Were you injured while riding in an Uber in Escondido, CA? If so, an Escondido Uber accident lawyer can explain your legal rights and options. You might be able to recover money for expenses like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers has over 20 years of combined experience in personal injury law. We have litigated countless car accident cases, including those that involve rideshare companies like Uber. During our time, we have won over $40 million on behalf of our clients.
Our lawyers are available to discuss your case. Call our law office at (619) 344-0360 to set up a free consultation.
Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You Get Paid After an Uber Accident in Escondido
Uber accidents are not like traditional car crashes. Sometimes there are multiple car insurance policies at play.
Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers can help you understand what insurance policy (if any) applies in your case and how to maximize your recovery. If you’ve experienced significant injuries, you may not have the time or patience to deal with multiple claims while also focusing on your recovery.
Our Escondido personal injury lawyers can help after an Uber accident by:
- Calculating your damages
- Identifying all applicable insurance policies
- Investigating the cause of the crash
- Finding out who is responsible
- Explaining your legal rights
- Filing insurance claims and negotiating with insurance companies
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit, if necessary
Your legal team will take the time to understand the support you need and how to achieve your goals. No two cases are the same, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.
Contact our personal injury law firm to learn more about how we can help you after an Uber accident in Escondido, California.
Uber Accident Basics
Ubers and rideshare apps have reshaped how people in Escondido, the United States, and the world get from point A to point B. While many people call an Uber and get to their destination without incident, this isn’t the case for everyone.
Most people have a false sense of safety in an Uber. They believe that their driver is a professional and ignore what is happening on the road around them. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Most Uber drivers are not professionals, and riding in an Uber is just as dangerous as driving in your own car on the road.
As a result, many people are surprised when they get into an accident while riding in an Uber. Unlike a normal car crash, they aren’t sure what to do. We help clients understand the best course of action after an Uber accident by empowering them with information.
How Common Are Uber Accidents?
Uber doesn’t keep track of nonfatal accidents. This makes it difficult to know how frequently Uber accidents happen around the U.S., including in Escondido. Furthermore, the most recent statistics released by Uber are from 2019 – 2020.
During that time, Uber reported only 101 fatalities. Uber defines these fatalities as crashes involving at least one Uber driver using the Uber platform that results in death within 30 days of the accident.
Of course, many car accidents result in serious injuries, but not death. These can be devastating. We can assume that the trends with Uber accidents are no different.
What Causes Most Uber Accidents in Escondido?
A driver’s negligence causes some Uber accidents, while an external condition causes others. In Escondido, many Uber crashes are the result of:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Fatigued driving
- Lack of driving experience
- Speeding
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Failing to yield to the right of way
- Blind spots
- Unsafe lane changes
- Illegal U-turns
- Stopping or idling in the roadway
- Road rage
- Vehicle malfunction
- Lack of visibility
- Improper signage on the road
If you aren’t sure what caused the accident, our lawyers can help you investigate it and find out.
Are Uber Drivers Certified?
Uber drivers are required to meet minimum requirements to drive for Uber. The requirements include:
- Being old enough to drive
- Having a minimum of 1 year of driving experience in the United States, and 3 years if under 25
- A valid in-state license
- An eligible 4-door car
- Proof of residency
- Proof of insurance
- A profile photo
- A background check
- A review of past driving record
Uber drivers are not required to take a driving class or participate in any safety training. The reason that Uber has not implemented these requirements is because Uber appeals to amateurs. It is a side hustle that is advertised for anyone who has a license and a car and wants some extra money.
However, common sense tells us that not everyone should drive passengers professionally. It incentivizes drivers to maximize their number of rides per night. This can result in fatigued driving, rushing to get to their next ride, and failing to pay full attention to the road.
Uber Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries
Uber accidents can cause injuries. These injuries will vary from minor to severe. As mentioned earlier, some accidents will even cause death.
Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers can help you no matter what injury you suffered. Some of the most common are:
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Whiplash or neck injuries
- Broken or fractured bones
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Burns
Some people will have a combination of injuries that make their recovery more complex. Our lawyers will take the time to understand the whole picture, including the extent of your injuries and treatment options.
Only when we fully understand how you are suffering can we help you access the resources you need to heal. If we don’t take the time to see the whole picture, we can’t provide the best representation.
Sometimes this means speaking with your doctors, with your permission, and reviewing your medical records. We may even recommend that you get a second opinion. However, ultimately, we defer to our clients and follow the course of action that makes them feel the most supported during their recovery.
What Damages Can I Ask for After an Uber Accident In Escondido, CA?
You can ask for the same types of damages after an Uber accident as in any car crash case. While we never want to reduce your suffering to a dollar figure, money is the best way that you can access the resources and support you need to move on in your life.
In California, there are three different types of damages: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
Economic damages are financial losses that happen because of the accident. This is usually the type of damage that our clients first think about after a crash. Economic damages often include:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation
- Cost of pharmaceuticals
- Property damage
- Transport to and from the doctor
- Lost wages and employment benefits
- Lost future earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages are non-financial losses. This is reimbursement for trauma and suffering associated with an Uber accident, for example:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of relationships
- PTSD, anxiety, or depression
- Embarrassment
- Inconvenience
Non-economic damages can be significant and should not be ignored.
The last type of damage is punitive. The purpose of these damages is to punish a defendant for acting with oppression, fraud, or malice. This is a high bar, as it requires more than mere negligence. In most punitive damage cases, the defendant acted intentionally and knew that their conduct was going to hurt someone or was very likely to do so.
Does Car Insurance Cover Injuries in an Escondido Uber Accident?
Car insurance claims arising from an Uber accident can be tricky.
Uber provides an insurance policy that covers your injuries up to $1 million. However, it only applies if the driver was in the middle of an active ride or was on their way to pick up a passenger. There is also a more limited policy from Uber that may apply if the driver was available to accept a ride but had yet to do so.
Uber drivers also carry their own insurance policies. These policies can be used when Uber’s policy doesn’t apply or doesn’t cover the full amount of your injuries. If you have car insurance, you may be able to use it as a last resort, as well.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for an Uber Accident in California?
The statute of limitations for an Uber accident in California is two years from the date of the accident. This means you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Before filing the lawsuit, you will file insurance claims and see if you can resolve the case before going to court.
If you can’t, your lawyer will file a lawsuit and start a formal legal proceeding. If this process isn’t started within the statute of limitations, you will lose your right to claim damages through the court.
Call an Escondido Uber Accident Attorney To Schedule a Free Consultation
When you get into an Uber accident, you don’t want to delay meeting with an attorney. An Escondido Uber accident lawyer can help you immediately file an insurance claim and start negotiating. The faster you start the process, the sooner you will receive the money.
Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers is available for a free consultation. Call our office at (619) 344-0360 to set up a time to talk and learn more about how we can help you get on the road to recovery.
