What Happens if an Uber or Lyft Driver Causes an Accident When They Are Offline?
When an Uber or Lyft driver is not logged into their app, they are considered to be operating their vehicle for personal use. If the driver causes an accident during this time, the resulting damages would be covered by their own auto insurance policy. Our McAllen car accident lawyer at Tijerina Legal Group can assist you with financial recovery from the insurance company.
The Importance of Rideshare App Data in a Rio Grande Valley Rideshare Accident Claim
Ridesharing app data can play a key role as evidence in a ridesharing accident claim. It can provide valuable insights into the events leading up to the collision and help to establish liability. Here’s how our Rio Grande Valley rideshare accident lawyers can use this data to build a strong claim.
Trip Logs
Ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft maintain detailed trip logs that record information about each ride, including the time, date, and location of the trip and the identities of the driver and passenger(s) involved. By analyzing these trip logs, we can verify whether the rideshare driver was actively providing rideshare services at the time of the accident and determine the precise timing and location of the trip.
GPS Data
Ridesharing apps use GPS technology to track the location of drivers and passengers in real time. This GPS data can provide valuable information about the movements of the rideshare driver leading up to the accident, including their route, speed, and any deviations from the intended path. By analyzing GPS data, we can reconstruct the events leading up to the collision and determine whether the rideshare driver followed the appropriate route and adhered to traffic laws.
Driver Activity
Ridesharing app data can provide important details about the rideshare driver’s activity at the time of the accident. It can reveal whether the driver was actively engaged in accepting or completing rides or whether they were logged out of the app or unavailable to accept rides. This information can help establish whether the rideshare driver was operating in accordance with company policies and procedures at the time of the collision.
Communication Records
Ridesharing apps often facilitate communication between drivers and passengers through messaging or calling features within the app. We can use these communication records to determine whether the rideshare driver was in contact with the passenger(s) involved in the accident leading up to the collision. This can provide additional context about the circumstances surrounding the accident and help corroborate witness statements or other evidence.
Driver Ratings and Feedback
Ridesharing apps allow passengers to rate their drivers and provide feedback about their experiences. We can review driver ratings and feedback to assess the rideshare driver’s performance and behavior leading up to the accident. Negative feedback or complaints about unsafe driving practices could be used to establish negligence or liability on the part of the driver.
Types of Evidence Our Lyft and Uber Accident Lawyers Will Collect to Strengthen Your Claim
Accident Reports
Our car accident lawyers will obtain and review official accident reports filed by law enforcement officers at the scene. These reports often contain crucial details about the circumstances of the accident, statements from involved parties, and preliminary assessments of fault.
Witness Testimonies
We will interview witnesses who observed the accident to gather additional perspectives and details about what transpired. Witness testimonies can provide valuable insights into the sequence of events and help corroborate your version of the accident.
Vehicle Damage Assessment
Our team will assess the extent of damage to all vehicles involved in the accident to reconstruct the collision and determine the severity of the impact. Vehicle damage assessments provide tangible evidence of the forces involved and can help establish liability.
Photographic and Video Evidence
We will take photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and relevant traffic signals or signage. Visual evidence can be powerful in illustrating the circumstances of the accident and supporting your claims.
Medical Records
We will obtain medical records documenting the serious injuries you sustained in the motor vehicle accident. Medical evidence, including doctor’s reports and medical bills, can be essential in establishing the extent of the harm you have suffered and can also help determine the amount of compensation you are entitled to.
Expert Opinions
A personal injury attorney from our law firm will consult with accident reconstruction specialists, medical experts, and other professionals and get their opinions on several factors including liability, causation, and the severity of injuries. Expert testimony can provide authoritative insights that can strengthen your case.
Surveillance Footage and Cellphone Records
If available, we will obtain surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras, as well as cell phone records of the Uber driver and other involved parties. This evidence can help corroborate witness testimonies and establish the actions of the negligent Lyft or Uber driver leading up to the accident.
