Hit By a Ride-Sharing or Delivery Driver

Call (844) 513-7253 to Speak With an Automobile Accident Attorney for Free Today

In today's rapidly changing economy, the convenience of technological advancements has reduced the necessity for people to drive themselves, and has created more possibilities 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, a lot of these services can unnecessarily endanger our community and result in considerable injuries as a result.

Facing large corporations on your own can be difficult and is often intimidating. If you have been injured by a delivery or ride-sharing driver, you may be entitled to hold these companies responsible. The automobile 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 don't reach a favorable result in your case, you won't owe us anything.

Can Companies Be Held Responsible?

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

Enhanced Risk

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

A few of the most common dangers associated with delivery and ride-sharing drivers include:

• Driving While Distracted-- The majority of delivery and ride-sharing drivers are required to use their cell phone while on the road to get directions from their employer. Instead of focusing on the road, these motorists repeatedly turn their focus to their cell phone. Focusing on a cell phone while driving is the equivalent of driving blind, and is one of the most dangerous actions a driver can take. Driving while using a cell phone is considered by a number of experts to be as dangerous as driving intoxicated, and is a leading cause of accidents today.
• Speeding-- A lot of delivery and ride-sharing drivers are paid based on the amount of trips they complete. As such, drivers might be incentivized to drive at excessive speeds and take hazardous maneuvers to conserve time. This type of driving endangers the whole community and places their earnings above our safety.
• Bicycles and Scooters-- Some delivery and ride-sharing workers operate on bicycles and scooters rather than a normal vehicle. In doing so, many cause crashes by running into pedestrians or causing other vehicles to swerve to avoid a collision.

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

What Kind of Compensation Can I Get?

A skilled attorney knows what evidence to utilize in order to pursue various damages that may increase your potential compensation. These consist of tangible losses such as property damage, medical costs associated with the treatment of your injuries, future lost income, disability, along with "intangible" damages such as pain and suffering.

Pain and suffering can involve the real pain experienced during medical treatments and surgeries incurred as a result of the collision, as well as emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, and fear caused by the crash. 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 lawyer.

A lawyer with experience handling similar cases may know which parties to take legal action against, including not just the driver, but also the corporate business the driver was working for, expanding your possible sources of compensation. Additionally, a lawyer might conduct an extensive investigation to acquire evidence that may help prove the suspected fault of the company and the motorist, and help prove your damages to the court and insurance companies.

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

Document the Scene of the Crash

Take note of any information in order to preserve crucial evidence helpful in proving the delivery or ride-sharing driver's fault and showing the full extent of your injuries. If you require any medical attention at a hospital as a result of the accident, the associated costs for these treatments may be sought from the responsible party by your attorney. This is highly important, as medical costs can be substantial, and sometimes future medical expenses and treatments may be necessary for your recovery.

Call an Attorney

A lawyer that has dealt with similar cases might help you know your rights, legal deadlines, and communicate on your behalf with all applicable parties and the court. Further, your attorney may conduct extensive investigations to secure all possible evidence necessary in seeking your highest compensation from the other parties.

Filing a Claim

Your attorney may handle all the steps in filing your claim. This includes educating you of your legal rights, conducting extensive investigations and discovery of evidence concerning the accident, which are crucial in order to obtain evidence of the other parties' suspected fault and the extent of your damages and injuries. Your lawyer can also help guarantee compliance with any relevant legal deadline, negotiate with all applicable insurance companies, and communicate and advocate on your behalf with the other parties and the court.

It is very important after an accident to focus on rest, recovery and regaining your life back. Thus, your attorney, by doing all of the legal work on your behalf, can allow you to focus on your recuperation while they seek your greatest compensation. Some cases might lead to settlements with insurance companies and the other parties, whom, seeing the evidence your lawyer gathers, may wish to prevent a loss at trial or prolonged legal costs. In other cases, your attorney 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 Rideshare Accident in Reseda, 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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