What Are Your Legal Rights After a Rideshare Accident in South Carolina? 2025

The usefulness of rideshare apps in today’s world cannot be understated. These apps have effectively changed the way people get around town, go out with friends, and even pursue romantic relationships. Unfortunately, with the arrival of new technology comes a whole mess of new problems. Accidents can still happen all the time, even in a rideshare. You may ask yourself, “What are your legal rights after a rideshare accident in South Carolina?”

Determining fault in a car accident involving a rideshare driver can be particularly difficult, and there is a strong chance that rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are going to be very reluctant to get involved in any way. If you find yourself a victim of a rideshare accident, you should reach out to an experienced rideshare accident lawyer who can figure out your next steps. The legal team at the Law Office of Charles T. Brooks III can do just that.

What Are Your Legal Rights After a Rideshare Accident in South Carolina?

When you are involved in a rideshare accident in South Carolina, you still have access to the same legal rights you would in a traditional car accident. South Carolina is an at-fault state for car accidents, so the driver who is found responsible for causing your accident will also be responsible for fully reimbursing you for any damages. If the rideshare driver caused the accident, you can hold them responsible for negligence.

If you are in a rideshare accident, you have the legal right to seek compensation for any injuries you sustained, along with compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. The very first thing you should do is reach out to an experienced rideshare accident lawyer. They can figure out what your rights are in your unique situation. From there, you can start building a case to seek compensatory damages.

Information about the frequency of rideshare accidents in South Carolina is not widely available, but a 2024 report from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) reveals that there were 52 car accident fatalities in Richland County that year. Richland County is where most of the city of Columbia is located. Being in any kind of car accident, including a rideshare accident, can be traumatic. You may want to reach out to a support group, like NAMI South Carolina, for help.

Statute of Limitations

If you choose to move forward with legal action against the individual who caused the accident, it is vital to your case that you make sure it adheres to South Carolina’s statute of limitations on personal injury cases, which includes rideshare accident claims. For most cases, you will have three years to put together a strong, coherent case that reinforces your claim for compensatory damages. A good lawyer can build your case.

If you cannot put together a strong case before three years have passed, there is a very good chance it will be dismissed outright before it even begins. Your chance to seek compensation will be lost without any legal action taken. The last thing you want is to learn that your case won’t move forward because you waited too long to file it. Building a strong rideshare accident case may take more time than you think. You should contact an attorney to start building it soon.

If you are somewhat concerned that your case is not strong enough on its own, an injury lawyer can provide a brief but effective evaluation. They can look through everything you have and determine if your case is worth pursuing as is or if it needs more evidence.

FAQs

What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident in South Carolina?

The average settlement for a car accident in South Carolina cannot help you evaluate your own case’s worth. Every car accident case is different, with each one having its own important contributing factors that make it a unique experience for all involved. The amount you may receive in your settlement package may be affected by the severity of your injuries, the evidence you have that proves negligence, and whether you were somewhat at fault yourself.

How Can I Take Legal Action Against a Rideshare Company?

If you want to take legal action against a rideshare company following an accident where you were the victim, your first step should be reaching out to an experienced rideshare accident lawyer. They can put together a strong and effective case against the negligent party. To go after the rideshare company itself, you need to prove that negligence on the company’s behalf was a significant contributing factor to the accident.

Is South Carolina a No-Fault Accident State?

No, South Carolina is not a no-fault accident state. South Carolina is very much an at-fault accident state. If you are involved in an accident, the driver who is found liable for causing the accident will be responsible for all your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and more. Under South Carolina’s comparative negligence laws, if you are determined to be partially at fault, your total compensation will be reduced by the percentage you are found to be at fault.

What Is a Rideshare Accident?

A rideshare accident is any accident that involves a vehicle operated by a driver who works for a rideshare service, like Uber and Lyft. A rideshare car is just like every other car on the road. It could get into an accident if the driver isn’t careful or another driver makes a mistake. It can be difficult to determine exactly where the blame lies in a rideshare accident. If you are the victim of one, reach out to a rideshare accident lawyer to build a strong case.

Contact a Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today

At the Law Office of Charles T. Brooks III, we can figure out your next steps when taking legal action in a rideshare accident case. Contact us to speak to someone on our team about your case.