Tulare Uber Accident Lawyers
We’ll tell you if you have a case or not, call (888) 488-1391 — We’re here 24 hours a day.
Our Tulare Uber Accident Lawyers Can Help You Navigate The Legal Process
Despite their convenience, ridesharing services like Uber cannot prevent accidents and the resulting complications. Dealing with insurance claims, liability issues, and potential lawsuits against Uber can be challenging without a legal professional who is familiar with the industry. Consider speaking with our Tulare Uber accident lawyers. They can help explain your rights and assist you in pursuing compensation for your injuries and other related losses. Call us at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free initial consultation.
While Tulare’s central location in the San Joaquin Valley, along Highway 99, makes it easily accessible for businesses and residents, it’s essential to remember that no location is without its risks. While proximity to Fresno and Bakersfield offers access to major markets, the same highway can be the scene of unfortunate accidents, including those involving Uber rides.
Our Tulare Uber accident attorneys have handled a wide range of personal injury cases, bringing extensive experience to each one. We’re prepared to handle complex cases, regardless of the parties involved. To get started, complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form. We offer a free case evaluation to discuss your legal options and potential next steps.
Settlement in a bicycle versus taxi cab company accident; client suffered lower leg injuries– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
Why Choose Arash Law’s Tulare Uber Accident Lawyers To Represent Your Injury Case?
Our Uber accident lawyers in Tulare are ready to apply their knowledge and resources to protect your rights and pursue compensation for your injuries. When dealing with large companies, legal representation can help you seek liability from the responsible parties for the harm you suffered.
While any licensed attorney can handle your case, choosing one familiar with the community and personal injury law may provide practical benefits. The following are some reasons to consider consulting with one of our personal injury lawyers:
- We’ve been helping Tulare Uber accident victims pursue compensation for many decades. We understand how local courts, insurers, and legal procedures work, which enables us to navigate cases more effectively.
- You may receive an initial settlement offer from your insurance company. We can represent your interests to pursue compensation that reflects the scope of your losses.
- We handle the legwork, from filing paperwork to communicating with the insurance company. We also keep you updated on the progress of your case at every stage.
- If we cannot reach a fair settlement through negotiation, we are prepared to present your case to court. We have the legal resources and experience to represent your position through trial if necessary.
What To Do After A Tulare Uber Accident
Being involved in an Uber accident, whether as a passenger or not, can be a confusing and stressful experience. Here are the recommended steps you can take:
- Gather Evidence Immediately — If you’re not seriously injured, document everything. Take photos of the scene, your injuries, the vehicles involved, skid marks, and anything relevant. Get the witnesses’ names and numbers and the other driver’s insurance information.
- Seek Medical Attention — This is important, even if you feel fine. Emergency responders can assess you, and a hospital visit creates proper documentation of any injuries, even internal ones. Don’t skip this step; it could save you from serious complications later.
- Be Careful When Speaking to Insurance Representatives — Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies without consulting a lawyer first. You might say something that could affect your claim, even unintentionally. You can decline any calls or requests for information until you’ve received legal advice.
- Avoid Social Media — This isn’t the time to share details of your accident online. Keep things private.
- Don’t Accept Quick Offers — You may receive an early settlement offer soon after the accident, but it might not account for all your losses. Carefully review any offer and consider consulting a lawyer to understand your options and the full extent of your potential compensation.
- Find a Qualified Lawyer — Not all lawyers focus on Uber accidents. Seek an experienced personal injury lawyer who has represented clients in similar cases. Ask if they’ve worked with both rideshare passengers and accident victims.
Taking these steps and speaking with Arash Law’s Uber accident lawyers in Tulare can be beneficial to your case. We can guide you through the process and help you pursue compensation for your injuries and damages.
Determining Liability In Tulare Uber Accidents
California operates under a “fault-based” system for accidents. This means the person who caused the crash is responsible for paying for the damages. Since California is a pure comparative negligence state, it’s possible for one person to be entirely at fault or for multiple parties to share some responsibility.
