Barstow Uber Accident Lawyers
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Our Reliable Barstow Uber Accident Lawyers Turn Injured Victims Into Victors
If you are injured in an accident while using Uber, you might be entitled to compensation. Our Barstow Uber accident lawyers will explain your legal rights and guide you through the claims process. Contact us at (888) 488-1391 for a free consultation.
Barstow is a city in San Bernardino County, situated in the heart of the Mojave Desert. It features numerous fascinating landmarks and attractions, like the Mojave River Valley Museum, Western America Railroad Museum, and Rainbow Basin Natural Area. Outdoor enthusiasts also enjoy this place, as it offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, and off-road adventures.
Since not all visitors are able to drive their cars, they often rely on Uber for transportation. The convenient and comfortable rides it offers have also made it a popular transportation choice among locals. While this rideshare service offers a hassle-free way to explore Barstow, it also presents the possibility of injuries from Uber accidents.
If you’ve been recently injured in an Uber crash, we can help you secure maximum compensation. With decades of combined experience, our Uber accident attorneys in Barstow are prepared to fight for your rights and seek compensation for your injuries. We have helped thousands of clients recover over $750 Million in settlements and awards, and we’re here to help you, too.
Our client was a loyal rideshare driver involved in a hit-and-run. The at-fault driver struck our client and fled the scene. After years of litigating in Arbitration for the Underinsured Motorist policy, our co-counselor Kevin Levian set up the case perfectly for an arbitration trial. Ultimately, the case was resolved for the maximum policy limits one week before the arbitration.– BRIAN BEECHER
Why Hire Our Barstow Uber Accident Lawyers
Our attorneys in Barstow will do everything possible to win your Uber accident case. We’ll make sure to establish the negligence of the responsible parties and hold them accountable for your injuries. If you’re curious about our capabilities, our legal advocates have extensive experience handling car accident cases involving Uber. This experience makes us adept at navigating the intricacies of laws specific to ridesharing services.
Moreover, our Uber accident lawyers will initiate a thorough investigation to gather substantial evidence that can support your claim. We will spare no effort in collecting proof, such as photos, videos, and interviewing eyewitnesses.
Once we have everything we need, we’ll negotiate with the insurance companies. Our personal injury lawyers don’t back down from insurers, who are notorious for insisting on lowball offers. However, negotiation talks don’t always go smoothly. In this case, we’ll take your case to court and pursue litigation. Our trial attorneys will fight for your rights and strive to secure a favorable jury verdict.
If you hire our Uber accident lawyers in Barstow, you can access all these quality legal services. Contact us today, and our legal team will respond immediately.
How Does Uber Work?
Uber aims to provide convenient and comfortable transportation in Barstow and nearby localities. It uses technology that connects its drivers and riders seamlessly. With only a few taps on their smartphone, customers can hail a ride tailored to their demands.
Here’s how the rideshare works:
- The customer creates an account with their information, such as name, email address, contact number, and payment details.
- The passenger initiates a ride request through the app by entering their desired pick-up and drop-off points. Once they finalize and confirm the details, they wait for an Uber driver to accept the request.
- The app matches the rider with an available driver. While waiting, the passenger can track the driver’s location on a map and see the estimated arrival time.
- The driver picks up the passenger and then starts the ride.
- The driver drops off the passenger at the destination.
Using the service seems simple enough, but anything can happen during and between these steps. You are still at risk of encountering an accident as a passenger. If you get injured in any case, you can rely on our Uber accident lawyers in Barstow to hold the negligent parties accountable.
Types Of Uber Rides And Services
Uber offers various services that can influence the outcome of an accident, including the risk of it happening, the severity of damages, and who might be found liable. Here are some of the usual options and example scenarios of how each could affect your case:
- Uber X – This option accommodates up to four passengers. Exceeding this limit could lead to the driver being partially responsible for an accident, even if overloading was not the direct cause.
