How Long Does an Indiana Uber or Lyft Accident Settlement Take?

After an Uber or Lyft accident in Indiana, victims may think they can handle settlement discussions independently. In reality, negotiations with rideshare companies’ insurance can be lengthy and frustrating when you don’t have help from a skilled attorney. There is also a real risk that they will try to take advantage of your inexperience in dealing with these cases to pay less than you are owed.

Depending on the circumstances of an Uber or Lyft accident in Indiana, victims will file an insurance claim with either the rideshare driver’s insurance or the rideshare company’s insurance. Settlements with an individual rideshare driver’s insurance company can take a long time and not properly compensate victims in Indiana. Negotiations with Uber or Lyft’s insurance can take even longer, although their minimum liability coverage is often much higher than an individual driver’s. To quicken settlements after an Uber or Lyft accident, Indiana victims should hire an attorney to represent their interests and let them know that they are serious about getting the full recovery that’s owed.

Our lawyers can stand up to large companies like Uber and Lyft and recover compensation for victims in Indiana. For a free consultation with the Indiana Uber and Lyft accident attorneys at Wruck Paupore, call today at (219) 322-1166.

How Long Do Settlements with an Uber or Lyft Driver’s Insurance Take in Indiana?

In Indiana, Uber and Lyft are not responsible for a victim’s injuries in certain circumstances. Because of this, victims may have to file an insurance claim with the responsible rideshare driver’s insurance. Although victims will not be negotiating with Uber or Lyft’s insurance, it does not mean the process will be any easier.

In Indiana, Uber and Lyft are only liable for an accident in specific situations. If a rideshare driver caused an accident but were not carrying a passenger or on their way to pick up a passenger, victims would typically file an insurance claim with the individual driver’s insurance. For example, suppose a rideshare driver hit you while riding your bike. If that driver was off duty and was not working for Uber or Lyft or carrying passengers, victims generally are required must file an insurance claim with the driver’s personal insurance, not Uber’s or Lyft’s. Contact our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers today for your case today.

Of course, you should never take the rideshare company’s word for whether the driver was on duty; you should always demand the electronic records from the rideshare app which will show whether the driver was on the way to pick up a potential customer. We always ask for these in this type of case, but rarely are we successful in obtaining them without a subpoena. Getting this information is critical before you decide to proceed against the driver’s own insurance.

In cases where the driver really is off-duty, victims should still consult with an Indianapolis Uber and Lyft accident lawyer. The insurance settlement process can take a long time, regardless of the policy limits. In Indiana, the minimum liability coverage for a car accident is $25,000 per bodily injury per person and $50,000 per accident. If a negligent rideshare driver has the minimum liability insurance, victims must recover the maximum amount to aid in their recovery and compensate them.

Settlements can take a long time because insurance companies in Indiana do not want to pay what you are due. Regardless of the person or company they insure, insurance companies may employ unsavory tactics to delay claims or reduce settlement amounts, knowing full well that they have much more experience in dealing with these cases than you do. Skilled lawyers can negotiate with insurance companies to demand the maximum amount in compensatory damages and speed up the settlement process after an Uber or Lyft accident in Indiana. Consult with our Hammond, IN Uber & Lyft accident lawyer for more information.

Insurance Settlements with Uber or Lyft in Indiana

Uber and Lyft’s liability insurance kicks in to cover an injured victim’s expenses in specific circumstances. Although the minimum liability coverage for these rideshare companies is often substantial, that does not mean settlements will be fast.

In Indiana, Uber and Lyft only provide third-party liability coverage to victims after certain accidents. The following are examples of incidents where Uber or Lyft’s liability insurance applies:

• An Uber or Lyft driver was working but did not have a passenger at the time
• An Uber or Lyft driver was en route to pick up a passenger
• An Uber or Lyft driver had a passenger in the car

If you were injured in a rideshare accident in Indiana as a passenger, the minimum liability coverage may be one million dollars. For other people injured by Uber or Lyft drivers while the driver was on the way to pick up a passenger, coverage should be the same. However, if the driver was on duty but did not yet accept a passenger pickup, the coverage may be limited to $50,000 instead, depending greatly on the circumstances.

That does not mean that Uber or Lyft will be eager to dole out the funds you deserve. When dealing with large companies like Uber and Lyft, Indiana victims should expect the insurance settlement process to take time. It is crucial to consult with an Indiana Uber and Lyft accident lawyer in these circumstances. Unrepresented victims may see their claims delayed or denied throughout the negotiations process and will not be on an even playing field with the insurers.

Remember, it can take a long time to settle with Uber or Lyft’s insurance after an accident in Indiana. Insurance companies count on the fact that victims require fast access to compensatory damages. Because of that, Uber or Lyft’s insurance company may intentionally delay the settlement process so that victims accept a low settlement offer. If you do not have an attorney to fight for your interests, Uber or Lyft’s insurance company may succeed in extending settlement negotiations until you feel forced to accept a lowball offer.

What Should You Do When Uber or Lyft Settlements Take Too Long in Indiana?

When settlement negotiations with Uber or Lyft’s insurance take too long, Indiana victims may wonder what to do. If your access to compensatory damages is delayed because of a stubborn insurance company, you should contact an Indiana Uber and Lyft accident lawyer.

Immediately after an Uber or Lyft accident in Indiana, victims should consult an attorney. Engaging in settlement negotiations against a company like Uber or Lyft alone is unwise. Hiring an attorney from the onset can prevent such discussions from taking too long and delaying your access to compensatory damages.

If you are under financial pressure to pay for medical treatment or have lost work time, you should not let this force you to settle your claim for less than it’s worth. There are a number of options that our South Bend, IN Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can explore with you to get money you need now while you wait for your lawsuit against Uber or Lyft to settle.

It is important to note that if a settlement is taking too long, victims may not be able to sue Uber or Lyft for compensatory damages directly. In Indiana, rideshare drivers are presently considered independent contractors. Because of that, you may not be able to use Uber or Lyft for damages in a car accident lawsuit. That being said, if settlement negotiations with Uber or Lyft’s insurance or a rideshare driver’s insurance prove futile, Indiana victims can likely file a lawsuit against a negligent driver for compensation.

Call Our Indiana Lawyers if You Were Injured in an Uber or Lyft Accident Today

Indiana car accident victims deserve access to compensatory damages from large companies like Uber and Lyft. For a free consultation with the Fort Wayne Uber and Lyft accident attorneys at Wruck Paupore, call today at (219) 322-1166.