If you have been involved in an Uber accident in Sumter, South Carolina, you know the confusion and stress it can bring. The aftermath of such an accident, dealing with injuries, and understanding your rights can be overwhelming.
At Marc Brown Law Firm, we specialize in Uber accident claims, providing experienced, assertive, and compassionate legal representation. With offices across South Carolina, we are uniquely positioned to serve clients across the state, ensuring that they receive the Sumter car accident compensation they deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation, and remember, you pay no legal fees unless we win your case.
Why Choose Marc Brown Law Firm for Your Uber Accident Claim in South Carolina
Choosing the right attorney can significantly impact the outcome of your Uber accident claim. At Marc Brown Law Firm, we are dedicated to providing top-tier legal representation with the care and diligence your case deserves. Here is why we are the right choice for your Uber accident claim:
- Experienced Representation: Attorney Marc Brown brings extensive experience from both sides of personal injury claims, ensuring comprehensive insight into insurance company tactics.
- Focused Expertise: We specialize solely in personal injury law, giving us a deep understanding of the nuances in Uber accident cases.
- No Financial Risk: We handle Uber accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will owe us nothing unless we win compensation for you.
- Proven Track Record: Our firm is known for preparing to take every case to trial, maximizing potential settlements and verdicts for our clients.
- Free Consultation: Start with a no-cost evaluation of your case, where we outline your legal options without any obligation.
At Marc Brown Law Firm, we not only provide expert legal representation but also the personalized attention you need to feel confident and informed every step of the way.
Understanding Uber Accident Cases in South Carolina
Uber accidents, while similar to other motor vehicle accidents, present unique challenges and complexities, particularly in determining liability and securing fair compensation. An Uber accident can significantly impact not only the victim but also their loved ones, leading to costly medical expenses, loss of income, and emotional distress.
Insurance companies often employ various tactics to minimize payouts in accident claims, including those involving rideshares like Uber. However, statistics show that accident victims who are represented by experienced attorneys typically recover more substantial compensation than those who pursue claims alone.
At Marc Brown Law Firm, we are equipped with the knowledge and resources to counter insurance company tactics, ensuring that our clients receive the maximum compensation possible for their injuries and losses.
Understanding the Common Tactics Uber Insurers Use Against Injury Victims
Insurance companies are private entities with profits as their priority—including the insurance companies that issue the special rideshare policies held by Uber drivers. Insurance companies use a variety of tactics to reduce the compensation they pay to victims or to deny it completely. An experienced Uber accident attorney in Sumter will help safeguard against common profit-protection methods insurance companies use such as the following:
- Reaching out with a fast settlement offer for far less than your claim is ultimately worth once you know the full extent of your damages
- Calling you on a recorded line and then using your words out of context against you
- Asking for a signature on a medical authorization form to review your injury records and then combing through your medical history to unearth a previous injury or medical condition they can claim as the cause of your painful symptoms
- Claiming that the treatment recommended by your doctor isn’t necessary for your injury
- Following you on social media to “catch” you looking fit and well, even if you were smiling through your pain
- Assigning you a portion of fault in the accident if you were another driver in a collision with an Uber to reduce the amount of your payout by your percentage of fault
By hiring a skilled car accident attorney before dealing with the insurance company, you can direct all communication to your lawyer. An attorney on your side protects against these and other insurance company methods that would otherwise undermine your interests.
Common Causes of Uber Accidents in South Carolina
An Uber accident can arise from a variety of factors, often involving complex scenarios that require thorough investigation to determine fault and liability. Here are some common causes of Uber accidents:
- Distracted Driving: This includes drivers using mobile devices for navigation or communication.
- Driver Fatigue: Many Uber drivers work long hours, which can lead to decreased alertness.
- Speeding: Drivers exceeding speed limits to meet ride quotas can lead to accidents.
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Drivers failing to maintain their vehicles properly can cause mechanical failures.
- Inadequate Driver Training: Insufficient training on the company’s policies and local driving laws can lead to errors on the road.
- Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol or drugs impair a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely.
How Liability for an Uber Accident is Established in South Carolina
Determining liability for an Uber accident can be complex due to the involvement of multiple parties—such as the Uber driver, the other driver(s), and potentially Uber itself. To determine liability, one needs a good understanding of the state’s approach to negligence.
Negligence occurs when someone fails to take reasonable care, resulting in someone else suffering harm or damage. In Uber accident cases, this could involve actions like distracted driving or failing to adhere to traffic laws.
South Carolina’s comparative negligence law, specifically under S.C. Code § 15-38-15, also plays an important role in accident cases. Under this rule, you can recover damages even if you are partly at fault, as long as your contribution to the accident is 50% or less. However, if you are found more than 50% responsible, you are barred from any recovery.
