When you use a rideshare service you trust that your ride will be safe and easy. But that doesn't always happen. If you were injured in a ridesharing accident in Pasadena, you probably have bills that are piling up and the insurance company is calling you asking for a recorded statement. They can't wait to talk to you. They want you to make a mistake so they can undercut the value of your case. Don't let the insurance adjuster take away your legal rights. Let our Pasadena personal injury lawyers handle the entire process for you so that you get a fair settlement.
How Much Money Can You Get After a Rideshare Accident?
No two accidents are the same. One accident may involve $7,000 in medical bills and minor whiplash. Another rideshare accident can involve broken bones, a traumatic brain injury, and $500,000 in medical costs. The value of a case can vary from as little as $5,000 to millions of dollars. Your individual situation and the reputation of your lawyer are the two things that matter the most.
At the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti, we don't make empty promises about what you're going to get in a case. Instead, we carefully review and investigate your case and put you in the best possible position to win. We have a tremendous track records of success. Call us today for a free case evaluation.
Who Can Be Liable For a Rideshare Accident in Pasadena, CA?
In a rideshare accident, different people or companies can be held responsible for what happened. Here are the main parties that can be on the hook:
- The Driver: If the rideshare driver made a mistake, like not paying attention or breaking traffic safety rules, they can be held responsible for any injuries or damages that they cause to you.
- The Rideshare Company: Companies like Uber and Lyft can also be at fault. If the accident happened while the driver was working for them, the rideshare company's insurance might help cover the costs. Usually these companies try to say that the worker was not an employee. At our firm we know how to deal with that.
- Insurance Providers: The insurance policies of both the rideshare driver and any other drivers in the accident are important. They can help pay for medical bills and property damage after an accident. We review all of the insurance policies to make sure you get fair compensation.
- Other Drivers: If another driver who is not a rideshare driver caused the accident, that driver might be responsible, too.
In short, the driver, the rideshare company, insurance companies, and other drivers can all be held liable for a rideshare accident.
How we Prove Fault in a Rideshare Crash Case
To prove fault in a rideshare crash case, we need to show that someone was negligent, meaning they didn’t act in a way that a reasonable person would have in the same situation. A negligence claim in a car accident case usually has four key elements:
- Duty of Care: This means that the person we think is at fault had a responsibility to drive safely. For example, rideshare drivers must take extra care because they are driving passengers. They should follow traffic laws, avoid distractions, and drive sober. An important thing to determine is whether the driver was an independent contractor or an employee of the rideshare company.
- Breach of Duty: This is when the driver fails to meet that responsibility. For instance, if a rideshare driver was texting while driving or speeding, they have breached their duty of care because those actions are unsafe.
- Causation: We prove that the driver's actions directly caused the accident. This means showing that if the driver hadn’t been negligent, the crash would not have happened. For example, if the driver ran a red light and hit another car, their actions caused the crash.
- Damages: Finally, we need to show that someone was hurt or that property was damaged because of the crash. This can include medical bills, car repair costs, or pain and suffering. If there are no damages, there’s no reason to claim negligence, even if the driver was at fault.
Working with an experienced personal injury law firm like Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti can help you get maximum compensation.
What are the Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents?
Knowing the most common causes of rideshare accidents can help you understand why your accident happened. This can also help you prove fault in your case. Here are the most common causes of these types of accidents:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a major reason for rideshare accidents. Rideshare drivers often use their phones for directions and talking with passengers. It's just part of the job. This can take their attention away from the road.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Speeding and driving carelessly are common among rideshare drivers. Many drivers feel pressured to get to their passengers' destinations quickly. This makes them focus more on speed than on safety. Also, if drivers work long hours, they might be tired, which can make them less focused. This can cause them to do risky things, like running red lights. The mix of wanting to go fast and being tired creates a dangerous situation on the roads.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a big problem that makes it very dangerous for someone to drive. When a driver is drunk, their reactions are slower, they can make bad decisions, and they don’t see things well. All of these problems can lead to accidents. In rideshare accidents, if the driver was drunk, it can create complex legal issues. Sometimes, the rideshare company might also be responsible for what happened. Rideshare companies do have insurance for accidents, but what is covered can change based on whether the driver was drinking when the crash happened.
If you get in an accident, talking to a skilled Pasadena Rideshare Accident Lawyer at our law firm is the best thing you can do for yourself. We can help you understand the laws and make sure you get the money you deserve for any injuries.
What are Typical Injuries in Rideshare Collisions?
