A Jacksonville, NC, Uber, Lyft & rideshare accident lawyer can explain your legal options and help you pursue the compensation you are entitled to. Rideshare collisions are often more complicated than typical car accidents because multiple parties can be at fault. Rideshare drivers, passengers, rideshare companies, and private insurance carriers can all be involved, as can several overlapping insurance policies.

At Christina Rivenbark & Associates, we know that a serious injury impacts all areas of your life, your health, your work, and your future. We are proud to serve the Jacksonville community and represent many clients with cases in the Onslow County Courthouse in downtown Jacksonville.
We are here to protect your rights, walk you through each step of the legal process, and fight to ensure that you are made whole again, financially, through recovery of all the compensation to which you are entitled.
Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft have business models that sometimes blur the lines between employees and independent contractors. Injured victims face challenges as a result because the liability may shift depending on whether the driver was on the clock when the crash occurred.
The good news is that both companies have robust third-party liability policies of up to $1 million when the driver is en route to pick up or transporting a passenger. Determining when these policies are in effect is one of the most critical aspects of a successful rideshare accident claim. Frequent rideshare accident examples are:
Different insurance coverages get triggered in each situation. According to one source, approximately 60% of rideshare drivers admitted to distracted driving. Additionally, 37% of accidents occur in the first year of a rideshare driver’s service, and 30% occur due to a driver being unfamiliar with the area.
North Carolina is one of the few states that still applies pure contributory negligence rules. If the at-fault driver can prove you were even 1% at fault for your accident, you may not be able to recover anything. Insurers love this rule, which is why they try to deny claims at every turn. Your attorney needs to be prepared to fight back on every point and argue against the insurer’s case.
According to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52, you have three years from the date of the accident to file your personal injury claim in NC. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases can be strict. If you wait too long, you may lose your right to compensation altogether.
One of the most common defenses used by rideshare companies is that their drivers are independent contractors. Although they may not be responsible for their driver’s actions, their insurance still kicks in while the driver is on an active ride. So you can usually still recover compensation for your injuries.
If you are involved in a rideshare accident, you may be entitled to compensation to cover the damages you suffered. Some of these include:
In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded in extreme circumstances, such as when the driver was particularly negligent, as in drunk driving cases.
Rideshare accidents are unique since they involve large company insurers and strict liability. By having a Jacksonville Uber, Lyft & rideshare accident attorney, you are protected from being taken advantage of. This is why it’s important to hire a rideshare accident lawyer right away.
Your attorney can communicate with insurance companies, gather evidence, identify all sources of coverage, and shield you from contributory negligence claims. They can also aggressively negotiate for maximum compensation and prepare your case for trial if an equitable settlement is not possible.
Yes, you can file a claim against Lyft if you were injured because of a Lyft driver’s negligence or another driver while in a Lyft ride. Your claim could proceed through Lyft’s insurance policy, the driver’s personal insurance, or both, depending on whether the driver was signed in at the time and whether the driver was transporting a passenger. An attorney can evaluate liability, evidence requirements, and applicable insurance coverage.
Uber settlements can range from low amounts for less serious injuries with low medical bills and lost earnings to multimillion-dollar awards for catastrophic or long-term injuries that cause permanent impairment and disfigurement. Punitive damages are rare. Larger settlements generally require extensive supporting documentation, a history of consistent treatment, and unambiguous evidence of fault.
The probability of success in car accident claims in Jacksonville, NC, varies based on the strength of your evidence, clarity of fault, medical records, and the contested nature of liability. Cases involving clear negligence by the other driver, such as distracted driving or rear-end collisions, often have higher success rates. Well-documented records, timely medical treatment, and reliable witness testimony increase the likelihood of achieving a favorable settlement or verdict.
To file a claim against Lyft, you need evidence to prove your claim that they acted negligently and caused you to suffer injuries. A copy of the rideshare trip record, a police report, scene photographs or videos, medical records, witness statements, and receipts or evidence of out-of-pocket expenses or lost wages can all help you establish your case.
If you were injured in a rideshare accident in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Christina Rivenbark & Associates can help you pursue the compensation you need for recovery. Contact us today for a consultation.