Houstonians are well aware that driving in the city can be a stressful experience. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, someone is injured in a car crash somewhere in the state every 2 minutes. I-45 was labeled as one of the most dangerous highways in the country, according to a recent study.
However, some fail to consider how dangerous it can be when you put your life in the hands of an Uber or other rideshare driver. While Uber and Lyft are good picks for individuals wanting a safe trip home after a few drinks, many rideshare drivers do not abandon their regular driving practices when a paying passenger is along for the ride. This can result in major car crashes. These accidents are known to result in serious injuries or even death.
According to a recent poll, Uber and Lyft drivers have been seen texting, checking social media, watching videos, experiencing severe road rage, and driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol while driving. These habits can end in catastrophic consequences, particularly when they are paired with speeding, lack of experience with the city’s roadways, and passenger distraction. Because there are so many Uber drivers on the road in Houston, the chance of a major motor vehicle accident involving a ridesharing service is notably higher.
The Houston personal injury lawyers at West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD have experience handling rideshare accident claims. We want to help victims of crashes involving a rideshare driver recover after being unfairly injured in a car crash.
What Causes Rideshare Accidents in Houston?
Drivers for Uber and other ridesharing services earn money by bringing clients to their destinations as fast as they can. This may involve Uber drivers speeding, making sudden route changes, or being distracted in a variety of ways, such as by navigation systems, talking about their next pickup, and so on.
Rideshare drivers could also be increasing the risk of a collision by doing the following:
- Distracted driving, including texting behind the wheel
- Lack of experience with Houston’s roadways
- Paying attention to GPS navigation — not the road
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Adding another passenger to their pickup list through the rideshare app
- Driving while fatigued
- Checking social media
- Experiencing road rage
- Making sudden turns or lane changes
- Not using turn signals
- Driving the wrong way on a one-way street
These factors and others can lead to a major Uber accident in which the driver, passengers, and others are seriously hurt or killed.
Who Is Liable for an Uber or Lyft Accident?
If you or a loved one is hurt in a ridesharing accident caused by Uber or another rideshare driver, determining liability can be challenging. You might have been a passenger in the Uber that was hurt in the collision. You might be a car driver or a pedestrian struck by an Uber driver. There are a variety of circumstances that might develop as a result of a ridesharing accident. This can make obtaining compensation for your injuries and other losses more difficult.
You may be eligible to claim compensation from Uber if you were using an Uber and the driver was engaged in an accident that injured you and other passengers, or if you were wounded in a crash with an Uber driver. According to Uber’s website, its drivers are covered by commercial insurance. The company explains how the stage at which the driver is driving the car impacts the amount of insurance coverage available in the event of an accident. These factors can greatly impact the compensation you can receive from the rideshare company after an accident.
To make sure your legal rights are protected, you need to contact a rideshare accident attorney in Houston to discuss your case.
Uber Accident Lawyers in Houston
After being injured in a rideshare accident, a skilled Houston rideshare accident attorney can assist you in making a complete recovery. These companies will try to avoid responsibility in any way they can. That is why you need someone on your side who is looking out for your best interests. The attorneys of West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD have spent their lives fighting to hold people and corporations accountable for negligence, recklessness, and misconduct that has resulted in catastrophic and fatal injuries.
Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD and Nader Rabie, JD have experience handling cases involving rideshare accidents and can fight for your full compensation.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a rideshare accident, contact West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD immediately at (713) 840-7200 to see what we can do for you.
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