SC Rideshare Accident Lawyer Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant, SC Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Injured in a rideshare accident in South Carolina? The Arndt Law Firm helps victims navigate complex Uber and Lyft claims to pursue full compensation. Contact an experienced Mount Pleasant, SC rideshare accident lawyer today for a free consultation.

Rideshare services have transformed transportation in Mount Pleasant. Residents use rideshare apps to avoid parking hassles and get home safely without renting a car. However, the convenience of rideshare services comes with risks.

Rideshare vehicles are increasingly common on Mount Pleasant roads, and crashes involving rideshare drivers can raise legal issues different from those in typical car accidents.
When rideshare accidents occur, victims face unique legal complexities that differ significantly from those in typical car accident cases.

Liability and insurance coverage in rideshare crashes depend heavily on what the driver was doing at the time (offline, logged in but waiting for a trip, en route to pick up, or transporting a passenger) and on state law and policy terms. These fact-specific questions often require experienced legal guidance.

At our firm, we are dedicated to providing exceptional legal representation for personal injury and motor vehicle cases throughout South Carolina. With a strong focus on client needs, we understand the challenges individuals face during difficult times.

Led by our founder, Attorney Jonathan Arndt, who has been recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers, our team brings extensive local knowledge and expertise, particularly in handling rideshare accident claims. We pride ourselves on our commitment to helping our clients navigate the legal process with compassion and professionalism, ensuring they receive the support and compensation they deserve.

An experienced Mount Pleasant, SC rideshare accident lawyer can help hold negligent drivers and companies accountable while securing fair compensation for injury victims.

Understanding Rideshare Insurance Coverage

Platforms like Uber and Lyft position themselves as technology marketplaces rather than full-service transportation companies. This distinction has significant implications for liability.

While the companies provide substantial insurance coverage during certain “on-trip” phases, liability questions remain: for example, the driver’s app status (offline, waiting for a ride request, en route to a pick-up, or transporting a passenger) dramatically influences which policy applies.

In addition to traditional negligence by the driver, plaintiffs may pursue direct claims against the company. For example:

Negligent hiring or retention if a driver with a problematic record was onboarded or kept active despite warnings
Negligent supervision if the company failed to monitor or enforce safety rules In rare cases, vicarious liability may arise if a court deems the company had sufficient control over the driver’s work to create an employment or agency relationship.

Because these legal issues continue to evolve, working with counsel experienced in South Carolina rideshare liability law is essential.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Mount Pleasant

Understanding how rideshare accidents occur helps victims recognize when drivers were negligent and when they may have valid claims.

Distracted Driving

Checking phones to accept ride requests, looking at GPS directions, and reading passenger messages divert attention from the road. A UIC study shows that use of a mobile device or navigation while driving is associated with increased crash risk among ride-hailing drivers.

Driver Fatigue

Research in the ride-hailing context confirms fatigue is a significant safety hazard. Many rideshare drivers work long hours, sometimes driving for multiple platforms simultaneously to maximize earnings. Exhausted drivers may fall asleep at the wheel, fail to notice traffic signals, or make poor decisions.

Unlike commercial truck drivers, who are subject to regulated service hours, rideshare drivers have no time limits. Some drive all night when surge pricing is highest, then continue during morning rush hour. This lack of regulation creates serious safety risks for passengers and other motorists.

Speeding and Aggressive Driving

Rideshare drivers earn more by completing more trips per hour. This economic pressure can lead to speeding, aggressive lane changes, running red lights, and tailgating. The per-trip payment model incentivizes rushing between pickups and destinations.

Mount Pleasant's mix of highway speeds on Highway 17 and slower neighborhood streets requires drivers to adjust their speed appropriately. Rideshare drivers unfamiliar with the area or rushing to the next fare may drive too fast for conditions, leading to serious accidents.

Unfamiliarity with Local Roads

Many rideshare drivers are not Mount Pleasant residents. They may be unfamiliar with local traffic patterns, road conditions, and hazards. Relying entirely on GPS navigation, they may miss signs, make sudden turns, or fail to anticipate traffic conditions that local drivers expect.

Tourist areas like Patriots Point and Boone Hall Plantation, as well as neighborhoods like Old Village, feature narrow streets and unique layouts that pose challenges for drivers unfamiliar with Mount Pleasant. Tourists using rideshare services are particularly vulnerable when drivers lack local knowledge.

