The prevalence and popularity of ridesharing platforms, such as Uber and Lyft, have no doubt transformed the transportation industry. Nonetheless, these platforms have not been without their share of accidents and allegations of driver assaults. If you have been involved in a ridesharing accident, seeking compensation can be a challenge. However, a trustworthy Uber accident lawyer near Dunwoody will give you the legal support you need, whether you are planning to settle with the other party or pursue a case in court.
To deal with insurance companies and their counter-arguments, an injury law firm near Dunwoody can help. You may be entitled to compensation for financial losses, general damages for emotional suffering, and even compensation for punitive damages, depending on the circumstances surrounding the ridesharing sharing accident. The first step is to call a committed Uber wreck lawyer in the state of Georgia.
Collision Statistics From Uber and Lyft
Although Uber and Lyft have expanded the options for public transportation in various locations all over the world, it has not necessarily eliminated the risks of ridesharing accidents.
Various Uber and Lyft drivers have been involved in fatal crashes and alleged assaults in recent years, which have claimed the lives of passengers and pedestrians alike.
Anyone implicated in a ridesharing accident will need to consult with a Lyft and Uber accident lawyer to start applying for compensation claims.
In 2017, police arrested a man whose vehicle fatally hit a woman as she was guiding children to cross a street in a school area in Georgia. According to witnesses, the man had had an Uber sticker on the windshield of his 2016 Ford Focus SE.
Also in the same year, a woman alleged that a Lyft driver assaulted her after an argument. Although Lyft responded by deactivating the driver from the ridesharing platform, the victim still went ahead to file charges against her assaulter.
However, seeking compensation from Uber and Lyft is often less straightforward, according to Uber and Lyft accident lawyers. This is due to the fact that these companies often treat their drivers not as employees but as independent contractors.
This means that either Uber or Lyft can easily deny any compensation responsibility if and when their drivers end up hurting others. In these cases, the counsel of an Uber and Lyft accident attorney will be most helpful.
The problem becomes more complicated if the injured party is not a passenger. Again, either of the two ridesharing platforms may deny any liability for the accident, especially if the logged-in vehicle has not been ferrying a passenger in that specific instance.
To deal with this, a car wreck lawyer will need to look into the laws at work within a specific state. Sufficient knowledge of state laws is an important factor to consider when hiring an Uber and Lyft accident attorney, whether in Georgia or in any other state in the country.
Uber and Lyft Accidents and the Legal Assistance of an Uber Accident Lawyer
Ridesharing accidents, like any other motor vehicle accident, can vary in scope and severity. The sustained injuries and the ability to claim for compensation will depend on whether the hurt party has been a passenger in the ridesharing vehicle, a pedestrian, or a passenger of another vehicle.
Different compensation policies may apply, and for these legal complexities, you will need the counsel of an Uber wreck lawyer.
Some of the common injuries for which a personal injury lawyer can help with compensation are the following:
Fractures and dislocations.
Both fractures and dislocations can be extremely painful. They can occur in one part or several parts of the body. If your fracture or dislocation requires surgery, you may have to take a leave from work in order to recuperate. This will also mean huge hospital expenses and possible loss of wages.
To help with your expenses and losses, you may consult with an Uber accident lawyer near Dunwoody, GA on how to seek proper compensation from a liable driver.
Neck, shoulder, and back injuries.
Neck and back pain is usually caused by a sudden force or a sudden head movement during a car collision. Some examples of the neck, shoulder, and back injuries are whiplash, disc herniation, sprains, spinal stenosis, and others.
Although most of these injuries can be treated with short-term medication and rehabilitation, some conditions may worsen over time.
If you have begun to develop complications from your neck and back injuries, you may have to consult with a Lyft accident attorney on how to include future medical costs into your compensation claim.
Head trauma and brain injuries.
With the head relatively unprotected during any motor vehicle crash, head and brain injuries are an all-too-common consequence of a car or ridesharing accident. The impact of a collision may cause the brain inside the skull to move and compress, resulting in conditions such as concussions, force trauma, and blood clotting. Worse, some of the injuries may lead to a stroke. It is also possible for a ridesharing accident to result in open head wounds and skull fractures.
It is thus important for your Uber wreck lawyer to inform you of your right to fight for compensation, especially where other parties have been remiss in their duty of care. Head and brain injuries may also result in other conditions that cause extreme pain and suffering for you and your loved ones.
The help of a capable Uber accident lawyer can serve as a guide on how to claim for noneconomic damages in addition to financial losses in Dunwoody, GA.
Spinal injuries.
Motor vehicle accidents are the main reason for spinal cord injuries, according to a 2016 statistical report on spinal cord conditions in the country. During a sudden impact or swift trauma to the spine, the spinal vertebrae may become crushed, dislocated, or fractured. The initial pain of these injuries may give way to swelling and bleeding around the spine later on.
