Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft make it easy for people to catch rides anywhere they want to go. Nonetheless, thousands of rideshare users are involved in car accidents every year.
Sometimes, rideshare accidents are caused by the driver of the vehicle. Other times, it’s caused by an incoming driver. In either case, you should hire a rideshare accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale for legal representation.
Rideshare accident claims are often complicated and require the assistance of a reputable law firm. Contact Blakeley Law Firm PA today for your free consultation. Reach out to a Fort Lauderdale rideshare accident lawyer.
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Why You Should Hire Blakeley Law Firm PA
Hiring a reliable rideshare accident lawyer is the first step to filing an effective claim. Here are some major reasons why you should hire us to advance your claim.
We Have Extensive Courtroom Experience
Not all civil claims are settled out of court. There is a chance that your claim could get denied by the defendant and sent to trial. If that happens, it’s highly recommended to hire an attorney.
Lawyers won’t hesitate to take their chances against you if you’re alone. With our legal team by your side, we can make sure you’re prepared for trial.
We Can Determine Your Claim’s Value
The average person has no clue about how to evaluate a rideshare accident claim. As a result, they run the risk of submitting a settlement offer that’s too high or low on their own.
When you hire our legal team, you won’t make this mistake. We’ll assess the facts of your case and determine what’s a fair market value settlement. On top of that, our team will issue a demand letter to the defendant as soon as possible.
Our goal is to achieve an aggressive settlement approach to expedite your claim. We also won’t hesitate to go to court on your behalf.
You Don’t Pay Retainer Fees
Many rideshare accident lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means they don’t get paid unless you win.
If you struggle with your bills and debt because of a traumatic car accident, you can rest assured knowing that it costs nothing to retain a rideshare accident attorney in Fort Lauderdale.
If you win your case, your lawyer will take a percentage of your settlement. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and explain the facts of your case to our legal team.
Your Claim Will Be Taken Seriously
If you file your own rideshare accident claim, chances are that the defendant’s legal team will either ignore or deny it. If they do review the claim, they could offer you a nuisance value settlement.
In this scenario, many accident victims will take what they can get, figuring they don’t have a chance of winning in court. Hiring a rideshare accident attorney helps to level the playing field against the defendant.
We’ll negotiate on your behalf and make sure they honor your claim. If you receive a low-ball settlement offer, we’ll deny it immediately and broker a better deal if possible.
You’ll Receive Peace of Mind
Navigating a rideshare accident claim can be a stressful ordeal, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. The defendant will likely attempt to intimidate you into dropping your claim or accepting a nuisance value settlement.
The moment you hire us, you’ll receive what’s perhaps the most important virtue: peace of mind. We’ll work diligently on your behalf so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
We’ll also keep you updated throughout the negotiation process and make sure you’re never kept in the dark.
We Won Huge Settlements Before
Our legal team is composed of legal professionals with many years of courtroom and negotiation experience.
We have a better chance of fighting for a maximum settlement than the average person. The truth is that negotiating settlements with insurance companies requires deep legal expertise.
If you attempt to handle these negotiations alone, you could jeopardize your claim’s chances of success. This is why it’s important to hire a rideshare accident attorney.
The legal team at Blakeley Law Firm PA has the resources and tools to negotiate fairly on your behalf against powerful insurance companies.
What Makes a Rideshare Accident Case so Difficult?
A rideshare accident is an auto collision that involves the user of a rideshare app like Uber and Lyft. These accidents take place with the victim being a passenger in another person’s vehicle.
Rideshare accidents are unique compared to car and truck accidents. The victim is almost always the passenger of the vehicle. The victim can file a rideshare accident claim citing negligence on the at-fault party.
Rideshare accident claims typically target the insurance company of the at-fault party. The insurance can either choose to accept the claim, submit a counteroffer, or deny it.
If the claim is denied, it may go to trial before a judge and jury. You could also sue the rideshare app you’re using if you believe they were also liable.
For this reason, hire a Fort Lauderdale rideshare accident attorney to maximize your chances of collecting a fair settlement for your injuries and suffering.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents
Many rideshare accidents are caused by driver error due to negligence. In fact, a corresponding increase in traffic deaths has followed the increase in rideshare use.
The most common causes of rideshare accidents are:
- Distracted Driving: Rideshare drivers have more distractions around them than the average driver. They have to look at a GPS for directions, and many are also accepting rides as they’re traveling on a route.
- Navigating Unfamiliar Roads: Rideshare drivers may not know certain routes and could commit driving errors, such as changing lanes without signaling or pulling out without looking properly at incoming traffic.
- Driver Fatigue: Rideshare drivers who serve multiple customers every day are more susceptible to fatigue, which can affect your focus and driving awareness.