- Uber XL – Passengers can book SUVs or vans for a larger group. When an Uber XL vehicle collides with a smaller car, the resulting damage could be more catastrophic for the occupants of the other vehicle.
- Uber Comfort – This service provides more benefits, including more legroom, preset temperatures, highly-rated drivers, and more. However, experience doesn’t always guarantee a safe driver.
- UberX Share – The new version of Uber Pool lets you save by sharing your ride with a stranger. The actions of an unfamiliar passenger could cause a distracting situation that leads to an accident.
Another service that further complicates liability and increases the risk of car accidents is autonomous rides. There’s no human driver behind the wheel, which could either be exciting or unnerving, depending on who you ask. What remains a fact, though, is that self-driving cars have caused numerous collisions, resulting in injuries and even deaths.
No matter which ride option you choose, there’s always a risk of being involved in an accident. If you sustain injuries while riding an Uber, reach out to our Barstow Uber accident lawyers. Our legal team will thoroughly examine the specific details of your ride and the accident itself.
Common Causes Of Uber Accidents
Major freeways and highways, including Interstate 15, 40, State Route 58, and 247, converge in Barstow. The millions of people traveling through these roads increase traffic congestion, which leads to a higher risk of collisions, including Uber accidents.
Apart from that, driver negligence is the biggest contributor to rideshare collisions. When a driver is careless or makes a mistake, they increase the likelihood of traffic crashes, which could occur at intersections, roadsides, merging lanes, and even in parking lots. Our Barstow Uber accident attorneys have identified the following common driving behaviors that lead to collisions:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- DUI
- Tailgating
- Inexperienced drivers
- Violating road rules, like running red lights and ignoring traffic signals
- Sudden lane shifting or merging
- Failing to yield to the right-of-way
Driver errors and negligence aside, external factors may also contribute to Uber car collisions. Some examples are:
- Mechanical failure
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Poor road conditions
- Faded traffic signs
- Bad weather
If you were recently injured in a collision, Uber accident lawyers in Barstow will investigate the case to pinpoint the cause and use it to determine liability.
Typical Injuries Sustained In An Uber Accident
Uber accident victims typically suffer bodily harm similar to injuries sustained in car accidents. In most of the cases handled by our Barstow Uber accident lawyers, the victims sustained one or more of these common types of injuries:
- Whiplash – Rear-end collisions, which are common in Uber accidents, can cause sudden, forceful impact to the neck. This abrupt motion can damage the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck area, leading to a whiplash injury. Although this condition usually heals without other issues, recovering from whiplash may require additional therapy sessions if the symptoms worsen.
- Head & Brain Injuries – When a person hits their head in a collision, they could sustain traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These cases can lead to significant cognitive impairments like memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and changes in behavior or mood. As such, victims need to receive immediate medical treatment before they develop a life-altering disability or fatal condition.
- Spinal Cord Injuries – The collision between an Uber car and another vehicle may create strong forces enough to damage the spinal cord, causing paralysis, loss of sensation, and chronic pain.
- Broken Bones – Car collisions could fracture the bones in the arms, legs, and ribs. In extremely devastating crashes, the victim might have to get an amputation.
- Sprains & Strains – Soft tissues are also susceptible to damage in Uber accidents. As a result, victims might suffer sprains and strains, both of which cause pain and discomfort.
- Wrongful Deaths – In the worst cases of Uber accidents, victims die, and their families are left with emotional and financial challenges. Family members can file wrongful death claims to obtain compensation for their losses.
If you sustain any of these injuries, contact our Uber accident attorneys in Barstow for help. We can connect you with skilled doctors who can provide you with the appropriate medical treatment.
Who Can Be Held Liable For An Uber Accident?
In many cases, Uber drivers are responsible for accidents and the resulting damages suffered by victims. They are considered negligent when they fail to drive carefully, causing harm to their passengers and other road users. However, traffic accidents involving Uber can result from the negligence of several parties, including:
- Uber – The rideshare company has a duty to provide safe transportation to its customers. It must conduct stringent screening to ensure that it only employs drivers with clean records. When Uber neglects this process and hires careless drivers, it might be held responsible for the resulting injuries and damages to passengers and other motorists.
