Ride-Share Accident in Santa Ana, CA

Hit By a Ride-Sharing or Delivery Driver

Call (323) 379-9995 to Speak With a Motor Vehicle Crash Lawyer for Free Today

In today's rapidly transforming economy, the convenience of technological advances 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 companies like UberEats and GrubHub, America's streets are full of personal vehicles driven for commercial reasons. However, a lot of these services can needlessly endanger our neighborhood and cause substantial injuries as a result.

Facing large companies by yourself can be challenging and is often intimidating. If you have been injured by a delivery or ride-sharing driver, you might be entitled to hold these companies accountable. The car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Tim D. Wright are experienced and prepared to fight for you. Call us at (323) 379-9995 for a free consultation. If we don't reach a favorable result in your claim, you won't owe us anything.

Can Corporations Be Held Accountable?

Companies involved in ride-sharing and deliveries usually 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 may be held accountable under a legal concept called "respondeat superior." Under "respondeat superior," a company is vicariously responsible for the harm their motorists cause while on the job. This means injured parties may seek actions directly against the companies, as well as against the driver.

Enhanced Risk

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

Some of the most common dangers associated with delivery and ride-sharing drivers consist of:

• Driving While Distracted-- Most delivery and ride-sharing drivers are required to use their cell phone while on the road to be given instructions from their employer. Instead of focusing on the road, these drivers repeatedly turn their focus 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 regarded by many experts to be as dangerous as driving intoxicated, and is a leading cause of wrecks today.
• Speeding-- A lot of delivery and ride-sharing drivers are compensated based on the number of trips they complete. As such, motorists might be incentivized to drive at excessive speeds and take hazardous maneuvers to save time. This kind of driving puts at risk the whole neighborhood and puts their earnings before our safety.
• Bikes and Scooters-- Some delivery and ride-sharing personnel operate on bikes and scooters as opposed to a regular car. In doing so, many cause wrecks by hitting pedestrians or causing other vehicles to swerve in order to avoid a collision.

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

What Type of Compensation Can I Get?

An experienced lawyer knows what evidence to use in order to seek various damages that might increase your potential compensation. These consist of tangible losses such as property damage, medical costs 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 accident, as well as 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 financial damages by your attorney.

A lawyer with experience handling similar claims might know which parties to file a claim against, including not just the motorist, but also the corporate company the driver was working for, increasing your potential sources of compensation. Further, an attorney might perform an extensive investigation to acquire 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:

Document the Scene of the Collision

Make note of any details in order to preserve vital evidence helpful in showing 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 crash, the associated costs for these treatments might be sought from the responsible party by your attorney. This is extremely important, as medical expenses can be astronomical, and sometimes future medical costs and treatments may be needed for your recovery.

Call an Attorney

An attorney who has handled 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 might perform extensive investigations to obtain 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 involves informing you of your legal rights, conducting thorough investigations and discovery of evidence regarding the accident, which are essential in order to acquire evidence of the other parties' suspected fault and the extent of your damages and injuries. Your lawyer might also help guarantee 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 extremely important after an accident to concentrate 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 concentrate on your recuperation while they seek your greatest compensation. Some cases may result in settlements with insurance companies and the other parties, whom, seeing the evidence your attorney gathers, might want to prevent a loss at trial or prolonged legal costs. In other cases, your lawyer may be able to seek your greatest compensation by taking your claim to trial and showing your damages to a jury.

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