To seek compensation under this system, you (the injured party) need to prove:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care. This means they had a responsibility to exercise the utmost care and caution.
- The other person breached that duty. They did something careless that caused the accident.
- Their carelessness directly caused your accident and injuries. There’s a clear connection between their actions and your harm.
- You suffered damages from the accident. This could include medical bills, pain and suffering, or property damage.
If you want to pursue compensation after an Uber accident, you must show that the driver was at fault and you were injured or damaged. A judge will then decide how much responsibility each party bears, determining how compensation is distributed.
Insurance Coverage After An Uber Accident In Tulare, CA
Uber classifies its drivers as independent contractors rather than employees to avoid liability in the event of an accident. While drivers are required to have personal auto insurance policies, Uber offers additional coverage for liability issues and accidents involving uninsured/underinsured motorists. However, this coverage only applies during specific driver phases, so it’s crucial to understand the limitations.
Insurance coverage for Uber drivers:
- Phase 0 — The driver’s auto insurance covers the victim’s damages if the driver is not logged into the Uber app at the time of the accident.
- Phase 1 — If the driver is logged in and waiting for a passenger, Uber provides supplemental liability coverage in case of an accident:
- $50,000 per person injured.
- $100,000 total per accident.
- $25,000 for property damage.
- Phase 2 — The driver is en route to pick up a passenger.
- Phase 3 — The driver is transporting a passenger.
For both Phase 2 and 3, Uber’s insurance kicks in:
- $1 million in liability coverage.
- $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Uber accidents are more complex than typical car crashes because they operate under a unique insurance system with varying levels of coverage. Insurance providers may review whether their coverage applies at the time of the accident. Determining liability and identifying which coverage is active can be challenging without the assistance of a lawyer. An attorney familiar with Uber accident claims can help evaluate your situation and guide you through the process of pursuing compensation.
Common Causes Of Uber Accidents
In order to pursue compensation for injuries suffered in an Uber or other rideshare accident, victims must demonstrate that the negligence of the driver was the direct cause.
These preventable collisions often occur due to several key factors:
Speeding
In an effort to quickly complete trips and land new customers, drivers may exceed the speed limit, increasing the risk of losing control of their vehicle or failing to react fast enough to avoid a collision.
Distracted Driving
Using GPS, phones, or engaging in conversation can draw drivers’ attention away from the road, potentially leading to unsafe maneuvers or missed hazards. Accidents may also occur when drivers are searching for passengers. Due to their lack of concentration, they may make unexpected stops or turns.
Drowsy Driving
Rideshare drivers’ flexible schedules and potential second jobs can lead to fatigue. Driving while drowsy can be dangerous, as it may impair judgment, reaction time, and overall driving ability.
Intoxication
Drug or alcohol use by a rideshare driver will severely impact their reaction time, vision, and judgment, significantly increasing the risk of accidents that often include speeding, lane weaving, or ignoring traffic laws.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
Failure to maintain a rideshare vehicle properly can lead to malfunctioning brakes, tires, or other components, potentially causing the driver to lose control of the car.
Types Of Damages Victims Can Seek After An Uber Accident
If you’ve been injured in an Uber accident in Tulare, the at-fault party may be held responsible for covering your losses. Here are some types of damages you may be able to seek:
- Medical Bills — This includes all expenses related to treating your injuries, like hospital stays, doctor visits, medication, and rehabilitation.
- Lost Wages — If your injury prevented you from working, you may seek compensation for the income you missed. This includes future lost wages if your injury affects your long-term earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering — You can pursue compensation for the physical and emotional pain caused by your accident, including fear, anxiety, and emotional distress.
- Property Damage — If your car or other belongings were damaged in the accident, you may seek reimbursement for repairs or replacement.
- Loss of Consortium — If your injury affects your ability to have a normal relationship with your spouse or partner, you may pursue damages for this loss.
- Wrongful Death — If your loved one died due to someone else’s negligence, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim to seek damages.
The Tulare Uber accident lawyers at Arash Law can help you understand the full scope of damages you can pursue and the legal options available. Keep a record of your accident-related expenses and seek legal advice to protect your rights.