Due to some spinal cord injuries possibly resulting in partial or lower body paralysis, it is important for you to seek compensation right after an accident. The absence of initial symptoms does not necessarily mean that the spine has not suffered significantly after a collision.
To ensure that you are compensated fully, whether, for economic, general, or punitive damages, you need the legal advice of an Uber accident lawyer.
From your Lyft and Uber Wreck Lawyer: Which Types of Compensation are Available for You?
The types of compensation for which you may be entitled will depend on the nature or severity of your injuries, the degree of emotional suffering for which you have been put through, and the presence of malicious intent or gross negligence on the part of the liable party.
When it comes to filing for a compensation claim, especially where ridesharing collisions are involved, it is important to get the advice of a trusted Uber and Lyft accident attorney straight away.
The types of compensation which may be entitled to you can be categorized into the following:
Compensation for economic damages
These damages are typically financial in nature and may include hospital expenses, rehabilitation costs, long-term care expenses, and loss of wages due to the accident. It may also include costs in repairing damaged properties, such as vehicles. Your Uber accident lawyer may ask that you provide a copy of your medical reports, hospital bills, proof of employment and income, and other documents as support for these financial claims.
Compensation for non-economic losses
In addition to economic losses, you may also be compensated for more general or subjective losses. These include pain and suffering, loss of companionship, loss of a limb in an amputation, or the loss of a loved one. Since these losses are not easily quantifiable, you will have to speak with an Uber and Lyft accident attorney for your ridesharing accident compensation in Dunwoody, GA.
Punitive damage awards
Punitive damages may be awarded to you if the accident has resulted in severe injuries that have incapacitated you in a significant way, or if the responsible party has been proven to be guilty of gross negligence or malicious intent.
Depending on state laws, the amount for punitive damages may vary or may be capped at a certain limit. If you have reason to believe that the liable party deserves punishment in addition to reimbursing you for your financial and subjective losses, you may seek for punitive damages in court.
An Uber accident lawyer can help you in the procurement of evidence which proves not only liability but also gross negligence in the other party.
Should an Uber Wreck Lawyer Go for a Settlement or a Lawsuit?
One of the most pressing concerns you will have to face when pursuing a ridesharing compensation claim against a liable party is whether you will accept a settlement or pursue a legal battle in court.
Compared to a lawsuit, a settlement is typically less complex. As long as you and your Lyft accident attorney both agree on the proposed settlement amount by the other party, you may accept the settlement without further delay.
This means that after settlement talks are over, you will be able to claim compensation almost immediately, without having to subject yourself and your Uber wreck lawyer to a lengthy trial.
However, not all settlement discussions often end up on amenable terms. Although a settlement is supposed to be favorable to both parties involved in a discussion, it may not always be so.
For example, the insurance carrier which covers the negligent ridesharing driver may counter that you have been partially negligent in the accident as well. Or, they may argue that they have reduced their liability for your injuries due to prevailing state laws.
If settlement talks are no longer working, this may be a good reason for your Uber and Lyft accident attorney to push through with court action. Your Uber wreck lawyer should be willing to engage in courtroom arguments if needed. A legal battle, where and when successful, may result in a bigger compensation claim than when you have simply settled for an unfairly calculated proposal.
An Uber and Lyft accident attorney should be by your side, whether you are planning to settle or file a bigger case in a civil or criminal court.
The Ways by Which Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers Can Help
Some individuals will prefer to no longer hire an Uber accident lawyer, especially during settlement talks.
However, there are many reasons why you should rely on the help of an Uber wreck lawyer when fighting for your right to be compensated properly in Dunwoody, GA.
A capable Uber accident lawyer can speak in your behalf when dealing with insurance carriers. It is best to remember that anything that you say can be used against you eventually, should the case escalate to litigation.
The policies that govern ridesharing compensation can be complex, too. At this point, you will need someone who can provide the right information when and where needed.
In addition, an Uber accident lawyer will be better equipped at proving negligence in the other party. Your Uber accident lawyer will have access to resources and experts who can corroborate your claims, especially in court.
Finally, your Uber accident lawyer can serve as your negotiator in any settlement discussion. If the initial settlement proposal has not proven to be favorable, your Uber accident lawyer may negotiate further. This may allow for better compensation and evade a lengthy trial at the same time.
Get in Touch With an Uber Accident Lawyer Near Dunwoody
Being involved in a ridesharing accident can be complex, stressful, and difficult to manage on your own. If you require compensation help for injuries sustained in this kind of accident, you need to work with Uber and Lyft accident lawyers.
Here at The Weinstein Firm, we have a team of Uber and Lyft accident lawyers who are ready to cater to your case. We believe that there is always a way for you to be properly compensated for your accident injuries in Dunwoody, GA.
Talk to us at The Weinstein Firm so that an Uber accident lawyer can get started on your accident compensation claim as early as today.
