Hit By a Ride-Sharing or Delivery Driver

Call (844) 513-7253 to Speak to a Motor Vehicle Mishap Lawyer for Free Today

In today's rapidly transforming economy, the convenience of technological advances has reduced the need for people to drive themselves, and has created more opportunities to have others drive for them. From ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft, to delivery companies like UberEats and GrubHub, America's streets are full of personal vehicles driven for commercial purposes. Unfortunately, many of these services can needlessly endanger our neighborhood and lead to considerable injuries as a result.

Dealing with large companies by yourself can be challenging and is often intimidating. If you have been hurt by a delivery or ride-sharing driver, you may be entitled to hold these companies accountable. The automobile accident lawyers at Drake Law Firm are experienced and ready to fight for you. Call us at (844) 513-7253 for a free consultation. If we don't reach a positive result in your claim, you will not owe us anything.

Can Corporations Be Held Responsible?

Companies involved in ride-sharing and deliveries usually attempt to classify their drivers as "independent contractors," meaning they are not permanent employees for financial reasons and to evade liability. Nevertheless, when a driver injures others while at work, those companies can be held responsible under a legal concept called "respondeat superior." Under "respondeat superior," a company is vicariously accountable for the injury their motorists cause while on the job. This means injured parties may seek actions directly against the companies, as well as against the motorist.

Enhanced Risk

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

A few of the most common dangers linked to delivery and ride-sharing drivers consist of:

• Driving While Distracted-- The majority of delivery and ride-sharing drivers are required to use their cell phone while driving to be given instructions from their company. Instead of concentrating on the road, these motorists frequently turn their attention to their cell phone. Focusing on a cell phone while driving is the equivalent of driving blind, and is among the most dangerous actions a motorist can take. Driving while using a cell phone is considered by many experts to be as hazardous 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 may be incentivized to drive at excessive speeds and take dangerous maneuvers to conserve time. This kind of driving endangers the whole community and puts their earnings above our safety.
• Bicycles and Scooters-- Some delivery and ride-sharing workers operate on bicycles and scooters instead of a regular vehicle. In doing so, many cause accidents by running into pedestrians or causing other cars to swerve in order 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 Sort of Compensation Can I Seek?

A knowledgeable attorney knows what evidence to utilize in order to seek various damages that may increase your potential compensation. These include tangible losses such as property damage, medical bills related to the treatment of your injuries, future lost income, disability, as well as "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 crash, along with emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, and fear caused by the collision. Some accident victims find it more difficult to drive at ease after a roadway accident, and this difficulty and anxiety might be quantified into monetary damages by your lawyer.

A lawyer with experience handling similar cases might know which parties to sue, including not only the driver, but also the corporate business the motorist was working for, increasing your potential sources of compensation. Further, an attorney might perform a thorough investigation to obtain evidence that may help confirm the suspected fault of the company and the motorist, and help validate 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 details in order to preserve vital evidence useful in proving the delivery or ride-sharing driver's fault and showing the full extent of your injuries. If you need any medical attention at a hospital as a result of the crash, the associated costs for these treatments might be sought from the at fault party by your attorney. This is very important, as medical expenses can be astronomical, and sometimes future medical expenses and treatments may be necessary for your recovery.

Call a Lawyer

An attorney that has handled similar claims can help you know your rights, legal deadlines, and communicate on your behalf with all relevant parties and the court. Additionally, your lawyer might conduct in-depth investigations to secure all possible evidence necessary in seeking your maximum compensation from the other parties.

Filing a Claim

Your attorney may take care of all the steps in submitting your claim. This includes informing you of your legal rights, conducting thorough investigations and discovery of evidence concerning the accident, which are vital in order to obtain evidence of the other parties' suspected fault and the extent of your damages and injuries. Your attorney may 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 very important after an accident to focus on rest, recovery and regaining your life back. Thus, your lawyer, by doing all of the legal work on your behalf, can allow you to focus on your recuperation while they seek your maximum compensation. Some claims might result in settlements with insurance companies and the other parties, whom, seeing the evidence your lawyer gathers, may want to prevent a loss at trial or prolonged legal expenses. In other cases, your attorney might be able to seek your best compensation by taking your case 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 Rideshare Accidents in Van Nuys, 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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