Impaired Driving

Despite background checks, some rideshare drivers operate vehicles while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or medication. Impaired drivers exhibit slowed reactions, poor judgment, and an inability to operate vehicles safely.

Rideshare companies market their services as safe alternatives to drunk driving, but passengers and other motorists remain vulnerable when rideshare drivers themselves are impaired. Companies must screen drivers effectively and respond quickly to impairment complaints to prevent these devastating accidents.

Inadequate Vehicle Maintenance

Rideshare drivers are responsible for maintaining their vehicles, but the demands of constant use can lead to deferred maintenance. Worn tires, faulty brakes, broken lights, and mechanical issues increase the risk of accidents. Unlike commercial taxi services, which undergo regular inspections, rideshare vehicles may operate with safety defects.

When vehicle maintenance issues contribute to accidents, drivers and ride-sharing companies may be liable. Evidence of maintenance neglect strengthens claims and demonstrates disregard for passenger and public safety.

Inexperienced Drivers

Rideshare platforms have minimal experience requirements. New drivers unfamiliar with the demands of professional driving may lack the skills to transport passengers in busy traffic safely. Unlike traditional taxi drivers, who undergo extensive training, rideshare drivers need only clean background checks and valid licenses.

Inexperienced drivers may panic in emergencies, misjudge distances and speeds, or fail to anticipate other drivers' actions. These deficiencies lead to preventable accidents that more experienced professional drivers would avoid.

In a community like Mount Pleasant, with both high-speed arterial roads and narrow tourist-destination streets, each factor can play a role. Victims can preserve evidence and consult a Mount Pleasant, SC rideshare accident lawyer familiar with these specialized risks.

Damages Recoverable in Rideshare Accident Cases

South Carolina law allows rideshare accident victims to pursue comprehensive compensation for all losses resulting from injuries.

Economic Damages

Medical expenses are all costs related to treating injuries, including

emergency room care
hospitalization
surgery
diagnostic testing
prescription medications
physical therapy
rehabilitation
assistive devices
future medical care for ongoing conditions.

Serious rideshare accident injuries often require extensive treatment, and the $1 million policy coverage is intended to cover these substantial costs.

Lost wages compensate for all income missed during recovery, including salary, bonuses, commissions, and self-employment income. Rideshare accident injuries may prevent victims from working for weeks or months, creating significant financial hardship.

Loss of earning capacity refers to the reduction in a person’s ability to earn income in the future due to permanent injuries that limit their ability to work or advance in their career. Victims may recover damages for reduced lifetime earning potential. Vocational experts can calculate these losses based on age, education, skills, and limitations due to injury.

Property damage may cover vehicle repair or replacement costs, as well as personal property damaged in accidents. This includes diminished-value claims when vehicles retain reduced value after repairs.

Non-Economic Damages

Pain and suffering refer to compensation for physical pain, discomfort, and limitations resulting from injuries. Serious injuries from rideshare accidents often cause chronic pain requiring long-term management.

Emotional distress covers damages for psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, and fear resulting from accidents and injuries. Passengers who trusted rideshare drivers to transport them safely may experience significant emotional trauma when that trust is violated through negligent driving.

Loss of enjoyment of life refers to the decreased ability to participate in activities, hobbies, and daily pleasures that once brought happiness and fulfillment before the injury occurred. When injuries prevent victims from participating in activities they previously enjoyed, compensation acknowledges these losses. Sports, hobbies, social activities, and quality time with family may all be compromised by serious injuries.

Loss of consortium refers to the harm suffered by a spouse of seriously injured rideshare accident victims. The spouse may pursue claims for loss of companionship, affection, and intimacy resulting from their partner's injuries.

Punitive (Exemplary) Damages

These damages may be awarded when the defendant’s actions were willful, wanton, or reckless, more than simple negligence. In South Carolina, punitive damages require proof by “clear and convincing evidence.” Rideshare drivers who cause accidents while severely impaired, driving with criminal recklessness, or having extensive histories of dangerous driving may face punitive damages designed to punish misconduct and deter similar behavior.

Wrongful Death Damages

If a rideshare accident causes a fatality, survivors may bring a wrongful death action under S.C. Code § 15-51-10 et seq. to recover damages such as funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.

Fatal rideshare accidents devastate families who trusted companies to provide safe transportation. Wrongful death claims hold negligent parties accountable and provide the financial resources families need after losing loved ones.

