I Was in an Uber/Lyft Accident: What Are My Legal Options?
Rideshare services are a convenient way to get around town. While many Uber and Lyft drivers are safe and have the 5-star ratings to prove it, car accidents can happen to anyone and at any time during a ride. If someone else's negligence contributed to the crash, it's crucial that you speak with a qualified San Diego car accident lawyer.
Below are a few things you should know about Uber and Lyft car crash lawsuits. If you have been in an auto collision and need legal advice, I can connect you with a personal injury lawyer in San Diego for free.
Your Legal Options Will Vary Based on the Nature of the Collision
As with any kind of motor vehicle collision, the details of the crash will determine the ideal way to proceed. If an Uber driver ran a red light and hit another motorist in an intersection, the driver will likely be held legally liable for the accident.
Sometimes factors beyond a driver's control are a contributing factor in a crash. Faulty brakes on an Uber or Lyft vehicle may lead to the automaker or a mechanic being held liable for an accident. Poor road maintenance could shift the focus to local municipalities and their failure to ensure driver safety.
Details matter. This is why it's so important to discuss your crash with a personal injury attorney in San Diego.
What to Do if You Were Hit by a Rideshare Vehicle
Let's focus on different kinds of individuals who may be injured in a rideshare accident.
Drivers Hit by an Uber or Lyft
If you got into a Lyft or Uber accident while commuting around San Diego, the damages could be substantial. You may have suffered serious injuries that could keep you away from work for weeks if not months. There's also property damage to consider, which includes your vehicle as well as any belongings in the vehicle at the time.
Injured Bicyclists and Pedestrians
Motorists aren't the only people who could be hit by a negligent Uber or Lyft driver. Bicyclists and pedestrians could suffer catastrophic injuries in these kinds of accidents. These crashes could result in disfigurement, as well as lasting disabilities that affect future earning potential and overall quality of life.
Compensation for Damages
When you connect with a personal injury lawyer, they can help you understand the true value of your legal claim. Compensation may be sought for medical bills, physical rehabilitation, missed work and professional opportunities, and even accident-related emotional trauma. In fatal rideshare accidents, the surviving loved ones can seek damages to address funerary costs and the emotional pain and suffering associated with their loss.
If you need to speak with an attorney about an Uber or Lyft accident, I can help you get the process started.
What to Do if You Are a Passenger Injured Inside of a Rideshare Vehicle
If you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft at the time of a crash, you could potentially file a lawsuit as well. The legal claim could be against the rideshare driver, a reckless driver who hit the rideshare vehicle, or other parties who bear responsibility for the crash.
In addition, you can hold an Uber or Lyft driver accountable if they assaulted you, attempted to assault you, or took advantage of you in any way. Endangerment or misconduct of this nature could lead to criminal charges against the driver, in addition to a civil case.
A San Diego car accident lawyer can assess what happened and help you hold the liable party accountable.
Are There Legal Options for Injured Rideshare Drivers?
Yes.
As we noted above, many Lyft and Uber drivers are safe. But if you've been in an accident before, you know that drivers on San Diego's roads and highways can be unpredictable, especially on weekend nights. Following the rules of the road does not fully protect you from speeding drivers, drunk drivers, or other kinds of hazards.
If another person or party caused the crash you were in, it's critical that set up a free consultation with an attorney to review your legal options.
Can I Sue Uber or Lyft for Contributing to an Accident?
You can potentially file a lawsuit against a ridesharing company if their negligence contributed to a crash. An example of this is a failure to run a background check on an Uber or Lyft driver. Their record could be rife with moving violations and other red flags that suggest they should not be a rideshare driver.
These kinds of cases are rare, and they require a skilled lawyer to take on the corporate interests involved. I can help ensure you speak to a qualified attorney about what happened and what you should do next.
How Our Law Office Can Help You
If you were in a rideshare accident, it is important that you get in touch with my Downtown San Diego law office near the Marina District. I can offer a number of advantages over other legal practices serving San Diego County.
Free Consultation With a Qualified Attorney
Your initial consultation to discuss your case is free of charge. You do not have to pay anything just to speak with a lawyer and get legal counsel and advise. This will help you understand if you have a legal case worth pursuing and what your options entail.
Contingency Fee Representation to Reduce Risk
If you do file an auto accident lawsuit and decide to hire an attorney, they will work on your case on a contingency fee basis. That means that you will not pay any legal fees unless and until your case is successfully settled or you've won damages in a civil case. If your injury accident lawyer does not win, you will not pay anything for their legal services.
Connecting You With a Lawyer You Can Trust
My legal career spans more than four decades. I have worked with many esteemed members of the legal community and can vouch for their work and insight. You can rest assured that the personal injury lawyer handling your case will be vetted and have a strong record of success negotiating settlements or winning favorable verdicts in court.
Need to Speak With a Lawyer?
Set Up a Free Consultation
Don't delay. If you were in an Uber or Lyft crash in Southern California, you have two years to take legal action.
That may sound like a lot of time, but it's always best to consult a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. This gets the process initiated sooner and means you could receive a settlement or legal damages sooner rather than later.
To set up a free consultation with a skilled and proven personal injury lawyer, contact our San Diego law firm today.
About Charles T. Hoge
Charles T. Hoge has practiced law since 1983. He opened his own firm in Downtown La Jolla in 2016. The Hoge Law Firm has been recognized by both U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as a leading practice for commercial litigation and employment law.