- Car Manufacturers – Some accidents occur due to malfunctioning auto parts. In these cases, the manufacturers can be held responsible pursuant to the product liability laws.
- Other Road Users – Other motorists’ recklessness might have caused or contributed to the Uber accident. Their insurance providers would then be accountable for paying the victims’ damages.
Given that California is a comparative negligence state, the liability should be divided equitably among the responsible parties. Our Uber accident lawyers in Barstow will carefully assess all liable parties and ensure that you receive fair compensation for your damages.
What Is The Scope Of Uber’s Liability Insurance?
Our Barstow Uber accident lawyers frequently encounter complex and unique insurance policies in rideshare-related cases. California law mandates that transportation network companies (TNCs) maintain liability insurance for their drivers, covering accidents in which they are involved.
While Uber is responsible for upholding these obligations, it’s important to understand that their insurance may not cover all incidents. The extent of coverage and the applicable timeframe depend on the specific details of the accident, as outlined in the following periods:
Period 0
The Uber driver is offline.
If an Uber driver causes an accident while offline, their personal auto insurance will likely be responsible for covering any resulting liabilities. Uber will not be involved.
Drivers must have a personal auto insurance policy by default, but it might not cover accidents when the car is used for business purposes, like ridesharing. As such, they might also need to carry commercial auto insurance to cover damages for which they are held responsible.
California’s insurance code states that drivers must maintain these minimum liability requirements:
- $15,000 for injuries or death per person
- $30,000 for injuries or deaths per accident
- $5,000 for property damage
Uber drivers need to present proof of their updated insurance policies before they are allowed to provide rideshare services.
Period 1
An Uber driver is online and waiting for a ride request.
At this stage, Uber drivers must first use their auto insurance policy in case of an accident. If it’s insufficient, Uber’s third-party liability insurance will kick in to cover the following damages:
- $50,000 per injured person
- $100,000 for all injuries per accident
- $30,000 for property damage per accident
California also requires Uber to provide additional coverage, insuring the TNC and the driver for at least $200,000 per occurrence.
Period 2
An Uber driver has accepted a request and is en route to a rider’s location.
For collisions that happen while the driver is on their way to pick up the passenger, our Uber accident lawyers can also file a claim against the rideshare company’s insurance policy. The company must provide primary commercial insurance worth at least $1,000,000 for all injured parties and property damages.
Period 3
An Uber driver has picked up the passenger and is on their way to the indicated drop-off location.
Uber provides coverage similar to Period 2. California also requires TNCs to provide uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for $1,000,000.
Uber’s insurance policy is only one factor that complicates rideshare accidents. However, you don’t have to navigate them alone. Call our Barstow Uber accident attorneys to clarify any confusion and answer your questions.
Damages You Can Recover In An Uber Accident
Traffic collisions, including those involving Uber, might lead to life-altering consequences. However, it’s important to know that you may be entitled to recover all the damages and losses you sustained due to the accident.
Our team of Uber accident lawyers in Barstow can help you pursue compensation for the following damages:
- Economic Damages – These are the tangible and quantifiable losses incurred by victims, including medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, repair or replacement costs of any damaged properties, and any lost earnings due to your injuries.
- Non-Economic Damages – These refer to the intangible losses one may suffer after an accident. Although they are difficult to compute due to their subjectivity, they still have to be paid to help victims recover. Non-economic losses include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, negatively affected familial or marital relationships, and wrongful deaths.
Should you have concerns about the damages you sustained, you can reach out to our Barstow attorneys, who specialize in Uber accidents. We can go over your case and consider every potential detail to estimate the compensation you’re entitled to.
What To Do In An Uber Accident
When your Uber car is involved in a collision, the best thing to do is remain calm and move to a safe area to avoid further harm. Next, you must also quickly check if you or the people around you are injured. Make sure to dial 911 to receive emergency help.