The Legal Process for Rideshare Accident Claims

Pursuing rideshare accident claims involves unique challenges that require an experienced personal injury attorney to navigate successfully.

Immediate Steps After a Rideshare Accident

Taking the right actions after a rideshare accident helps the injured person stay safe, protect vital evidence, and strengthen their injury claim.

Ensure Safety: Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move to safety if possible without leaving the accident scene.
Call Police: Always request a police response to create an official accident report, even for seemingly minor collisions. Police reports document the accident and establish the rideshare driver's identity and insurance information.
Document the Scene: Photograph all damaged vehicles, the surrounding area showing traffic controls and road conditions, visible injuries, and license plates. If possible, take a video showing the whole accident scene.
Identify the Rideshare Driver: Confirm which rideshare company they drive for, obtain their name and contact information, and photograph any company decals or signage on the vehicle. The passenger may screenshot the ride information from the app.
Gather Witness Information: Collect names and phone numbers from anyone who witnessed the accident.
Seek Medical Attention: Visit a doctor or emergency room even if injuries seem minor. Some serious injuries have delayed symptoms, and prompt medical documentation is critical for claims.
Report to Rideshare Company: If the injured person was a passenger, they should report the accident through the rideshare app and avoid giving detailed or recorded statements until consulting an attorney.
Preserve Evidence: Save all app records showing the ride details, keep all medical bills and documents, and photograph injuries as they heal.
Consult an Attorney: Contact a Mount Pleasant, SC rideshare accident lawyer before accepting settlement offers or providing recorded statements to insurance companies.

Following these steps promptly may help the injured person protect their rights and lay the groundwork for a strong rideshare accident claim.

Types of Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare accidents take many forms, each presenting unique liability and compensation issues.

Passenger Injuries

Common passenger injuries include whiplash and neck injuries from rear-end collisions, broken bones from side-impact crashes, head injuries and traumatic brain injuries from severe impacts, back and spinal injuries, internal injuries, and psychological trauma from frightening accidents.

Accidents Involving Other Motorists

When a rideshare driver causes a collision that injures another vehicle’s occupant, liability may extend to both the driver and the rideshare company or insurer, depending on the driver’s app status at the time of the crash. Other motorists may not realize the car was a rideshare vehicle, which can complicate the claim process. Confirming the driver’s status is crucial to accessing higher-limits coverage.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

In walkable or mixed-traffic areas like Mount Pleasant, rideshare vehicles share roads with pedestrians and cyclists. Distracted rideshare drivers, checking their phones or GPS frequently, frequently strike pedestrians in crosswalks or cyclists in bike lanes.

Pedestrian and bicycle accidents can cause devastating injuries because riders and walkers have little protection. Victims often suffer broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or even fatal wounds. Because these injuries tend to be severe, the availability of higher policy limits (for example, $1 million when a ride was in progress) may prove critical for full compensation.

Multi-Vehicle Accidents

Rideshare drivers who cause chain-reaction crashes involving multiple vehicles create complex liability scenarios. Multiple insurance policies may apply, and determining fault percentages among several drivers requires a thorough investigation.

Rideshare companies often attempt to shift blame to other drivers to avoid their policy limits applying. Accident reconstruction experts and comprehensive evidence gathering establish the rideshare driver's role in causing multi-vehicle crashes.

Pickup and Drop-Off Accidents

Accidents may occur during passenger pickup and drop-off when rideshare drivers stop suddenly, double-park, or fail to check mirrors before opening doors. Passengers exiting vehicles may be struck by passing traffic, or sudden stops may cause rear-end collisions.

These accidents raise questions about who is responsible for creating dangerous conditions. Both drivers and rideshare companies may be liable for accidents resulting from unsafe pickup and drop-off practices.

Why Choose The Arndt Law Firm for Rideshare Accident Cases

Rideshare accident cases involve unique legal and insurance challenges that require experienced representation. The Arndt Law Firm provides in-depth knowledge of South Carolina personal injury law and rideshare-related claims to help clients pursue maximum compensation.

Specialized Knowledge of Rideshare Laws

Attorney Jonathan Arndt understands the legal and insurance issues surrounding rideshare services, including liability concerns and coverage complexities. This expertise can help ensure victims recover all available damages.

Experience with Complex Insurance Claims

The firm has handled numerous personal injury claims, navigating insurance companies and gathering critical evidence to support clients’ cases.

