Car accidents can be destructive and cause severe injuries and fatalities. Even though you might feel safe in a rideshare driver’s vehicle, their reckless actions could put you at risk of harm. The Orange County personal injury attorneys of OnderLaw understand the trauma you experienced and how difficult it is to recover after a car accident. If the driver was at fault for your injuries, we could help you hold them liable for your resulting expenses.

Rideshare services, such as Lyft and Uber, are popular in places like Orange County. Not only are they convenient, but they’re also relatively inexpensive. If you want to be responsible after a night of drinking or don’t want to drive far distances alone, an Uber or Lyft driver could give you a ride.

Unfortunately, employees of rideshare companies aren’t always safe drivers. They could violate traffic laws, speed, run stop signs, or show up impaired by alcohol. If they cause an accident and you suffer an injury, they or the rideshare company could be held financially responsible for your medical treatment, lost wages, and other losses.

The Orange County rideshare accident attorneys of OnderLaw are ready to fight for your rights and seek the justice you deserve. We will be your advocate and stand up to the negligent driver or rideshare company for the actions that led to your injuries. You can depend on us to work tirelessly to secure the money you’re owed, so you’re not forced to pay out of pocket for the expenses you incur.

For a free consultation or to learn more about how we can help you after a rideshare accident in Orange County, call us right now.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer?

Accidents involving rideshare drivers can be complicated. Various factors come into play, and there could be more than one party at fault. The process for seeking compensation might differ whether you were a passenger in the rideshare driver’s car or the occupant of another vehicle. Insurance coverages also vary depending on who is liable for your resulting injuries and costs.

OnderLaw is familiar with state laws and knows the steps we need to take to prove what happened. We can perform a thorough investigation and gather all the evidence we need to show the insurance company that you deserve a full and fair settlement. If your actions didn’t contribute to the crash, you should not be responsible for any of your expenses. The at-fault party should pay.

Types of Accidents

Several scenarios can result in an accident involving a rideshare driver. They include:

  • As a passenger – You may have been in the rideshare driver’s vehicle when the accident occurred. If they were at fault, you could hold them liable.
  • As another driver or passenger – If you were the driver or passenger in another car and ended up in a crash with a rideshare driver, they might be to blame if they did something to cause the collision.
  • As a pedestrian, motorcyclist, or bicyclist – You don’t necessarily have to be in a vehicle to be involved in a car accident. A rideshare driver could run you over while you’re at a crosswalk or sideswipe your bike or motorcycle as they’re merging into your lane. Either way, they could be held accountable for your injury if they were at fault.

There are many reasons why rideshare accidents occur. Most are due to human error. All motorists must obey the rules of the road and focus on the task at hand to prevent others from being harmed. Even a split second of inattention or a careless mistake could lead to a crash.

The most common causes of rideshare accidents are:

  • Tailgating
  • Weaving in and out of traffic
  • Running a red light or stop sign
  • Distracted driving
  • Speeding
  • Driver fatigue
  • Failure to yield the right of way
  • Failure to check blind spots
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Rideshare drivers are supposed to keep you safe. They must follow the same laws as other motorists. If their misconduct caused an accident, do not hesitate to contact OnderLaw for assistance. We might be able to take your case and help you recover from your traumatic injuries.

Common Injuries Suffered in Rideshare Accidents

Injuries can happen in any type of accident. Even a minor collision can cause whiplash or lead to cuts from broken glass. Severe accidents can result in debilitating physical harm, mental anguish, and economic strain. If you require ongoing medical treatment, you could face serious debt while paying those bills.

The most common injuries suffered in rideshare accidents are:

  • Disfigurement
  • Permanent scars
  • Internal bleeding and damage
  • Burns, cuts, and bruises
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Whiplash
  • Spinal cord damage
  • Emotional and psychological trauma
  • Broken bones
  • Concussion or traumatic brain injury
  • Paralysis
  • Back and neck injuries

OnderLaw understands the devastation of sustaining an injury in a car accident. If the driver could have prevented the crash, you may become frustrated and overwhelmed. You want to hold them responsible for what they’ve done but already have to bear the burden of attending doctor’s appointments, missing work, and coping with the disruptions to your life.

Our Orange County rideshare accident attorneys can take on the responsibility for your case so you can focus on what matters most – healing your injuries and getting your life back on track. You won’t have to worry about talking to the insurance company, completing confusing paperwork, or negotiating for a settlement. We can handle all of that on your behalf, so the process is as smooth and stress-free as possible for you.

What Compensation Is Available?

Car accidents can affect not only the victim but their family as well. Even if your visible injuries heal, you could be left with the emotional pain of what you had to endure. Anxiety, depression, and other psychological damage can last for years, even after your case is resolved.

All vehicle owners and operators, including rideshare drivers, must purchase and carry car insurance with minimum liability limits of:

  • $15,000 for injury or death of one person
  • $30,000 for injury or death of two or more people
  • $5,000 for property damage

If you’re in an accident with a rideshare driver and they’re offline, or the rideshare app is off, you must file a claim with their personal car insurance company. However, there are other scenarios where you could file a claim with their employer’s insurance company.

Rideshare companies, such as Uber, will provide third-party liability coverage for situations when their employee’s personal insurance doesn’t apply:

Picking up passengers and during trips

  • $1 million in coverage

Available or waiting for a request

  • Bodily injury per person – $50,000
  • Bodily injury per accident – $100,000
  • Property damage – $25,000

The losses you may be eligible to obtain compensation for in an insurance claim are:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Emotional distress
  • Property damage
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Physical impairment or disfigurement

You might also have the option to file a lawsuit. If you want to sue the rideshare driver or rideshare company, you must initiate your case before the statute of limitations expires. California has a two-year statute of limitations. That means you must file your lawsuit within two years of the crash date. It is a strict timeframe, and if it passes, you could lose your right to obtain compensation from the at-fault party in court.

What to Do After a Rideshare Accident

After a rideshare accident, you should begin the process of building a claim or lawsuit immediately. That means taking the necessary steps to prove that your injury resulted from the crash and another person was responsible for it. First, you should drive to a nearby hospital or allow an ambulance to transport you. The emergency room physician should evaluate your condition and might recommend a treatment plan. Follow up with all recommended healthcare professionals regularly until you heal.

Hire an Orange County rideshare accident attorney to represent you. OnderLaw can take care of the legal parts of your case while you’re seeing your doctors. Taking on the insurance company can be intimidating for anyone unfamiliar with the claims process. These companies want to avoid large payouts and will look for any excuse to deny your claim. If you don’t have a competent attorney in your corner, you could walk away with less money than you deserve or nothing at all.

Why Choose OnderLaw?

OnderLaw knows how it must feel to carry the weight of your financial costs on your shoulders. If you’re already struggling to afford your prescription drugs, rehabilitation costs, surgical procedures, and other medical expenses, the last thing you want to do is spend money on an attorney. We take cases on contingency, so you’re not responsible for upfront fees or costs. We only get paid if you get paid.

Our Orange County rideshare accident attorneys hold an AV® rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a peer review rating only given to the top attorneys in the country. We’re also members of some of the most prestigious legal organizations in the country and have received various awards for our achievements, such as Litigator Awards, Super Lawyers, and Rue Ratings Best Attorneys of America.

Speak to an Experienced Orange County Rideshare Accident Attorney

OnderLaw has represented rideshare accident victims since 2002 and recovered over $3.5 billion in settlements and awards. We’re ready to aggressively seek the maximum compensation you deserve and hold the negligent driver or rideshare company liable for the devastating accident they caused.

If you suffered injuries in a rideshare accident in Orange County, call us for your free consultation today.