Hit By a Ride-Sharing or Delivery Driver

Call (844) 513-7253 to Speak to a Car Crash Lawyer for Free Today

In today's rapidly changing economy, the convenience of technological advances has reduced the need for individuals 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 roadways are full of personal vehicles driven for commercial purposes. Unfortunately, many of these services can needlessly endanger our community and cause considerable injuries as a result.

Dealing with big companies on your own can be difficult and is usually overwhelming. If you have been hurt by a delivery or ride-sharing driver, you might be entitled to hold these companies accountable. The car accident attorneys 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 favorable result in your claim, you will not owe us anything.

Can Corporations Be Held Responsible?

Companies involved in ride-sharing and deliveries often attempt to categorize 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 on duty, those companies can be held accountable under a legal concept called "respondeat superior." Under "respondeat superior," a company is vicariously accountable for the harm their drivers cause while on the job. This means victims can pursue actions directly against the companies, and against the driver.

Increased Risk

As more Americans today utilize delivery and ride-sharing services, the amount of these cars on the road has drastically increased, as have the number of accidents these motorists have caused.

Some 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 be given directions from their company. Instead of focusing on the road, these motorists frequently shift 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 risky actions a motorist 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-- Many delivery and ride-sharing drivers are paid based on the number of trips they complete. Because of this, motorists may be incentivized to drive at excessive speeds and take risky maneuvers to save time. This type of driving puts at risk the whole community and places their earnings above our safety.
• Bicycles and Scooters-- Some delivery and ride-sharing personnel operate on bicycles and scooters instead of a typical car. In doing so, many cause wrecks by running into pedestrians or causing other vehicles to swerve in order to avoid an accident.

Therefore, 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 may be responsible for your injuries.

What Type of Compensation Can I Get?

A knowledgeable attorney knows what evidence to use in order to seek various damages that may increase your possible compensation. These consist of 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 include the actual pain experienced during medical treatments and surgical procedures incurred as a result of the accident, in addition to emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, and fear caused by the crash. Some accident victims find it more difficult to drive at ease after a roadway accident, and this difficulty and anxiety might be quantified into financial damages by your attorney.

An attorney with experience handling similar claims might know which parties to take legal action against, including not only the motorist, but also the corporate business the motorist was working for, increasing your possible sources of compensation. Further, a lawyer might perform a thorough investigation to obtain evidence that might help verify 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:

Document the Scene of the Crash

Make note of any information in order to maintain crucial 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 accident, the associated costs for these treatments might be sought from the liable party by your lawyer. This is highly important, as medical costs can be huge, and sometimes future medical costs and treatments might be required for your recovery.

Get in touch with an Attorney

A lawyer that has handled similar cases might help you learn your rights, legal deadlines, and communicate on your behalf with all applicable parties and the court. Further, your attorney may perform thorough investigations to secure all possible evidence required in seeking your highest compensation from the other parties.

Filing a Claim

Your attorney might take care of all the steps in submitting your claim. This includes educating you of your legal rights, conducting extensive investigations and discovery of evidence regarding the accident, which are vital in order to acquire 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 applicable insurance companies, and communicate and advocate on your behalf with the other parties and the court.

It is highly important after an accident to focus on rest, recovery and regaining your life back. Therefore, your lawyer, 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 claims might lead to 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 greatest 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 Studio City, 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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