Whether you're riding as a passenger in a Lyft or Uber, you may get into an accident and get seriously injured. This happens because ridesharing app drivers are in a rush or they're too tired to pay attention to the road. When a sudden collision or stop happens, a passenger can get hurt badly. These injuries often lead to long recovery times and a lot of medical expenses for accident victims. Knowing what the common injuries are may help you recognize an injury that you may have, and encourage you to seek medical treatment.
Whiplash and Neck Injuries
Whiplash and neck injuries are common for people involved in rideshare accidents. These injuries happen when the body experiences sudden movements, making the head jerk back and forth quickly. This jerking can hurt the nerves in the neck and cause long-lasting pain. Even though whiplash is often considered a minor injury, it can lead to serious problems like numbness and ongoing discomfort. To make sure you get paid back for medical costs, it’s important to keep good records of these injuries. It’s also crucial to see a doctor right after an accident, since your body might not immediately show symptoms due to adrenaline.
Head Injuries
Head injuries from rideshare accidents can range from minor concussions to serious traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). When a car crashes, it can hurt the skull, scalp, and brain, leading to serious damage. At first, symptoms might seem mild, but they can turn into bigger issues if not treated. On top of physical injuries, people may also experience psychological trauma that can affect their daily life. It’s really important for anyone hurt in a rideshare accident to get medical help right away, even if they don’t feel any signs of injury, because shock can hide serious problems.
Fractures and Broken Bones
Fractures and broken bones are common results of the strong forces during rideshare accidents. These injuries can vary in seriousness, from simple breaks to complex fractures that require surgery and lots of recovery time. Healing from these injuries can take months or even years and can lead to high medical bills. Victims might also experience ongoing pain and trouble moving, which can hurt their daily activities and overall quality of life. It’s important to carefully evaluate and treat these injuries to help with recovery and support any claims related to the rideshare accident.
Recoverable Damages After a Rideshare Accident
Rideshare accidents can be complicated, especially when figuring out who is responsible and how to get money for injuries. Rideshare drivers have to have their own insurance, along with the coverage that companies like Uber and Lyft provide. This can make it hard to determine who is at fault after an accident. When you want to make a personal injury claim after a rideshare accident, it's very important to find out who caused the accident and show that their actions led to your injuries. If the rideshare driver wasn’t at fault, you might need to file a claim with the other driver’s insurance.
That’s why having a skilled Pasadena rideshare accident lawyer is helpful. The Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti can help you figure out the damages you can claim and support your case. Also, rideshare companies offer different levels of insurance based on whether the driver is picking up a passenger or just waiting for a request.
Medical expenses
People who are hurt in rideshare accidents, like those involving Uber and Lyft, can ask for money to help pay for their medical bills. This money can cover things like:
- Hospital bills,
- Doctor visits
- Costs for rehabilitation therapy.
How much money you can get usually depends on the insurance coverage related to the accident. The more serious the injuries, the more money you might receive for your medical bills. This is an important part of getting compensation under personal injury law.
Lost wages
If someone gets hurt in a rideshare accident and can't work, they can ask for money to make up for the wages they lost. This money should cover what they would have earned while recovering from their injuries. How much they can get depends on the insurance involved in the accident. If the insurance doesn't cover enough, they might need to file a personal injury lawsuit to get more help. It’s important to show how serious the injury is and how it affects their ability to work in these cases.
Pain and suffering
Getting compensation for pain and suffering is about helping people deal with both the physical pain and the emotional struggles they face after an accident. This includes the real pain they feel during treatments and surgeries, loss of enjoyment of life, as well as feelings like anxiety, sadness, and fear that can happen because of the accident.
Why You Need a Pasadena Rideshare Accident Lawyer
After being in a rideshare accident, it can be really confusing to deal with everything that comes next. You might have to talk to insurance companies, handle medical bills, and even face legal problems. Here are some reasons why getting an experienced attorney can help you:
Expertise in Rideshare Laws
Rideshare laws can be different from regular car accident laws. A personal injury lawyer who knows about rideshare can understand the special rules that apply to companies like Uber and Lyft. Our law firm can help you figure out who is responsible for the accident—whether it's the driver, the rideshare company, or someone else.
Strong Negotiation Skills
Insurance companies often try to pay you less money after an accident. A lawyer with experience knows how to talk with insurance workers to make sure you get the right amount of money for your injuries. We carefully investigate the case and get all the evidence that need, including things like police reports and witness statements. Once we have all of that information, we start negotiating for you. At the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti, our lawyers can also help you avoid mistakes like accepting a low offer that won’t cover all your costs.
Maximizing Compensation
A Pasadena rideshare accident lawyer can help calculate your total damages, which may include:
- Medical expenses: Current and future medical costs related to your accident injuries.
- Lost wages: Income lost due to being unable to work while recovering.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress.
