How a Westminster Uber Accident Lawyer Will Help
Undoubtedly, there is a common concern surrounding how effective legal representation actually is and if an attorney’s work is actually worth the legal fees. Well, data suggests that 90% of cases handled by a personal injury attorney resulted in settlements.
Therefore, working with an Uber and Lyft accident lawyer improves the chances of obtaining monetary compensation for an accident involving a rideshare driver.
The legal process in a personal injury case is not as simple as filing a claim with the insurance company and trusting that they will fairly compensate victims for the damages suffered in the rideshare accident. When it comes to filing insurance claims, here is why working with a Lyft or Uber accident lawyer is so advantageous.
Why Should I Hire a Rideshare Accident Attorney?
Many face the dilemma of contemplating whether or not to hire a Lyft accident/Uber accident attorney, and understandably so. Why pay for expensive legal representation if the job could be completed independently?
While this may be true in various types of personal injury cases, resolving a rideshare accident case is a complicated process. If conflicted about hiring a Lyft accident or Uber accident lawyer, consider the following.
1. Resolve the Legal Complexities Brought About by New Technologies
Existing personal injury laws apply to Uber and Lyft accidents, but there are still developing court and state legislatures that affect the legal proceedings for accidents involving rideshare drivers.
For example, in 2018, Uber Technologies Inc. was not found liable for a fatal pedestrian accident involving one of their self-driving cars in Arizona.
Instead, their Uber driver faced criminal charges. This was a controversial decision, as rideshare companies are typically responsible for car accidents involving their vehicles.
Now, with the approval of driverless cars to operate like taxis in San Francisco, safety has become a growing concern for residents throughout California. If an accident with one of these Uber and Lyft vehicles occurs, who would be liable for damages?
An experienced Uber accident attorney can assist rideshare accident victims in understanding their legal options when it comes to driverless cars or accidents involving an Uber driver/Lyft driver.
2. Clarity on How the Insurance Process with Uber Works
Unlike other types of personal auto insurance that would be applied for car accidents, insurance coverage for a rideshare accident is only accessible under specific circumstances, which are divided into “periods.”
Coverage is only available if the Lyft/Uber driver is online (logged into the app). Then, based on the identified period in which the rideshare accident took place, coverage will vary.
Generally, there is $50,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person injured in the accident, $100,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident, and $30,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident.
However, if Lyft/Uber drivers are transporting passengers at the time of the event, then the rideshare accident will fall under the $1 million bodily injury liability policy. Coverage typically kicks in after the at-fault party’s insurance reaches its maximum or if the at-fault party is uninsured or underinsured.
A Lyft or Uber accident attorney understands the various periods of accessible coverage, which strengthens the case and allows clients to obtain the compensation they deserve.
3. Prove Negligence to Achieve a Successful Outcome
Unfortunately, even when fault for a rideshare accident is apparent (whether from a rideshare driver, Uber, or even another driver), the insurance company will try to settle a personal injury claim for as little as possible.
As a result, the victim filing the rideshare accident claim must build a strong case by proving that serious injuries and other damages were sustained due to the other party’s negligent actions. Uber accident attorneys can prove negligence with the following four factors, indicating that:
- The defendant owed a duty of care
- The defendant was reckless and breached the duty of care
- The breached duty of care resulted in the Uber accident
- The Uber accident caused injuries and losses
In proving negligence, an attorney will also collect evidence from the accident scene, like pictures of the wreck and a police report. This will support the Lyft/Uber accident claim and improve the chances of recovering damages.
4. Accurately Calculate the Full Extent of Losses the Insurance Company Owes
For those who have not experienced filing a car accident claim, it would be understandable not to know the full extent of monetary compensation that is actually owed to victims.
A common misconception is that the only recoverable damages include current losses, such as medical bills or property damage. However, what is unknown to many is that victims are also entitled to anticipated damages. Common examples include:
- Future medical expenses/ corrective surgeries
- Ongoing physical therapy
- Medications
- Pain treatment
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings due to injuries
- Pain and suffering
By proving bodily injury and how those injuries have impacted the victim’s quality of life, the Uber/Lyft accident claim can result in recovering both economic damages and non-economic damages.
The struggle to prove intangible losses, like a reduced quality of life, is a common experience. However, working with quality representation leverages prior experiences in similar personal injury cases, making recovery more attainable.
In order to ensure that the opportunity to recover full and fair compensation is not missed, consult with an established law firm so that the Lyft/Uber accident can be properly evaluated.
5. Assistance in Preparing the Uber Accident Claim
Many rideshare accident cases are won and lost just during the preparation phase. Even if a Lyft or Uber accident case seems fault-proof, the simplest mistake can significantly affect its outcome.
The legal system is complex, and without legal counsel, victims run the risk of accepting low settlements. Or, their rideshare accident claims could be rejected entirely.
However, working with an Uber accident attorney safeguards cases, ensuring that victims are not taken advantage of by the other party’s insurance company or legal team.
An attorney will also prevent mishaps from occurring, like delaying seeking medical treatment or sharing too many details about the rideshare accident with the insurance company. Delayed treatment can be perceived as not being seriously injured, and speaking directly to insurance adjusters can lead to being misled into accepting a low settlement offer.
Additionally, a qualified Uber accident lawyer can advise on legal options, conduct an independent investigation to gather evidence, obtain witness statements, collect police reports, aggressively negotiate with the insurance company, and represent clients in court if necessary.
Consult with an Experienced Uber Accident Lawyer
Rideshare accident victims deserve to be fairly compensated, especially when Uber/Lyft or one of their drivers is responsible for the car crash.
Unfortunately, insurance companies are less concerned about protecting a victim’s best interest. This is why it’s so vital to hire a Westminster Lyft/Uber accident lawyer.
At West Accident Law Group, our Uber or Lyft accident attorneys assist clients with:
- Understanding their legal rights and options
- Investigating the Uber accident and gathering evidence for the claim
- Negotiating with the insurance companies for maximum compensation
- Recovering reimbursement for medical bills and other out-of-pocket expenses
- Representation in court if necessary
Schedule a free consultation today by calling us or contacting us online. The sooner you call, the better protected your legal rights will be.
