Charlotte Lyft & Uber Accident Attorney

Your Rideshare Crash Support Team, Here in Charlotte

A rideshare crash can turn a quick trip across Charlotte into weeks of doctor visits, missed work, and insurance runaround. If your Uber or Lyft ride ended in a collision anywhere in Charlotte, Ballantyne, South Charlotte, or greater Mecklenburg County, you deserve clear guidance and a legal team that knows how to move claims forward.

At the Law Office of Thomas D. Bumgardner, PLLC, we help injured riders, drivers, and pedestrians pursue full and fair compensation after Uber and Lyft accidents. We understand the unique coverage questions that come with app-based driving and the local procedures that can influence your claim in Charlotte and across North Carolina.

Request your consultation with our Charlotte rideshare team. We will listen, explain your options, and outline the next steps.

Understanding Uber and Lyft Accident Claims in Charlotte

Rideshare crashes are different from ordinary car accidents because multiple insurance layers may be involved. Which policy applies can depend on whether the rideshare app was off, on and waiting for a ride request, or the driver was en route to pick up a passenger or actively transporting one. During active trips, special third-party liability coverage is typically available through the rideshare company. When the app is on but no passenger is in the car yet, contingent coverage may apply. If the app is off, the driver’s personal auto policy generally governs.

Because these coverage layers can overlap or conflict, a fast, precise investigation is essential. Our team identifies all potential sources of recovery and coordinates claims so you are not left between insurers pointing at each other.

How rideshare insurance and fault work

North Carolina uses fault-based auto liability rules. That means the at-fault driver’s insurer is usually responsible for losses like medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. In a rideshare case, fault can involve one or more drivers, including another motorist who hit your Uber or Lyft, or the rideshare driver if they were negligent. We build liability by gathering ride data, dash and traffic camera footage when available, driver phone and app activity logs, and witness statements.

What To Do After a Rideshare Crash in Charlotte

Your health comes first. Get medical care immediately, even if pain is mild at the scene. Many injuries, including concussions and soft tissue damage, intensify over 24 to 72 hours.

Next, try to capture the essentials:

• Screenshot your trip details in the Uber or Lyft app, including driver name, vehicle, route, and timestamps.
• Photograph vehicle positions, damage, road conditions, and visible injuries.
• Collect names, phone numbers, and insurance information for all involved drivers and witnesses.
• Report the crash in the app and request the incident confirmation number.
• Avoid recorded statements to any insurer before you understand your rights.

Then speak with a Charlotte Lyft accident attorney or Uber accident attorney who can protect your claim and open the correct insurance channels.

Liability, Contributory Negligence, and Your Rights

North Carolina follows strict contributory negligence rules. If an insurer believes you were even slightly at fault, they may try to deny payment. For rideshare passengers, this is often less of a battleground, but insurers still analyze whether seat belt usage, distraction, or other factors played a role. Drivers and pedestrians face their own set of arguments. We anticipate these tactics and respond with objective evidence, professional medical opinions where appropriate, and a clear narrative of how the wreck occurred.

When multiple vehicles are involved, we pursue every at-fault party and their insurers. Important liability questions include whether the rideshare driver was actively on a trip, whether a third-party driver caused the collision, and whether any roadway or vehicle defects contributed. Our goal is to ensure the correct policy pays and that you are not shortchanged by coverage disputes.

Damages Available After an Uber or Lyft Accident

Every case is different, but recoverable losses may include:

• Medical expenses, future treatment, and rehabilitation
• Lost income and diminished earning capacity
• Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Property damage, including phones or other personal items
• Out-of-pocket costs related to transportation and care

We document these damages with medical records, provider statements, wage verification, and, where necessary, specialist analysis to show the full impact of the crash on your life.

Serving Charlotte, Ballantyne, and South Charlotte

Our firm serves clients across Mecklenburg County, including Ballantyne, South Charlotte, Uptown, SouthPark, Steele Creek, University City, and surrounding communities. We regularly coordinate with local providers and understand how Mecklenburg County court procedures and North Carolina insurance practices can affect the pace and outcome of rideshare claims.