Common Injuries Caused By Uber Accidents
Riding in an Uber can be risky, with accidents sometimes resulting in severe, life-altering injuries or even fatalities. Tulare Uber accident lawyers have experience helping victims seek compensation for these devastating outcomes.
Lacerations
Cuts and tears to the skin are often caused by broken glass, debris, or impact on the vehicle’s interior.
Neck And Back Injury
Whiplash is one of the most common neck injuries, but sprains, strains, and herniated discs can also occur due to sudden force or jolting motions of the neck.
Paralysis
Paralysis is the loss of muscle function in a specific area, typically caused by severe spinal cord or nerve damage.
Broken Bones
Fractures can range from minor hairline cracks to complete breaks, often caused by collisions or forceful impacts.
Head Trauma And Traumatic Brain Injury
Concussions, contusions, and hematomas are all types of head injuries that can range in severity and cause various symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and memory loss. Severe cases can lead to permanent damage.
Loss Of Limbs
Amputation is a rare but devastating consequence of severe accidents involving crushing or severe injuries. Prosthetic devices are generally needed after sustaining such injuries.
Burns
Tissue damage is caused by heat, chemicals, or electrical sources, with varying degrees of severity depending on the source and the duration of exposure.
Documenting your injuries thoroughly is essential, as the severity of your injuries directly impacts your potential compensation. The responsible party may be held liable for your immediate and ongoing medical bills from these injuries. Arash Law’s Uber accident lawyers in Tulare can help you pursue a claim that accounts for your documented injuries and related losses.
December 2016: $22M+ verdict in a mild traumatic brain injury case. The entire details of the case can be found in the public record filings by the defendant entity that sued its defense.– BRIAN BEECHER
What Is The Deadline For Filing An Uber Accident Claim In Tulare, CA?
Every lawsuit has a deadline, called the statute of limitations. Miss it, and you’ll generally lose your case. The specific timeframe depends on the legal issue, but here’s a breakdown in California:
- Claims for personal injuries are generally filed within two years of the accident or the discovery of the injury.
- Property damage claims and lawsuits have a three-year statute of limitations.
- Claims involving a government agency have a shorter deadline of six months.
Seeking legal advice from a lawyer can help protect your rights. Our car accident lawyers, who also represent victims of Uber incidents, can identify the applicable deadline for your case and file the necessary paperwork within the required timeframe.
Uber Accident Statistics
The popularity of ridesharing services, such as Uber, has coincided with a concerning rise in accident rates. A report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that Uber vehicles were involved in 107 fatal crashes across the U.S. between 2017 and 2019, alongside 2,935 non-fatal incidents resulting in 3,221 injuries.
Further data from Uber itself, spanning 2019 and 2020, highlights the severity of the issue:
- A total of 91 fatal accidents involving Uber cars claimed 101 lives.
- Speeding was identified as a contributing factor in 32% of these collisions.
- Disturbingly, 23% of these fatal accidents involved drunk driving.
- Vulnerable road users bear the highest number of these accidents, with pedestrians involved at 64%, followed by vulnerable road users at 42%, third-party motorcycle riders at 29%, and bicyclists at 7%.
Contact Our Uber Accident Lawyers In Tulare For A Free Initial Consultation
Uber accidents can involve complex legal and insurance issues, especially when passengers or bystanders suffer injuries. Determining the responsible parties in these cases can be challenging.
Our Tulare Uber accident lawyers stay current with the evolving legal landscape surrounding rideshare services. We are committed to staying informed about these changes and their impact on the claims process so that we can provide clear and informed legal guidance to individuals injured in Uber-related accidents.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber accident in Tulare, speak with our Uber accident attorneys. We can help you pursue compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and related losses. We also extend our services to neighboring communities like Visalia, Farmersville, Exeter, Corcoran, Lindsay, Hanford, Porterville, Dinuba, Kingsburg, Lemoore, Reedley, Orange Cove, Selma, Parlier, and Delano. Contact us at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free initial consultation!
