If you or someone you love was injured in an accident while using a rideshare service or injured in a collision with a rideshare vehicle that wasn’t your fault, call the Anaheim personal injury attorneys of OnderLaw . We want to speak to you about how you can obtain compensation for your injuries. We specialize in helping accident victims get the help they need after a rideshare accident in Anaheim by filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit.

Why Do I Need an Attorney for My Rideshare Accident?

Hiring an attorney isn’t required for filing an injury claim or lawsuit in Anaheim, but you’ll certainly be glad you did.

A qualified attorney can do more than write carefully worded letters or stand next to you in a courtroom. We can help make the entire claims process smoother and easier for you. We have extensive knowledge of relevant case law and years of experience helping people just like you get compensation for their injuries, and we can put that knowledge and experience to work for you.

A personal injury claim is essentially an insurance claim. You’re demanding compensation for losses you suffered as a result of someone else’s negligence. Some of these losses are simple and easy to understand, such as medical bills, but others are not so clear-cut. Losses relating to pain and suffering or emotional distress require the assistance of an attorney to understand and apply to your claim. Without an attorney, you may be leaving money you’re owed on the table.

You may have severe injuries after a rideshare accident, and dealing with the added stress of out-of-pocket expenses and trips to the doctor’s office can be overwhelming, especially if you’re a wage earner in your family. An attorney will take on the full burden of building your case for you, allowing you the time you need to recover from your injuries and process the trauma of the accident. We will write the letters, take the phone calls, and build a solid claim based on evidence and supported by facts, so you don’t have to.

Having an attorney also allows you to take certain actions that you wouldn’t attempt on your own, such as filing a lawsuit against the party responsible for your accident. The vast majority of claims are concluded with a settlement before your case goes to trial, but if settlement negotiations are unsuccessful, a lawsuit may be your last option. Attempting to sue the party responsible for your injuries without the help of a good attorney would be foolhardy, indeed.

Why Hire OnderLaw for My Rideshare Accident?

You have options when choosing legal representation in Anaheim, so why choose OnderLaw ?

First, because we fully understand what you’re going through. We appreciate the strain a rideshare accident can exert on a family because we’ve helped thousands of clients get the compensation they deserve after accidents of all kinds, from dog bites to wrongful death lawsuits. We’ve seen it all, and we can use that experience to make this process easier for you.

Second, because we treat all our clients like they deserve to be treated. You’re more than another settlement to us, and we are more than your legal counsel. We are your confidant, advisor, and vital support during this difficult time. We provide compassionate as well as comprehensive legal counsel.

And lastly, because we get the job done. We haven’t won every case we’ve taken on, but we’ve had our fair share of success. We’ve distinguished ourselves by obtaining over $3 billion in settlements and awards for our clients. This record speaks for itself, but if you’d like to hear from some of our satisfied clients, head over to our Testimonials page.

Types of Rideshare Accidents

There are three main types of rideshare accidents:

  • Accidents where you are a passenger in a rideshare vehicle
  • Accidents where you are struck by a rideshare vehicle while driving
  • Accidents where you are struck by a rideshare vehicle while walking, running, or cycling

Rideshare accidents can be different from other motor vehicle accidents. Most rideshare drivers are not employees. They are independent contractors, and as such, are not required to have special training or licensing to carry paying passengers, as a taxi driver or limo driver is.

All rideshare companies in California are required to carry $1 million in liability insurance from the time a fare is accepted until the passenger exits the vehicle. Rideshare drivers are required to have $50,000 in single injury coverage, $100,000 in double injury coverage, and $30,000 in property damage insurance, and the rideshare company is required to provide an additional $200,000 in excess insurance during the time the driver is not carrying a fare.

Insurance policies for rideshare drivers can also be very specific about what is covered, such as not providing coverage if the ridesharing app isn’t active. Some insurance companies will even cancel a driver’s policy altogether if they find out the driver is working as a rideshare driver without purchasing rideshare insurance.

There have also been cases of rideshare drivers not being properly checked for previous criminal history or past driving infractions before taking fares, which can increase the danger even more.

Aside from these dangers, most rideshare accidents happen like any other vehicle accident. Some common types include:

  • Rear-end collisions
  • Head-on collisions
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Sideswipe collisions
  • T-bone collisions
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Distracted driving accidents
  • Impaired driving accidents
  • Excessive speed accidents

Common Injuries in Rideshare Accidents

The injuries you can receive from rideshare accidents are the same as those you’d get in any other auto collision, whether you were a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, driving another vehicle, or on the side of the road as a pedestrian or cyclist. The various types of injuries you may receive include:

  • Broken bones
  • Lacerations
  • Abrasions
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Concussion
  • Whiplash
  • Sprains and strains
  • Head and neck injuries
  • Burns
  • Bruises
  • Internal injuries
  • Nerve damage
  • Amputation
  • Scarring or disfigurement
  • Coma
  • Death

What Compensation Is Available for My Rideshare Accident?

When seeking compensation, we will help you file a claim with the rideshare driver’s insurance company. The amount you may be able to obtain depends on several factors, such as the circumstances leading up to the accident, the rideshare driver’s insurance policy, and the extent of the responsible party’s negligence. You’ll likely be able to obtain more compensation for an accident that involved gross negligence and severe injury than you would for a slow-speed accident with minor injuries.

Determining the amount you should demand in compensation is done by assessing the losses you’ve suffered as a result of the accident. Some of these losses have a dollar amount attached, and some do not.

Economic damages are any losses with specific monetary value. Some examples include:

  • Lost wages
  • Medical bills
  • Lost opportunity
  • Property damage
  • Transportation

Non-economic damages have no specific monetary value and relate to the injury itself and the losses to your well-being. There are several categories, such as:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Disfigurement

In cases of extreme oppression, fraud, or intentional malice, you may also be able to claim exemplary damages. These can only be awarded by a judge or jury, and rather than compensating you for any loss, these damages are intended to punish the responsible party for their gross negligence and dissuade them from ever behaving in the same manner again. The standard of proof for exemplary damages is higher than the standard for compensatory damages, but there is no cap on the amount you may receive in exemplary damages in California.

Steps to Take After a Rideshare Accident

If you’ve just been injured in a rideshare accident, here are some helpful steps to take immediately:

  • Get medical attention. Even if there are no apparently serious injuries, contact emergency medical services right away. When they arrive, submit to a full evaluation. Many injuries may not be immediately apparent to anyone other than a medical professional.
  • Get insurance information. If you’re a rideshare passenger or pedestrian, get the driver’s insurance info before anyone leaves the scene. If you’re another driver, exchange insurance information with the rideshare driver. Take photos of the info for safekeeping.
  • Keep the receipt. If you’re a rideshare passenger, make sure and save all pertinent information regarding the trip. Take a screenshot of any receipts, maps, times, or dates on the rideshare app.
  • Start documentation. Take photos of the accident scene, injuries, road conditions, and vehicles involved. If you’re treated by medical personnel, get a copy of their report. If police file an accident report, request a copy. If possible, get contact information for any witnesses.
  • Get legal representation. Contact an attorney from OnderLaw right away to start building your case for compensation.

Call Today for a Free Consultation

If a rideshare driver injured you or someone you love, don’t wait any longer. California’s statute of limitations on injury lawsuits is two years, so time is a factor. Call OnderLaw today. The consultation is free, and we only take payment if we win, so you have nothing to lose. Call today.