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Durham Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer

Understanding Rideshare Accidents in Durham

Rideshare apps have modernized travel across Durham, yet accidents involving them raise serious legal hurdles. These incidents aren’t like typical car wrecks — they involve massive corporations, layered insurance policies, and corporate defense teams.

A joint study by the University of Chicago and Rice University found that rideshare services are linked to a 2–3% increase in traffic deaths across the U.S.—that’s roughly 1,000 additional fatalities every year.

Injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Durham? The sooner you know your legal options, the stronger your case will be.

Determining Who’s Responsible After a Rideshare Crash in Durham

Liability after a rideshare crash isn’t always simple — it depends largely on the driver’s status at the moment of the accident. Different insurance policies apply based on whether the driver had the app on, was en route, or actively transporting someone.

App Off:

The driver’s personal insurance applies.

App On (No Passenger):

Uber or Lyft provides limited third-party liability coverage (usually $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident).

App On (With Passenger or En Route):

The full $1 million liability coverage kicks in.

Our legal team pulls rideshare data, trip records, and time logs to pinpoint liability and apply pressure to the right insurer. We’re also prepared to dispute denied claims, clarify gray areas in driver activity, and hold all responsible parties accountable.

Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents in Durham

Uber and Lyft drivers are frequently navigating busy roads while managing ride requests, customer service, and app-based instructions. It’s no surprise these factors often play a direct role in rideshare-related collisions.

Distracted driving (e.g., checking the app, GPS, texting)
Fatigue from long driving shifts
Speeding or aggressive driving to meet ride quotas
Inexperienced drivers unfamiliar with Durham roads
Unsafe pick-up or drop-off locations

Even with digital oversight, these platforms rely on thousands of drivers — not all of whom meet ideal safety standards. We leave no stone unturned in tracing the cause of the accident and proving where negligence occurred.

What You Should Do After a Rideshare Collision in Durham

Getting injured in an Uber or Lyft crash means you need to take immediate action to preserve your legal options. That includes calling 911, seeking medical care, documenting the scene, and consulting an experienced attorney before speaking to insurers.

Call 911 and request medical assistance if needed.

Get the names, contact info, and insurance details of all parties involved.

Take screenshots of your Uber or Lyft trip, including timestamps.

Document the scene with photos or videos (vehicles, street signs, damage).

Do not accept early settlement offers or give recorded statements to insurance without legal guidance.

Rideshare companies may try to limit their financial exposure by shifting blame or delaying claim processes. Having a legal advocate from the start can protect you from tactics designed to reduce your compensation.

Common Injuries in Rideshare Crashes

Rideshare crashes often occur in dense traffic or urban corridors, where even a low-speed collision can cause significant injury. We’ve represented Durham clients who suffered from:

Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
Broken bones and fractures
Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Spinal cord injuries
Internal bleeding or organ damage
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

While some may consider them minor injuries sometimes result in significant complications over time. Avoid letting an insurance company downplay your pain — our attorneys work diligently so that every impact of your injury is well supported with evidence and accurately assessed.

The Urgency Behind Taking Action Against Rideshare Companies in Durham

Uber and Lyft rely on complex policies and legal maneuvering to reduce their financial responsibility after crashes. Just one detail — like the driver’s phase in the trip — can mean the difference between full compensation and none at all.

Without skilled legal help, victims often walk away with settlements that don’t begin to cover their losses. That’s why Boyadzhyan Law Firm takes an aggressive stance — holding these companies accountable and fighting for the compensation our clients truly deserve.

What You Should Do After a Rideshare Crash in Durham

If you’ve been involved in an accident with a rideshare vehicle, these steps are crucial to protect your legal and financial interests:

Get Medical Help Immediately

Even if injuries seem minor, documentation is essential.

Report the Accident to Authorities

Ensure police are called and a report is filed on the scene.

Document Everything

Photos, witness contact info, rideshare app screenshots, and vehicle damage.

Avoid Statements to Insurance Adjusters

Anything you say can be used to lower or deny your claim.

Contact an Attorney Quickly

Time-sensitive evidence and complex insurance policies require early legal intervention.

