plate number, can be vital pieces of evidence to share with your attorney.

      Witness Statements: Witness testimony can play a significant role in determining what happened during an accident. If there were other passengers in the rideshare vehicle or bystanders who saw the crash, their accounts can help support your version of events. Witnesses may have noticed details you missed, such as another vehicle running a red light or the rideshare driver appearing distracted.

      Police Reports: Calling the police after an accident is essential, as the responding officer will create an official report documenting the crash. This report typically includes important details, such as the location of the accident, the time it occurred, and the parties involved. Police reports are valuable evidence since they offer an official record of the incident.

      Photos and Videos: If you're able, take photos and videos of the scene, including the vehicles involved, road conditions, and any visible injuries you sustained. Images showing the damage to the rideshare vehicle and other cars can help demonstrate the severity of the crash, which can be critical when seeking compensation.

      Medical Records: Your medical records are one of the most important pieces of evidence in a personal injury claim. These records document the extent of your injuries and the treatment you received, providing a clear link between the accident and the harm you suffered. Be sure to keep all records, including diagnoses, prescriptions, and bills, as they will help your attorney calculate the compensation you're entitled to.

Collecting evidence after a rideshare accident is crucial for building a strong case and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the process, ensuring all relevant evidence is gathered and properly used to support your claim.

 

 

Proving Driver Negligence in Passenger Cases

Proving negligence is a key part of recovering compensation after a rideshare accident. To establish negligence, you must demonstrate that the driver's actions directly caused the accident and your resulting injuries. Here are the key elements you need to establish to prove negligence after a rideshare accident:

      Duty of Care: Rideshare drivers, like all motorists, have a duty to operate their vehicles responsibly and follow traffic laws. This duty of care includes ensuring the safety of their passengers, meaning they are expected to drive in a manner that minimizes the risk of accidents and keeps you safe throughout the ride.

      Breach of Duty: A breach of duty occurs when a driver fails to meet the standard of care expected of them. This can include behaviors like speeding, running red lights, or driving while distracted. For example, if a rideshare driver checks their phone while behind the wheel and causes an accident, they've breached their duty to provide a safe ride.

      Causation: To recover compensation, you must demonstrate that the driver's actions directly caused your injuries. For example, if the driver ran a stop sign and caused a collision, leading to your injuries, you must prove that this specific action was the cause of the harm you experienced.

      Damages: It is essential to prove that you suffered actual damages as a result of the accident. These damages can include medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. Without showing evidence of these damages, even clear negligence may not lead to a successful claim for compensation.

By establishing the key elements of negligence, you can build a strong case to support your claim for damages.

Compensation for Injuries Sustained as a Rideshare Passenger

If you've been injured as a passenger in a rideshare accident in Knoxville or anywhere in Tennessee, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Some types of compensation you may be entitled to include:

      Medical Expenses: When you are injured in a rideshare accident, medical expenses can quickly pile up. You may have costs for emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, follow-up appointments, medications, and physical therapy. These expenses can become overwhelming, especially if your injuries require ongoing or long-term treatment. As a passenger, you should not have to worry about paying for your care when the accident wasn't your fault. Compensation for medical expenses helps ensure you have access to the treatment you need, no matter how costly it may be.

      Lost Wages: Injuries from a rideshare accident can prevent you from working, leaving you without the income you depend on to cover your expenses. Whether your recovery takes days, weeks, or even months, the financial impact of being unable to work can create significant stress. Compensation for lost wages allows you to recover the income you missed during your recovery. If your injuries are so severe that you are unable to return to work or must take on a less physically demanding role, you may also be entitled to compensation for the loss of future earnings.

      Pain and Suffering: Being involved in a rideshare accident can leave you with physical pain and emotional challenges that go beyond your medical bills. Pain and suffering compensation recognizes the ways in which your injuries have impacted your daily life. This compensation accounts for physical discomfort, limited mobility, and emotional struggles such as anxiety or depression.

      Property Damage: A rideshare accident can result in damage to your personal belongings. Items like phones, clothing, or electronics may be damaged during the crash. Replacing or repairing these items can add an additional financial burden during an already difficult time. Compensation for property damage helps you recover the value of items that were broken or destroyed. By documenting your belongings and their condition after the accident, you can include these losses in your claim.

By pursuing compensation for these damages, you can ease the burden of medical expenses, lost wages, and other accident-related costs. A personal injury attorney can help you navigate the process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

 

 

Contact a Knoxville Rideshare Accident Lawyer

If you were injured as a passenger in a rideshare accident in Knoxville, Tennessee, you don't have to face the aftermath alone. At DZ Law, we specialize in securing compensation for victims just like you, covering medical bills, lost income, and more. Our experienced team knows how to navigate the complexities of Tennessee rideshare accident claims, ensuring no detail is overlooked.

We take pride in providing compassionate, client-focused representation. While you focus on healing, we'll handle everything from collecting evidence to negotiating with insurance companies. With DZ Law by your side, you'll never have to go through this alone.

Ready to take the first step? Contact DZ Law at 865-259-0020 today for your free consultation. Let us fight for the justice you deserve in Knoxville, Tennessee.

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DZ Law is committed to answering your questions about Transactional Litigation, Transactional Drafting, and Personal Injury law issues in Knoxville, Tennessee. We offer consultations and we'll gladly discuss your case with you at your convenience. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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