- Unsafe Pickup Locations and Parking: Some rideshare drivers will stop in the middle of the road or in other dangerous locations to pick up and drop off customers.
- Speeding: Drivers taking their customers to the airport or their place of work may start speeding to get there faster. This can put other motorists and pedestrians at risk.
- Vehicle Maintenance: Rideshare drivers use their vehicles more than the average person. If they forgo routine maintenance, their cars may not be in the best shape to drive regularly.
If you have been affected by these scenarios, you should contact a rideshare accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale right away.
Common Rideshare Accident Injuries
Rideshare accidents can cause significant short and long-term injuries. These injuries are:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Concussions and skull fractures
- Facial injuries and lacerations
- Internal bleeding
Being affected by any of these injuries can result in costly medical and rehabilitation bills. This doesn’t even include lost wages and pain and suffering.
By hiring a rideshare accident lawyer, you can collect these damages in a maximum settlement.
Can I Sue Uber or Lyft?
You can file a rideshare accident claim against Uber and Lyft. Both companies have been sued in the past for lacking the security features necessary to keep passengers safe.
If you believe that either of these companies was liable for your accident, you can name them in your rideshare accident claim. If you plan on taking this route, it’s best to speak with an attorney first.
A rideshare accident attorney will first determine if such an action is feasible for your case. Next, they’ll begin the discovery process of gathering evidence to back your claim they believe you should move forward.
Proving Liability and Fault
A major part of building a successful rideshare accident claim is proving the defendant was at fault and is liable for your injuries and property damage.
In civil cases, the burden of proof is solely on the plaintiff. This means that the onus is on them to provide sufficient evidence to prove the defendant acted with either gross negligence or willful misconduct.
You’ll have to prove your claims with the preponderance of evidence, or enough evidence to satisfy your burden of proof.
With the help of a rideshare accident lawyer, you can collect:
- Videos and Photos: Video footage and photographs can be gathered from traffic and dash cameras to determine what really happened during a rideshare accident.
- Police Reports: Police officers create reports that attempt to recreate the scene of the accident. These reports can be used to bolster your claim.
- Medical Reports: Your doctor will compile a medical report of your most recent diagnosis and treatment procedures to prove the extent of your injuries.
- Eyewitness Testimonies: If anyone was present at the scene of the accident, they could be called into court to render their testimony and account for what happened.
- Expert Testimonies: Your attorney may call on an expert to provide testimony to give your claim a boost. For example, they can call on your doctor to testify about the severity of your injuries.
By hiring Blakeley Law Firm PA, we can help you build an effective claim and increase your chance of collecting fair compensation for your injuries.
Compensation for Rideshare Accident Victims
Rideshare accident victims can collect two types of compensation: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are related to the financial losses you’ve endured because of a rideshare accident.
These include:
- Medical and Rehabilitation Bills: If you suffer painful car accident injuries, chances are that you’ll receive expensive medical and rehab bills for your treatment.
- Lost Wages: You can collect damages for the wages you missed out on because of your injuries.
- Property Damage: If your personal property was damaged during a rideshare accident, you can also collect damages. This commonly includes your smartphone.
Non-economic damages usually include pain and suffering, the mental and physical anguish you experience during and after a rideshare accident.
If your rideshare accident is especially severe, you can command a large settlement from the rideshare company or the driver’s insurance company.
Statute of Limitations for Rideshare Accident Claims in Fort Lauderdale
Most rideshare accident claims in Florida have a statute of limitations of two years. This means that you have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim.
Two years is not a lot of time to file a solid accident claim on your own. This is why it’s essential to hire a rideshare accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale. Our team can get started right away building your case to meet this deadline.
How Much Is My Rideshare Accident Claim Worth?
The value of your rideshare accident claim will depend on a variety of factors, such as:
- Severity: If you suffered severe injuries because of a rideshare accident, you’re likely to reach a higher settlement amount.
- Comparative Fault: Florida is a comparative fault state. To receive a maximum settlement amount, you’ll need a lawyer to make sure the other side doesn’t blame you for the crash.
- Financial Losses: If you suffer significant financial losses because of your injury, you could win damages relating to your medical bills and lost income.
Ultimately, you won’t know the value of your rideshare accident claim until you speak to an attorney. Lawyers have in-depth experience handling accident claims and will know how to evaluate your claim’s value.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Overall, rideshare accidents are common across the United States. These accidents can cause substantial injuries and property damage for all involved parties. If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident, it’s time to call a lawyer. Reach out to a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer.
In Fort Lauderdale, there’s no better law firm than Blakeley Law Firm PA to handle your rideshare accident claim. These claims require extensive legal maneuvering to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
Our team has several years of experience filing successful claims, and we’ve won millions of dollars for our clients. If you’re ready to get started, we’d love to speak with you about your case. Give us a call at (954) 253-9445 to receive your free consultation.