Legal Representation
If the insurance companies don't offer you reasonable compensation, our lawyers can take legal action for you. If your case goes to trial, having a lawyer with you is very important. Our lawyers can stand by you in court, show evidence, and help tell your side of the story. A rideshare accident attorney with experience handling these cases can really improve your chances of winning.
What to After a Rideshare Accident
If you find yourself in a rideshare accident, following certain steps can help protect your interests:
Make Sure You Are Safe
The most important thing to do is make sure everyone is safe. Move to a safe location if possible and check for any injuries.
Call Emergency Services
Call the police and get medical help if you need it. It’s important to keep records of what happened for legal reasons.
Gather Evidence
Gather as much information as you can. This means taking pictures of the accident scene, getting contact information from any witnesses, and writing down the rideshare driver's details and their insurance information. Video evidence is also helpful if you have time to do it.
See a medical professional
If you were injured in the accident, it's important to see a doctor as soon as possible. You may be hurt more than you realize.
Contact a Pasadena Rideshare Accident Lawyer
As soon as you can, consult with a rideshare accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti. We can guide you through the legal process and help you understand your rights.
Rideshare Drivers Have Different Legal Responsibilities
Rideshare drivers in Pasadena have important rules they need to follow. These rules are not only about being responsible but also about what companies like Uber and Lyft require. Drivers must have certain insurance and take good care of their passengers while driving. It's important for everyone involved in a rideshare accident to know about these responsibilities.
Duty of care
Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have to follow laws that keep their passengers and others on the road safe. They do this by having strong insurance that helps cover any injuries or damage that could happen during a ride. Rideshare drivers must also have their own auto insurance policy and follow the rules about insurance that the company requires.
Rideshare companies might be responsible if they don’t provide enough insurance when drivers are waiting for passengers or during rides. Also, if drivers are tired from driving too long or too focused on the app, they can be seen as negligent.
Rideshare Insurance requirements
Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have different types of insurance based on what the driver is doing at the time of the ride. Knowing how this insurance works is important when you're trying to make a rideshare accident claim. Here’s a simple explanation of how the insurance system works:
- Not Logged into the Driver App: When the rideshare driver is not logged in, their personal car insurance is responsible if something happens.
- Logged In, Not Engaged (Waiting for Requests): If the driver is logged in but waiting for a ride request, the rideshare company offers up to $50,000 for any injuries to a person and $25,000 for damage to property.
- Engaged with a Passenger: When the driver is giving a ride to a passenger, a much larger insurance policy of $1 million is active. This covers both the driver and passenger, including protection if another driver doesn’t have enough insurance.
This insurance system can make things challenging because what type of coverage applies depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the accident. Having the right personal injury attorneys buy your side can have a huge impact on the success of your case.
What if I am Partly to Blame for the Rideshare Accident?
In California, there’s a rule called comparative negligence that helps people who get hurt in accidents even if they are partly to blame. This means that if someone is found to be responsible for an accident, their compensation can be adjusted based on how much fault they share.
For example, if someone suffers $100,000 in damages but is found to be 40% responsible for the accident, they would only get $60,000 in compensation. This rule lets everyone involved in the accident share the blame, so the amount of money someone can receive depends on how responsible they are for what happened.
Implications for Compensation
Knowing how comparative negligence works is very important for accident victims who want to get paid for their injuries. In rideshare accidents, victims might receive money for emotional pain, suffering, and the impact on their daily life, along with costs like medical bills, lost pay, and any future medical care they need. Each accident is different, which means the amount of money a person can get often depends on their specific situation. In cases where someone dies from a rideshare accident, family members might receive money for funeral costs, burial expenses, and the loss of companionship, which adds to the different types of damages that can be claimed. This is called a wrongful death claim. Another important point to know is about insurance. In California, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft must have at least $1 million in liability insurance. This large amount can help with compensation, but finding out who is responsible for the accident can harder than in regular car accidents. Because of these complex issues, it’s essential for accident victims to have a skilled lawyer who can help them understand the insurance rules and comparative negligence to ensure they get the most compensation possible.
Contact Our Legal Team Today
If you have been injured in a rideshare collision in Pasadena, you owe it to yourself to get best possible representation possible. At the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti we have handled more than 1000 personal injury cases. We know how build rock-solid cases and to tell your story to the insurance industry.
You can speak to an experienced accident attorney at our firm today for free. You will find out in minutes whether or not you have a case.
If we decide to work together, our legal services are 100% FREE until we win. We work on a contingency fee basis. This means we don't get paid until you paid. So there's no risk to you whatsoever.
Call today to find out if you have a case.
