When dealing with the aftermath of Uber or Lyft accidents, you may be thinking of filing a lawsuit and getting your due compensation. Maybe you suffered an injury, or you incurred expensive damage to your vehicle.
Because rideshare drivers are contract workers and not employees of their companies, it limits the liability of the company in the case of an accident. Our New Orleans Uber and Lyft accident attorneys can help you understand your claim and take the case to court if necessary. Call our experienced accident lawyers today for a free consultation.
Filing A Lawsuit Against Uber Or Lyft After An Accident
There are cases where you may be dealing with the rideshare’s insurance company, but your claim will take time to process. This is because settling an accident claim represents a loss for the company, so Uber or Lyft will try to avoid compensation as much as possible.
The Gertler Law Firm excels in providing counsel for New Orleans Uber and Lyft accident victims. Here is some basic information to familiarize yourself with the process of filing a claim.
Steps That Add Time To A Rideshare Lawsuit
Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies may take their time processing a claim for compensation. It’s important to make sure certain conditions are met before your lawsuit or settlement can go forward.
Each of these steps is dependent on you and your circumstances, so bear that in mind when trying to settle for damages.
Medical Treatments: One of the major elements that can take up time when pursuing a settlement is medical treatment. Your care must be completed, to the extent that further treatment will not improve your condition any further.
This requirement is also known as Maximum Medical Improvement or MMI. Medical expenses are one of the biggest factors in determining a settlement, so you must not only be aware of all medical costs, but the costs need to be more or less finalized.
Future medical costs after reaching MMI can also be factored into your settlement. These costs can be estimated by our attorney and your doctors. For the best chance of settlement, make sure to get estimates from several doctors about your long-term prognosis.
This information makes it harder for Uber or Lyft to dispute your claim.
Compiling Relevant Documents: Another aspect to consider when aiming for a settlement is all of the documentation you have to organize before a rideshare company takes your claim seriously.
Our New Orleans accident attorneys can help you compile a detailed list of all expenses that have been incurred since your accident. You should include things like physical therapy and counseling.
Make sure to have copies of doctors’ notes and all correspondences with therapists, the rideshare service, and your insurance company. Without exhaustive documentation, any claim will likely be dismissed by Uber or Lyft’s insurance company.
Sending a Demand Letter: The final item that can stall your settlement is sending the company you are trying to settle with a demand letter. We help outline your damages and the compensation you are seeking from a settlement.
It is harder for a rideshare company to ignore your settlement claim when a strong demand letter is in play, and our seasoned Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help with that.
Overall Time Frame: When all of the requisite steps are complete, it can take up to six weeks to get a reply to your claim or a settlement offer. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft receive countless claims, so it will take time to get to yours.
They also try to verify what happened to determine their liability. Additionally, if you want to negotiate your claim or adjust the settlement, your case could take longer.
Rideshare insurance companies also intentionally delay a settlement offer so that you will be more likely to take the first settlement they offer, which is usually lower than what you deserve.
New Orleans Accident Attorneys Will Filing Your Claim Efficiently
Fighting for your settlement will probably entail dealing with many obstacles along the way, but our seasoned New Orleans accident attorneys are ready to handle your Uber or Lyft accident claim.
We understand that dealing with a rideshare insurance company is stressful, especially if you are dealing with an injury.
Whether you need help compiling medical records, organizing repair costs, drafting a demand letter, or even outlining a plan to reach a settlement, Gertler Law Firm has your back. Give us a call at (504) 581-6411 for a free consultation on how to go about your settlement claim.