After completing the basic procedures, our Uber accident lawyers in Barstow highly advise you to proceed with the following steps:
Cooperate With Law Enforcement Officers.
Provide them with all the necessary details about the accident. This information will be used to create an official incident report. Ask where you can get a copy, as it will be essential in filing a personal injury claim.
Document The Accident And Preserve Evidence.
Take photos and videos of the scene, any injuries you sustained, and damaged properties, like the wrecked Uber car. You can also request witnesses to give testimonies about the accident.
Take Note Of Vital Information.
Get the name and contact details of the Uber driver and other parties involved. You must also jot down information about their insurance policies.
Report The Accident To Uber.
If you’re a passenger, you can report the accident via the app. For third parties, use the online form on Uber’s website for reporting an incident.
Contact Our Uber Accident Lawyers In Barstow.
Our Barstow Uber accident lawyers can provide you with the guidance you need to overcome your legal challenges and secure the compensation you’re owed.
Statistics About Uber Accidents
With the increasing popularity of technology, ridesharing services like Uber have become more widely used. According to Uber’s US Safety Report, nearly three million trips were booked in the US daily from 2019 to 2020. The majority, or 99.9%, of the rides were completed without safety-related concerns.
A 2021 study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research then supplemented these data. Their investigation revealed that rideshare companies, particularly Uber, have helped decrease alcohol-related traffic fatalities throughout the country by 6%. Because of its benefits, more residents are patronizing Uber. In fact, the rideshare company achieved a total of 9.4 billion trips in 2023, a 23% growth year over year.
Despite the positive reports regarding the rideshare service, Uber-related traffic collisions and other safety incidents continue to occur in Barstow and all over California. As such, our Barstow Uber accident attorneys are still actively participating in local and state campaigns that help minimize the risks of traffic collisions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Uber Accidents
How Can I Find Out If The Uber App Was On At The Time Of The Accident?
Our Barstow Uber accident lawyers will initiate a thorough investigation to evaluate the negligent driver’s record. We’ll examine whether the driver was logged in on the Uber app when the incident happened. If the driver was truthful to law enforcement responding to the scene, this information would also be recorded in the incident report.
Whose Insurance Will Cover My Uber Accident?
If you incur damages when riding with Uber, you can normally pursue legal action to recover compensation. However, the question of whose insurance will be responsible for paying you will depend on the details of the incident.
According to Uber’s policy, the driver’s insurance will cover your losses if the accident occurred while they were logged out of the app. If the Uber driver was online with the app when the accident happened, either their insurance policy or Uber’s third-party coverage might apply.
For accidents caused by other motorists, their insurers would likely cover the resulting damages. The legal system governing this aspect can be tricky. So, it’s important to hire our attorneys in Barstow to ensure that the damages you incurred in the Uber accident are covered.
What Is The Statute Of Limitations For Filing Uber Accident Claims?
In California, plaintiffs must pursue a personal injury claim within two years of the date of the Uber accident. However, exceptions and exemptions might apply to cases involving minors and defendants who are out of state, serving sentences, or mentally incapacitated. To ensure that you don’t miss your deadlines, seek legal assistance from our Barstow Uber accident lawyers.
Consult With The Premier Uber Accident Lawyers Barstow Recommends
Facing the consequences of Uber accidents is stressful for any victim. If you’re thinking, “Do I need a personal injury lawyer?” The answer is definitely yes.
The best thing you can do at this difficult time is to hire our Barstow Uber accident lawyers. We can guide you through the complex legal system involving Uber and secure the most desired outcome for your case. Dial (888) 488-1391 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Our Barstow car accident law firm also handles Uber accidents and other personal injury cases in neighboring cities and locations, like Apple Valley, Victorville, Adelanto, Hesperia, Big Bear Lake, Crestline, Highland, San Bernardino, California City, Rialto, Redlands, Colton, Yucaipa, Loma Linda, and Fontana.
