Need an Injury Lawyer After an Uber/Ridesharing Accident in Tennessee?
Under Tennessee law, ridesharing drivers must also submit to criminal background checks, which can be done through private contractors instead of local law enforcement. Ridesharing drivers must also obtain automobile insurance that identifies the driver as a “Transportation Network Company (TNC)” driver. Ridesharing drivers must also carry automobile insurance with minimum coverage of $50,000 bodily injury per individual, $100,000 bodily injury per accident and $25,000 for property damage. More Tennessee requirements for ridesharing drivers can be reviewed here.
When a ridesharing driver fails to comply with these requirements, they could be liable to you for these failures. Consult with an experienced Tennessee ridesharing accident attorney to learn more.
Ridesharing Companies Attempt to Dodge Liability by Utilizing Independent Contractors
If you are injured due to the actions of a ridesharing driver, you should be entitled to financial compensation. However, such recovery often requires more than simply suing Uber, Lyft or other ridesharing company. In many cases, the company itself may be shielded from liability due to its use of independent contractor drivers.
Despite its attempts to be shielded from direct liability, the ridesharing company is still required in most regions to carry liability insurance policies of up to $1 million. Therefore, if you were injured as a result of a ridesharing driver in Tennessee, you may be qualified to make a claim against the ridesharing company’s liability policy. The policy may attempt to limit claims to damages occurring during the ridesharing driver’s ride for hire, or during the time the driver was logged into the ridesharing app, for example.
Don’t Go Up Against the Insurance Company Alone
It’s generally not a good idea to attempt to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company by yourself. Insurance companies, unfortunately, are often in the business of paying out as little money as possible, even when they are presented with legitimate claims. Experienced personal injury attorneys, however, do know how to negotiate with insurance companies in such a way as to protect and advance your interests. The attorney should set the tone right from the beginning that your case is already headed straight for trial. The word “trial” often strikes fear into the hearts of many, including insurance companies, because they do not want to run the risk of losing and looking bad in public.
Retain the Services of A Reputable Tennessee Trial Attorney
If the insurance company knows that your attorney is already on track to take your case to trial, they might just be willing to offer a full and just settlement just to prevent that from happening. If you have a good attorney, the insurance company may want to settle even before you have filed a lawsuit in court. Even if a lawsuit is filed, your attorney will continue to put pressure on the insurance company such that they will see the advantages to paying you the monies that you deserve.
So if you have a good trial attorney on your side, you have a better chance of obtaining just and fair compensation for your injuries caused by the Uber, Lyft or other ridesharing driver. Contact us today to find out more!