Houston Ride Accident Attorney
As rideshares become more and more popular each year, the number of accidents that happen involving these on-call ride apps rises as well. My name is Rafael Quesada, and I’m a personal injury attorney for people all across Houston and this area of Texas. When you sustain an injury that wasn’t your fault, you have the right to go after compensation.
And I’m just the lawyer to help you do it.
Aggressive, Professional Representation
I’ve built my career around dedication to helping good people protect themselves in highly difficult and stressful personal injury issues. The people I help have seen their lives upended and been forced to make difficult choices due to the negligent actions of others, especially after car accidents. I get to hear their stories and know who they are, and then I pursue what they need, as long as necessary.
When my clients come to me, they are often put at ease knowing I will navigate the intricate web of insurance requirements and Texas law on their behalf. I take the reins of these cases and steer them through the ups and downs, keeping them informed and keeping my eyes firmly on getting results.
Texas’s Three Period Law
Whether you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, or any other rideshare accident in Texas, your case is governed by the three period law. This law is similar to laws throughout the country that seek to address the considerable liability concerns that arise in these cases.
The basic overview of the law is that any rideshare-affiliated vehicle can be in one of three phases of service. Each phase is different and distinct, and comes with a different level and source of coverage for a potential accident. Please note these laws only cover rideshare-affiliated vehicles because traditional taxi services are considered to be always in service and have a commercial liability policy in play.
Period One: Out Of Service
In an out-of-service period, the driver’s app is turned off and they are not actively looking for riders or transporting them. In this period, the driver operates as a regular driver, and this is their personal vehicle. As such, their personal insurance would cover any potential injuries in an accident.
Period Two: Active
The active period covers the moment from when a driver turns on the app in their vehicle until they begin any portion of a ride. While in period two, a driver’s personal insurance and a reduced amount of liability insurance from the rideshare company will cover any injuries. The rideshare company’s insurance, as mandated by Texas, is $50,000 per injury to a maximum of $100,000 for all injuries in the accident. Once that coverage is used up, the driver’s personal insurance comes into play.
Period Three: Engaged
“Engaged” is an informal term for this period, which lasts from the moment a driver accepts the ride request in the app until they drop the rider off at their destination. For an “in-service” rideshare driver, most of the time on the road is spent in period three. It is also the most dangerous of the three periods. Drivers in this period face distractions from passenger questions while also dividing their attention between traffic and navigation.
For this period, the rideshare company is the primary insurance provider, offering up to $1,000,000 in injury coverage. If that is not enough to cover the injuries from the accident, then the driver’s personal insurance policy comes into play.
What Damages Are Available
In any car accident, the compensation you can recover falls into two categories: economic and noneconomic damages. The economic damages include 100% of the money needed to pay your medical bills, from hospital stays and ambulance rides to rehab. Noneconomic damages are harder to define and serve as compensation for the pain, suffering and emotional distress you live with as a result of the accident.
Whatever damages you seek to recover, I’ll be there to help you come up with a plan and pursue the outcome that you deserve.
I’m Ready To Fight For You
When you have to hold a rideshare company accountable for the injuries its drivers cause, you are looking at an uphill battle. These are massive, highly organized and well-resourced companies seeking to minimize their liabilities. And to them, your injuries are just that: a liability number on a spreadsheet. They will treat you impersonally and aggressively to minimize what they see as just another number.
But you’re not a number to me. You’re a person in need of help at a hard time in your life. And I will stand up for you. Contact RQ Law Group, to get your free consultation today by calling 832-390-4537 or sending an email.