Call : 704-594-4317
Call : 704-594-4317
Rideshare services offer another way for Charlotte travelers to get around, but a collision involving a rideshare vehicle can raise insurance issues that are not present after an ordinary automobile accident. A Charlotte rideshare accident lawyer can identify the at-fault driver, research available insurance policies, and calculate your losses. Rideshare accidents can happen on any street in Charlotte, from uptown to I-77 and I-85.
At Ayers, Ayers & Dressler, we advocate for North Carolina residents injured in serious accidents. We know an accident can cause medical bills, lost income, and complicated insurance questions while you are still recovering from your injuries.
Our lawyers bring extensive experience to all injury claims and can work to identify insurance and applicable legal principles. Our attorneys have been acknowledged by their peers for the quality of representation they provide to clients.
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A basic two-vehicle accident may involve just the drivers and their personal automobile insurance carriers. A rideshare accident introduces another element because coverage may depend on what the driver was doing at the moment of impact through the rideshare platform.
What the driver was doing, or app status, is important for insurance purposes. A driver who does not have the app turned on and is logged out may likely have a different insurance scenario than a driver who is logged into the app and waiting for ride requests. Other insurance requirements may apply once the driver accepts a ride request and begins providing service.
Another major difference with rideshare accidents is electronic data that may exist through the platform. A transportation network company can have electronic records showing when the driver logged into the platform, when he or she accepted a passenger’s ride request, when he or she picked up the passenger, and when the ride was completed or terminated.
Because North Carolina law requires transportation network companies (TNCs) to keep service records, the electronic data they possess often plays a vital role in such incidents.
There could also be multiple insurers that have potential responsibility for a single accident. The rideshare driver’s personal insurance carrier, any TNC-related insurance carrier, the other motorist’s insurer, and potentially uninsured or underinsured motorist policies could all apply in some situations.
A rideshare accident can occur because of the same negligent driving behaviors that cause any motor vehicle crash. However, additional factors may come into play based on the circumstances of rideshare work. Common causes of rideshare accidents include:
A rideshare driver is not always at fault simply because they were working at the time of an accident. Another driver may be fully responsible, or multiple motorists may share responsibility.
According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, in Mecklenburg County, there were 141 reported fatal crashes, 16,831 injuries, and 26,898 property damage crashes in 2024.
North Carolina has rideshare accident laws that specifically address TNCs. These rules are outlined in Article 10A of Chapter 20 of the North Carolina General Statutes. For example, NC Gen. Stat. § 20-280.5 requires all TNC drivers to have their vehicles inspected annually to check that they meet state safety standards.
Once a driver accepts a ride request, the law also requires the rideshare company to give riders information such as their driver’s photograph, vehicle license plate number and description, and estimated arrival. TNCs must also keep records of every individual rideshare trip provided in North Carolina for at least one year.
Rideshare collisions can harm individuals both inside and outside of the rideshare vehicle. A passenger may have a claim against a rideshare driver for negligent operation. Passengers may also make a claim against another motorist who negligently collides with a rideshare vehicle.
Other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians can pursue claims against a rideshare driver whose negligence causes harm. On the other hand, a rideshare driver who suffers injuries because another motorist crashes into the rideshare vehicle may have a claim against that driver. Which insurance policy applies depends on the circumstances, including who caused the accident and whether the rideshare driver was online or had matched with a passenger.
Rideshare drivers are not always at fault for a collision. Another motorist could injure a passenger by running a red light, hitting the rideshare vehicle from behind, or causing a multi-car pileup. In that case, the liability policy belonging to the at-fault motorist may provide compensation. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage might also apply when another driver has no insurance or not enough insurance.
Essentially, any number of insurers could have a stake in a particular rideshare accident. Each insurance company may need to investigate liability, damages, and applicable policies.
Evidence that comes into play after any car accident may be important in a rideshare case. Evidence used may include:
The information stored by the rideshare company can also help establish key facts. A rideshare company may have records indicating when a driver went online and accepted a ride request. The app may also document when the driver arrived at the pickup location, began driving toward their destination, and concluded the trip.
Trip receipts and the passenger’s own phone history may provide similar information. Securing and accumulating this particular information plays a vital role in the crash investigation.
The damages you incur after a rideshare accident determine what compensation you may be able to recover afterward. Common sources of compensation include:
The compensation you may be entitled to in Charlotte depends on the specific facts of your case. Typically, cases that are more serious in nature yield higher payouts to cover the large amount of damages.
