Hit By a Ride-Sharing or Delivery Driver? Call (323) 379-9995 to Speak to a Car Crash Lawyer for Free Today
In today's rapidly changing economy, the convenience of technological innovations has reduced the necessity for individuals to drive themselves, and has created more possibilities to have others drive for them. From ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft, to delivery providers like UberEats and GrubHub, America's streets are full of personal vehicles driven for commercial reasons. Unfortunately, many of these services can unnecessarily endanger our neighborhood and cause substantial injuries as a result.
Facing big corporations by yourself can be difficult and is usually intimidating. If you have been hurt by a delivery or ride-sharing driver, you might be entitled to hold these companies accountable. The automobile accident attorneys at Tim D. Wright are experienced and prepared to fight for you. Call us at (323) 379-9995 for a free consultation. If we don't reach a desirable result in your case, you will not owe us anything.
Can Companies Be Held Responsible?
Companies involved in ride-sharing and deliveries typically attempt to classify their drivers as "independent contractors," meaning they are not full-time employees for financial reasons and to evade liability. However, when a motorist hurts others while on duty, those companies can be held responsible under a legal concept called "respondeat superior." Under "respondeat superior," a company is vicariously accountable for the injury their motorists cause while on the clock. This means victims can seek actions directly against the companies, as well as against the motorist.
Enhanced Risk
As more Americans today use delivery and ride-sharing services, the number of these cars on the road has drastically increased, as have the amount of accidents these motorists have caused.
Some of the most common dangers linked to delivery and ride-sharing drivers include:
Therefore, if a delivery or ride-sharing driver has caused you to be hurt, both the driver and the company whom she or he is working for might be accountable for your injuries.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Get?
An experienced attorney knows what evidence to utilize in order to pursue various damages that might increase your potential compensation. These consist of tangible losses such as property damage, medical bills associated with the treatment of your injuries, future lost wages, disability, along with "intangible" damages such as pain and suffering.
Pain and suffering can involve the real pain experienced during medical treatments and surgeries incurred as a result of the accident, in addition to emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, and fear caused by the accident. Some accident victims find it harder to drive at ease after a roadway accident, and this difficulty and anxiety might be quantified into financial damages by your lawyer.
An attorney with experience handling similar claims may know which parties to take legal action against, including not just the driver, but also the corporate company the driver was working for, increasing your potential sources of compensation. Further, a lawyer may conduct a thorough investigation to acquire evidence that may help prove the suspected fault of the company and the driver, and help validate your damages to the court and insurance companies.
What to Do After a Ride-Sharing/Delivery Accident:
Document the Scene of the Accident
Make note of any details in order to maintain essential evidence helpful in proving the delivery or ride-sharing driver's fault and demonstrating the full extent of your injuries. If you need any medical attention at a hospital as a result of the collision, the associated costs for these treatments might be sought from the at fault party by your attorney. This is highly important, as medical expenses can be huge, and in some cases future medical expenses and treatments might be needed for your recovery.
Call an Attorney
An attorney who has dealt with similar claims may help you learn your rights, legal deadlines, and communicate on your behalf with all relevant parties and the court. Further, your lawyer might perform thorough investigations to secure all possible evidence required in seeking your highest compensation from the other parties.
Filing a Claim
Your attorney might handle all the steps in filing your claim. This includes educating you of your legal rights, conducting in-depth investigations and discovery of evidence about the accident, which are crucial in order to acquire evidence of the other parties' suspected fault and the extent of your damages and injuries. Your lawyer might 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 highly important after an accident to focus on rest, recovery and regaining your life back. Therefore, 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 wish to avoid a loss at trial or prolonged legal costs. In other cases, your lawyer might be able to seek your greatest compensation by taking your claim to trial and showing your damages to a jury.
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