St. Tammany Parish Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Rideshare Accident Attorney in St. Tammany Parish, LA

St. Tammany Parish, a busy area outside of New Orleans, Louisiana, is a popular area for Uber and Lyft services. Perhaps you are simply trying to get to work in Covington, or you are crossing Lake Pontchartrain from Sidell. Rideshare apps have transformed the way we travel and can be extremely convenient and cost-effective. However, rideshare drivers are not immune to making mistakes. A St. Tammany Parish rideshare accident lawyer is here to protect you.

Protect Your Rights to Compensation with Hammond Law Firm, LLC

When it comes to personal injury law, experience matters. Since 2008, the St. Tammany personal injury lawyers at Hammond Law Firm, LLC has provided exceptional legal service to injured clients throughout the greater New Orleans area.

We work alongside our clients to achieve the results they desire. We do everything in our power to ensure our clients get the compensation and justice they deserve. At Hammond Law Firm, LLC, our track record of success speaks for itself.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in St Tammany Parish

Uber alone has over 180 million daily users, yet one-third of rideshare drivers have reported being in an accident in the past. While many people use these apps every day in a safe manner, there is a percentage that do not. If you are injured due to your rideshare driver, you deserve compensation.

Rideshare drivers experience a wide range of distractions, more so than regular motorists. Common distractions include:

• Dependence on technology. Drivers rely on navigation devices or other apps to deliver passengers to their desired destination. Even a split second of distraction can lead to disastrous consequences on the road.
• More time driving. Statistically, rideshare drivers are on the road more time out of the day than other drivers, increasing their chances of becoming involved in an accident. Many drivers also choose to work during periods of high demand, which can increase the risk of traffic and collisions.
• Lack of familiarity. In certain cases, a rideshare driver may have less experience than other drivers on the roadway. While taxi drivers are usually quite familiar with the local area, newer rideshare drivers do not have this level of experience.
• Passenger issues. A driver is more likely to experience distractions from the passengers they are transporting than a driver traveling alone. This is especially true when it comes to drivers transporting inebriated passengers.

In most rideshare accidents, injuries, and damage can be traced back to driver negligence or recklessness. These individuals are not trained professional drivers. While you may assume that a rideshare driver with companies like Uber or Lyft is competent or dependable enough to deliver you safely to your destination, this is not always the case.

In St. Tammany Parish, the most common causes of rideshare accidents, outside of driver distraction, can include:

• Reckless driving. This includes running red lights or stop signs, speeding, or making unsafe or illegal turns or lane changes. This can happen due to the simple fact that the more rides they complete, the more money they can make. This can tempt a driver to operate their vehicle in a way that could result in an accident.
• Driving fatigue. For many folks, driving for a rideshare app is a second form of income. This could mean that your driver has already worked their day job before delivering you to your destination. This can put them at an increased risk for drowsy driving and increase their chances of being involved in an accident.
• Pedestrian collisions. Although St. Tammany Parish is considered to be a suburban area, there are still individuals who walk and bike in the area. Many drivers from the parish also bring passengers to New Orleans, where many pedestrians are oblivious to the vehicles around them.

Who to Hold Liable in an Uber & Lyft Accident

When you suffer a rideshare accident in Louisiana, determining the liable party can prove difficult. In most cases, however, the parties accountable for compensation include the following:

• The driver
• The auto insurance of the rideshare driver
• The rideshare company’s insurance
• Another at-fault party, like another driver

FAQs

How Can an Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer Help Me?

An Uber & Lyft accident lawyer can help you in many different ways. They can assist in recovering compensation for your injuries and other losses. The most common services provided by an injury attorney include:

• Assessing the full extent of your damages and related injuries
• Gathering and preserving all available forms of evidence
• Dealing with the rideshare company and its insurance company on your behalf
• Representing you in negotiations or court hearings

Do Rideshare Companies Do Background Checks on Their Drivers?

Rideshare companies usually do background checks on their drivers. However, there are some reports of drivers being hired despite their questionable backgrounds. In these cases, the diligence of the rideshare company when it comes to background checks is put into question. The answer can be rather inconclusive, which is why it is so important to hire an attorney when trying to determine fault.

What Damages Can I Recover in a Rideshare Accident?

There are many damages you can recover in a rideshare accident, depending on the circumstances of your accident and the severity of injuries or property damage suffered. The most common forms of compensation include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages or the loss of your future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Any damage done to your personal property
• Any other related out-of-pocket expenses

What Injuries Are Most Common in an Uber Accident?

There are many different common injuries an individual can experience in an Uber accident. The most common rideshare accident injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Internal bleeding
• Internal organ or nerve damage
• Injuries to the body’s soft tissue
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Burns
• Neck, back, or shoulder injuries
• Death

In America, 6,500 people are injured every day in car accidents.

Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer Serving St. Tammany Parish Today

Rideshare accidents are tricky when it comes to determining liability. When you hire a rideshare accident lawyer from Hammond Law Firm, LLC, you can rest easy knowing you have the right legal team in your corner.

Rideshare companies and their insurers aren’t known for treating injured parties in a fair manner, but that is where we come in. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.