Uber and Rideshare Accident Attorney in Midland, Texas
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become essential transportation options in Midland, especially for oil field workers commuting between job sites and residents avoiding impaired driving. However, the rise in rideshare usage has also brought an increase in accidents involving these vehicles. When you’re injured in a rideshare accident, determining liability and navigating multiple insurance policies can become incredibly complex.
At Ruhmann Law Firm, our attorneys understand the unique challenges of rideshare accident cases in Midland. Whether you were a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian injured by a rideshare vehicle, we can help you handle the complicated claims process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Rideshare Accidents in the Permian Basin
Midland’s booming economy and the demands of the oil and gas industry create unique rideshare patterns in our community. Workers use these services to get to remote drilling sites, travel during shift changes, and avoid fatigue-related accidents after long workdays. The high volume of rideshare trips, combined with our city’s heavy traffic on roads like Loop 250 and I-20, increases the likelihood of accidents.
Rideshare drivers face pressures that can contribute to unsafe driving. The desire to complete more trips for higher earnings can lead to speeding, distracted driving while checking the app, and driver fatigue from excessive hours behind the wheel. These factors, combined with unfamiliarity with Midland’s roads and traffic patterns, create dangerous conditions for everyone on the road.
Understanding Rideshare Insurance Coverage
Rideshare accidents involve complex insurance situations that differ dramatically from typical car accidents. The coverage available depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the accident, and understanding these insurance requirements can be challenging without legal guidance.
- App off or logged out: Only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies. Most personal policies exclude coverage for commercial activity, leaving injured parties with limited options.
- App on, waiting for ride request: Rideshare companies provide limited liability coverage, typically $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage.
- En route to pickup or transporting passenger: Full commercial coverage applies, usually $1 million in liability coverage plus uninsured/underinsured motorist protection.
Determining which insurance policy applies requires a thorough investigation. Rideshare companies and their insurers often dispute coverage, shifting blame to drivers or arguing about the driver’s status at the time of the collision.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents
Several factors contribute to rideshare accidents in Midland:
- Distracted driving ranks as a leading cause. Drivers constantly check their phones for new ride requests, follow GPS directions, and communicate with passengers through the app. These distractions take their eyes off the road at critical moments.
- Driver inexperience with Midland’s roads creates hazards. Many rideshare drivers are unfamiliar with local traffic patterns, dangerous intersections, and road conditions unique to West Texas. This lack of knowledge leads to poor decisions and delayed reactions.
- Fatigue and overwork affect drivers who work excessive hours to maximize earnings. Unlike traditional taxi services with regulated shifts, rideshare drivers set their own hours, sometimes working dangerously long periods without adequate rest.
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance can lead to mechanical failures. Rideshare companies require basic inspections, but enforcement varies, and drivers may defer necessary repairs to save money.
- Aggressive driving behaviors emerge from pressure to complete trips quickly and accept new requests. Speeding, unsafe lane changes, and failure to yield right-of-way become more common as drivers rush between pickups.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Rideshare accident liability can involve multiple parties:
- The rideshare drivermay be personally liable for negligent driving behaviors. Even with rideshare insurance active, drivers can face claims for reckless or intentional misconduct.
- The rideshare company(Uber or Lyft) provides insurance coverage but typically argues they’re merely technology platforms connecting drivers and passengers, not employers responsible for driver actions. However, their insurance policies still provide crucial coverage.
- Other driversinvolved in the collision may share or bear primary responsibility. Multi-vehicle accidents often involve complex liability determinations with multiple insurance companies.
- Third parties, such as vehicle manufacturers (for defective parts), government entities (for dangerous road conditions), or maintenance providers (for improper repairs), might also bear responsibility.
- Vehicle ownerswho rent or lease cars to rideshare drivers may face liability if they knew about safety issues or inadequate insurance coverage.
Types of Injuries in Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare accidents can result in serious injuries similar to other vehicle collisions:
Traumatic brain injuries from the impact can cause cognitive impairment, memory problems, and personality changes requiring long-term care and rehabilitation.
Spinal cord injuries may result in partial or complete paralysis, permanently altering your ability to work and enjoy life.
Broken bones, soft tissue injuries, internal organ damage, and lacerations can require extensive medical treatment, multiple surgeries, and lengthy recovery periods that impact your ability to earn income.
Psychological trauma from being injured in a vehicle you trusted for safe transportation can lead to anxiety, depression, and fear of using rideshare services or riding in vehicles generally.
Compensation in Rideshare Accident Cases
Victims of rideshare accidents may recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, medication, physical therapy, and future medical needs
- Lost wages from missed work during recovery and reduced earning capacity if injuries prevent returning to your previous job
- Property damage to personal belongings, vehicles, or other property damaged in the collision
- Pain and suffering for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life when injuries prevent you from participating in activities you previously enjoyed
The statute of limitations in Texas gives you two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. However, rideshare cases require immediate action to preserve evidence, obtain driver logs, secure app data, and document the driver’s status at the time of collision before this information disappears.
Why Rideshare Cases Require Experienced Legal Representation
Rideshare accident claims present unique challenges that differ from standard auto accident cases. Insurance companies dispute coverage, rideshare companies deflect responsibility, and multiple policies may apply to a single accident. The technology involved, app data, GPS records, and driver logs, requires specific knowledge to obtain and interpret.
Our attorneys understand how to investigate rideshare accidents, identify all applicable insurance coverage, and hold the appropriate parties accountable. We know how to counter the arguments rideshare companies make to minimize their responsibility and how to document the driver’s status at the time of the accident.
Familiarity with Midland courts and local legal procedures provides advantages when pursuing your claim. We understand how Midland juries view these cases and what evidence resonates most effectively in our community.
Steps to Take After a Rideshare Accident
If you’re involved in a rideshare accident in Midland:
- Seek immediate medical attention, even if injuries seem minor
- Document the scene with photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and visible injuries
- Obtain the driver’s name, insurance information, and rideshare company details
- Take screenshots of your ride receipt and driver information from the app
- Get contact information from witnesses
- Report the accident through the rideshare app
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies
- Contact an attorney before accepting any settlement offers
Rideshare companies often push for quick, low settlements before victims understand the full extent of their injuries and damages. Early legal representation protects your rights and ensures you don’t accept inadequate compensation.
Contact Our Midland Rideshare Accident Attorneys
Contact Ruhmann Law Firm today at 915-845-4529 to schedule a consultation about your rideshare accident case. We serve clients throughout Midland and West Texas, providing dedicated advocacy and thorough investigation of every case. Don’t let insurance companies minimize your claim or rideshare companies avoid their responsibilities. Let us fight for the full compensation you deserve while you focus on recovery.