Compensation For an Uber Accident in South Carolina
Damages in Uber accidents range from mild injuries with temporary inconvenience and a single ER bill to a lifetime of disability. Depending on the severity of the injuries and the unique circumstances of the case, a successful Uber accident claim in Sumter could bring your family compensation for damages such as the following:
- Property damage to a vehicle (if you were another driver involved in a collision caused by an Uber driver)
- Reimbursement for medical expenses you’ve already paid
- Future medical costs related to the injury
- Diminished future earning capacity
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Compensation for any other non-economic damages that might apply in your case, such as loss of enjoyment of life, PTSD, disfigurement, traumatic limb loss, or the loss of one of the senses or an organ
If a loved one died of injuries they suffered in an Uber accident, close family members can recover compensation through a South Carolina wrongful death claim.
Uber Insurance Policy
Large rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft, protect themselves from direct liability in accident claims by hiring independent contractors. This helps them maintain their status as an app-sales company rather than the direct employers of those who use the app as independent drivers. Fortunately, Uber requires their contracted drivers to carry special rideshare insurance to cover damages to those injured as passengers in the rideshare or occupants in other vehicles in a collision with an Uber vehicle.
In South Carolina, Uber provides several layers of insurance coverage to protect both drivers and passengers involved in accidents, depending on the driver’s status at the time of the incident:
- The Driver Not Logged in to the Uber App: The driver’s own auto insurance applies up to the policy limits
- When the Driver is Available but Has Not Accepted a Ride: Uber offers liability coverage if the driver’s personal auto insurance does not apply. This includes:
- $50,000 in bodily injury per person.
- $100,000 in total bodily injury per accident.
- $25,000 in property damage per accident.
- From the Moment a Ride is Accepted to its Conclusion: The coverage increases significantly to $1 million in third-party liability. This also includes uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury and contingent comprehensive and collision up to the actual cash value of the car with a $1,000 deductible.
The Statute of Limitations For Uber Accident Claims in South Carolina
In South Carolina, you generally have three years from the date of the Uber accident to initiate a lawsuit (S.C. Ann. § 15-3-530). If you file a lawsuit after the three years have elapsed, the court is likely to dismiss your case, and you will lose the right to claim damages.
Filing within the statute of limitations ensures that evidence is fresh, and witnesses’ memories are clear, which can be crucial for the strength of your case. Understanding and adhering to these time constraints is vital for maintaining your legal right to seek recovery through litigation after an Uber accident in South Carolina.
What Should I Do After an Uber Accident In Sumter?
If you’ve experienced serious injuries in an accident, it’s difficult to take purposeful action at the scene; however, by using your cell phone—or asking someone else to do so for you—you can quickly document key evidence without causing further injury. After a rideshare accident do the following:
- Call 911 to report the accident and request help unless someone else has already done so
- Use your Uber app’s “Help” section to report the accident
- Take photos of the damaged vehicles
- Photograph the accident scene before emergency services move the vehicles
- Take photos of any visible injuries
- Add the contact information of the Uber driver, any other involved drivers, and eyewitnesses to the accident
- Go to a hospital as soon as possible for a full medical evaluation, injury treatment, and a detailed medical report
You can take most of the above steps at the accident scene without moving from your position if moving might worsen your injuries.
How Attorney Marc Brown Can Help in Uber Accident Cases in Sumter
After being injured in an Uber accident in South Carolina, having a dedicated and knowledgeable attorney like Marc Brown can make a significant difference in your pursuit of justice and compensation. Here’s how Attorney Marc Brown and his team can assist you:
- Case Evaluation: Marc Brown Law Firm provides a thorough case assessment to determine all liable parties and the best legal strategies to pursue.
- Insurance Negotiations: With extensive experience in dealing with insurance companies, Attorney Brown can help you navigate the complex claims process and ensure that your claim is not undervalued or settled prematurely.
- Litigation Support: If negotiations do not yield a fair outcome, Marc Brown is prepared to litigate on your behalf, taking your case to court to argue for the compensation you deserve.
- No Fee Unless You Win: You will only pay attorney fees if we successfully secure compensation on your behalf, aligning our interests with yours.
With Marc Brown Law Firm, you are not just getting a lawyer; you are gaining a dedicated advocate who will fight tirelessly to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the maximum compensation possible.
Contact Marc Brown Law Firm for an Uber Accident Lawyer in Sumter, South Carolina
If you or a loved one has been involved in an Uber accident in Sumter, South Carolina, you should seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At Marc Brown Law Firm, we understand the challenges you face and are ready to help you through the complex Sumter personal injury legal process to secure the compensation you deserve. Contact Marc Brown Law Firm today for a free consultation and to start your journey towards recovery and justice.