Hit By a Ride-Sharing or Delivery Driver

In today's rapidly transforming economy, the convenience of technological innovations has reduced the necessity for individuals to drive themselves, and has created more opportunities to have others drive for them. From ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft, to delivery providers like UberEats and GrubHub, America's roads are full of personal vehicles driven for commercial purposes. Unfortunately, many of these services can needlessly endanger our community and result in substantial injuries as a result.

Dealing with big companies on your own can be difficult and is often overwhelming. If you have been injured by a delivery or ride-sharing driver, you may be entitled to hold these companies responsible. The car accident attorneys at Drake Law Firm are experienced and prepared to fight for you. Call us at (844) 513-7253 for a free consultation. If we do not reach a desirable result in your case, you will not owe us anything.

Can Corporations Be Held Accountable?

Companies involved in ride-sharing and deliveries often try to classify their drivers as "independent contractors," meaning they are not permanent employees for financial reasons and to dodge liability. Nevertheless, when a driver injures others while on duty, those companies may be held liable under a legal concept called "respondeat superior." Under "respondeat superior," a company is vicariously liable for the injury their drivers cause while on the clock. This means victims may pursue actions directly against the companies, as well as against the driver.

Enhanced Risk

As more Americans today utilize delivery and ride-sharing services, the number of these vehicles on the road has dramatically risen, as have the number of accidents these motorists have caused.

A few of the most common risks linked to delivery and ride-sharing drivers include:

• Driving While Distracted-- Most delivery and ride-sharing drivers are required to use their cell phone while on the road to receive directions from their company. Instead of focusing on the road, these drivers frequently shift their focus to their cell phone. Focusing on a cell phone while driving is the equivalent of driving blind, and is among the most risky actions a driver can take. Driving while using a cell phone is considered by many experts to be as hazardous as driving drunk, and is a leading cause of collisions today.
• Speeding-- Many delivery and ride-sharing drivers are compensated based on the amount of trips they complete. Because of this, drivers may be incentivized to drive at excessive speeds and take dangerous maneuvers to conserve time. This kind of driving endangers the entire neighborhood and puts their earnings before our safety.
• Bicycles and Scooters-- Some delivery and ride-sharing personnel operate on bicycles and scooters rather than a normal car. In doing so, many cause accidents by hitting pedestrians or causing other vehicles to swerve in order to avoid an accident.

Thus, if a delivery or ride-sharing driver has caused you to be injured, both the motorist and the company whom she or he is working for can be liable for your injuries.

What Sort of Compensation Can I Pursue?

A knowledgeable attorney knows what evidence to use in order to seek various damages that might increase your possible compensation. These include tangible losses such as property damage, medical expenses associated with the treatment of your injuries, future lost wages, disability, in addition to "intangible" damages such as pain and suffering.

Pain and suffering can involve the actual pain experienced during medical treatments and surgical procedures incurred as a result of the collision, in addition to emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, and fear caused by the accident. Some accident victims find it harder to drive at ease after a roadway incident, and this difficulty and anxiety might be quantified into monetary damages by your attorney.

An attorney with experience handling similar cases may know which parties to sue, including not just the motorist, but also the corporate company the driver was working for, increasing your possible sources of compensation. Additionally, a lawyer might perform an extensive investigation to obtain evidence that might help verify the suspected fault of the company and the driver, and help prove your damages to the court and insurance companies.

What to Do After a Ride-Sharing/Delivery Accident:

Record the Scene of the Crash

Make note of any information in order to preserve vital evidence helpful in showing the delivery or ride-sharing driver's fault and demonstrating the full extent of your injuries. If you need any medical attention at a hospital as a result of the accident, the associated costs for these treatments might be sought from the at fault party by your attorney. This is extremely important, as medical expenses can be huge, and in some cases future medical costs and treatments may be required for your recovery.

Contact a Lawyer

A lawyer who has dealt with similar claims can help you know your rights, legal deadlines, and communicate on your behalf with all applicable parties and the court. Further, your attorney might perform in-depth investigations to acquire all possible evidence necessary in seeking your highest compensation from the other parties.

Filing a Claim

Your lawyer might handle all the steps in submitting your claim. This involves informing you of your legal rights, conducting in-depth investigations and discovery of evidence regarding the accident, which are important in order to obtain evidence of the other parties' suspected fault and the extent of your damages and injuries. Your lawyer can also help ensure compliance with any applicable legal time limit, negotiate with all relevant insurance companies, and communicate and advocate on your behalf with the other parties and the court.

It is extremely important after an accident to focus on rest, recovery and regaining your life back. Therefore, your attorney, by doing all of the legal work on your behalf, can allow you to concentrate on your recovery while they seek your highest compensation. Some cases may result in settlements with insurance companies and the other parties, whom, seeing the evidence your lawyer gathers, might want to prevent a loss at trial or extended legal expenses. In other cases, your lawyer might be able to seek your best compensation by taking your claim to trial and presenting your damages to a jury.

At Drake Law Firm, we've assisted numerous personal injury clients to get the compensation they require to recover. We won't let you accept unfair treatment from other law firms and we will defend you from beginning to end. If you need help with a Ride-Share Accident Lawyer in North Hollywood, California, give us a call at (844) 513-7253 for a FREE consultation or visit our website at DrakeLawGroup.com to get started on your case today! 

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