Bardstown, Kentucky, with its historic charm and growing tourism industry, has seen an increase in rideshare services like Uber and Lyft operating throughout Nelson County. While these transportation options offer convenience to both residents and visitors exploring the Bourbon Trail and local attractions, they also bring unique legal complexities when accidents occur.
If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident in Bardstown and are facing mounting medical bills or lost wages, you’re not alone, and you’ve found the right law firm to help you.
The Fleck Firm’s rideshare accident attorneys have been providing caring and compassionate legal advice and skilled representation to accident victims like you throughout Kentucky. As an Army Veteran, attorney Tyler Fleck understands the importance of fighting for those who need help, and our firm has helped numerous clients with their rideshare accident cases and secured substantial settlements for them.
If you’re involved in a rideshare accident in Bardstown—whether as a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian—you need to speak with a qualified Bardstown Personal Injury attorney who understands both Kentucky law and the complicated insurance issues unique to Uber and Lyft crashes. The Fleck Firm has been fighting for our clients in Kentucky, and we’re confident we can assist you after a rideshare accident.
What Type of Injuries Can Happen in a Rideshare Accident in Bardstown?
Accidents are an unfortunate reality in Bardstown and everywhere else. While rideshare drivers undergo background checks, they can’t control road conditions, other drivers, or unexpected situations that lead to accidents on roads like US-31E, US-62, or the Stephen Foster Parkway.
Where accidents happen, injuries follow, and sometimes they can be serious. Though you always hope that any rideshare accident would spare you severe and life-altering injuries, the truth is that they can and do happen.
There are a variety of rideshare accident injuries possible, such as:
- Cuts, bruises, bumps, and scrapes
- Burns
- Soft tissue injuries, including but not limited to whiplash, muscles getting pulled or torn, strains, and the stretching or tearing of ligaments (sprains)
- Fractures (both simple and compound)
- Injuries of the head, shoulders, and neck
- Injuries affecting the back and neck (spinal cord injuries)
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Organ damage, internal bleeding, and other internal injuries
- Amputation of limbs
- and even death
When you’ve been in a rideshare accident, it’s important to seek medical attention promptly. While you may be able to recover fully from some of these injuries without medical assistance, others are life-altering and life-threatening.
We know you’re in enough pain—not just from your injuries but also from financial hardships sustained from not being able to work or live your life to the fullest after your rideshare accident. We will work to hold those responsible for our clients’ injuries accountable for their actions. We will fight for the most compensation possible for our clients.
What Should You Do After You’ve Been in a Rideshare Accident in Bardstown?
After a rideshare accident, if you or anyone else involved requires immediate medical assistance, be sure to call 9-1-1 to get emergency first responders to the scene. Your first priority should be to seek medical attention if you’ve been injured. You may not be able to tell the extent of your injuries. You need an exam by a qualified medical professional as soon as possible.
If you’re seriously injured in a rideshare accident, you may need to be transported by ambulance to an emergency room. However, if you are capable after an accident or your injuries are not life-threatening, contact the police so they can come to the accident scene and make a report. While you are waiting for the police, look around for any potential witnesses to the accident and get their contact information. Then, use your phone camera to take photos and videos of the accident scene. This is important because once the scene is cleaned up and traffic begins again, much of the valuable evidence of the accident will be gone.
Important evidence to document includes:
- Damage to all vehicles involved
- The rideshare driver’s app status (were they logged in, en route to pick up, or carrying a passenger?)
- The location of the accident
- Road conditions, weather, and lighting
- Any visible injuries
- License plates and insurance information
It’s a good idea at this point in the process to speak with an experienced rideshare accident attorney who can review your case, refer you to a qualified medical professional for treatment, and recommend next steps for getting you the compensation you deserve as quickly as possible.
After you’ve dealt with the police and visited a medical professional for injury assessment and treatment, it’s time to contact the relevant insurance companies. Having a rideshare accident attorney to advise and assist you with the insurance process is a good idea, so you have someone on your side who knows what kinds of tactics the insurers might try to use against you.
Keep in mind, while you may be required to report the accident to the insurance company, be very careful what you say to any insurance representatives. Their goal is often to pay out as little as possible, so they may try to get statements from you with the intention of denying your claim. Or they may try to get you to admit certain things that could potentially make you look bad in court later.
Understanding Rideshare Insurance in Kentucky
One of the most complicated aspects of rideshare accidents is determining which insurance policy applies to your situation. Both Uber and Lyft have insurance policies that cover their drivers, but the amount of coverage depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the accident.
The rideshare insurance typically works in three phases:
Phase 1 – App Off
When the rideshare driver’s app is turned off, only their personal auto insurance applies. Many personal policies exclude coverage for commercial activities like ridesharing.
Phase 2 – App On, Waiting for Request
When the driver is logged into the app but hasn’t accepted a ride request yet, Uber and Lyft provide limited liability coverage (typically around $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident).
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Phase 3 – Ride Accepted or Passenger in Vehicle
From the moment a driver accepts your ride request until you exit the vehicle, Uber and Lyft provide up to $1 million in liability coverage, plus uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Understanding which phase the driver was in at the time of your accident is critical to determining available compensation. Insurance companies for rideshare services will often try to argue that a different policy applies or that coverage doesn’t exist. This is why having an experienced Bardstown rideshare accident lawyer is essential.
