Here’s what you should do in an Uber or Lyft car accident.

Call 911

This is the first thing anyone should take after a car accident regardless of injuries. Calling the police is an essential first step toward making insurance claims and proceeding with lawsuits. It gets first responders on-site and provides you with undeniable evidence that is almost impossible to refute in court. Remember, rideshare apps have lawyers who will fight tooth and nail to either minimize their liability or shift the blame on something else (even you). A police report is hard to refute. Otherwise, it’s your word against them.

Plus, it’s always a good idea to have a peace officer protecting your legal rights, especially when emotions are running high.

Seek Medical Attention

Priority number one is to seek medical attention after a car accident. You may have high adrenaline after an accident, which lead you to not feel any pain. It’s a good idea to check in at a hospital for injuries that could affect you later. Also, visiting a doctor right away can provide you with documentary evidence for injuries sustained during rideshare accidents.

More importantly, failing to take prompt medical treatment could affect the integrity of a personal injury lawsuit as well as any insurance claims you may decide to make. The medical records and testimony of experts will go a long way in proving your injury claims.

Take Pictures after the Accident

Pictures will play a powerful role in backing up your accident claim. We understand it can be difficult to organize your thoughts after being involved in an accident, but being calm and collected can help you document what happened. Besides, accidents can create chaos and confusion, so you may not be able to keep tabs on important details.

Photos can help you document injuries, the vehicle’s condition, the surroundings, and the aftermath of the accident. These details help build a concrete claim. Remember, rideshare companies and their insurance providers will do everything they can to dispute your claim. Photographic evidence, however, will make it easy to prove your claims and resolve liability claims for the crash.

Talk to Witnesses

Having an eyewitness corroborate your claim in court can play a vital role in helping you seek compensation for your injuries following a rideshare accident. We understand it can be difficult to stay calm after the incident, but collecting data related to witnesses can go a long way in winning your case.

Jot Down Important Information

Once you’ve taken pictures, you should try to obtain information about the Uber or Lyft driver, or any other drivers involved. You should try to collect the following information:

• The driver’s name and contact information
• The rideshare driver’s insurance information
• The rideshare company’s insurance details
• The names and contact details of other drivers involved in the accident
• The insurance information for other drivers involved
• Data about all vehicles involves, including license number plate as well as make and model
• Names and contact information of any eyewitnesses to the incident

Do Not Sign Any Documents

Rideshare companies and insurance companies may provide you with documents to sign. They may promise compensation for your injuries if you do as they say.

However, it’s in your best interests not to sign anything they provide you. The only professionals who have will advocate for you are your rideshare accident attorneys in Los Angeles. So wait until they arrive on the scene before signing anything.

This is why you should seek legal consultation just as soon as you’ve been involved in a car crash. An experienced rideshare accident attorney can ensure that you get the best possible representation and preserve your well-being. These professionals will also help you through accident investigations, insurance claims, and any other events that may follow after the accident.

Wrapping Up

Remember, if you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident, the Lyft or Uber driver, their insurance representatives, and the rideshare company itself will dispute your claims. Your only real ally is a knowledgeable rideshare accident attorney in LA dedicated to representing your rights. Click here to talk to our attorneys today for a free consultation.

However, ridesharing companies have racked up their fair share of controversies. For obvious reasons, they can’t control every driver on their payroll, and are often liable for damages associated with negligent driving and other criminal activity, including attempted murder.

Here’s the gist of rideshare accidents and even attempted murder associated with the likes of Uber and Lyft.

The Most Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents

San Francisco rideshare accidents happen for the same reason as other car crashes. The most common contributing factor is driver negligence, driving under the influence, distracted driving, speeding, and violating roadway rules.

Distraction remains a big risk for rideshare drivers because they have to stay logged onto their apps and often consult tools such as Google Maps. Part of the whole gig is to manually respond to new ride requests as and when they arrive. An alarm for a new ride could cause a momentary distraction to a driver, causing them to crash.

Phone distractions remain a key reason for many accidents in San Francisco, and they could lead to significant damage, including death.

Other reasons for rideshare accidents include defects in the vehicle or perhaps driving in an unsafe area. It isn’t uncommon for Uber and Lyft drivers to drive near roadway construction zones only to collide with hazards. Rideshare drives can be at risk of running into potholes and debris on the road. This could cause a rideshare accident in San Francisco.

