Idaho Ridesharing Lawsuit Guide

If you suffered injuries in an accident with Uber, Lyft, or another ridesharing service, you may have questions about where to turn to recover your losses. If the crash was the fault of a negligent driver, you may have a claim for compensation. Our Idaho ridesharing lawsuit guide can provide answers.

Who Can Seek Damages After a Ridesharing Accident?

Idaho motorists are financially responsible for compensating victims if they are found liable for an accident. If a negligent ridesharing driver or other at-fault party caused the collision that injured you, you can seek compensation.

An Idaho car accident lawyer with our personal injury law firm can help you pursue your losses if:

• You sustained injuries while riding in an Uber or Lyft
• You are the driver or occupant of a vehicle hit by a liable rideshare driver
• You are a rideshare driver injured in a crash caused by a negligent motorist

Recoverable Ridesharing Accident Compensation

Every motor vehicle accident case is unique. Recoverable losses will depend on the severity of your injury and other factors, like your age, income, and how much time you missed from work.

In general, personal injury compensation for a ridesharing crash may include the following:

• Medical treatment: Including transportation by ambulance, emergency department services, medical procedures, hospital stays and doctor visits, medical equipment, prescription drugs, physical therapy, extended nursing, and attendant care
• Lost wages, earnings, and benefits: Including compensation for lost earning capacity if a permanent or disabling injury prevents you from returning to work
• Vehicle damages: Including repair or replacement costs if your car was hit in an Uber or Lyft accident
• Household services: Including assistance with transportation, cooking, cleaning, childcare, and home maintenance
• Pain and suffering: Including monetary damages for scarring, disfigurement, severe physical pain, anxiety, stress, depression, loss of enjoyment, and diminished quality of life
• Wrongful death: Including medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost financial support, and loss of a loved one’s companionship, comfort, and advice if your family member suffered a fatal ridesharing accident injury

What Role Does Insurance Play In a Ridesharing Accident?

According to the Idaho Department of Insurance, motorists must carry a minimum of $25,000/$50,000 in bodily injury liability (BIL) insurance per person/accident and $15,000 in property damage liability (PDL). If a ridesharing driver is liable for a crash when not using a ridesharing app, their private insurance policy applies to the collision.

When using a transportation network company (TNC) app, Idaho Statutes § 41-2519 requires drivers to carry more insurance. The law states that Uber and Lyft drivers must have the following coverage:

• When a driver is logged into a TNC app and available to take ride requests but is not engaged in a prearranged ride:
  • $50,000/$100,000 in BIL per person/accident
  • $25,000 in PDL
• When a driver is engaged in a prearranged ride:
  • $1 million in auto liability insurance for bodily injuries and property damages

Both Uber and Lyft provide drivers with commercial auto insurance policies that meet the statute’s requirements.

Who Is Liable for a Ridesharing Collision?

In any car accident case, rideshare or not, the at-fault party will be liable. However, proving financial liability requires showing that the at-fault driver’s negligent actions led to the collision. Examples of driver negligence include:

• Distracted driving (including using a ridesharing or navigation app while driving)
• Drunk driving
• Aggressive or reckless driving (“road rage”)
• Speeding
• Tailgating
• Illegally passing, passing too closely, or cutting another vehicle off
• Making an improper turn
• Failing to stop at stop signs and traffic signals
• Failing to yield the right of way

Sometimes, a driver’s employer can be held financially responsible for an employee’s negligent actions under a legal principle called vicarious liability. This principle usually does not apply to ridesharing accidents because TNCs regard drivers as independent contractors, not employees.

However, TNC companies can be held liable for their own negligence, like disobeying state laws. For example, Idaho Statutes § 49-3709 establishes a zero-tolerance policy for TNC driver alcohol and drug use, and Idaho Statutes § 49-3710 outlines requirements for driver background and driving record checks. If Uber or Lyft breaks these laws and puts unsafe drivers on the road, they could be at fault and face a ridesharing lawsuit.

Proof in a Ridesharing Accident Case

You must prove fault for a ridesharing accident with evidence. The evidence in a car accident case may include:

• Physical debris from the accident scene
• Photographs and video of the crash site and vehicle damages
• Police reports
• Eyewitness statements
• Cell phone, dashcam, or surveillance video of the collision
• Medical records
• Proof of financial losses
• Expert testimonies

How Long Do You Have to File a Ridesharing Lawsuit in Idaho?

You should file auto insurance claims against the ridesharing driver and any other at-fault parties as soon as possible after a crash.

If you must take legal action, Idaho Statutes § 5-219 sets a two-year statute of limitations on most personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. If you do not file your case before the time limit expires, the court will likely throw out your suit. The deadline will also affect insurance claims because you lose your bargaining power if you cannot sue.

Do You Need an Idaho Ridesharing Accident Lawyer?

Ridesharing accident claims can be complex because they often involve commercial insurance policies and can include multiple claims against multiple parties. It can benefit you to work with a car accident attorney in Idaho from our law firm who can help you explore all of your legal options and build a robust claim for compensation.

We can:

• Investigate the accident and gather evidence
• Identify liable parties and prove their negligence caused the crash
• Identify all of your recoverable losses
• Prepare and file insurance claims
• Communicate with the insurance companies and opposing counsel on your behalf
• Track and manage deadlines
• Aggressively negotiate for the maximum compensation possible
• Take legal action with an Idaho ridesharing lawsuit and represent you at trial when necessary

Contact Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers About Your Idaho Accident

A ridesharing accident lawyer with Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers can guide you through your ridesharing lawsuit or insurance claim. Contact us online or call 24/7 for a free consultation. We work on contingency, so you pay nothing upfront or out of pocket for our services.