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What Are Rideshare Accidents?
Rideshare corporations like Uber and Lyft have been integral to the public transportation sector. Unfortunately, accidents involving these cars are happening more often, yet the legal landscape is still complex. Personal injury attorneys in Mobile and Baldwin County explain that rideshare accidents often happen due to:
Distracted driving: Rideshare drivers rely on GPS and mobile apps that cause them to take their eyes off the road, often leading to distractions and collisions.
Fatigue: Drivers may spend long hours behind the wheel and on the road, resulting in fatigue that inhibits proper judgment while on the road.
Speeding: To complete more rides, rideshare drivers sometimes speed or drive recklessly, leading to accidents.
Inexperienced drivers and improper driver vetting: Rideshare companies sometimes fail to vet drivers correctly, and they onboard inexperienced drivers. Driver inexperience can lead to devastating rideshare accidents.
Third-party negligence: Other motorists, negligent manufacturers, or the government can also be responsible for a rideshare accident for breaching their duty of care
If you or your loved one sustained injuries in a rideshare accident, you may not know the process to follow in pursuing compensation. Consult experienced Uber accident lawyers in Mobile for legal guidance and representation.
What Should I Do if Involved in a Rideshare Accident?
The law allows ridesharing accident victims to seek compensation for damages from the liable party. However, the outcome of a rideshare accident claim largely depends on what you do or don’t do after the accident. The specific procedures and legal considerations are crucial in making or breaking your case.
Mobile Uber accident attorneys recommend doing the following to protect your compensation rights:
Check for Injuries
Your health comes first, so check yourself for injuries after the crash. Depending on the extent of the injuries, you can also check the other people in the accident and call for emergency medical help.
Report the Accident
If you’re a ridesharing car passenger involved in an accident, report the accident through your app. You also should call the police to come to the accident scene to write a report and give their opinion. These records are crucial to support your claim.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you don’t have physical injuries or don’t feel hurt, don’t ignore the importance of seeking medical attention. A medical assessment and report will be crucial in proving your damages and calculating your compensation amount depending on the type and severity of the injury.
Gather Information
Take photos or record videos of the accident scene, your injuries, and the damage to the cars involved. You could also record the accident’s time, date, and location. Remember to ask for the driver’s name and eye witnesses’ contact details.
Fill Out a Crash Report
Once you notify Uber of the accident, Mobile Uber accident lawyers say you’ll be required to fill out a Crash Report to enable Uber to notify the relevant insurance carriers, who will then investigate the claim and contact you. It’s best to seek legal advice before submitting the report.
File a Claim
Skilled personal injury lawyers can guide you in filing a legal claim to obtain compensation for your injuries. A lot goes into the process, so it’s best to rely on their expertise to avoid making mistakes that could cause the concerned insurance company to deny your claim.
Who is Liable for the Damages I Incur in a Rideshare Accident?
Mobile Uber accident attorneys say that various parties could be liable for the injuries you sustain in a rideshare accident if they are found negligent. Negligence in personal injury cases is determined based on the following crucial elements:
- Duty of care: You must show that someone had a legal obligation to ensure your safety and that of other road users by acting reasonably.
- Breach of duty: The person didn’t act as a reasonable person would under similar circumstances.
- Causation: Their failure to act responsibly to uphold their duty of care contributed to the accident that caused your injuries.
- Damages: You must demonstrate that you sustained injuries and other losses due to the accident and seek compensation for those damages.
- Potential parties that could compensate you for the injuries are:
- The rideshare driver: If the driver is found to have been negligent by driving recklessly, being distracted, or driving under the influence, you can hold them liable for your injuries and sue them for damages.
- The ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft may be responsible if they fail to vet drivers properly before onboarding them.
- The government: If poor road infrastructure causes an accident, you can sue the government for damages.
- Other motorists: Another driver may have contributed to the accident by speeding, overtaking carelessly, drunk driving, or disobeying traffic lights. Your Mobile and Baldwin County personal injury attorneys can hold them liable and sue them for damages.
- Manufacturers and service providers: If a vehicle part was faulty and caused an accident, the manufacturer or party responsible for maintenance could be found liable for the damages.
Determining liability is a crucial multi-faceted process within the personal injury legal framework. Your Mobile Uber accident attorneys can utilize their skills and engage the expertise of other experts to determine who was at fault for the accident.
A Skilled Personal Injury Lawyer Guiding You in Rideshare Accident Claims
Rideshare vehicles operate within a legal framework that is still evolving, a factor that can complicate the compensation process after an accident. Nonetheless, the law allows you to pursue compensation after establishing liability. Skilled Uber accident lawyers in Mobile can help you navigate the process for a successful result.
Lattof & Lattof, P.C. is a reputable personal injury law firm serving Mobile and Baldwin County. Our lawyers are dedicated to helping accident victims obtain the settlement they deserve, and we can help you do the same. Call us at 251-850-5528 for a FREE consultation.
