Ride-Share Accident in Bakersfield, CA

Hit By a Ride-Sharing or Delivery Driver?

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Call (323) 379-9995 to Speak to an Automobile Crash Attorney for Free Today

In today's rapidly changing economy, the convenience of technological advances has reduced the necessity for people to drive themselves, and has created more possibilities to have others drive for them. From ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft, to delivery companies like UberEats and GrubHub, America's streets are filled with personal vehicles driven for commercial purposes. However, a lot of these services can needlessly endanger our community and cause considerable injuries as a result.

Facing large companies by yourself can be difficult and is often overwhelming. If you have been injured by a delivery or ride-sharing driver, you may be entitled to hold these companies accountable. The car accident lawyers at Tim D. Wright are experienced and ready to fight for you. Call us at (323) 379-9995 for a free consultation. If we do not reach a positive result in your case, you won't owe us anything.

Can Companies Be Held Responsible?

Companies involved in ride-sharing and deliveries typically attempt to categorize their drivers as "independent contractors," meaning they are not full-time employees for financial reasons and to evade liability. However, when a driver hurts others while on duty, those companies can be held liable under a legal theory called "respondeat superior." Under "respondeat superior," a company is vicariously accountable for the harm their motorists cause while on the clock. This means victims may seek actions directly against the companies, as well as against the driver.

Enhanced Risk

As more Americans today use delivery and ride-sharing services, the amount of these cars on the road has drastically risen, as have the amount of accidents these drivers have caused.

A few of the most common dangers linked to delivery and ride-sharing drivers include:

• Driving While Distracted-- Most delivery and ride-sharing drivers are required to use their cell phone while driving to be given directions from their company. Rather than focusing on the road, these motorists consistently shift their focus to their cell phone. Focusing on a cell phone while driving is the equivalent of driving blind, and is among the most risky actions a motorist can take. Driving while using a cell phone is considered by a number of experts to be as dangerous as driving intoxicated, and is a leading cause of wrecks today.
• Speeding-- A lot of delivery and ride-sharing drivers are compensated based on the amount of trips they complete. Because of this, drivers may be incentivized to drive at excessive speeds and take risky maneuvers to save time. This kind of driving puts at risk the whole community and places their profits before our safety.
• Bicycles and Scooters-- Some delivery and ride-sharing workers operate on bikes and scooters instead of a normal car. In doing so, many cause wrecks by running into pedestrians or causing other cars to swerve in order to avoid an accident.

Therefore, if a delivery or ride-sharing driver has caused you to be injured, both the motorist and the company whom she or he is working for might be responsible for your injuries.

What Kind of Compensation Can I Seek?

A skilled lawyer knows what evidence to use in order to seek various damages that may increase your possible compensation. These consist of tangible losses such as property damage, medical costs related to the treatment of your injuries, future lost wages, disability, as well as "intangible" damages such as pain and suffering.

Pain and suffering can involve the actual pain experienced during medical treatments and surgeries incurred as a result of the accident, as well as emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, and fear caused by the collision. Some accident victims find it harder to drive at ease after a roadway accident, and this difficulty and anxiety might be quantified into monetary damages by your lawyer.

An attorney with experience handling similar claims may know which parties to take legal action against, including not just the motorist, but also the corporate business the driver was working for, increasing your possible sources of compensation. Additionally, a lawyer might conduct an extensive investigation to get evidence that may help prove the suspected fault of the company and the motorist, and help prove your damages to the court and insurance companies.

What to Do After a Ride-Sharing/Delivery Accident

Record the Scene of the Crash

Take note of any details in order to preserve vital evidence useful in proving the delivery or ride-sharing driver's fault and demonstrating the full extent of your injuries. If you require any medical attention at a hospital as a result of the collision, the associated costs for these treatments might be sought from the liable party by your attorney. This is very important, as medical expenses can be substantial, and in some cases future medical costs and treatments may be needed for your recovery.

Contact an Attorney

An attorney that has handled similar cases might help you know your rights, legal deadlines, and communicate on your behalf with all relevant parties and the court. Further, your attorney may perform thorough investigations to obtain all possible evidence necessary in seeking your maximum compensation from the other parties.

Filing a Claim

Your attorney may handle all the steps in submitting your claim. This includes educating you of your legal rights, conducting extensive investigations and discovery of evidence relating to the accident, which are essential in order to obtain evidence of the other parties' suspected fault and the extent of your damages and injuries. Your attorney may also help ensure compliance with any relevant legal time limit, negotiate with all applicable insurance companies, and communicate and advocate on your behalf with the other parties and the court.

It is very important after an accident to concentrate on rest, recovery and regaining your life back. Thus, your lawyer, by doing all of the legal work on your behalf, can allow you to focus on your recovery while they seek your maximum compensation. Some claims can result in settlements with insurance companies and the other parties, whom, seeing the evidence your lawyer gathers, may wish to avoid a loss at trial or extended legal costs. In other cases, your lawyer might be able to seek your best compensation by taking your claim to trial and showing your damages to a jury.