Whether your collision happened on I-485 near Ballantyne, along Providence Road, or at an Uptown intersection, we bring local knowledge to your case strategy.

The Process Our Firm Follows

A clear process reduces stress and keeps your claim moving.

Case evaluation

We review the crash report, app records, and your medical status to identify coverage and potential liability.

Evidence development

We secure ride data, contact witnesses, request dash or traffic cam footage if available, and coordinate medical documentation. If needed, we consult accident reconstruction professionals.

Claim presentation

We notify all responsible insurers, present a well-documented demand, and manage communications so you can focus on recovery.

Negotiation and litigation

We push for a fair settlement and are prepared to file suit in Mecklenburg County if insurers do not offer appropriate compensation.

Common Insurance Scenarios

App off

Personal auto insurance generally applies. The rideshare company’s coverage typically does not apply.

App on, no passenger yet

Contingent liability coverage may be available alongside the driver’s personal policy.

En route to pick up or transport a passenger

Company-provided third-party liability coverage usually applies, often at higher limits.

If you were a passenger, you may also have medical payments coverage through your own auto policy, even if you were not driving. We examine every policy that could help.

Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Claim

• Deleting the app or ride data before it is preserved
• Posting about the crash or injuries on social media
• Missing follow-up medical appointments or not following treatment plans
• Giving recorded statements without counsel
• Accepting quick, low settlements before you know the full extent of your injuries

Why Choose the Law Office of Thomas D. Bumgardner, PLLC

• Rideshare claim focus. We understand how Uber and Lyft insurance layers interact and how to access the right coverage quickly.
• Local knowledge. Our Charlotte-based team is familiar with Mecklenburg County courts, local medical providers, and area collision patterns from Ballantyne to South Charlotte.
• Personal attention. You get direct communication and a clear plan for each stage of your claim.
• Structured negotiation strategy. We present fully supported demands that account for future medical needs and long-term impact, not just immediate bills.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know whether the Uber or Lyft policy applies to my crash?

Coverage depends on what the rideshare driver was doing in the app at the time of the collision. If they were on a trip or en route to a pickup, company-provided third-party liability coverage generally applies. If the app was only on and waiting or was off, different policies and limits may be involved.

I was a rideshare passenger, and the other driver caused the crash. Who pays?

We pursue the at-fault driver’s liability insurer and evaluate any applicable rideshare or medical payments coverage. You should not be stuck between insurers. Our job is to coordinate claims so your bills are addressed and your losses are fully presented.

What if I am partially blamed under North Carolina’s rules?

North Carolina’s contributory negligence standards can be harsh. Insurers may use them to try to deny claims. We counter with timely evidence, medical documentation, and legal arguments to protect your right to recovery.

How soon should I contact a rideshare accident attorney in Charlotte?

As early as possible. Key digital evidence can be lost if not requested promptly. Early involvement helps preserve trip data, app logs, and video, and avoids missteps with insurers.

Will I have to go to court?

Many rideshare cases settle without trial when the claim is documented thoroughly. We prepare each case as if it will be litigated, so we can negotiate from a position of strength and, if needed, file in Mecklenburg County.

What types of compensation can I pursue after an Uber or Lyft accident?

Medical costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and property damage are common categories. The right strategy will also account for future medical needs and the impact on day-to-day life.

How long does a rideshare claim take in Charlotte?

Timeframes vary based on medical treatment, the number of insurers involved, and whether litigation is necessary. We keep your claim moving and communicate clear milestones so you know what to expect.

Take the next step toward recovery in Charlotte

Prompt action can secure critical rideshare data and strengthen your position with insurers. If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash in Charlotte, Ballantyne, South Charlotte, or anywhere in Mecklenburg County, our team is ready to guide you.

 Start your claim review with the Law Office of Thomas D. Bumgardner, PLLC