Even small mistakes — like not preserving app data or failing to identify the correct insurance tier — can cost you the compensation you deserve. Our team ensures every detail is covered from the very beginning.

Top Reasons Uber and Lyft Accidents Happen in Durham

Common rideshare crashes stem from many of the same factors as typical collisions, but with added risks and complications due to driver multitasking and unpredictable working hours. Based on transportation statistics the top contributors include:

Distracted Driving – Rideshare drivers constantly check their apps for routes, messages, and updates.
Fatigue – Many drivers work long hours or drive for multiple services, increasing the risk of exhaustion.
Unfamiliar Routes – Unlike professional drivers, rideshare operators often rely entirely on GPS navigation.
Rush to Accept Fares – Quick turnarounds between rides can cause reckless maneuvers or speeding.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance – Drivers are responsible for their own vehicle upkeep, and issues may go unreported.

Notable academic findings linked rideshare services to a 2%–3% spike in traffic fatalities across major U.S. cities. This data confirms the public safety concerns of corporate convenience at the expense of human life.

How Rideshare Insurance Coverage Works in Durham, North Carolina

Navigating the insurance maze after an Uber or Lyft crash in Durham, North Carolina demands legal clarity. Both platforms offer third-party liability insurance, but the insurance limits hinges on what the driver was doing at the exact time of the accident. These status distinctions matter — and in North Carolina, state regulations make them even more significant.

Here’s a breakdown of the three distinct coverage periods:

Offline (App Off):

Only the driver’s personal insurance applies.

Available for Rides (App On, No Passenger):

Up to $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.

En Route or Transporting Passenger:

Up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage.

Getting compensation from these policies usually takes more than filing a simple claim. Rideshare companies frequently challenge driver status, use technicalities related to policy activation timing, or send victims in circles to personal insurers. At Boyadzhyan Law Firm, we know how to dismantle these strategies and build solid, evidence-backed claims to prove liability, engagement, and damages.

How Our Durham Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys Build Your Case

Boyadzhyan Law Firm employs a step-by-step strategy designed to streamline complicated rideshare cases. Because Uber and Lyft tend to deflect blame or push quick payouts, we get to work fast — securing driver data, reviewing trip histories, and building a rock-solid case.

Immediate Investigation: We gather crash reports, app screenshots, black box data, and rideshare platform logs.
Driver Background Checks: We examine whether the driver had any history of violations or prior accidents.
Medical Record Coordination: We work closely with healthcare providers to document the true scope of your injury.
Expert Testimony: When needed, we bring in accident reconstructionists and economists to strengthen your claim.

By controlling the narrative early, we stop the rideshare company from shifting blame and ensure your story is told clearly, accurately, and with the right legal framing.

Types of Damages You Can Claim After a Rideshare Crash in Durham

People impacted by a rideshare accident may be entitled to various forms of compensation under North Carolina law. At Boyadzhyan Law Firm, we work relentlessly to recover full financial and emotional recovery, including:

You may be able to recover compensation for:

Medical expenses (ER visits, surgery, rehab, prescriptions)
Lost income and reduced earning potential
Pain and suffering, including emotional distress and PTSD
Property damage
Loss of enjoyment of life or permanent disability

We don’t let the insurance company lowball your claim — we partner with economic and medical experts to accurately value your losses and pursue the maximum compensation available.

Talk to a Skilled Uber/Lyft Lawyer in Durham, North Carolina

After an Uber or Lyft crash, avoid facing massive insurance corporations alone. At Boyadzhyan Law Firm, we relieve you of legal stress so you can heal in peace. Our Durham, North Carolina attorneys are seasoned in handling rideshare injury claims and hold accountable big companies like Uber and Lyft.

We offer:

Free consultations with zero upfront costs

Contingency-fee representation — you don’t pay unless we win

Aggressive negotiation and litigation strategies

Compassionate support from day one through resolution

Time matters after a crash. Let Boyadzhyan Law Firm be the advocate you deserve and help you navigate this complex legal terrain.

Providing compassionate legal assistance for you and your family.

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