Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer — Whittier, CA
With 17% of road travelers hiring a rideshare service each day in the U.S., car accidents are becoming more common.
Unfortunately, it can be confusing to try to determine who is responsible for damage and personal injury in an Uber or Lyft car accident. That’s why you need an experienced car accident attorney on your side.
As Whittier residents, we care about getting you the compensation you deserve. Let our Whittier car accident lawyers help you recover compensation. Read on to find out everything you need to know in order to pursue compensation related to your rideshare car accident case.
If You Were the Uber Rideshare Passenger
As the passenger, you aren’t liable (responsible) for a financial payout to any other party involved, and you may be entitled to a financial settlement to help with medical bills.
Technically, the first responsible party is the person who caused the accident, whether it is your Lyft driver or the driver of the other vehicle. After that, the driver at fault may or may not have adequate insurance, in which case his or her rideshare employer may be partly responsible.
Because of all these varying factors, you need a great rideshare car accident lawyer who is experienced in dealing with drivers, rideshare employers and insurance companies.
If You Were the Uber or Lyft Driver
At one point in time, if found liable for the car accident you would have been responsible for the full financial settlement to your passenger(s) and to the other vehicle. That’s because Uber and Lyft originally hired drivers as independent contractors.
However, lawsuits by rideshare drivers resulted in changes. Today, rideshare companies are responsible for partial compensation for any injuries sustained while you’re on the job. Do know, however, that your own insurance will be considered first.
While this may sound confusing, the right Whittier personal injury lawyer can help.
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Steps to Take if You’ve Been in an Uber or Lyft Accident
What you do next depends upon whether you’re a driver, passenger or are the driver of a vehicle that is in a collision with a rideshare vehicle. Here’s what to do in each case.
If You are the Lyft or Uber Driver
- Get to a safe location. If the vehicle is still drivable, pull over to the shoulder of the road or if immediately available, to a side street or parking lot. If you can’t move your vehicle, put on your hazard lights and get to a safe location.
- DO NOT attempt to pull or lift your passenger out of the vehicle if he or she is injured. Wait for help to arrive.
- Call the police BEFORE calling your rideshare employer. Safety and recording the accident are your first priorities.
- Exchange insurance information with the driver of the other vehicle.
- If possible, take pictures of damage to your vehicle, damage to the other vehicle and the driver’s license plate.
- When the authorities arrive, immediately tell them about the passenger in your car so that they can provide aid to the passenger.
- Make sure the police fill out and sign an accident report before leaving the scene. A police report is an important piece of evidence that may help your personal injury case.
- Seek medical treatments from a medical professional immediately. You need documentation of any injuries.
- Call your Uber or Lyft employer to report the accident. It is important to NOT be driving while making this call, even if you have hands-free calling. Whether you feel fine at the time or not, you’ve had an experience that may have shaken you up. Again, safety is your priority.
- Do not share details with the liable party's insurance company. The priorities of an insurance company lies on profits. Should you accept their settlement offer, chances are you won't be receiving fair compensation. Insurance adjusters will do everything they can to lower your settlement amount.
- Call Greenleaf Law Group for your FREE consultation and your instructions on what to do next. Our Whittier car accident lawyers will be able to give legal guidance on your current situation and help you pursue a personal injury claim.
If You are the Driver in a Collision with an Uber or Lyft Driver
- Get to a safe location. If the vehicle is still drivable, pull over to the shoulder of the road or if immediately available, to a side street or parking lot. If you can’t move your vehicle, put on your hazard lights and get to a safe location. Doing so may prevent further car accidents from happening.
- Call the police once you’re in a safe place to do so.
- Exchange information with the driver of the other vehicle.
- If possible, take pictures of damage to your vehicle, damage to the other vehicle and the driver’s license plate.
- Make sure the police fill out and sign an accident report before leaving the scene.
- Seek medical help for yourself immediately. You need documentation of any injuries.
- Call Greenleaf Law Group for your FREE consultation and instructions on what to do next.
If You are the Uber or Lyft Passenger
- Ask your driver to get to a safe location before attempting to get out of the vehicle.
- If you feel you have been injured in ANY way and you are in a safe place, DO NOT attempt to move until help arrives.
