Charleston Uber Accident Lawyer

The most popular form of hired vehicles in Charleston has been historically taxis, but Uber may have surpassed it in recent years. It depends on the company, but most of the time accidents involving taxi’s and car services vary very little from an accident with a privately driven vehicle and this is the reason why most taxi companies, as well as Uber, have set up their drivers as independent contractors, which is contrasted with the status of an employee.

However, in Charleston, South Carolina, both Uber drivers and private drivers have minimum liability insurance requirements. In South Carolina, the minimum liability insurance requirement is $25,000. If you have been in an Uber accident, it is important to get the help of a skilled accident attorney right away. A Charleston uber accident lawyer is essential in establishing liability and dealing with the aftermath of your accident.

Common Carriers

In Charleston, common carriers are companies that transport people for a fee or a fare and that can be buses, taxis, and now Uber. A claim against a common carrier differs from the typical car accident in the sense that the law imposes a higher duty on a common carrier to exercise care than the law does with respect to a private driver. If a person is getting paid to transport people, then that person has a higher duty of care to the people that they are transporting.

Paying and Recovering Damages

The liability insurance company is responsible for paying damages after a Charleston Uber accident. The driver is personally liable as well. However, it is rare that a driver of a common carrier or an Uber vehicle will have assets sufficient or in excess of over and above the homestead exception.

In automobile accidents involving an Uber driver, there is going to be liability insurance and it is important with respect to collecting damages to consult with a Charleston Uber accident attorney who can tell a person what their rights are and what they are entitled to and can assist them in maximizing their claim to the best value possible.

Punitive Damages

There can be with respect to the operation of a vehicle, whether or not it is an Uber vehicle or privately owned and driven vehicle. If the conduct of that driver exceeds that of a reasonable person and goes into the realm of carelessness or recklessness, then yes, that would expose the driver and the liability insurance carrier to expose a person for punitive damages.

Steps to Take After an Accident

If a person is in an accident with a hired driver, as with any accident, the most important order of business is to ascertain whether anyone in the vehicle or another vehicle involved in the accident has been injured. If so, the first thing to do is call 9-1-1 and get an ambulance to the scene to get the medical attention to those who need it.

Also, whether or not anyone is hurt or believes to be hurt at the time, it is important to also call 9-1-1 and have law enforcement come to the scene to investigate the accident.

It is helpful to take pictures of the scene and the vehicle and also any injuries that may have occurred. After the accident scene has been secured by law enforcement and medical attention has been rendered, it is then necessary for someone to call an Uber accident lawyer in Charleston to understand what their rights are with respect to any injuries sustained in the accident.

Working with an Attorney

A person who is involved in an accident with an Uber driver or other common carrier is not much different in being involved in an accident with a private vehicle driven by a private driver in the sense that an attorney has experience doing this every single day, and if a person does not get an attorney, they risk being misinformed as to not only what their rights are, but the value of their case is. A Charleston Uber accident attorney can provide essential help after an accident.