Some vehicle crashes may occur due to a lack of vehicle maintenance and defects.

Attempted Murders – More Common Than You Think

While most rideshare incidents can be chalked up to accidents, there have been cases of Uber and Lyft drivers engaging in violent behavior including attempted murder. Some of them have often succeeded in their attempts.

A cursory look at crime statistics for Uber will shock you.

A 2018 report uncovered over 3000 sexual assaults that happened during Uber Rides. This includes everything from unwanted kissing to actual cases of rape.

Deaths during Uber and Lyft rides are also not completely unheard of. In recent news, Margie Quibol, a 70 year old passenger died after her Lyft allegedly fell asleep behind the wheel and lost control before hitting a light pole. The South Californian driver has been arrested for vehicular manslaughter. Quibol died from her injuries.

Who is Responsible for Rideshare Accident Injuries?

It’s not always straightforward to determine the liable party in a rideshare accident. The process is very similar to any other vehicle collision. The only difference is the presence of a third party – the rideshare company.

It’s worth noting that rideshare drivers for Uber and Lyft are not considered employees. As such, it is difficult to pursue a claim against these companies because they are treated as a marketplace that merely connects drivers with riders.

However, this area of law is largely unsettled and it is extremely important to discuss your legal options with an attorney.

What To Do if You Are Involved in a Rideshare Accident?

The first step is to call the police and file a report. It is important to stay composed and collect as much evidence as you can. This means taking photos of the crime scene and the road as well as any street signs, getting insurance, and the driver’s license. The evidence will make it easier to determine the liable party for the accident and help you get compensation for your injuries.

Make sure to get medical help because your high adrenaline levels may mask your injuries. Always prioritize your health before anything else.

Once you’re in the clear, get in touch with a rideshare accident attorney in San Francisco. You may be able to sue the rideshare company. Be sure to contact an attorney before contacting your insurance. Rideshare companies will do everything they can to wiggle out of their responsibility to you. Even if they are held responsible, they will try to minimize the compensation for your injuries.

Whether you are the driver, rider, or a third party in the accident, you should be able to receive compensation for property damage, pain and suffering, loss of wages, and others.

Have you or someone you know been injured due to a rideshare accident? Make sure to receive the best legal help for rideshare accidents in San Francisco. Click here for legal consultation.

California Personal Injury

WHAT DOES PERSONAL INJURY MEAN?

Under California law, an individual who has been the victim of an accident or injury can take action against those responsible. As a personal injury victim – or plaintiff in the case – there are options for the types of claims and lawsuits that can be brought against the wrongdoers responsible for causing the harm. Given the complexity of personal injury law – including differences in statutes of limitations, injuries, and losses – skilled personal injury attorneys are necessary to navigate the process.

As a personal injury victim it is important to remember that financial losses resulting from the injury can be extreme. The bills pile up. Personal injury lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis. This means victims do not need to pay for legal expenses out of pocket. Lawyers are paid as a percentage of the personal injury settlement after it is paid out to the victim. In this way, as a victim of an accident or injury you can focus on your health while your lawyer advocates on your behalf. Effective legal representation does not need to be an additional burden.

What Types Of Injuries Are Personal Injuries And What Losses Can We Recover?

If you or a loved one has suffered an accident or injury due to someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or an intentional wrongful act; California law allows you to recover money for both physical and emotional injuries. Physical injuries can range from bicycle and car accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, workplace injuries, to fitness center and gym accidents, equipment malfunctions, and pedestrian injuries. Emotional injuries include pain and suffering, trauma, and distress including injury to self-esteem and reputation.

The losses that you are able to recover in a personal injury case in the form of money – or compensatory damages – that the wrongdoer pays fall mostly into two categories: economic damages such as medical bills, property damage, lost wages; and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, impairment, disfigurement, and inconvenience or loss of quality of life and enjoyment. These general damages can be difficult to quantify and your personal injury lawyer will advise on the best record-keeping method to ensure all of your losses are recovered.

What Do I Do Now?

Remember that no legal fees will be paid until we settle or win your case and you are paid. If you or a relative or friend has been a victim of an accident or personal injury, there are remedies available to you. It is critical you consult with an experienced and qualified Personal Injury Lawyer. Our California team has years of experience fighting for you. Remember, you cannot let wrongdoers get a pass. You must be prepared, organized, and with your personal injury team you have the best opportunity to recover all of your losses. Contact us now for a Free Consultation.