Speaking to a personal injury lawyer should be at the top of your to-do list after a rideshare accident in Philadelphia. Their assistance can help you organize, prepare, and present your case, improving your chances of pursuing fair compensation for your injuries.
However, scheduling a free case evaluation is only a tiny part of the steps you can take to ensure your claim is received and processed successfully.
At The Rothenberg Law Firm, we want to help you understand the importance of these actions and how our rideshare accident lawyers can help you navigate the complex legal process.
Schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
To pursue compensation for your injuries, you must have a solid understanding of your legal rights and options. Scheduling a free case evaluation with a trusted personal injury lawyer can help you gain this understanding and determine the best course of action for your specific situation.
During a free case evaluation, a car accident attorney can:
- Review the details of your accident and injuries.
- Evaluate potential sources of compensation, including insurance coverage and liable parties such as the rideshare company or driver.
- Provide guidance on how to proceed with your claim and what evidence you need to support it.
- Answer any questions or concerns you may have about the legal process.
Taking this step after an Uber or Lyft accident can benefit your case and potentially improve your chances of achieving fair compensation more efficiently.
Seek further medical attention.
At the accident scene, you will likely be checked out by paramedics whether or not your injuries seem severe. Many accident survivors rely on this initial medical assessment and delay further treatment until symptoms worsen.
Unfortunately, waiting until symptoms worsen can not only affect your physical well-being but can also negatively impact your legal claim. The insurance company may argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident if there is a gap in time between the accident and when you sought medical attention.
By seeking further medical attention, you can ensure that all injuries are properly documented and treated, providing additional evidence to support your compensation claim.
Notify the rideshare company.
After speaking with a lawyer, notify the rideshare company of the accident. There are many ways to do this, and your lawyer can provide insight into the best approach.
Notifying the rideshare company is vital for several reasons:
- It can help initiate their own investigation into the accident and potentially uncover evidence to support your claim
- It can help ensure they investigate the incident promptly and provide valuable information relevant to your claim
- It may also be a requirement to receive compensation from their insurance coverage.
Make sure to save all correspondence with the rideshare company and inform your lawyer of any responses or actions they took. This information can be crucial in supporting your claim.
Keep track of all expenses related to the accident.
After an accident, you may incur various expenses such as medical bills, transportation costs, and lost wages from being unable to work. These expenses can add up quickly and significantly impact your financial stability.
Keep track of all these expenses and provide documentation to support them when making a claim for compensation. Your lawyer can help you gather and present this information to strengthen your case and argue for reimbursement of relevant and justifiable expenses.
Avoid speaking to insurance companies without legal representation.
Insurance companies are notorious for minimizing payouts and may use tactics to try and get you to settle for less than what you deserve. Avoid discussing fault, liability, or making detailed statements to insurance companies without consulting a lawyer to protect your rights.
A lawyer can protect your rights and ensure that you do not say anything that could be used against you in the claims process, such as:
- Admitting fault or downplaying the severity of your injuries
- Signing a release form without fully understanding its implications
- Accepting a settlement that does not cover all of your expenses and losses
Furthermore, your lawyer can handle all communication with the insurance company, allowing you to focus on your recovery and other important matters.
Refrain from posting about the accident on social media.
In the digital age, it is common for individuals to share their experiences on social media. However, after an Uber or Lyft accident, it is important to refrain from posting about the incident or your injuries on social media.
Insurance companies and defense lawyers may use your posts as evidence to discredit your claims or argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim.
It is also wise to ask friends and family not to post about the accident on social media.
The complexity of rideshare accidents can make it difficult to determine who is eligible to receive compensation for their injuries and losses.
Generally, if you meet any of the following criteria, you may be eligible to receive compensation for the damages and losses you have suffered:
- You were a passenger in the rideshare vehicle at the time of the accident
- You were driving another vehicle involved in the accident
- You were a pedestrian or cyclist hit by a rideshare vehicle
These criteria may apply in accidents such as:
- Rear-end collisions
- Side-swipes
- Rollover accidents
- Head on collisions
- Backing accidents
- Dooring incidents
- Intersection accidents
If unsure whether you are eligible for compensation, a Philadelphia personal injury attorney can review your case and advise you on the best course of action. They can also help determine the liable parties in the accident and work towards securing maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.
