Artesia Uber Accident Lawyers
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Our Artesia Uber Accident Lawyers Can Help You Make Informed Decisions
Every day, millions of people use rideshare services like Uber due to their convenience and affordability. Unfortunately, some Uber rides end up in accidents. If you suffer injuries in one, we are here to help. Our goal is to assist you in pursuing compensation to cover your losses. Call Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
Recovering from your injuries in an Uber accident is already overwhelming. On top of that, you have to go through a complex legal process if you want to pursue justice for the damages you’ve suffered. Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., understands this struggle and is here to provide legal support.
Our law firm is dedicated to handling your case so you can focus on your recovery. With many decades of combined experience, our Uber accident attorneys in Artesia will use their knowledge and skills to advocate for your rights.
Settlement in a Under Insured Motorist Claim against ride share company; client suffered spinal injuries– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
How To Choose Your Uber Accident Lawyer
Choosing the lawyer who will represent you can affect the outcome of your claim. You should be meticulous in the selection process.
When hiring Artesia lawyers who handle Uber accidents, these are some of the qualities to look for:
- Experience — Look for lawyers with a track record of handling Uber accident cases. Their experience can be advantageous in navigating the complexities of these claims.
- Reliability — Choose a lawyer who prioritizes clear and consistent communication. One who is readily available to answer your questions can keep you informed about your case’s progress.
- Integrity — Find a lawyer who genuinely cares about your well-being, not just the case. Their understanding of fair compensation goes beyond just a financial settlement.
- Flexibility — Finding a lawyer who accommodates your schedule is important. Convenient appointments can give you more comfort while recovering from injuries.
Don’t know where to look? Discuss your case with us and see what our lawyers can do to help you. We aim to provide dedicated representation for our clients.
Common Types Of Uber Accidents
The most common types of Uber accidents are not that different from typical car accidents. These include T-bone, rear-end, head-on, sideswipe, fender-bender, and single-car accidents. Here’s a more detailed look at these accident types:
- T-Bone Accidents — Side-impact collisions occur when a vehicle crashes into another from its side, forming a T-shape. These can happen when Uber drivers make an illegal U-turn or run a red light at an intersection to get to their destination faster.
- Rear-End Accidents — These accidents happen when a driver crashes into another vehicle from behind. In most rear-end accidents involving Uber, the rideshare driver fails to maintain a safe distance from the car in front. This situation leaves them with little to no time to hit the brakes before crashing.
- Head-On Accidents — These occur when two vehicles going in opposite directions crash into each other. Uber-related head-on collisions happen when the driver swerves into the other lane.
- Sideswipe Accidents — Vehicles going in the same direction can also hit each other from the sides. In Uber sideswipe accidents, Uber drivers miscalculate their distance from another vehicle when merging lanes.
- Fender-Bender Accidents — These can cause minor damage to the vehicles involved in the accident. When Uber drivers get into fender-bender accidents, they usually try to settle the matter with the other driver to avoid involving insurance companies. Unfortunately, the settlements they offer can be insufficient for your damages.
- Single-Car Accidents — Some Uber accidents happen without involving another vehicle. In single-car accidents, Ubers may crash into property or, worse, into pedestrians.
Our Artesia Uber accident lawyers are experienced in handling these cases. They can assist you with your claim, regardless of the nature of the accident.
Common Causes Of Uber Accidents
Most accidents can happen due to various factors. The following are the most common causes of Uber collisions in Artesia.
Navigation Errors — Drivers who are unfamiliar with an area are more likely to get into an accident. They may unknowingly enter construction zones or broken bridges that don’t show up on navigation systems. These dangerous places can also be a hotspot for potential accidents.
Additionally, while attempting to complete as many trips as possible, drivers may pick up or drop off passengers in areas where they are not authorized to do so. Unfortunately, stopping in undesignated drop-off and pick-up areas can be unsafe for both drivers and passengers, as it increases the risk of accidents.
Driver Distractions — Since Uber drivers use the app to accept and complete trips, they might get into an accident while driving distracted. They may get preoccupied while checking the details of their destination or following a navigation guide as they drive.
In some instances, a driver’s focus goes into finding the passenger they need to pick up. As such, they fail to watch out for any crossing pedestrians or other road hazards they need to avoid.
It is also a common occurrence among Uber drivers to get too distracted by conversations with their passengers in an effort to secure high ratings. Unfortunately, once a driver loses focus on the road, the risk of getting into an accident increases.
- Driver’s Fatigue — Most Uber drivers work part-time. They may have other work or a day job in addition to driving for Uber. Also, some drivers work late at night or have early morning shifts. These factors make them more prone to exhaustion and falling asleep behind the wheel, thereby increasing the risk of accidents.
Common Injuries In Uber Accidents
The injuries that victims suffer in Uber accidents may range from sprains and whiplash to paralysis or death. Some of the most common ones are:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Sprains and muscle strains
- Neck and back injuries
- Fractured bones and limbs
- Internal organ damage
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Temporary or permanent paralysis
- Mild concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Death
If you lost a loved one in an Uber collision, our Artesia Uber accident attorneys can also assist you in filing a wrongful death claim.