Local Insight and Trial Experience

Based in Mount Pleasant, the firm can leverage local knowledge of Charleston County roads and courts. Jonathan Arndt’s recognition as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers highlights his skill in representing injury victims.

Personalized Support and Communication

The firm offers individualized attention, informing clients at every stage and helping them make confident decisions.

Contingency Fee Representation

The Arndt Law Firm works on a contingency basis, meaning clients pay nothing unless they recover compensation.

Commitment to Maximum Recovery

From medical expenses to lost income, The Arndt Law Firm can aggressively pursue all available sources of compensation, including rideshare insurance policies and other applicable coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rideshare Accident Claims

How much insurance coverage do Uber or Lyft provide for accidents?

Uber and Lyft provide $1 million in liability coverage for accidents that occur while a ride is active, meaning the driver has accepted a ride or a passenger is in the vehicle. If the app is on but no ride has been accepted, Uber and Lyft provide limited contingent coverage, usually $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage.

Can I sue the rideshare company or only the driver after an accident?

You can sue both the rideshare company and the driver, depending on the circumstances. While the driver is primarily responsible for negligent driving, the rideshare company may also face liability for negligent hiring, retention, or supervision. The rideshare company’s insurance generally covers accidents during active rides, even if the company is not directly at fault.

What should I do if I was a passenger injured in a rideshare accident?

If a passenger is injured in a rideshare accident, the passenger can file a compensation claim. The $1 million insurance policy covers injuries to passengers when the driver causes an accident. Passengers can pursue a claim through the rideshare company’s insurance regardless of their relationship to the driver.

How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, most personal injury claims must be filed within three years of the accident. Filing a rideshare accident claim within this time frame ensures the injured person preserves evidence and meets all legal deadlines.

What happens if the rideshare driver's app was off during the accident?

If the rideshare driver’s app was off during the accident, only the driver’s personal insurance applies. This insurance may exclude coverage for rideshare activity, limiting recovery. Identifying other sources of coverage, such as the injured person’s uninsured/underinsured motorist policy, becomes critical in these cases.

Can I recover damages if I was partly at fault in the rideshare accident?

Yes, under South Carolina’s comparative negligence law, the injured person can recover damages even if partially at fault. Recovery is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to the injured person, provided it is less than 51 percent.

What should I do if the rideshare company denies that the driver was working?

If the rideshare company denies that the driver was working, an attorney can obtain app records, ride logs, GPS data, and other evidence to prove the driver’s status. These documents are often essential when the company disputes coverage, ensuring full compensation is available.

Should I accept the insurance company's settlement offer for a rideshare accident?

An injured person should not accept the insurance company’s settlement offer without consulting an attorney. Insurance companies often offer initial settlements well below the case’s true value. Once the injured person signs a release, they cannot pursue additional compensation even if medical bills or other damages increase.

Can I use my own insurance after a rideshare accident?

The injured person can use their health insurance to cover medical expenses, though reimbursement may be required if a settlement is received. Additionally, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can compensate if the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance, especially when the rideshare app is off.

Do I need an attorney for a rideshare accident claim?

While an attorney is not legally required, rideshare accident claims involve complex insurance rules, multiple potential defendants, and companies with experienced legal teams. Hiring an attorney increases the injured person’s chances of obtaining fair compensation and protects their legal rights.

Taking the Next Step Toward Recovery with a Mount Pleasant SC Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Rideshare accidents in Mount Pleasant create unique legal challenges, but victims have clear rights to compensation when negligent drivers cause injuries. Understanding rideshare insurance coverage, establishing driver status at the time of an accident, and navigating claims involving multiple insurance companies require experienced legal representation.

At our firm, we are deeply committed to providing dedicated representation for rideshare accident victims across South Carolina. We understand the challenges and complexities that come with being involved in accidents involving services like Uber and Lyft. Attorney Jonathan Arndt leads our team with a strong focus on thorough preparation and utilizing expert resources to build each case.

Compassionate representation is at the heart of what we do. We strive to ensure that our clients feel supported throughout their legal journey, knowing that we are here to advocate for their rights and work tirelessly to secure the compensation they deserve. When you choose our firm, you can trust that you’re in capable hands, and we’re here to help you navigate this difficult time.

The Arndt Law Firm offers guidance, advocacy, and a path toward justice for individuals injured in rideshare accidents, whether as passengers, occupants of other vehicles, or pedestrians and cyclists. Call (843) 469-8777 today to speak with an experienced Mount Pleasant, SC rideshare accident lawyer.