After an Uber accident, you need a legal advocate on your side who will take an aggressive approach to handling your injury claim. At Maison Law, we have handled rideshare accidents in the past and will stand up to Uber and its big insurance companies to ensure that you have the protections you need. These claims are complex, but we have the resources necessary to help you get back on your feet. Please do not hesitate to contact us today for a no-obligation case consultation so that you can get started.
Do You Need a Lawyer Following a Hanford Uber Accident?
In California, you can legally file a lawsuit without a lawyer. This is acceptable in cases where an accident led to minor injuries and property damage. However, some accidents are more severe than others. In fact, Uber accidents commonly lead to injuries that land victims in the hospital and require ongoing medical care. In these cases, it can be incredibly beneficial to first speak with an attorney so that you can ensure that your rights are being protected.
A general rule is that you may want to speak with a lawyer if the following statements are true:
- The accident was partially or completely to blame on another party
- The injuries caused by your accident required a hospital stay or ongoing medical care
- You were forced to miss out on time at work due to your injury
- Your life was otherwise impacted financially by your accident
Speaking with an attorney at Maison Law can ensure that you have the confidence you need to move forward, as well as somebody on your side who can answer any questions you have.
What Are Some Common Causes of Hanford Uber Accidents?
Residents of Hanford and other areas in California rely heavily on Uber to get from one place to another. From workplaces to sightseeing, Uber is used for residents to get virtually anywhere and Uber drivers are highly prevalent in Hanford and beyond. However, serious accidents involving Uber vehicles happen every year. Some of the most common causes of these accidents include the following:
- Driver Distractions: Just as with other drivers, Uber drivers are prone to driving distracted. Some of the most common distractions that Uber drivers engage in include texting and driving, using a GPS device, eating, talking to a passenger, and more.
- Locating Customer: There are times when an Uber driver may come into contact with a location that they are not familiar with. As they try to search for a customer in the area, they might become involved in a devastating accident.
- Fatigue: An Uber driver may travel for hours before they finally get to rest. This is typically so that they can make as much money as possible in a short period of time. This means that a driver may become fatigued, which can lead to an accident within seconds if they fall asleep.
- Speeding: Traveling over the speed limit is one of the most common causes of accidents. When an Uber driver is speeding, an accident can involve immense force and lead to catastrophic damages.
- Driving Under the Influence: An Uber driver may hit the road while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This means that their perception may be off as they are driving, which can lead to a life-altering collision.
Understanding Insurance Policy Limits in Uber Accidents
After you have been involved in an accident with an Uber driver, you may wonder if you have certain insurance protections through Uber. The policy limits that may cover you depend on whether or not the driver is offline or in Period 1, 2, or 3:
- Offline: If the driver was offline and not logged into Uber at the time of the crash, your injuries will only be covered by personal auto insurance.
- Period 1: This applies to drivers who are logged into the Uber app but have not accepted a ride. If you were hurt in an accident at this time, you could receive up to $100,000 in injury liability coverage per accident. Uber also provides injured parties with $200,000 in additional liability insurance when a driver is in this period.
- Period 2: If an Uber driver accepts a trip, they are in period 2. Uber will provide victims with $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
- Period 3: In this period, a passenger was already picked up by the Uber driver. Uber provides victims with the same motorist coverage as period 2 in these cases.
Unfortunately, Uber as a company has been known to deny liability and offer victims of accidents much less than they deserve following a collision. As a result, accident victims may be left with no choice but to sue Uber directly. Uber has stated in the past that its drivers are independent contractors and not employees, which means that they have denied liability for these accidents in the past.
Luckily, in 2019, California passed California Assembly Bill 5, which changed everything for victims of rideshare accidents. Now Uber drivers are treated as employees, which makes it easier for an accident victim to hold Uber liable for an accident with injuries. Because these cases can still be complex and difficult to understand on your own, speaking with one of our attorneys at Maison Law is in your best interests as you move forward.
What Damages Are Available Following a Hanford Uber Accident?
When an individual has been injured in an Uber accident, they may be entitled to compensatory damages for the losses they have suffered. You may be eligible for economic and non-economic damages for a wide array of aspects, which include the following:
- Medical bills and future medical bills you may incur
- Damage to your property
- Lost income and future loss of wages due to missed time at work
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In some cases, you may also be able to obtain punitive damages in your claim. These damages are meant to punish a company and prevent other companies for engaging in reckless behavior in the future. To understand what damages may be available for you, you should be prepared to speak with an attorney that you can trust.
Contact a Hanford Uber Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been injured in an accident involving an Uber driver, you should call our Hanford car accident lawyers at Maison Law immediately. It can be difficult to deal with a complex Uber accident and gain a better understanding of the many laws that apply to these claims. On top of this, there could be many parties liable for an accident. We will gather useful evidence in your case and provide you with the resources that you need to successfully move forward with a case. Please contact us today for a free and no-obligation consultation.
