About Our Legal Team
Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP, based in Redding, boasts a solid track record in handling ridesharing accident cases. Our experienced personal injury lawyers in Redding comprehend their complexity and work tirelessly to protect victims’ rights, ensuring they receive the maximum compensation. Legal representation after a ridesharing accident is not, however, just about seeking financial recovery; it is also about attaining justice and demonstrating accountability.
At Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP, we have the skilled counsel you need standing ready to help you through such a difficult time. For more information about our legal services, contact us today to speak with one of our experienced attorneys.
Understanding Redding Ridesharing Accidents
At the most basic level, a ridesharing accident is any incident involving a vehicle operated by a driver employed by a ridesharing company, such as Uber or Lyft, which results in injury or damage. You may be a victim of such an accident if you are a passenger in the ridesharing vehicle, if you are in another vehicle, or if you are a pedestrian or cyclist.
Common Causes of Ridesharing Accidents in Redding
Like any other road accident, ridesharing accidents can have multiple causes. Some common ones include driver distraction, speeding, aggressive driving, impaired driving due to drugs or alcohol, and failure to observe traffic rules.
Ridesharing accidents, however, have unique considerations, such as the pressure on drivers to accept and complete as many rides as possible, leading to fatigue and reckless driving.
Potential Dangers and Complications of Ridesharing
Ridesharing is a convenient mode of transportation, but it presents its own complexities.
Passengers may struggle to find adequate insurance coverage. Most personal auto insurance policies do not cover accidents during a rideshare, leaving passengers at risk of not receiving compensation for their injuries or damages. It is important to have legal guidance in the aftermath of a ridesharing accident to navigate these complications on your behalf.
Laws and Regulations Around Ridesharing Accidents
Understanding the legal landscape surrounding ridesharing accidents is vital, as it directly influences the success of the case. Specific federal and state laws delineate responsibilities, obligations, and rights in the event of an accident. These laws apply to ridesharing companies, drivers, passengers, and other road users.
Explanation of California State Laws Related to Ridesharing Services
In California, the law mandates ridesharing services known as Transportation Network Companies to carry a $1 million liability insurance policy to cover damages and injuries in the event of an accident. This law aims to protect passengers, motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists who might experience an accident with a ridesharing vehicle. The applicability of the policy can, however, vary depending on whether the ridesharing app was active and whether a passenger was in the vehicle at the time of the accident.
Relevant Federal Laws and Regulations
At the federal level, ridesharing services are largely unregulated. Nonetheless, there are general rules that apply to all motorists, including those who drive for ridesharing companies.
These pertain to basic traffic laws, such as speed limits, regulations against impaired driving, and obligations to respect the rights of other road users. Any violation of these rules could count as evidence of negligence in a ridesharing accident case.
Rights and Compensation for Ridesharing Accident Victims
Victims of a rideshare accident have the right to seek compensation from the at-fault party, which could be the rideshare driver, ridesharing company, or another. They also have the right to refuse to settle the claim until they are fully aware of the extent of their injuries and losses. To protect their interests, they have the right to legal representation.
Compensation and Damages
Victims of ridesharing accidents can claim compensation for a variety of damages, both economic and non-economic.
Economic Damages
These damages include compensation for the easily verifiable losses that result from an accident, including:
- Medical bills due to hospital stays, doctor visits, prescription medications, therapy, and assistive medical devices.
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity.
- Property damages.
- Ongoing medical expenses.
- Costs related to replacement services.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages cover losses that are more subjective in nature and hard to prove, such as:
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Loss of quality of life.
- Inconvenience and humiliation.
Punitive Damages
Depending on the circumstances, we might help you seek punitive damages. The court only awards punitive damages to punish the wrongful party for their deplorable actions and dissuade others from committing them. To obtain these damages in California, victims of an accident need to prove through clear and convincing evidence the wrongful party’s oppression, malice, or fraud.
