You did everything right. You called an Uber or Lyft instead of driving yourself. You buckled your seatbelt, settled into the back seat, and trusted someone else to get you safely to your destination. Then, in a split second, everything changed. Maybe another driver ran a red light. Maybe your rideshare driver was speeding or distracted. Maybe it was raining and someone lost control. However it happened, you’re now dealing with injuries you never asked for, and you have every right to feel angry, confused, and overwhelmed.
The good news is this: as a passenger, you weren’t responsible for the crash, and Pennsylvania law protects your right to compensation. But rideshare accidents are more complicated than typical car crashes. In some cases, they require more than insurance claims, but instead a rideshare passenger injury lawsuit. Without experienced legal guidance, injured passengers often fail to take the necessary legal action to obtain maximum compensation.
At Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers, we fight for passengers who’ve been hurt through no fault of their own in Pennsylvania Uber accidents. We’ll cut through the insurance confusion, identify every source of available coverage, and build a powerful case that holds negligent drivers and companies accountable. You trusted someone else with your safety; now let us fight to make things right.
When Is a Lawsuit Necessary for Rideshare Accident Cases?
Not every rideshare injury claim requires filing a lawsuit, but you need an attorney who’s prepared to go to court when insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation. At OG Law, we always pursue the most efficient path to maximum recovery for our clients. Sometimes that means negotiating a strong settlement. Other times, it means taking the fight to the courtroom.
Many Cases Settle Without Litigation
When liability is clear, injuries are well-documented, and insurance companies recognize the strength of your case, settlement negotiations can result in fair compensation without the time and expense of a lawsuit. This is the ideal outcome, as you get the money you need to move forward with your life, and you avoid the stress and uncertainty of litigation.
We work to build cases that insurers can’t ignore. When we present comprehensive evidence, insurance adjusters understand they’re not dealing with an unrepresented victim they can lowball. They’re facing experienced trial attorneys who know exactly what the case is worth.
When Litigation Becomes Necessary
However, insurance companies don’t always act reasonably, even when the evidence is overwhelming. We file lawsuits when:
- Insurance companies deny valid claims or dispute clear liability. Some adjusters will argue that you somehow contributed to the crash or that your injuries aren’t as serious as documented, hoping you’ll accept less than you deserve rather than fight.
- Settlement offers are unreasonably low. Insurance companies often make initial offers that barely cover medical bills, ignoring lost wages, future treatment needs, pain and suffering, and permanent limitations. When negotiations stall below fair value, litigation provides the leverage to force realistic offers.
- Multiple parties are shifting blame to each other. When the rideshare driver’s insurer blames the other driver, that driver’s insurer blames road conditions, and everyone points fingers while you remain uncompensated, a lawsuit forces all parties into one proceeding where liability gets decided definitively.
- Deadlines are approaching. Pennsylvania’s two-year statute of limitations doesn’t pause during negotiations. If settlement discussions drag on without resolution and the deadline approaches, filing suit protects your rights while negotiations continue.
- Your injuries are severe and require maximum compensation. Cases involving permanent disability, catastrophic injuries, or long-term care needs often justify the additional time investment of litigation because the difference between a settlement offer and a jury verdict can be substantial.
We never file rideshare passenger injury lawsuits to intimidate or create unnecessary expenses. But when litigation is the right strategic move to maximize your recovery, we pursue it aggressively and skillfully. Our 25+ years of experience means we know when to negotiate, when to litigate, and how to leverage each stage of the process to your advantage.
The bottom line is that you need attorneys who can negotiate powerfully AND litigate successfully. Insurance companies offer better settlements to clients represented by lawyers they know will take cases to trial when necessary. That’s the Ostroff Godshall advantage.
The Process of Suing for Rideshare Injuries in Pennsylvania
If your rideshare accident case requires litigation, understanding the process helps reduce anxiety about what’s ahead. Whether your accident involved a one-car rollover in downtown Pittsburgh or a rear-end collision on I-76, most Pennsylvania personal injury lawsuits follow a similar path from filing through resolution.
