What are some common rideshare accident injuries?

Drivers and passengers in personal vehicles as well as those in rideshare vehicles could suffer severe injuries when involved in an accident.

Below are some common injuries sustained by those victims who were injured in rideshare accidents:

• Neck Injuries
• Back Injuries
• Whiplash
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
• Burns
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Broken Bones
• Joint Damage
• Death

What are some common causes of a rideshare accident injury?

As rideshare services become more popular as a means of transportation, the number of accidents involving them has also increased.

Some reasons for an increase in these types of accidents include:

• Distracted driving due to the drivers relying on the phone application for directions and to obtain new riders.
• Rideshare drivers will stop on the street wherever the GPS tells them to rather than in a safe area.
• Rushing to new fares or to finish fares leading to speeding and other aggressive tactics that also lead to accidents.
• Additional causes include lack of sleep, failure to properly maintain their vehicles, negligence while driving, and driving while intoxicated.

How is liability determined in a rideshare accident case?

Rideshare companies, such as Uber and Lyft,  have their own insurance companies to protect them. Usually, the insurance company will try to contact you and offer a settlement because they do not want to go to court. They know if they have to face an attorney, they will most likely recover more money for you than if you simply accept their initial settlement. It is very important to talk with an attorney who specializes in rideshare accident injuries before signing anything with the insurance companies, so they can ensure you receive compensation for medical bills, employment wages from time off work, and any other monetary recovery you are entitled to

What to do if you’re the victim of a rideshare injury?

Regardless of how skillful your Rideshare driver is, they are still human and can make mistakes. While on the other hand, sometimes, your driver may not have been at fault at all, and it could have been the fault of the other driver.

Regardless of who is at fault, if you are injured as a rideshare passenger, you have rights. Navigating the liability process to obtain the money you deserve can be a complex process. It is crucial that you contact a knowledgeable rideshare attorney to utilize their expertise in helping you recover your money as soon as possible after the crash.

If you have been injured in a rideshare accident in it is important to:

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible. This is important because the insurance companies who evaluate claims will lower the value of your case if they find that you did not seek necessary medical attention immediately.
• Contact the local police department to make an accident report. Police reports are important in identifying the parties and additional facts of the accident.
• At the time of the crash, document the names and information of all the drivers involved and any witnesses you can find. Take pictures of the scene, vehicle damage, and personal injuries. These will be immensely helpful for your rideshare attorney as he builds your case.
• DO NOT TALK TO ANY THE INSURANCE COMPANIES INVOLVED until you have spoken with an experienced Uber accident attorney.

What damages can I seek compensation for in a rideshare accident case?

After involvement in a rideshare accident, you have the right to recover assorted damages to help you overcome the traumatic and frustrating situation. Recovering damages is an important way to hold the negligent party responsible for their actions while receiving compensation for your pain and suffering.

The following are a few of the damages you can expect to recover when injured in a rideshare accident:

• Loss of Income
  Whether your injuries were serious enough to prevent you from working, you’ve had to leave your job due to lack of sick time, or just taking time off, an experienced rideshare attorney can assist you with recovering the lost income caused by your rideshare accident involvement.
• Loss of Quality of Life
  When an accident is bad enough to cause severe injuries, those injuries could change your life for the worse, making it hard for you to walk, use your arms, or live your life without chronic pain. Because of the loss of your quality of life, you have the right to seek compensation for the extensive injuries and the way that those injuries have negatively affected you.
• Physical and Emotional Pain and Suffering
  Pain and Suffering extend far beyond those injuries that are visible. When you are suffering from emotional trauma related to an accident and the stresses of recovery, it can lead to suffering you would not have endured if you had never been involved in the accident.
• Medical Expenses
  Quality medical care in the United States is not a cheap expense. Even when you are covered by medical insurance, the insurance company may not cover expenses related to a rideshare accident. With an attorney’s help, you can recover compensation for the costs of your medical treatment and medications.

How can I document a rideshare accident?

• Take Photos at the Scene
  If you have the ability to do so, you should take injuries of everything pertaining to the accident. Step out of the vehicle when it is safe to do so and take photos of all the vehicles involved from various angles. You can also take photos of the roadway to capture images of any tire marks that may have been left behind on the road. The photos may come in handy as evidence during the litigation process.
• Seek Medical Attention
  If you are injured, make sure to take care of yourself by going to the hospital for treatment. You might not know what types of injuries you have from the accident until you are examined by the medical professionals. 
• Save and Record all Expenses
  Keep all hospital bills, ambulatory bills, receipts for medical equipment and prescriptions, as well as documentation of any lost wages. All of these items can be included in your case.

Will I still be able to use a rideshare service, even if I pursue an injury case?

Many people are afraid of hiring a rideshare injury attorney to represent them in their case against a rideshare company, such as Uber or Lyft since they rely heavily on their services. You may be worried that filing a claim against the company will result in you being banned from ever using them again, but this is simply not the case.

If you bring a valid injury claim under the insurance policy from the rideshare company, they can not penalize you by suspending or banning you from using their services. Rideshare companies, such as Uber and Lyft, are required to pay a certain percentage of every fare directly to their insurance companies in order to cover liability in the event of an accident.

Be sure to keep in mind that the accident injury claims you present needs to be fully documented and verified. Meaning, it needs to be documented by authorities such as emergency medical personnel, medical staff that treated you in the hospital, or the police. Your claim will not be considered valid without full documentation.