- You are not required to provide insurance or other information to the drivers involved in the accident. They will exchange information.
- Get medical help IMMEDIATELY. If help has not arrived on the scene, ask for an ambulance. It is very important that you document any injuries and that you show that you sought help immediately following the accident.
- Do NOT attempt to drive yourself home. You are understandably shaken up. Call a friend or family member to take you to the hospital or Urgent Care, or have the ambulance transport you if one has been provided.
- Once your injuries have been assessed and you’re in a safe location to make a phone call, contact Greenleaf Law Group. We’ll guide you through this frightening and challenging process so you can take time to heal without worry.
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How Much Will Your Claim Be Worth?
There is no one set amount of financial compensation that you will receive as the victim of a car accident in which you’re not at fault. However, if you’ve been injured or if your vehicle has been damaged, you may be eligible for compensation for any of the following:
- Hospital/Urgent Care bills
- Medical bills once you leave the hospital
- Compensation for loss of work
- Vehicular damage/replacement/car repairs
- Emotional suffering
- Permanent injury
Common Rideshare Injuries
Injuries from an Uber of Lyft car accident are similar to those you might sustain in any car accident. Data shows that you have less of a chance of serious injury if you’re wearing a properly-placed seat belt. However, you could be hurt in an accident even if you’re correctly wearing your seat belt.
Common rideshare car accident injuries include:
- Seat belt injury. If your seat belt is too high (near your neck) or if the lap portion of the belt isn’t across your hips, it may press hard on your neck or ribs during a collision.
- Head/face trauma, especially if you’re the driver. Your head may hit the windshield or may be impacted by the airbag.
- Whiplash. This painful neck condition occurs when your head jerks forward and back several times due to the impact.
- Traumatic brain injury. An impact with another vehicle may lead to various injuries to your brain. You should immediately seek medical treatment should you feel any symptoms.
- Concussion. If your head hits the windshield or the car door, you may feel dizzy, disoriented or even lose consciousness temporarily.
- Crushing injuries. This is especially true if the other car hits the side of the car you’re sitting in.
- Internal injuries. Internal injury is particularly serious. Never wait to get medical attention in an accident, even if you feel uninjured.
- Spine injury. Depending where the damage occurs, you may suffer injuries to the lower or upper portion of your body, or even one side of your body.
- Post-accident trauma. A car accident will leave you shaken up. For some people, reliving the accident produces long-term trauma and anxiety.
You Need an Experienced Attorney on Your Side
Car accidents involving rideshare drivers and passengers can be complex to navigate. This means that if you attempt to pursue compensation alone, there’s a lot you might miss out on.
You need a great Whittier rideshare accident lawyer because:
- If you have an attorney, you may receive better compensation. Industry data shows that people who hire a lawyer earn three times the financial settlement as people who don’t.
- A car accident lawyer knows what you’re going through. The right law group can guide you through the process while avoiding pitfalls like late or incomplete filings.
- Uber and Lyft accident cases are complicated. It can be hard to determine how much, if anything, you will need to pay out as the rideshare driver. If you’re the passenger, you may be unsure which driver and what insurance to pursue for your claim. A great attorney knows the process and can save you time in having your case settled.
Why Greenleaf Law Group Is Your BEST Option
Car accident victims deserve proper compensation. If you have been injured due to the negligent actions of another, let us help you file a personal injury claim. Our Lyft and Uber accident lawyers have helped hundreds of rideshare victims and are available to help you as well.
Furthermore, we work on a contingency fee basis. In other words, you won't have to pay a single penny until we win your case. If we don't win, you don't pay! Our Uber accident lawyers have successfully dealt with numerous Uber accidents.
You’ll receive all of the following:
- Personal, caring, professional handling of your case.
- We work hard for maximum compensation.
- 24/7, on-call communication if you need us.
- Years of experience handling truck accident claims.
- A FREE consultation.
- A 99% success rate.
- You ONLY pay us if we successfully settle your claim for you.
Seek compensation with us today. Most car accidents lead to severe injuries, and the medical expenses associated with such injuries are often costly. You shouldn't have to deal with new financial burdens. We are here to help all car accident victims in Southern California.