Ride-Share Accident in Beaumont, CA

Hit By a Ride-Sharing or Delivery Driver

Call (323) 379-9995 to Speak With a Ride-Share Accident Lawyer Today

In today's rapidly changing economy, the convenience of technological innovations has reduced the need for individuals to drive themselves, and has created more opportunities to have others drive for them. From ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft, to delivery providers like UberEats and GrubHub, America's roads are full of personal vehicles driven for commercial reasons. Unfortunately, a lot of these services can needlessly endanger our neighborhood and cause considerable injuries as a result.

Dealing with big companies on your own can be challenging and is usually intimidating. If you have been hurt by a delivery or ride-sharing driver, you may be entitled to hold these companies responsible. The car accident attorneys at Tim D. Wright are experienced and ready to fight for you. Call us at (323) 379-9995 for a free consultation. If we don't reach a positive result in your claim, you will not owe us anything.

Can Corporations Be Held Accountable?

Companies associated with ride-sharing and deliveries often try to classify their drivers as "independent contractors," meaning they are not permanent employees for financial reasons and to dodge responsibility. However, when a motorist hurts others while at work, those companies can be held accountable under a legal concept called "respondeat superior." Under "respondeat superior," a company is vicariously responsible for the injury their motorists cause while on the job. This means injured parties may pursue actions directly against the companies, and against the driver.

Increased Risk

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

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

• Driving While Distracted-- The majority of delivery and ride-sharing drivers are required to use their cell phone while driving to receive instructions from their employer. Rather than concentrating on the road, these motorists consistently turn their attention to their cell phone. Focusing on a cell phone while driving is the equivalent of driving blind, and is one of the most risky actions a driver can take. Driving while using a cell phone is regarded by many experts to be as hazardous as driving drunk, and is a leading cause of crashes today.
• Speeding-- Many delivery and ride-sharing drivers are compensated based on the number of trips they complete. As such, motorists might be incentivized to drive at excessive speeds and take hazardous maneuvers to save time. This type of driving puts at risk the entire community and puts their earnings above our safety.
• Bikes and Scooters-- Some delivery and ride-sharing personnel operate on bikes and scooters instead of a normal car. In doing so, many cause wrecks by running into pedestrians or causing other vehicles to swerve to avoid a collision.

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 may be responsible for your injuries.

What Kind of Compensation Can I Pursue?

A knowledgeable lawyer knows what evidence to use in order to pursue various damages that may increase your possible compensation. These consist of tangible losses such as property damage, medical costs associated with the treatment of your injuries, future lost income, disability, in addition to "intangible" damages such as pain and suffering.

Pain and suffering can include the actual pain experienced during medical treatments and surgical procedures incurred as a result of the crash, as well as emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, and fear caused by the collision. Some accident victims find it more difficult to drive at ease after a roadway accident, and this difficulty and anxiety might be quantified into financial damages by your attorney.

A lawyer with experience handling similar claims might know which parties to sue, including not just the driver, but also the corporate business the motorist was working for, expanding your potential sources of compensation. Further, a lawyer might conduct an in-depth investigation to obtain evidence that might help confirm the suspected fault of the company and the driver, and help prove your damages to the court and insurance companies.

What to Do After a Ride-Sharing/Delivery Accident:

Document the Scene of the Collision

Take note of any details in order to preserve essential evidence helpful in showing the delivery or ride-sharing driver's fault and showing the full extent of your injuries. If you require any medical attention at a hospital as a result of the crash, the associated costs for these treatments might be sought from the responsible party by your attorney. This is extremely important, as medical expenses can be huge, and sometimes future medical expenses and treatments may be necessary for your recovery.

Get In Touch with a Lawyer

An attorney that has dealt with similar claims can help you know your rights, legal deadlines, and communicate on your behalf with all applicable parties and the court. Further, your lawyer might conduct in-depth investigations to acquire all possible evidence necessary in seeking your highest compensation from the other parties.

Filing a Claim

Your attorney may take care of all the steps in filing your claim. This involves educating you of your legal rights, conducting in-depth investigations and discovery of evidence concerning the accident, which are vital in order to acquire evidence of the other parties' suspected fault and the extent of your damages and injuries. Your attorney can also help guarantee 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 concentrate on your recovery while they seek your greatest compensation. Some claims might result in settlements with insurance companies and the other parties, whom, seeing the evidence your lawyer gathers, may want to prevent a loss at trial or extended legal expenses. In other cases, your lawyer might be able to seek your best compensation by taking your case to trial and showing your damages to a jury.

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