New Braunfels Rideshare Accidents: What Happens After an Uber or Lyft Crash in Texas?

After a rideshare accident in New Braunfels, Texas, the company may process accident claims quickly; those companies may also put their business interests ahead of your financial recovery. If you were recently injured in a car crash involving an Uber or Lyft in the area, the bottom line is that you want fair injury compensation. That’s where the New Braunfels car accident attorneys at Carabin Shaw come in.

To sort out the details of your rideshare crash, hold the correct party liable for your injuries, and avoid delays in compensation, call or contact us online to schedule your free consultation as soon as possible. Someone is available to speak with you 24/7 in English or Spanish. Our expert lawyers have served injured Texans for over three decades, and will fight hard on your behalf.

1. The first thing to do after a rideshare crash in New Braunfels, Texas is to make sure that everyone is safe, including yourself. Call 911 if you need emergency help from police or paramedics. Getting prompt medical care is smart from a health standpoint, but it also prevents delayed care, which could cause further damages. Your lawyer may not be able to successfully argue for full compensation for damages if you worsened your outcome by not following medical advice.
2. After ensuring everyone's safety, it is time to gather information. Get the contact information of everyone involved and those who witnessed the crash. License plates, registration, and insurance coverage can be valuable information for your New Braunfels rideshare accident lawyer.
3. Both Uber and Lyft have reporting features on their mobile apps. The Texas Transportation Code requires you to report a crash to law enforcement immediately if:
   • The crash resulted in an injury
   • The crash resulted in a death
   • The vehicle is inoperable
4. The law enforcement officer who responds to your accident must create a crash report, and your lawyer may use this as evidence in a subsequent personal injury claim. Request a copy of the police report when it becomes available and keep it with your records.

Under Texas law, transportation network company (TNC) drivers are generally treated as independent contractors rather than TNC employees. A driver's independent-contractor status can affect whether a TNC may be held vicariously liable for the driver's conduct, but it does not necessarily negate all potential claims against the TNC. Liability depends on the facts and the legal theory involved. However, Texas Insurance Code Chapter 1954 requires TNCs or drivers to carry at least $1 million in coverage for each prearranged ride. This coverage does not apply to drivers who are not working and logged in to the app.

Liability for a rideshare crash then rests on the party who was negligent. As long as your New Braunfels Uber accident lawyer can prove that the Uber driver was the negligent party, then rideshare insurance or the driver may be liable for injuries. Other liable parties may include other drivers or third parties, such as construction companies or vehicle manufacturers. The driver may also share in the cause of an accident, and your attorney can argue for compensation proportionate to the Uber driver’s fault.

Compensatory damages in a Texas rideshare accident include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Property damage
• Mental anguish
• Physical pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Inconvenience
• Travel costs

A New Braunfels Lyft accident lawyer will help you calculate the value of these damages, so you can claim an amount that reflects the true cost of your injuries.

If you’re wondering who pays for an Uber accident in Texas, the answer may not be clear until you speak to a legal professional. There are many factors to consider in any personal injury case, and sometimes the person who pays is a third party you didn’t consider, or a transportation company that seemed invincible to litigation. Read our law firm’s client reviews to find out how we identify liable parties, so you can receive a fair settlement offer.

Call Carabin Shaw toll-free at 1-800-862-1260 to schedule a free consultation. We have English- and Spanish-speaking staff, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.

For more information:

• Transportation Code 550
• Texas Department of Transportation
• Texas Statutes 41
• Texas Statutes 1954