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Ridesharing services and apps have become the norm in our society. Whether we are heading home from a night out, heading to the airport, or just heading to work, ridesharing has become an increasingly popular transportation method of choice.
These services, also referred to as transportation network companies, have become a staple in our daily lives and a trendy alternative to standard transportation methods. However, just like the drivers of any other motor vehicle, Uber drivers have a duty of care not to cause injuries to others. What happens when they do? Unfortunately, the complicated legal rules attached to Uber’s services can make filing a personal injury claim after an accident difficult.
If you were in an Uber accident, The San Bernardino personal injury accident lawyers at Gomez Trial Attorneys are here to help. We can figure out who was responsible for your injuries, and we can go after them and fight for the compensation you are entitled to.
President and Founder John Gomez and his associates understand what victims of Uber accidents are going through and are ready to help the San Bernardino community. Over the past 15 years, through our experience and resources, our attorneys have collected over $750 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients.
We know what it takes to fight for the justice you deserve and go after the defendants and the large insurance companies that want to deny your claims. We want to hold the wrongdoers responsible for their conduct while making San Bernardino a safer place. If you are looking for an attorney that represents individuals, families, and small businesses that have been in an Uber accident or suffered harm, Gomez Trial Attorneys are here to assist you.
Ridesharing services have significantly improved the way we travel and get around. Not only is it substantially easier to get to our destination these days, but many individuals believe that these services have improved the safety of our roads. However, studies from the University of Chicago and Rice University show otherwise. According to their research, they have found that ridesharing services have, in fact, increased traffic deaths by 2 percent to 3 percent in the United States since becoming more widely used in 2011, which is the equivalent of 1,100 deaths per year.
What’s worse, these accidents are not only a nationwide statistic, but they are felt and experienced locally as well. San Bernardino residents have encountered these devastating accidents on their own streets and have lived through the disastrous consequences, pain, and stress that follow.
Motor vehicle accidents occur for a variety of reasons, and ridesharing services are no exception. However, three main types of accidents involve ridesharing vehicles:
Uber tries to classify its drivers as independent contractors, meaning they have the freedom to use their own equipment, set their own hours, do not have access to traditional employment benefits, and, in most cases, are not covered by workers’ compensation insurance. However, unlike other independent contractors, most ridesharing services do, in fact, carry insurance policies to cover their drivers in specific scenarios.
According to Uber’s policies, their drivers are covered (or not) by their insurance policy in the following circumstances:
When a driver is available to pick up a passenger, Uber maintains the following third-party liability auto insurance on their behalf:
When a driver is picking up a passenger or is driving them to their destination, Uber provides the following auto insurance coverage on their behalf:
If the driver is not signed in to the app and involved in an accident, only their personal insurance company coverage applies.
In recent years, California ridesharing laws have changed dramatically. These changes may affect who is held liable for your accident and your injuries. This may significantly impact your case and how much compensation you could receive. Our Uber accident lawyers understand these changes and how to navigate through these difficult waters when pursuing a claim with Uber or Lyft. This knowledge and experience enable us to take some of the stress and burden off of you during this difficult time. You can rest assured knowing you have a team of experienced litigators on your side no matter how the California ridesharing laws change. This means you can turn your attention and your energy towards your recovery, your family, and your future.
As in most automobile accidents, determining fault in an Uber accident is complicated. However, to collect compensation for your injuries, you need to prove that the other party was at fault and that they caused damages. Generally speaking, when an individual acts carelessly and an injury occurs, under the legal principle of negligence, the careless person is often liable for the resulting harm.
To win a negligence claim, the injured party must prove the following four elements to confirm that the other party (the defendant) was negligent in their actions:
Some of the more frequent forms of driver negligence include the following:
No matter the specific circumstances of your case, it is best to speak with an Uber accident attorney as soon as possible. They have the knowledge and the experience to go after the at-fault party and prove liability, while also trying to collect the compensation that you need from the right insurance companies.
Like most motor vehicle accidents, ridesharing accident injuries can vary in severity and the type of injury.
The most common types of injuries that victims of Uber accidents suffer include:
When you have been in an accident, California law allows you to collect specific damages for the expenses you incurred and the injuries you suffered as a result. These damages can include economic damages, non-economic damages, and in some cases, punitive damages.
Economic damages are quantifiable expenses that are related to the accident, and can include the following:
Non-economic damages cannot be easily quantified and refer to the abstract losses that the victim faces as the result of an accident. These can include:
Punitive damages are awarded in some instances and usually only apply when a defendant’s actions were so egregious that the court wants to not only punish the defendant but deter them and others from committing the same act in the future.
Victims who have been injured in a devastating accident often bring a lawsuit not just to recover their costs and expenses but also to obtain some form of healing for their more significant losses like their inability to live a happy and fulfilled life. Yet, these non-economic damages are usually the hardest to prove and require a capable attorney who can make a good case for the amount of compensation the victim really deserves.
Being involved in an Uber accident is extremely stressful and frightening. With everything happening at the same time, it may be challenging to understand what you need to do first. If you find yourself in an Uber accident, take the following steps as soon as possible.
Calling the local police and getting medical help is imperative after an accident. Even if you do not think your injuries are severe, you still need to be evaluated by a medical professional. They will ensure that you do not have any significant brain injuries or internal bleeding, and they will get your medical injuries on the record, which can help prove your claim later on.
If you do not require immediate medical assistance and it is safe for you to do so, collecting evidence from the accident can be quite helpful to your claim. Try to take as many pictures and videos of the accident scene as you can. This should include photos of any damage to vehicles or property, the position of the vehicles, any visible injuries, traffic signage, the weather, and any hazards or debris on the road.
In addition, if any witnesses saw the accident, get their names and contact information. Their statements might help your case if the insurance company or the defendant tries to shift the blame to you.
San Bernadino Personal Injury Lawyer, John Gomez
With all the intricacies involved with Uber accidents, it is vital to contact an Uber accident attorney as soon as possible. They can ensure that filing deadlines are not missed, crucial evidence is collected, and that you are treated with the fairness and the respect you deserve.
Dealing with significant injuries after a San Bernardino Uber accident can take quite a toll on not only you but your loved ones. You do not have to go through this process alone. Our legal team is here and ready to fight on your behalf. Our attorneys can make sure not only to perform a thorough investigation of the accident, but they can also take care of tracking down any witnesses, hiring the right experts, and obtaining the crucial evidence that is necessary to prove your case.
If you or a family member has been injured in a San Bernardino Uber accident, do not wait any longer. Contact our firm today at (619) 237-3490 for an appointment with one of our Uber accident attorneys.
Gomez Trial Attorneys
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