San Diego has seen exponential growth in ridesharing trends in the last few years. Two popular services are Uber and Lyft. While these have revolutionized the way people travel today, they also pose personal injury risks in terms of car accidents and crashes. Recognizing these threats is necessary for self-protection and making the right decisions. Here are some insights regarding this.
Ride-hailing services – Causes of accidents
Like other drivers, rideshare drivers can also indulge in distracted driving. They heavily use digital technology and phones during passenger pick-up and driving. The crash risk becomes stronger when they move their attention from the road or remove their hands from the steering wheels. Speeding is another issue. These professionals try to clock a high number of rides in a short time. It makes them drive at a high speed, which affects their reaction time and leads to collision. They can hit a bicycle, another car, or even a pedestrian. Some can indulge in risky driving behavior due to fatigue caused by demanding work hours. They also want to earn more bonuses. Nevertheless, fatigue impacts their judgment and response time, increasing accident risks. Data suggest driving when you are drowsy can be as lethal as DUI.
In some cases, vehicle maintenance can be the cause of concern. Poor tires, brakes, and other vehicle parts can malfunction and cause traffic collisions. You must know that claiming compensation as a victim of a rideshare accident isn’t easy due to the complex insurance policy rules. You can succeed in your claim only if you consult the best car accident attorneys San Diego. Before this, let’s understand the complexities involved here.
Compensation for rideshare accident
A rideshare company has insurance coverage, and drivers also have personal driver’s insurance. Companies like Uber and Lyft are safeguarded against expensive lawsuits. The company’s insurance policy can cover the remaining amount if the driver’s insurance fails to cover an accident. However, how do you know who to approach for compensation – the driver or the company directly? Things become more complicated because they consider drivers independent contractors. That means you can make a liability claim against the driver. What about the companies? Only an expert personal injury lawyer knows who to sue and how to do it. They will study your case to determine the cause of the accident. After this, they can probe into the insurance claims to understand the legalities. First, you can expect them to go for settlement. If it doesn’t work, they can file a lawsuit.
You can focus on your well-being; they will handle everything and keep you posted on progress. However, you must follow a few things immediately after the accident. Inform the police and rideshare service. Record the incident for evidence and get medical attention. After this, you can contact a lawyer for help. They will manage the case from there on. Remember, your life is precious. Road accidents can alter your life overnight, affecting your family beyond imagination. Hence, seeking compensation and reducing some burden from your loved ones’ shoulders is essential. You can also heal better depending on the severity of your injury. Generally, most personal injury lawyers ensure their clients get fair compensation. So, you don’t have to worry about it.