What Qualifies You For An Uber Accident Claim?
Four elements need to be present for you to be eligible to file an Uber accident claim. Here’s a more in-depth look at these elements:
- Duty of Care — It is the legal and moral duty to act with reasonable prudence to avoid causing harm to others or their property. In any case, the Uber driver has a duty to care for you, whether as a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian. Also, if you are filing a claim as a passenger, you should have an active booking request at the time of the accident.
- Negligence — Next, you have to establish that there was a breach of duty on the Uber driver’s part. For example, if the driver ran the red light, they breached their duty and didn’t apply reasonable care.
- Causation — It should have directly caused the accident. For example, the driver who ran the red light should have been the reason you got into a T-bone accident at an intersection.
- Damages — There should be injuries or losses resulting from the accident to file a claim, whether physical or psychological trauma, as well as damages such as medical expenses and car repairs.
Filing a complaint with Uber and the police is also highly recommended, as this can serve as valuable evidence in support of your claim. Additionally, you should get checked at a hospital so you can determine the full extent of your injuries immediately.
Our Uber accident lawyers in Artesia can help identify whether you have a valid claim. You can also fill out our “Do I Have A Case?” form for a free case review!
Uber’s Insurance Policy
Uber offers insurance coverage for its drivers and passengers. However, it only applies to Uber accidents caused by the driver. As drivers are considered independent contractors, it can be challenging to determine liability for injuries caused by assaults. Additionally, coverage only applies when the driver is logged into the app and is on duty.
Here are the instances that Uber outlines in its insurance policy:
- The Driver Is Online But Has No Active Rides or Ride Requests — Uber offers third-party liability coverage in these cases. Their insurance policy covers $25,000 in property damage, $50,000 per injured person, and $100,000 per accident.
- The Driver Has an Active Ride or Request — Drivers who get into an accident while en route or on a trip are covered by Uber’s $1,000,000 insurance. This policy covers all property damage and injured persons per accident.
Uber does not cover drivers who get into accidents while they’re offline. In these cases, the driver’s personal auto insurance applies. Consult with our Artesia Uber accident lawyers to understand Uber’s insurance policy in detail and whether it can provide coverage in your case.
Damages You Can Claim In An Uber Accident
Filing an Uber accident claim allows you to pursue compensation for damages. Depending on the facts of your case, the damages you can seek compensation for may include:
- Economic Damages — These include all expenses you have in relation to the accident and your injuries. They include:
- All past, ongoing, and future medical expenses related to the treatment of your injuries.
- Property damage repairs and replacements.
- Lost wages while recovering from your injuries.
- Physical therapy and chiropractic treatment.
- Non-Economic Damages — Uber accidents also bring emotional, mental, and psychological damage to injured victims. These are difficult to calculate, but our Artesia Uber accident lawyers can help you assess them. Non-economic damages include the following:
- Loss of quality of life and consortium.
- Loss of earning capacity due to permanent injuries.
- Mental health issues, such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Punitive Damages — These are only awarded in rare cases to punish the liable party and discourage other people from doing the same. Punitive damages are hard to prove, as you will need to establish that the at-fault party’s actions exhibited gross negligence, malice, fraud, or harmful intentions.
Determining Liability In An Uber Accident In Artesia, CA
In Uber accidents, multiple parties can be liable. While the driver is typically considered primarily at fault, Uber and vehicle manufacturers may also share liability based on the specific circumstances of the accident.
Here are the parties that can be at fault in an Uber accident:
- Uber Driver — The driver may be liable if their negligent behavior caused the accident. Some examples of bad driving behavior are speeding and driving under the influence (DUI).
- Another Driver — If another driver collides with your Uber and injures you as a passenger, they could be liable for your injuries.
- Uber Company — Uber can also share liability if the at-fault driver was actively waiting for a booking or completing a trip at the time of the accident. They can also be liable if there is evidence of negligence in the hiring process.
- Car Manufacturers — Liability may also fall on car manufacturers if the accident occurred due to a vehicle or mechanical failure.
- Government — If the Uber accident happened because of road issues, such as cracked pavements or collapsed shoulders, the government assigned to maintain such roads could also be responsible for the incident.
Our Uber accident lawyers in Artesia can help identify potentially liable parties in an accident. We look at pieces of evidence to back up your claim, including police reports.
California Laws On Uber Accidents
California is a pure comparative negligence state, which means that multiple parties can share liability in an accident. If the court finds that you also share liability in the accident, the compensation you receive will be reduced by the percentage you are liable for. For example, an injured party could be found 10% liable in an accident, which means they can only get 90% of the total damages.
The law also implies that you need to have sufficient evidence to prove that the other party is completely liable for the accident. In this case, working with our skilled Artesia Uber accident attorneys might be beneficial to you. We have decades of combined experience, and we can help you understand the steps involved in pursuing your claim.
