Folsom Rideshare Accident Attorneys
If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, you may be uncertain what steps to follow to file an insurance claim and determine who should be held responsible. One of the most challenging aspects of rideshare accident cases is that drivers are classified as independent contractors under California law. However, Uber and Lyft are required to provide insurance coverage that pays for accident victim’s injuries and property damage during specified periods.
Helping You Obtain Full and Fair Compensation for Damages
Due to the legal complexities often accompanying Uber-Lyft accidents, it is always best to hire an experienced Folsom car accident attorney to professionally evaluate your case. Furthermore, the legal aspects of the case can become even further complicated if multiple liability issues are involved.
Please contact our law firm today. Let our experienced Folsom car accident attorney review your case and determine the best legal solutions for your needs.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Rideshare Accidents?
One of the first questions most rideshare accident victims ask is who can be held liable for their injuries. Therefore, it is critical to determine what the rideshare driver was doing during the accident.
Even if the rideshare operator is deemed the at-fault driver, it is crucial to determine if they were off duty or their working status.
- The rideshare driver is not logged into the app: The driver’s personal insurance policy would be liable to pay financial compensation for any injuries or property damage
- The rideshare driver is logged into the app but has not accepted a ride. The rideshare company provides insurance coverage that pays up to $50,000 for injury or death to one person, $100,000 for multiple victims, and up to $30,000 for property damage.
- The rideshare driver has accepted a ride and is en route to pick up or transport passengers. The rideshare company’s insurance pays up to one million in liability coverage to accident victims
Due to the high coverage policies offered by Uber/Lyft rideshare companies, their insurance companies often look for ways to try and deny or reduce claims to avoid paying out large financial settlements. If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, allow our Folsom car accident lawyer to evaluate your case and help you pursue compensation for damages.
Why Do Rideshare Accidents Occur in the Folsom Area?
Most car accidents can occur at any time and without warning. Rideshare accidents are no different, but several common issues are frequently cited in accident reports and include:
- Speeding or reckless driving as rideshare drivers frequently try to get passengers quickly to their destinations so they can pick up their next fare
- The rideshare driver was operating their vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Distracted driving as rideshare drivers frequently check their app or look at their GPS as they navigate unfamiliar streets
- Failure to obey traffic rules
- Driving defective equipment
- Adverse road or weather conditions
Regardless of why your rideshare accident occurred, contact us to learn more about how you can seek compensation for your injuries and other accident-related expenses.
Why is it Important to Seek Medical Care After Being Injured in a Rideshare Accident?
Many people wonder why car accident lawyers stress the importance of seeking medical care after being injured in an accident. Sadly, many individuals who have been injured in automobile accidents refuse to seek medical care. However, often, internal injuries do not immediately manifest themselves and can lead to severe consequences if left untreated.
Being examined by a medical professional will allow you to know the extent of your injuries and what you must do to recover. In some instances, accident victims must spend time in the hospital for evaluation or have necessary medical procedures.
Furthermore, another essential component of seeking medical treatment is that it provides official documentation of your injuries. When an accident victim delays or fails to seek medical treatment, insurance companies can argue that their injuries are not as severe as they contend or are not accident-related.
What Type of Compensation Can I Recover After Being Injured in a Rideshare Accident?
If you or a loved one have suffered car accident injuries, you are also probably dealing with unexpected medical expenses, physical pain, and lost wages. Even a minor car accident can result in accident victims being forced to pay for medical bills that can be challenging to pay.
If an accident victim suffers life-changing catastrophic injuries such as spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries, they will most likely require expensive ongoing medical treatment.
California law allows rideshare accident victims to pursue compensation through economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
As the name suggests, economic or compensatory damages are awarded to reimburse accident victims for out-of-pocket expenses incurred due to injury. Therefore, anyone injured in a car accident should continuously track their expenditures to be fully reimbursed. Commonly awarded economic damages may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Property damage
A well-trained car accident lawyer can evaluate your claim to help you recover full compensation for your needs.
Non Economic Damages
Non-economic damages differ from compensatory damages because they do not have a fixed dollar amount attached. Instead, non-economic damages are awarded based on the victim’s intangible losses due to injury.
Commonly awarded non-economic damages in a car accident lawsuit may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring
Our law firm is passionately committed to helping clients claim compensation for their injuries to ensure they can face the future confidently. Allow The Weinberger Law Firm to help you file a personal injury claim to help you recover the maximum compensation you deserve after being injured in a rideshare accident.
How Long Does Our Family Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Rideshare Accident?
Sadly, many rideshare car accident victims lose their lives as a result of their injuries. Fatal accidents are all too common in Folsom and the Northern California area. In fatal accident cases that involve wrongful death, families have two years from the date of their loved one’s death to file a claim.
However, there are some exceptions to the state’s two-year statute of limitations rule, such as if a government entity is involved or if the party filing the claim, is a minor. If a minor is pursuing a wrongful death case on behalf of a deceased parent, they have two years from the time they turn 18 to file a claim.
Some of the most commonly awarded damages in California wrongful death cases include:
- Reasonable funeral and burial expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of guidance and companionship
- Loss of financial support
To learn more about who can file a California wrongful death claim, contact our Folsom car accident lawyer, who will gladly answer your questions.
Why Should I Choose Your Car Accident Lawyer to Provide Me With Legal Representation?
The Weinberger Law Firm has in-depth experience handling rideshare accidents. We understand the legal complexities of dealing with rideshare services and their insurance providers. Insurance companies often try to use California’s pure comparative negligence law to blame victims for causing or contributing to a rideshare accident, thereby reducing the compensation they may have to pay.
When you come to us for help, we will gather evidence such as police and medical reports, witness testimony, and video footage to support your claim. If the liable insurance company is unwilling to negotiate or offer a fair settlement, we will file a personal injury lawsuit to try and recover damages on your behalf.
The Weinberger Law Firm of Folsom, CA, is dedicated to helping car accident victims recover compensation for their injuries and property damage. Our highly trained legal team recognizes that individuals in personal injury cases need time to focus on their recovery and not worry about dealing with the insurance company.
Please contact our law offices today at 916-520-0476 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation so we can determine the liable parties involved and help you receive the fair treatment and justice you deserve.