Factors Influencing Compensation Amounts
The amount of compensation a victim can receive depends on the severity of injuries, the amount of economic loss suffered, whether the injury caused any permanent disability, and the degree of negligence of the at-fault party. It is essential you have a competent and experienced legal representative who can obtain the maximum compensation possible.
Who Is Liable for a Rideshare Accident in Redding?
Potentially liable parties include:
- The rideshare driver: If the rideshare driver caused an accident, they could be accountable for the resulting harm and injuries.
- The rideshare company: The court considers most rideshare drivers to be independent contractors rather than employees, which means that holding the rideshare company responsible for an accident can be challenging. The company’s insurance policy, nonetheless, often covers drivers, and victims can file a claim against the insurer.
- Other parties: It is not always the rideshare driver who is responsible for an accident. It may instead be other motorists, pedestrians, or motorcyclists.
To determine who you can hold liable for your rideshare accident, discuss the matter with an experienced Redding rideshare accident lawyer from Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP. Our skilled legal professionals can review the accident, determine who we can hold responsible for the crash and resulting injuries, and recover compensation for the harm you suffered.
What Do You Have To Prove in a Rideshare Accident Injury Claim?
If you are a rideshare accident victim, you will need to prove negligence to obtain compensation for your injuries. In California, you must prove that the driver of the rideshare service breached their duty of care to you as a customer, that this breach was the direct cause of your accident and injuries, and that you suffered resulting damages.
Establishing negligence in a ridesharing accident case can be complicated and requires a substantial amount of evidence. It is vital to contact an experienced and qualified rideshare accident attorney to build a strong legal claim.
Actions to Take Following a Rideshare Accident in Redding
After a ridesharing accident in Redding, take action to protect your legal rights:
Contact the Police Immediately
The police report will help document vital information, such as contact details of the driver and insurance company. A rideshare accident attorney can use this report to help prepare the strong legal claim on your behalf and go after the compensation you deserve.
Get Medical Help
Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if your injuries are minor, because some conditions, such as whiplash or head injuries, may take days to manifest. If you do not get medical help immediately, the insurance company may argue that the accident did not cause your injuries. A doctor can provide you with a medical report detailing the extent of your injuries and provide evidence of a direct connection between the rideshare accident and the trauma you suffered.
Let an Experienced Rideshare Accident Lawyer Gather Evidence From the Scene
Evidence is critical in helping to build a strong legal case.
An experienced and qualified rideshare accident attorney will obtain this vital evidence, including pictures of:
- The vehicles involved.
- Damage to these vehicles.
- The road conditions, including skid marks and potholes.
- Your visible injuries.
Your attorney can look through security camera footage and interview witnesses to the accident. They can use this evidence to strengthen your case and increase your chances of obtaining a just settlement.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging, particularly in the aftermath of a traumatic accident. The team at Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP, understands the tactics that insurance companies often employ and knows how to counter these strategies effectively.
Insurance companies may, for example, try to provide victims with a meager settlement amount shortly after an accident, hoping the victim will not realize that it is less than they deserve. If the victim accepts the offer, they cannot later ask the insurance company for additional funds.
Before you speak with an insurance company or accept any compensation from them, call the legal team at Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP.
How Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP, Can Help You Following a Rideshare Accident in Redding
Ridesharing accident cases can be complex. Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP, brings to the table a wealth of experience and a commitment to do their best for every client they represent.
At our firm, we handle each case with the utmost attention and professionalism using the following approach:
- Conducting a thorough investigation into the accident.
- Identifying the liable parties.
- Calculating the total damages.
- Negotiating with insurance companies on the client’s behalf.
We invite anyone who is a victim of a ridesharing accident or simply seeking further information on the topic to reach out to us for a free consultation at (530) 241-0290. Our Redding experienced rideshare accident lawyers are ready and willing to guide you through your legal options and help you make an informed decision on how to proceed. Contact us today for your free case consultation with a member of our legal team.
Reiner, Slaughter, & Frankel, LLP – Redding Office
2851 Park Marina Dr STE 200
Redding, CA 96001, United States
Phone: (530) 241-0290