Step 1: Filing the Complaint
Your attorney drafts and files a legal complaint in the appropriate Pennsylvania court, formally beginning the lawsuit. The complaint identifies:
- All defendants (parties being sued)
- The legal basis for your claim (usually negligence)
- The facts of what happened
- The damages you’re seeking
The complaint gets served on all defendants, who then have a limited time to respond. This formal filing protects your rights by stopping the statute of limitations clock and putting all parties on notice that you’re serious about pursuing full compensation.
Step 2: The Answer and Initial Responses
Each defendant files an “answer” responding to your allegations. They may admit certain facts, deny others, and raise defenses. Some defendants may also file preliminary motions challenging legal aspects of your case.
During this phase, insurance companies and their attorneys begin to understand the strength of your evidence and the seriousness of your commitment to the case. This alone often triggers renewed settlement discussions with more realistic offers.
Step 3: Discovery and Uncovering the Evidence
Discovery is the longest and most important phase of litigation, governed by strict rules. Both sides exchange information and gather evidence through:
- Interrogatories: Written questions that must be answered under oath. Your attorney might ask about the rideshare driver’s training, safety record, and what they were doing immediately before the crash.
- Requests for Production: Formal demands for documents and records. We’ll request the driver’s complete employment file, the rideshare company’s safety policies, maintenance records, app data, GPS logs, and all communications related to the trip.
- Depositions: In-person questioning under oath, recorded by a court reporter. We’ll depose the rideshare driver, the at-fault driver, witnesses, and potentially corporate representatives from Uber or Lyft. You’ll also be deposed by the defense, but we’ll prepare you thoroughly so you know exactly what to expect.
- Expert Witness Disclosure: Both sides identify expert witnesses who will testify about accident reconstruction, medical causation, future medical needs, economic losses, and other technical aspects of the case.
Discovery often reveals evidence that dramatically strengthens your case, such as internal company documents showing safety violations, driver logs proving fatigue, or communications demonstrating the company knew about problems but failed to act. This is when many cases settle, as defendants realize what a jury will see at trial.
Step 4: Mediation and Settlement Negotiations
Most Pennsylvania courts require mediation before trial, which is a structured negotiation session with a neutral third-party mediator (often a retired judge or experienced attorney). Mediation gives both sides an opportunity to present their case in a confidential setting and work toward resolution.
Your attorney will prepare a detailed mediation statement presenting the strongest evidence, medical proof, expert opinions, and damage calculations. With the reality of trial looming and the costs of continued litigation mounting, many cases settle during or shortly after mediation.
Importantly, you control the outcome. Your attorney will advise you on whether settlement offers are fair, but the final decision is always yours. We never pressure clients to settle for less than they deserve.
Step 5: Trial
If settlement negotiations fail, your attorney prepares for trial. Here’s what happens if a trial is necessary:
- Jury Selection: Attorneys question potential jurors to identify those who can be fair and impartial. Your attorney works to select jurors who will understand the impact of your injuries and value compensation appropriately.
- Opening Statements: Each side previews their case, explaining what the evidence will show.
- Plaintiff’s Case: Your attorney presents evidence through witness testimony, medical records, expert opinions, and exhibits. You’ll testify about the crash and how your injuries have affected your life. Medical experts explain your diagnosis, treatment, and future needs. Accident reconstruction experts may testify about how the crash occurred.
- Defense Case: Defendants present their evidence and witnesses, attempting to minimize liability or damages.
- Closing Arguments: Attorneys summarize the evidence and argue why their side should prevail.
- Jury Deliberation and Verdict: The jury reviews evidence, applies Pennsylvania law, and reaches a verdict on liability and damages.
- Post-Trial Motions: The losing side may file motions challenging the verdict, though these rarely succeed when the trial was properly conducted.
Contact Our Rideshare Accident Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation
Litigation can feel intimidating, but you’ll have experienced advocates guiding you through every stage of a rideshare passenger injury lawsuit. At OG Law, we communicate regularly with our clients, explain each development in plain language, and prepare you thoroughly for depositions and testimony.
Our job is to handle the legal process while you focus on healing. We’ve successfully litigated rideshare accident cases for over 25 years, and we know exactly what it takes to achieve maximum results, whether through negotiated settlement or jury verdict.
After a Pennsylvania Uber accident, call us today at 484-351-0350 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. There’s no pressure or risk, just honest guidance from attorneys who care about your recovery.