Deadlines For Filing Uber Accident Claims
According to the statute of limitations in California, you can file an Uber accident claim within two years from the date of the accident. However, there are some exceptions to this, including:
- Property Damage — You have up to three years to file a claim if your property was damaged in an Uber incident.
- Underage Victims — If you were a minor at the time of the Uber accident and you got injured, the statute of limitations will be paused or tolled until you turn 18. After that, you have two years to file a claim.
- Government Agencies — When filing a claim against a government agency, you only have six months from the date of the accident. Government claims also follow a different filing process.
Our Uber accident lawyers in Artesia can help you track these deadlines and work to submit legal paperwork on time.
California Assembly Bill 5 And Proposition 22
California Assembly Bill 5 (AB5), passed in September 2019, classified rideshare drivers as employees. It means that Uber drivers could receive the benefits that regular employees do. Also, if Uber were at fault in an accident, the company would be responsible.
About a year later, Proposition 22 (Prop 22) was passed in November 2020, which reclassified rideshare drivers as independent contractors or gig workers. It received tremendous support, even if it meant drivers would lose employee benefits, and Uber would be mostly free from legal repercussions for its drivers’ negligent or wrongful behaviors.
What To Do After An Uber Accident
After an accident, your utmost priority should be your health and safety. Once you are cleared or have received first aid, you can then report to the police, collect evidence, and exchange contact information with other parties and witnesses. It’s also good practice to speak with an Uber accident attorney in Artesia as soon as you can.
Follow these guidelines after an Uber accident in Artesia, CA:
- Check yourself for injuries and move to a safe place at the side of the road. From there, call 911 or ask somebody to do it for you. Your priority is to receive medical care for your injuries.
- When the police arrive at the scene, report the accident as factually as you can. Refrain from adding details that may not be true, as these could be used against you later on.
- Exchange contact information with the parties involved in the accident. Avoid apologizing, as this could lead to misinterpretation as an admission of fault.
- If there are any witnesses, ask for their contact details. Also, nearby establishments with security cameras may have recorded the accident.
- Do not accept any settlement offers from insurance companies right away. Also, do not post about the accident on social media.
- Speak with our Artesia Uber accident lawyers following an accident. We can guide you on the next steps you can take to help protect your rights.
Uber Accident Statistics
A total of 6.3 billion Uber trips took place in the United States from 2017 to 2022, meaning all the reports represented just 0.006% of total trips. There were 0.00002%, or 1 in 5 million, serious reports.
According to a study, rideshare services may have increased traffic deaths by 3%. As of 2022, Uber has around 14 million trips per day. This adds up to about 5 billion trips per year.
Uber drivers, like any other drivers, can be involved in accidents. The frequency of accidents involving Uber drivers depends on various factors, including the number of hours they drive, road conditions, and their driving experience.
If you suffer injuries in an Uber collision, our accident lawyers can help you with the claims process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Uber Accidents
Below are answers to common questions our Artesia Uber accident lawyers get from clients and injured victims:
Can My Personal Auto Insurance Cover Me In An Uber Accident?
It depends on whether your insurance policy specifically covers rideshare accidents. Most often, the at-fault driver’s insurance policies will apply.
Your personal auto insurance may only apply if Uber’s insurance policy doesn’t apply and the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured. To seek guidance in your Uber accident claim, discuss your case with our accident lawyers in Artesia.
Do I Still Need A Lawyer Even If There Are No Injuries?
Yes, it is recommended to speak with an attorney, even in Uber accidents that don’t result in physical injuries. There could be property damage for which you can file a claim and need a lawyer.
Our Artesia Uber accident lawyers can also connect you to medical professionals in the area for a thorough physical examination. We can guide you on what steps you can take.
How Much Do Uber Accident Lawyers Near Me Charge?
Most Artesia law firms, including Arash Law, work on a contingency fee basis. The fee we charge for our services is contingent upon the outcome of your case. If we don’t recover compensation, you won’t have to pay our legal fees. You may still be responsible for other costs incurred during the claims process or during litigation. Our lawyers will discuss this in detail before onboarding you.
Let Our Dedicated Artesia Uber Accident Lawyers Help You!
Victims of Uber accidents in Artesia, California, can seek justice and recovery from their injuries. Arash Law is here to help with the legal aspects of your journey to healing.
Our Artesia Uber accident attorneys can manage the legal process for you. We will handle all the paperwork and represent you in front of defense attorneys and insurance companies. We will negotiate with the liable parties for compensation for your injuries.
To discuss your case in a free initial consultation, call us at (888) 488-1391. You may also fill out our contact form to reach out to us.
Besides Uber crashes, Arash Law represents clients in various traffic-related claims, including truck collisions, motorcycle collisions, and pedestrian accidents, handled by our car accident lawyers.
We extend our services to neighboring areas of Artesia, such as Cerritos, Bellflower, Hawaiian Gardens, La Palma, Norwalk, Lakewood, Cypress, Los Alamitos, Paramount, Buena Park, La Mirada, Rossmoor, Santa Fe Springs, Downey, and Signal Hill. We also help Uber accident victims throughout California, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Riverside, and more.
