Together, the rideshare companies of Lyft and Uber are responsible for 14% of total vehicle miles traveled every year in the United States. Uber currently employs roughly four million drivers across 600 cities worldwide. As more and more people begin to depend on Lyft and Uber to get where they need to go, the number of rideshare accidents will continue to grow.
If you were seriously injured in an Uber accident, reach out to an Uber accident lawyer as soon as possible. They can protect your rights and help you pursue fair compensation for your injuries and other damages.
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Do I Need an Uber Accident Lawyer?
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If you were injured in a rideshare accident, then yes, you need a lawyer with experience handling claims involving Uber drivers. If you are undecided about whether or not you want to work with an attorney, then schedule a free consultation with an experienced Uber accident lawyer who can review the facts of your case, advise you on the best course of action, and help you make an informed decision.
Uber accidents are complicated legal matters. To begin with, they involve multiple parties: the company, the driver, any other motorists involved, and you. Although, as a passenger, you are clearly not to blame for the accident, you could still be fighting an uphill battle when it comes to collecting the financial compensation you need and deserve.
An experienced, knowledgeable Uber accident attorney can ensure you understand your rights and are informed on all of your legal options moving forward. If you choose to represent yourself after a rideshare accident, you will most likely leave a substantial amount of money on the table.
How Can an Uber Accident Lawyer Help My Case?
After a rideshare accident, things can get pretty complicated. First, you will have to understand the rideshare company’s auto insurance policy, which is tricky. If you aren’t a trained negotiator, you may also have serious difficulties negotiating with Uber’s attorneys as well.
In the meantime, you will have your medical expenses and lost income to consider as you recover from your injuries. You should not have to deal with a lawsuit while you are injured. Instead, hire an experienced attorney so you can stay focused on recovering without the added burden of legal battles. Your lawyer can make sure you do not have to go through the legal process on your own. While they oversee the legal aspects of your claim, you can focus on getting better.
If you plan on filing an Uber accident lawsuit, look for a lawyer with years of experience in handling Uber car accident cases. Their background means they have an understanding of Uber’s procedures and laws. They will also know the best way to approach negotiations with the rideshare company’s insurance carrier.
Some additional ways an experienced Uber accident attorney will be able to assist you with your case include:
Help With the Insurance Process
Source: jeffmorrislawfirm.com
An Uber accident attorney can explain California’s Uber insurance requirements. For instance, when an Uber driver is logged into the system but does not have a fare, they have to be covered by a $50,000 bodily injury liability policy. This coverage increases to $100,000 for more than one injured party. When an Uber driver does have a fare in their vehicle, they have to be covered by a bodily injury liability policy of no less than one million. This coverage is typically provided by the Uber driver. If they are uninsured or underinsured, Uber carries the policy instead.
Following an Uber accident, it is important to determine who carries what form of insurance coverage and who to name in the claim. If your Uber accident involved more than one party, you will most likely have to file multiple claims with different insurance companies. To avoid figuring all of this out on your own, hire a qualified Uber accident attorney. They can review all applicable insurance policies and file the necessary claims with those involved.
Filing a Claim
If you only file a claim through the driver’s insurer or Uber, you almost certainly will not receive the financial recovery you are entitled to. The insurance carrier is going to work very hard to settle your claim for the least amount of money possible. A skilled Uber car accident attorney will fight for maximum compensation for your damages and losses.
They can collect the relevant evidence you need to establish who was at fault for the accident and that it was the cause of your physical injuries. Your attorney will also know how to show how your accident-related injuries have affected your overall quality of life.
In order to prove negligence, you will have to establish that:
- The at-fault driver owed you a duty of care
- The driver breached that duty through a negligent or willful act
- The driver’s breach was the proximate cause of your injuries
- Your injuries caused you to incur damages
It can be challenging to prove these elements without the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Calculating Damages
Source: njadvocates.com
Without the aid of an attorney, you could very well leave money on the table without even realizing it. In order to properly calculate your damages, you need to take into account all of your:
- Medical bills, including prescription medications, treatments, transportation, physical therapy, etc.
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages due to being unable to work
- Pain and suffering, including decreased quality of life
Things can get really sticky when you try to calculate your non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. An Uber accident lawyer with prior experience will know how to correctly total all of your tangible and intangible damages and ensure you do not accept a settlement offer that is well below the true value of your injury claim.
Finally, your Uber accident lawyer will keep your best interests in mind throughout the entire legal process. They will make things easier by handling all of the paperwork, ensuring no deadlines are missed, communicating and negotiating with the insurance companies on your behalf, and working hard to get you the full amount of financial compensation you are entitled to for your damages.
