Rideshare Accidents

Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer in Anderson

Rideshare services make it easy to get around Anderson, Clemson, and towns across Upstate South Carolina. But when a driver is distracted by the app, rushes to accept a fare, or stops suddenly in a live lane, serious injuries can follow. If you were hurt as a rideshare passenger, another motorist, a pedestrian, or a cyclist, you should not be left to sort out complex insurance questions on your own.

At Smith & Griffith, LLP, our attorneys handle Uber and Lyft accidents every week. We understand how Transportation Network Company policies work and how to prove driver status at the time of the crash. From the first call, we focus on protecting evidence, coordinating medical care, and positioning your claim for maximum compensation under South Carolina law.

Call (864) 477-7395 now for a free consultation, or contact us online to get answers today.

Who may be liable in an Anderson rideshare accident

Identifying every responsible party is critical to a full recovery. Depending on the facts, one or more of the following may be liable:

• The rideshare driver, for negligent acts like speeding, distracted driving, or improper stopping
• Another at-fault motorist, motor carrier, or commercial vehicle operator
• The rideshare company’s insurance, when the app status triggers Transportation Network Company coverage
• A bar or restaurant in limited situations involving overservice to an impaired driver
• A vehicle owner, employer, or maintenance provider that contributed to unsafe conditions
• A government entity for a hazardous road condition when notice and timing rules are met

How the driver app status affects insurance

Insurance changes based on the driver’s status in the app at the moment of the collision:

App off: The rideshare company’s policy generally does not apply. The driver’s personal auto insurance is primary.

• App on, waiting for a ride request: Contingent liability coverage from the rideshare company may apply in addition to the driver’s policy.
• En route to pick up or transporting a passenger: The highest level of Transportation Network Company coverage typically applies, and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may also be available.

Because these distinctions matter, we move quickly to secure trip records, digital logs, and electronic data that prove the driver’s status.

What to do after an Uber or Lyft crash in Anderson

Your health and safety come first. Then, take steps that help your legal claim:

• Call 911 and request police and EMS. Tell the dispatcher you were in a rideshare and where you are.
• Get medical care the same day. Some injuries are delayed or masked by adrenaline.
• Save the app details. Screenshot the ride screen, driver’s profile, vehicle plate, and receipt. Email yourself the in-app trip summary.
• Photograph the scene, vehicles, and visible injuries if it is safe to do so.
• Ask witnesses for their names and contact information. Note nearby cameras at intersections and businesses.
• Report the crash in the Uber or Lyft app, but avoid recorded statements with any insurer until you have legal guidance.
• Contact an Anderson Lyft accident attorney or Uber accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights and preserve evidence.

Common causes of Uber and Lyft collisions

Rideshare-specific risks often combine with everyday negligence:

• App distraction while accepting or navigating a trip
• Unsafe pickups or drop-offs in travel lanes or crosswalks
• Speeding to reach the next fare or to stay on schedule
• Fatigue from long hours or late-night driving
• Unfamiliar routes and sudden lane changes
• Impaired driving or drug interactions that affect alertness
• Failure to yield to pedestrians or cyclists in busy downtown areas

Our investigation looks beyond the police report to identify each contributing factor and every available insurance policy.

Damages available in South Carolina rideshare cases

A successful claim can pursue recovery for both economic and non-economic losses, including:

• Emergency transport, hospital bills, surgery, therapy, and future medical care
• Lost income and diminished earning capacity
• Out-of-pocket costs and property damage
• Pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and mental anguish
• Scarring, disfigurement, or permanent disability
• In limited cases involving reckless conduct, punitive damages are awarded to deter future wrongdoing

Uber and Lyft insurance policies, the driver’s personal policy, and your own UM or UIM coverage may all be implicated. We analyze policy language, exclusions, and limits, and pursue the optimal path to full compensation.

Our process for Uber and Lyft accident claims

Smith & Griffith, LLP uses a disciplined, evidence-driven approach that aligns with how Anderson insurers and courts evaluate rideshare cases.

Early preservation of evidence

We send preservation letters to the rideshare companies, request trip and telematics data, and secure 911 audio, body, and dash camera footage, and nearby surveillance video before it is overwritten. Where appropriate, we obtain vehicle event data recorder downloads and conduct scene measurements for reconstruction.

Medical documentation and prognosis

Your medical record tells the story of your injuries. We coordinate with your providers, ensure diagnoses and causation are clearly documented, and work with treating physicians or independent professionals to quantify future care and restrictions.

Liability and coverage mapping

We verify driver status and identify every applicable policy. We also evaluate dram shop exposure when alcohol may have contributed, and we explore roadway or vehicle defects when the facts support it.

Strategic negotiation and litigation

Many rideshare claims resolve through detailed written demands backed by evidence. When insurers undervalue your losses, our trial-ready posture and local reputation position your case for a stronger result in mediation or in court.

Frequently seen injuries in rideshare crashes

Rideshare collisions can cause a range of trauma:

• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
• Neck and back injuries, including herniated discs and whiplash
• Shoulder and knee injuries from bracing or impact
• Fractures and orthopedic injuries
• Internal injuries and organ damage
• Scarring and disfigurement from airbags or broken glass
• Psychological injuries, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress

We ensure your claim accounts for the full scope of your injuries, not just the bills from the first few weeks.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need a lawyer if the Uber or Lyft insurer already called me?

It is wise to get legal advice before speaking on a recorded line or signing anything. Rideshare claims involve multiple policies and driver-status questions that can affect who pays and how much. An attorney can protect your rights and manage all insurer communications.

Who pays my medical bills after a Lyft or Uber accident?

The answer depends on the fault and driver status. Potential sources include the at-fault driver’s liability insurance, Uber or Lyft’s Transportation Network Company coverage, and your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. We coordinate benefits to maximize your net recovery.

What if I was a passenger and my driver was not at fault?

You can still have a claim. We pursue the negligent third party and, when appropriate, seek benefits under the rideshare policy and your UM or UIM coverage. Our goal is to make sure you are not left with unpaid losses.

How do you prove the rideshare driver’s status at the time of the crash?

We request trip records, GPS logs, and in-app data from Uber or Lyft and compare those with 911 audio, body, and dash camera video, and witness statements. This helps establish whether the app was off, on, and waiting, or the driver was on a pickup or transporting a passenger.

Will my case go to court?

Many cases settle after we present a detailed demand with medical documentation and evidence of fault. If an insurer disputes liability or undervalues your injuries, we are prepared to file suit in Anderson County and present your case in front of a jury.

What does it cost to hire a rideshare accident attorney in Anderson?

We offer free consultations and represent injured clients on a contingency fee. You pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover money for you. We explain the fee agreement in plain language at the start so there are no surprises.

How much is my Uber or Lyft accident case worth?

Value depends on the severity of your injuries, the length and type of medical care, any permanent limitations, lost wages, and available insurance limits. After we review your records and investigate coverage, we can provide a case-specific evaluation.

Ready to move forward with an Anderson rideshare claim?

Evidence from Uber and Lyft systems, dash and body cameras, and nearby businesses is time-sensitive. The sooner you involve a local lawyer, the easier it is to preserve proof, coordinate your care, and seek full compensation under South Carolina law.

Request your free case evaluation now. Call (864) 477-7395 or contact Smith & Griffith, LLP through our online form for a prompt response.