North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule bars injured individuals from recovering compensation if they were even slightly negligent in contributing to the crash. Every detail about how the accident happened could play a role in determining liability under this rule. Insurers could argue that two drivers are responsible if they collide. Each driver’s speed, attentiveness, and decision-making could be relevant when determining negligence.
A rideshare passenger is different because that person typically has no control over how the vehicle is being driven.
North Carolina law allows three years to file a personal injury claim in most situations. However, exceptions may apply. For instance, a wrongful death claim typically has a shorter statute of limitations, and special rules may apply if you make a claim against a government agency.
However, it’s worth noting that while the statute of limitations gives you two years, TNCs are only required to keep evidence for one year, so waiting longer can weaken your rideshare accident claim if you no longer have available evidence.
Other types of evidence could also be lost if too much time passes. Businesses might delete security camera footage, vehicles could be repaired, and witnesses could move away or become difficult to find.
The actions taken immediately after a rideshare collision can impact both medical treatment and the evidence available for a subsequent claim. If you suspect you’ve been seriously hurt in an accident, getting medical help right away is crucial. When you call 911, you’ll also have emergency medical personnel on the way, and a police crash report is useful for documenting information about the drivers and vehicles.
Passengers should also preserve information specific to the rideshare company, which may only be available through its app. Screenshots should be taken that show the driver’s name and vehicle, license plate number, pickup location and destination, whether the trip was accepted, and the trip receipt. This can help demonstrate that the driver was providing transportation network company service at the time of the accident.
Take pictures of the vehicles and any visible damage, the roadway, traffic lights, skid marks, and the general conditions if you can. Drivers should exchange insurance information, and contact information should be collected from witnesses. Do not assume the rideshare company is going to have everything needed to support an injury claim after the crash.
It can sometimes be difficult to determine what caused a crash, particularly when more than two vehicles are involved, so do not speculate to insurance companies about who you may think is at fault. Wait to collect relevant evidence to have a clear picture of liability. A lawyer can assist you.
Those who hire a rideshare accident lawyer have an advocate who can handle the unique investigation, insurance, and litigation issues these claims involve. Your Charlotte rideshare accident lawyer can look at the evidence of the crash and your damages, such as medical bills, to advocate for a fair claim.
If insurance companies dispute who was at fault or whose policy applies, your lawyer can interpret the policy provisions and relevant North Carolina laws. If the claim ends up in litigation, your Charlotte rideshare accident attorney can represent you in court.
Yes, you can still make a claim if your rideshare driver was not at fault in Charlotte. An injured rideshare passenger may be able to pursue a claim through another motorist’s liability insurance if that person caused the collision. Other coverage may apply if the liable driver was uninsured or underinsured.
Passengers generally are not responsible for controlling either vehicle, so identifying the cause of a crash is often more important than determining if the rideshare driver specifically behaved negligently.
A pedestrian injured by a negligent rideshare driver may be able to pursue a personal injury claim in Charlotte. Whether the driver was logged off the app, waiting for a ride request, or transporting passengers can affect which insurance is applicable. Evidence like traffic camera footage, witness accounts, details of the car damage, app logs, and the official police report can all be used to figure out how and why the driver hit the pedestrian.
You may recover compensation even if you suffered from a preexisting condition that was aggravated by the rideshare accident in Charlotte. Claimants must be able to distinguish between the injuries caused by the crash and any pain they felt prior to the accident. Medical records from before and after the wreck, along with diagnostic images, physician testimony, and other evidence, can all become important if an insurer claims your injuries existed before the collision.
Drivers who leave the scene of an accident can face consequences under North Carolina law. Passengers may still be able to pursue a claim by providing the other driver’s information from their rideshare account. This could include the driver’s name, a vehicle description, license plate number, and trip history.
Evidence like police reports, app data, photos from the crash site, witness accounts, and insurance details can all contribute to pinpointing who caused the accident and clarifying what happened.
Rideshare accidents can involve several drivers and insurance policies. Coverage depends on what the driver was doing when the crash happened. At Ayers, Ayers & Dressler, we assist injured individuals throughout North Carolina with their insurance claims and help them pursue financial recovery for eligible medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.
Our lawyers can investigate the crash and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. Contact Ayers, Ayers & Dressler today if you were involved in an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare vehicle accident in Charlotte.
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