While rideshare giants such as Uber or Lyft have insurance coverage for their drivers, determining who is financially responsible for an accident can be complicated. This is because there may be multiple parties involved and different types of insurance coverage in play.
In general, the following parties may hold some financial responsibility for your injuries and losses in a rideshare accident:
- The rideshare company
- The at-fault party, whether it is the rideshare driver or another motorist
- Other third parties, such as vehicle manufacturers or maintenance companies, if they contributed to the accident
Your lawyer can analyze the details of your accident and determine the liable parties in an effort to recover maximum compensation from those responsible.
Uber and Lyft have insurance policies that may cover up to $1 million in damages under certain circumstances, such as when a driver is transporting passengers or waiting for ride requests. However, the exact amount you can receive in compensation will depend on various factors such as:
- The severity of your injuries
- Impact on your daily life and ability to work
- Other sources of compensation you may have received from your insurance coverage
- The strength of the evidence presented
- Contributory fault, if any.
Depending on the specifics of your case, you may be able to recover compensation for certain economic and non-economic damages, such as
- Current and future medical expenses related to the accident, including surgeries, physical therapy, and medication
- Lost wages and future earning capacity if you are unable to work due to your injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Following the critical steps to take after a rideshare accident in Philadelphia can help protect your rights and increase your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries and losses. Consult a personal injury lawyer to guide you through the legal process and fight for your rights.
Many people are hesitant to seek the assistance of a lawyer when pursuing compensation for an Uber or Lyft accident. Sometimes, this is due to the seemingly minor nature of their injuries or the fear of expensive legal fees.
However, not speaking with a lawyer to help you pursue compensation could mean that you are responsible for accident-related expenses such as:
- Catastrophic injury expenses: Spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and other catastrophic harm can result in medical costs that may exceed $2 million over your lifetime.
- Lost wages: Some individuals cannot work after sustaining injuries in an Uber or Lyft accident. This can result in considerable income loss, additional stress, and financial strain. Additionally, for the rideshare driver, the loss of a vehicle damaged in a serious car accident can mean the loss of their primary source of income.
- Rehabilitation expenses: The medical costs associated with rehabilitation therapies, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, among others, can quickly add up to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime.
While upfront legal fees may seem daunting, personal injury lawyers like the ones at The Rothenberg Law Firm work on a contingency basis, meaning you do not pay any fees unless they successfully recover compensation for you. This allows individuals to seek legal representation without worrying about out-of-pocket expenses.
What Evidence Can Support My Claim For Compensation?
Your lawyer can help you gather and present evidence supporting your compensation claim after a rideshare accident. This may include:
- Medical records and bills related to the treatment of your injuries
- Police reports and witness statements from the scene of the accident
- Rideshare company policies and regulations
- Photos or videos of the accident scene and vehicle damage
- Expert testimony from medical professionals, accident reconstruction experts, or financial professionals
By presenting strong evidence, you can strengthen your case and increase your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
If you cannot gather this evidence due to debilitating accident Injuries or lack of legal knowledge, partner with a personal injury lawyer who has the resources and experience to handle your case effectively.
Pennsylvania's statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years from the accident date. This means you have two years to file a claim for compensation before your case may be barred forever. Therefore, seeking legal guidance as soon as possible after an accident is essential.
Getting injured in an Uber or Lyft accident shouldn't leave you with financial and emotional burdens.
The Rothenberg Law Firm is ready to help you seek full and fair compensation for your injuries and losses. Our team of experienced personal injury lawyers has been fighting for the rights of accident victims for over 50 years, and we can do the same for you.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a rideshare accident, contact us online or at (800) 624-8888 to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers in Philadelphia.
