Sacramento is one of the fastest-growing cities in California. In 2019, its population increased by 5,919 residents. In a city as booming as Sacramento, ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft become increasingly handy. The hassle-free transportation these services provide is a great option for many who travel throughout the city. As with any useful service, ridesharing has its risks, as well.

Because cell phone use is a major part of ridesharing, drivers are prone to distracted driving accidents. Ridesharing services also contribute to a heightened number of vehicles on the road, which increases the risk of single and multiple-vehicle accidents.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a rideshare accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries or losses you suffered. The team of Sacramento personal injury attorneys at OnderLaw is here to help you. We’ve been handling cases like yours since 2002 and are ready to help you fight for the justice you deserve. If you’re ready to take the next step in your rideshare accident case, call OnderLaw today to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer?

Rideshare accidents can be difficult to untangle. Determining liability, insurance coverage, and property damage costs can be a stressful process for any individual who’s been injured in a rideshare accident. With the help of an OnderLaw lawyer, you can be assured that your case is in the best hands. Having successfully handled vehicle accident cases for over nineteen years, our team of attorneys is well-equipped to help you gather evidence, strategize, and build a winning case.

Handling communication for any vehicle accident can be tricky, but in a ridesharing accident, communication is particularly important. Between your insurance company, the driver, the ridesharing company, and the other insurance companies, there are many parties involved. At OnderLaw, we’re committed to managing all communication for our clients so that you can enjoy a streamlined process without the risk of accidental self-incrimination. This allows you to focus on your health while we handle your case.

Why Choose OnderLaw?

At OnderLaw, we believe in the pursuit of excellence. Over the last nineteen years, we’ve done just that, and we have obtained billions of dollars in settlements and favorable court awards for many of our clients. Our attorneys are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and have been given The Trial Lawyers Board of Regents, LLC™ Litigator Award™.

James G. Onder, our founding attorney, has been putting justice at the heart of his legal work from the beginning. Onder, a 1988 graduate of the St. Louis University School of Law, has reached over $3 billion in settlements for clients since founding OnderLaw in 2002. His dedication to each case he takes on has led him to many impressive victories, both within the state and nationwide.

Types of Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare accidents are different from traditional vehicle accidents in several ways. Unlike other service vehicles like cabs and buses, rideshare drivers are not required to have any formal training regarding their driving or route. Because of this, rideshare drivers are at a higher risk for being involved in accidents that may injure their passengers, pedestrians, or those occupying other vehicles. Accidents between rideshare vehicles and passenger vehicles/commercial vehicles may include:

  • Read-end collisions
  • T-bone collisions
  • Turning accidents
  • Sideswipe accidents
  • Head-on collisions
  • Rollover accidents

While many rideshare vehicle accidents involve passenger cars, this is not the case for every rideshare vehicle collision. These cars may be involved in accidents with pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and stationary objects. A few examples of such accidents include:

  • Pedestrian collisions
  • Dooring accidents
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Rollover accidents

Common Injuries Suffered in Rideshare Accidents

One common cause of rideshare accidents is distracted driving. Because rideshare drivers are required to use their cell phones to communicate with their customers, navigate to their destinations, and receive payment for their services, it’s no surprise that they are involved in many distracted driving accidents. As a result, their passengers, those in other vehicles, and nearby pedestrians may suffer any of the following injuries caused by rideshare accidents:

  • Broken bones
  • Laceration
  • Paralysis
  • Spinal cord damage
  • Whiplash
  • Brain damage
  • Burns
  • Contusions

Compensation in Rideshare Accident Cases

As with any vehicle accident case, compensation depends on the type of damages you sustain from the accident. There are several parties that may seek compensation for damages sustained in a rideshare accident. These parties include:

  • A passenger injured while occupying a rideshare vehicle
  • A driver injured while driving a rideshare vehicle
  • A passenger or driver occupying another car involved in an accident with a rideshare vehicle
  • A nearby pedestrian injured by a rideshare vehicle

Damages are most often split into two categories. You may seek compensation for economic or noneconomic damages.

  • Economic damages are most often measured in monetary terms. These include the costs of any repairs to your vehicle or other personal property, any medical expenses you incurred as a result of your rideshare accident, and any loss of income due to the accident, and any required recovery time. The best way to keep track of these damages is to take note of all repairs receipts, medical records, and timecards or paystubs.
  • Noneconomic damages refer to the intangible pain and suffering losses you may experience as a result of a rideshare accident. These can include anxiety, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, or loss of enjoyment of life. The best way to take note of these costs is to keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings and the way your injuries have impacted your daily life and mental state.

Another important factor to consider when determining compensation is insurance coverage. There are several possible insurance policies that may come into play to contribute to the compensation you receive after an accident. Depending on the circumstances of your particular case, those policies may include:

  • The rideshare driver’s own personal insurance coverage
  • Any insurance coverage that the rideshare company extends to its drivers
  • The third party’s insurance coverage
  • The rideshare company’s own liability policy

What to Do If You’ve Been Involved in a Rideshare Accident

There are several important steps to take after being involved in a rideshare accident that may prove integral to determining liability. If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident, make sure to call for medical help for anyone in need of immediate medical attention. After you’ve notified law enforcement of the accident, take as many photos as you can of the scene, including images of all vehicles involved, damages to all vehicles and other personal property, and any injuries sustained. Be sure to take a screenshot of your status on the rideshare app you’re using, as well as a receipt, if one is available.

While you should try to gather any contact information from those who may have witnessed the accident, avoid speaking more than is necessary at the scene of the accident, except to exchange insurance information with the other parties involved. This is to avoid any accidental admission of guilt.

Visit your health care provider to ensure you have not sustained any injuries, even if you feel fine. If you have been injured, be sure to keep track of all medical records and receipts, as they can be considered proof of economic damages. If you are required to take time off of work for any doctor’s appointment, diagnostic procedure, or treatment, be sure to keep copies of all timecards and paystubs, as these may also be proof of lost wages, which are considered economic damages for purposes of compensation.

After you’ve taken these steps, be sure to keep track of all repairs costs and medical expenses. Call one of our personal injury attorneys at OnderLaw to determine the best course of action for your rideshare accident case.

Need Help? Give Us a Call

If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident, you may be aware of how frustrating it can be to gather evidence, manage communications with insurance companies, and build a compelling case on your own. Not only this, but the financial and emotional costs of any repairs, medical care, or distress that an accident may cause can be overwhelming. Hiring a lawyer can take that burden off your shoulders.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a rideshare accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Call OnderLaw today. We’ll connect you with an attorney to determine the next best steps in your rideshare accident case. Call OnderLaw today to begin your journey towards justice.