Being involved in a vehicular accident can be a traumatic experience, and it doesn’t get any less traumatic when the accident involves a rideshare vehicle like UBER. Undeniably, your first course of action should be centered on ensuring your personal safety and that of those around you. On the flip side, if you’re unharmed, your focus should extend to guaranteeing safety for everyone else on the scene.
In a case where there are injuries, it is imperative to quickly dial 911 without any delay. Even in the absence of visible injuries, it is paramount to seek immediate medical attention as shock could mask underlying injuries you might not be able to see. Establishing an official record of the incident is also necessary; hence, a police report should be promptly filed when officers make it on the scene.
Just as vital as the aforementioned is the need to document evidence. This can be achieved by gathering the details of the Uber driver, as well as other parties involved in the accident. Remember to take note of any witnesses on the scene as well. It is also advisable to take photographs of the accident scene along with any injuries, as long as it’s safe to do so. The exact location of the crash should be noted for future reference.
Securing professional legal counsel should also be high on your list of immediate actions. You might be entitled to compensation for any injuries sustained from the accident, and an experienced attorney can effectively navigate you through the process. This fact holds whether you were an Uber passenger, an Uber driver, or perhaps, a pedestrian or motorist hit by an Uber vehicle. Although directly suing Uber can be a Herculean task, there are avenues to pursue in order to receive adequate compensation for any injuries sustained.
Belal Hamideh, experienced UBER accident lawyer, can help.
How can a Lawyer With Experience in UBER Accident Cases Be of Help?
If you find yourself in an unfortunate situation of being involved in an Uber or any other rideshare accidents either as a passenger, a driver, or even a pedestrian, you might be eligible for compensation. Rideshare services, despite their extensive popularity and convenience, are not immune to road accidents. Regardless of a driver’s level of experience, road accidents can still happen. With injuries resulting from a rideshare accident, the expertise of an Uber accident attorney might be crucial to your case.
It is important to note that if you were injured as an Uber passenger or if you got hit by an Uber driver, you did not bring these injuries upon yourself. The aftermath might involve dealing with medical bills, possible loss of income due to inability to work, lengthy periods of rehabilitation, and other potential setbacks. With the expertise at Belal Hamideh Law, we leverage our years of successful case experiences to secure the full compensation you deserve.
In the event you are an Uber passenger involved in an accident, the following steps should guide you through the process:
- Prioritize Safety: Your Uber driver should quickly move the vehicle out of harm’s way. Remind them of this if they seem unaware. Assuming it’s safe and you’re physically able, check yourself and others for possible injuries.
- Alert the necessary emergency services: In situations involving serious injuries, request an ambulance. Also, irrespective of apparent injuries or lack thereof, ensure to seek medical attention since shock could potentially mask injuries. Upon the arrival of the police, make sure a report is filed.
- Gather as much Evidence as possible: Collect the details of your Uber driver such as name, license, and insurance. Do the same for any other party involved in the accident, including eye-witnesses. If permissible, take photos of the damaged vehicles, the accident scene, and any personal injuries. Ensure to accurately document the location of the accident.
- Get in touch with an attorney: You might qualify for compensation, and the expertise of a seasoned attorney can help guarantee that you receive the compensation you rightly deserve.
When You are the Victim: The Uber Driver Collision Scenario
In the unfortunate event that an Uber driver hits your vehicle, be assured, your rights are identical to those of an Uber passenger who has been injured. Prioritizing your safety is critical. It is advisable to adhere to the guidelines discussed earlier including obtaining the driver’s details, and seeking immediate medical attention regardless of your perceived injury status. This is due to the fact that certain severe injuries can reveal themselves gradually over time. To ensure your legal rights are protected, engage an experienced attorney once you’ve handled your immediate needs.
The Uber Driver’s Predicament
In the circumstance where you are an Uber driver, and you find yourself injured in a vehicle accident where another person is at fault, it’s crucial that you follow the steps previously outlined. Be sure to secure the other driver’s details, and then promptly reach out to a knowledgeable lawyer familiar with rideshare accident laws. Companies like Uber are notorious for not prioritizing their drivers’ interests, as evident in recent legislative debates such as California Assembly Bill 5. Laws surrounding these cases can be intrinsically complicated. Uber is likely to use every strategy to avoid financial responsibility. By engaging a seasoned legal counsel, you’ll ensure that you’re in a fortified position to secure the compensation you deserve.
Navigating through Uber’s Insurance Guidelines and Coverage
Uber’s provision for driver insurance is contingent on the driver’s Uber app status at the time of the incident. The specifics can be categorized under ‘Offline’ or Period 1, 2, or 3 of the Uber driving timeline:
‘Offline’ Scenario: In an instance where an accident occurs when the driver is not logged in to the Uber app, the driver’s personal car insurance would cover the resulting damages.
Period 1: This phase encapsulates the time slot where the Uber driver is logged into the app but has not yet received a ride notification. In this case, the insurance coverage pertains to $100,000 for bodily injury liability per incident, $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage for each person involved in the accident, and an allocation of $30,000 for property damage liability per incident.
