How Much is My Uber/Lyft Passenger Injury Case Worth?
Contact Our Ridesharing Accident Lawyer Today
The rideshare industry has revolutionized personal transport. Uber and Lyft drivers answer calls quickly and offer much lower rates than taxis, but this is just the upside. The downside is that nearly anyone can become a rideshare driver. All that is required is a driver’s license and rideshare drivers do not even need their own vehicle.
When you book a ride with Uber or Lyft, there is no way to tell whether you’re entrusting a good or bad driver. Neither company makes their drivers’ records public, but the driver rating does serve as an indicator. So when accidents arise, that makes the need for filing a lawsuit so much more important.
If you have been in a rideshare accident that has caused serious injury, then you can retrieve financial compensation for damages. The first step is to contact a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles.
The Rideshare Difference
The past ten years has seen an increase in traffic accidents across the nation. Recent studies have shown that this phenomenon is linked to the growth of Uber and Lyft drivers on the road. Researchers associate the increased popularity of ridesharing with an increase of 2-3% in the number of traffic fatalities.
The Consequences of a Serious Accident
First and foremost, if you sustain serious injuries in the accident, then you may need to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance. In fact, you may not even be conscious of what happens to you after the collision.
Most of our clients underwent life-saving medical procedures following an auto collision. It left them laid up for weeks or months, followed by necessary physical rehabilitation for recovery. Even when you are ready to go back to work, you may not be able to resume a full-time schedule.
These procedures cost money, and it is right for you to seek compensation from the rideshare company to help pay for your medical bills. In the worst case, you may have to give up activities or even your career if you have sustained permanent injuries. Working with a ridesharing accident lawyer can help you get the money you need to pay your medical bills and begin the process of rebuilding your life.
Determining the Value of Your Injuries
As you recover from your injuries, you want to be surrounded by family and friends. The last person you want to speak to is a lawyer. However, the financial realities of your situation will soon compel you to consult with a ridesharing accident lawyer.
The first thing your Los Angeles ridesharing app accident lawyer will do is ask you to recall the events that led to the accident. You need not worry if you cannot remember everything that occurred. They only need enough information to formulate a strategy and approach to the lawsuit.
Any questions and queries from the insurance or the rideshare company should be referred to your ridesharing accident attorney. You should leave all communication and negotiation to them. This will ensure that you do not accidentally say something that will undermine your case.
Perhaps the most important task of your ridesharing accident attorney is to figure out the value of your injuries. Uber and Lyft offer up to $1 million in compensation for passengers who have been injured in an accident involving one of their drivers. However, this may not be enough to cover all your bills if the accident resulted in severe and lifelong injuries. Here are some of the categories of damages that may influence of the value of your case:
Past and Future Medical Care
Your damages may include compensation for:
- Medical treatment was received when the accident first happened
- Future medical care for your injuries if they are long term
The human body is complex and sometimes unpredictable. You may not know the nature and extent of your injuries until months after the accident. It may be better to wait until you have a clearer picture of your injuries before you come up with a settlement figure.
Lost Income and Earning Capacity
If you have sustained accident injuries that have forced you out of your job, then you can ask for compensation for the income you have lost. You can also ask for money that you may have earned had the accident not happened and you could have continued your normal life.
Pain and Suffering
Medical bills and lost income can be easily calculated. Pain and suffering are not as easy to quantify. However, your personal injury attorney can show you have suffered mental anguish. Signs of mental distress include:
- Anguish
- Fear
- Anger
- Humiliation
- Anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment
In some instances, accident victims get more money for pain and suffering than they do for medical expenses and loss of income.
Help Your Lawyer Get a Good Settlement
Going up against Uber or Lyft will not be easy. These are billion-dollar companies, and they do their utmost to minimize the amount of money they payout. To shore up your case and maximize your chances of success, you must not give them an opening to challenge the severity of your injuries or the value of your case. You must also provide an abundance of evidence proving your physical and emotional damages.
Keep track of all medical bills and photos that were taken of the accident. These are concrete proof of financial damage that you have suffered. Mental anguish is harder to prove, but you can start by keeping a journal where you can detail the pain and suffering you are going through as you recover from the accident.
Hiring an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer is crucial to getting compensation from a large corporation like Uber or Lyft. Gutierrez Law can go over your case with you and help you plan the best course for compensation.