How Do You Establish Who is at Fault in a Rideshare Accident in Bardstown?
Kentucky follows a “comparative fault” system when it comes to determining liability in car accidents, including rideshare accidents. This means that multiple parties can share fault for an accident, and your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault—but only if you’re 50% or less at fault. If you’re found to be 51% or more responsible, you cannot recover compensation under Kentucky law (KRS 411.182).
Determining fault in a rideshare accident can be more complex than a typical car accident because multiple parties may be liable:
- The rideshare driver (for distracted driving, speeding, or other negligence)
- Another driver involved in the accident
- The rideshare company (Uber or Lyft) under certain circumstances
- A vehicle manufacturer (if a defect caused the accident)
- The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet or local government (if poor road maintenance contributed)
For instance, if a rideshare driver was distracted by their phone trying to accept a new ride request and ran a red light, the fault would likely fall primarily on the rideshare driver and potentially the rideshare company. However, if another vehicle was speeding and contributed to the severity of the crash, both parties might share fault.
It’s important to establish what, if any, percentage of the fault is on you in an accident, because that will determine how much compensation you may be entitled to in Kentucky. For example, if you are 20% responsible for the accident you were in, then you are only eligible to seek compensation for 80% of the expenses that come from the accident. However, not every case is the same. Only a qualified Kentucky rideshare accident attorney can speak to the specific details of your individual case.
That’s why it’s so important to have elements like a police report, eyewitness statements, and as many photographs and videos as you can take. They will help to tell the truth about what happened and demonstrate to the insurance companies and the other driver what their level of responsibility is. Our firm also works with accident reconstruction experts when necessary to establish fault in complex rideshare accident cases.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Bardstown
Rideshare accidents happen for many of the same reasons as other vehicle accidents, but there are some factors unique to Uber and Lyft drivers that increase risk:
Driver Distraction
Rideshare drivers constantly interact with their phones to accept rides, follow GPS directions, and communicate with passengers. This distraction takes their eyes off the road and significantly increases crash risk, especially on busy Bardstown streets or while navigating unfamiliar routes to tourist destinations.
Driver Fatigue
Many rideshare drivers work long hours or drive as a second job after working their primary employment. Fatigued drivers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment, making accidents more likely.
Unfamiliarity with the Area
Rideshare drivers often travel to areas they don’t know well, relying heavily on GPS. In Bardstown, drivers unfamiliar with local roads, traffic patterns, or seasonal tourist congestion may make sudden turns or lane changes that cause accidents.
Pressure to Accept Rides
Rideshare drivers earn money by completing trips, which creates pressure to accept new ride requests quickly—even when doing so is unsafe. This pressure can lead to distracted or reckless driving.
Inadequate Vehicle Maintenance
Unlike commercial taxi services with regular inspections, rideshare drivers are responsible for maintaining their own vehicles. Poorly maintained vehicles with worn brakes, bad tires, or other mechanical issues can cause accidents.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Bardstown Rideshare Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident in Bardstown, you may be entitled to recover various types of compensation, depending on the circumstances of your case:
Economic Damages:
- Medical expenses (emergency room, hospitalization, surgery, medication, physical therapy)
- Future medical costs if you need ongoing treatment
- Lost wages from time off work
- Lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job
- Property damage to your vehicle or personal belongings
- Transportation costs to medical appointments
Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium (impact on your relationship with your spouse)
In rare cases involving gross negligence or intentional conduct, punitive damages may also be available, though these are designed to punish wrongdoers rather than compensate victims.
The total value of your rideshare accident claim depends on many factors, including the severity of your injuries, the clarity of fault, the available insurance coverage, and the skill of your attorney in negotiating with insurance companies. At The Fleck Firm, we work diligently to ensure that all your damages—both current and future—are accounted for in your claim.
The Fleck Firm Can Help with Your Rideshare Accident Case
Don’t spend your time after a rideshare accident struggling alone to put your life back together and get the compensation you need. You deserve someone in your corner who will fight to get you everything you require to get back to living the life you had before the accident.
At The Fleck Firm, we fight for our clients’ rights and to recover what they deserve after suffering injuries from another’s negligence. Attorney Tyler Fleck brings not only legal expertise but also the dedication and fighting spirit developed during his service as an Army Veteran. Our team is professional, experienced, and ready to take on the insurance company or take your case to court should we need to. We’ll build your case so you can get back to rebuilding your life.
Just been in a Bardstown rideshare accident? Don’t wait—our dedicated rideshare accident attorney can start fighting for your compensation today. We offer immediate consultations by phone, video, or in-person at our convenient Elizabethtown office, which serves Bardstown and all of Nelson County.
If you can’t come to us, attorney Tyler Fleck can come to you—even if you’re in the hospital or confined to your home due to your injuries. What’s more, you can handle all the paperwork electronically by email or text, so you can quickly get on with your day and life. Our legal team will advise you, answer all your questions, and be there by your side throughout the process.
If you or a loved one is hurt in a rideshare accident in Bardstown, Kentucky, don’t waste another minute: Call or text us 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a FREE, no-obligation case review, or fill out the contact form on our website.