Skip to main content
How To Handle An Accident As A Rideshare Driver

How To Handle An Accident As A Rideshare Driver

Jan 10, 2022

There are over two million Uber and Lyft drivers in America, and one of the best places to drive for a rideshare company is right here in North Carolina. As an Uber and/or Lyft driver, you are out on the road daily. If you are injured due to another driver’s negligence, you may be wondering how to recover financially. Our team of personal injury attorneys at Paynter Law are standing by to assist you in recovering financially for any injuries you suffered as a rideshare driver. 

How to recover financially as a rideshare driver 

The Negligent Driver’s Insurance

As a rideshare driver, your income depends on your ability to drive your vehicle and sit for long hours at a time. When you are injured due to a negligent driver, you lose out on that income as well as rack up expensive hospital bills. You can pursue a claim against the negligent driver  for pain and suffering, lost wages,  and medical expenses.

North Carolina requires drivers carry a minimum of $30,000 for bodily injury insurance for one person and $60,000 for bodily injury insurance for two people. Depending on your injury, hospital bills can quickly exceed that amount.

If the compensation from the negligent driver’s insurance company is insufficient, you can pursue a claim against your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage. 

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) covers bodily injury and property damage if the negligent driver’s insurance does not meet the minimum standards required by NC law.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM) covers bodily injury only. UIM coverage steps in when the negligent driver’s liability insurance is not enough to cover your injuries.

UM coverage is required in North Carolina while UIM is an optional add on. Contact your insurance provider to confirm whether your policy currently covers UIM claims.

Pursuing a claim against the negligent driver’s insurance or your own insurance policy, presents complex challenges. An insurance company is still a business, and they will always look out for their own bottom line. 

How a personal injury attorney can help 

Our personal injury attorneys at Paynter Law are well versed in handling claims against large insurance providers. We know all the techniques the big providers use to deny your claim or get you to settle for less than you deserve.  A few of the things our team specializes in are: 

  • Gathering and presenting evidence to support your claim like accident scene photos, medical records, police reports, mechanic reports, and more;
  • Developing witness statements to support your claims;
  • Working with medical professionals and experts to accurately document and explain your injuries; and
  • Negotiating with insurance providers. 

If you have a personal injury claim, call our team today

Our team of personal injury attorneys are standing by to review your case and chart a path for financial recovery. Navigating the insurance claim process – especially as an Uber and/or Lyft driver –  can be extremely confusing. You need an expert on your side to navigate the process. We are standing by to assist our North Carolina rideshare community.