Uber and Lyft Lawsuits Attorney in Orange County

Uber and Lyft Auto Accident Claims

A recent joint study from the University of Chicago and Rice University reveals that ridesharing has increased traffic-related fatalities by 2-3% since 2011. That amounts to around 1,100 more highway death each year. While fatal accidents are on the rise, so are the injuries related to ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft. What is the cause of these accidents and what can you do if you are a victim? Here's what you need to know.

Unique Ridesharing Dangers

Ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft do their best to screen drivers. However, their remote business model nonetheless allows many people to slip through the cracks. In addition, companies are not always aware of traffic violations or DUI arrests. Accordingly, they may sometimes fail to pull unsafe drivers off of the road.

In the past, Uber has come under scrutiny for its business practices, which many claim encouraged fatigued driving. For example, the company would offer incentives to drivers who completed a certain number of trips or accepted rides during peak hours. These incentives often encouraged people to continue operating even when they were physically worn out.

The responsibility for maintaining vehicles also falls on their owners. Rideshare autos are inspected periodically; however, those inspections cannot possibly catch all mechanical issues. As such, the odds that a poorly-maintained vehicle is currently in operation is actually rather high.

Types of Uber or Lyft Accidents

Ridesharing accidents are much like any other form of automobile accident, and can involve:

• Hitting a pedestrian
• Collisions with moving or parked cars
• A loss of control
• Rollovers
• Sideswiping another automobile

What Causes Rideshare Accidents?

Many times, poor highway conditions or road hazards are to blame for an accident. In other cases, they may result from negligence on the part of the rideshare driver. This could be when:

• An operator is speeding in order to get a passenger to work or to an airport on time.
• Drivers are rushing to get multiple passengers to several different destinations.
• Outside distractions such as a cell phone cause a driver to take his or her eyes off of the road.
• Rideshare drivers venture into areas they are unfamiliar with, particularly when driving at night.
• Individuals ignore signs of fatigue, continuing to leave their app on and pick up more rides.

Actions to Take if Involved in an Accident

In the event you are involved in a ridesharing accident, see to it that your injuries are treated immediately. If you are not hurt, check on your fellow passengers and attend to their injuries if possible. In any event, contact 911 immediately so that law enforcement can complete an accident report.

Never sign any waivers releasing the rideshare driver from liability. Instead, make notes about the accident while information is still fresh in your mind. Use your cell phone to take photographs before any vehicles are removed or property damage has a chance to be cleaned up. These pictures can help investigators determine exactly what caused the accident.

Get the name and insurance information of your rideshare driver. This information will prove useful when it comes to filing any claims for damages.

Other Types of Uber and Lyft Claims

The law offices of Scott D. Hughes has extensive experience litigating various claims of injury and sexual abuse by rideshare driver's and Uber and Lyft.

Get the name and insurance information of your rideshare driver. This information will prove useful when it comes to filing any claims for damages.

When to Contact an Attorney

Most rideshare drivers are honest and will file the appropriate claims with their insurance carrier and/or ridesharing company. When drivers do not (or if the insurance company fails to pay), you may have no choice but to seek legal action. That's where an experienced rideshare accident attorney comes in, increasing the odds that you will receive whatever compensation you are entitled to. 

If you or a loved one has been injured in a rideshare accident, please contact us to schedule a consultation.