Period 2 and Period 3: These periods refer to the points in time when the driver has agreed to a ride (Period 2) and the passenger steps into the vehicle (Period 3). During these periods, Uber provides an impressive $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage along with $1 million in commercial auto insurance for its drivers.
If you’ve been involved in an Uber accident, it is crucial to remember that Uber has a history of undervaluing or entirely denying victim compensation. We are committed to fighting for your rights.
Holding Uber Accountable: Can I Sue?
Multiple victims of Uber-related accidents have tried to directly sue Uber due to incidents caused by their reckless or neglectful rideshare drivers. However, Uber frequently resorts to defending itself by claiming that its drivers are not employees but independent contractors. Following the passing of California’s Assembly Bill 5, this defense is currently under debate. To ensure you adopt the most appropriate course of action, the best step is to consult an Uber accident specialist attorney who can guide you on the best party to sue.
Similar to traditional vehicular accidents, identifying the accountable party in an Uber accident is based on specific circumstances. If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident while the Uber driver was active on the app, and the main cause of the injury were the careless actions of the driver, it would be in your best interest to open a legal claim.
In California, the legal framework for negligence consists of the following aspects: whether the defendant was obligated to provide duty of care to you, whether the defendant breached this duty due to negligence, and whether this negligence was the primary cause of your injuries. We have a proven track record of helping clients like you prove that rideshare drivers were negligent and thereby caused accidents that could have been prevented.
How Much Could You Gain from an Uber Accident Claim in California?
The financial outcome of your Uber accident case in California is influenced by multiple variables. For instance, the severity of your injuries, the impact these injuries may have on your ability to earn, the extent of the pain and suffering you experienced, the prognosis for recovery, and the future medical treatment you may need all contribute to the final compensation.
These aspects are known as ‘economic damages’ and can be measured in tangible terms. Under California law, you can seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages arising from the accident. Economic damages can encapsulate all the medical costs you incurred from the accident such as ambulance fees, surgical procedures, rehabilitation services, and continuous physical therapy.
If the accident incapacitated you and prohibited you from working, you could be eligible for economic damages for lost income. You may also claim compensation for reduced earning potential if the accident has compromised your ability to perform your job at the same level.
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, refer to non-measurable losses like emotional distress, pain and suffering, lifestyle changes as a result of the accident, loss of recreational activities, emotional anguish, injuries that led to disability or physical constraints (including permanent disfigurement), or even a decline in life quality. At Belal Hamideh Law, we are committed to advocating fervently for our clients to ensure they receive the most compensation for their suffered aftermath.
When is the Right Time to File My Uber Claim?
California gives you a two-year duration from the date of your rideshare accident to lodge your claim. However, this period decreases to six months if a state/municipal/federal vehicle was part of the accident in any manner. Seeking advice from a lawyer as soon as you can will hasten the process of securing the compensation you should get.
Benefits of Hiring an Uber Accident Lawyer
Uber is a popular, safe method of transportation in California. But if you are a victim of an Uber accident, you may be eligible for compensation. An attorney with experience in rideshare accident cases and has knowledge on dealing with insurance companies is of immense benefit.
Belal Hamideh Law, skilled in handling Uber accident cases, has helped countless individuals who were merely trying to have a routine trip but ended up in an accident. Our services are free unless we win your case. We strongly believe that you are entitled to compensation for your adverse experiences.
At Belal Hamideh Law, we are specialists in the field of personal injury and wrongful termination. Our principal attorney, Belal Hamideh, has successfully dealt with hundreds of cases, owning a 99% success rate and recovering several millions of dollars for our clients.
With a solid educational background from the University of California, Los Angeles and the Pepperdine School of Law, Mr. Hamideh demonstrates his commitment through his results. His exceptional performance has gained him a spot among the 10 Best Personal Injury Attorneys for Client Satisfaction, recognised by The American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys (AIOPIA).
Having worked for Federal and State Judges previously, Mr. Hamideh isn’t hesitant to take each case to trial securing the fair compensation his clients deserve. His emphasis on customer service is reflected in his experienced and friendly legal team always ready to help manage cases.
Our unique strategy includes a contingency fee basis, where you are not charged unless we win your case. To ensure that your case is appropriately managed throughout, we recommend Mr. Hamideh be engaged from the beginning.
Mr. Hamideh, serving all of California, approaches each case, regardless of its size, with the same zeal. His ability to provide free consultations and promptly respond to calls makes him stand out from his contemporaries. His exemplary work has gained him a place in The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 under 40.
Moreover, we are delighted to have Dawn Ly as part of our legal team since July 2021. Dawn, a seasoned civil litigator with over 15 years of experience licensed to practice in California, is a great addition to our team. She is an alumna of the University of California, Los Angeles and UCLA School of Law, notably one of the top 20 law schools in the US.
Dawn excels in handling workers’ compensation, personal injury, and wrongful termination cases, including third-party liability claims. Her prowess allows clients injured in work-related accidents to file both a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury lawsuit if the accident was negligently caused by an employee of a different employer.
If you would like to know more, have further questions, or want to schedule a free case evaluation, message us through our site or call.