Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare accidents often occur due to negligence by either the rideshare driver or a third-party driver. Common causes include distracted driving (e.g., texting or using a phone), speeding, running red lights, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and failing to follow traffic laws. A rideshare driver may also cause an accident by being fatigued or improperly maintaining their vehicle.

A skilled Edmonton rideshare accident lawyer can help by investigating the accident, gathering evidence (such as witness statements and police reports), and identifying who is at fault. They can also negotiate with insurance companies and represent you in court, ensuring that you recover fair compensation for your injuries and damages.

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What are the Most Common Injuries in Rideshare Collisions?

Rideshare accidents can happen for many reasons, such as driver negligence, poor road conditions, or the actions of other drivers. Victims of these accidents may suffer a wide range of injuries depending on the severity of the crash and the circumstances surrounding it. Some of the most common injuries include whiplash, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, head trauma, and soft tissue injuries.

• One of the most common injuries in rideshare accidents is whiplash – a neck injury resulting from the sudden jerking motion of the head during a collision. This injury is often the result of rear-end crashes, where the victim’s head is whipped forward and then backward. Whiplash can cause pain, stiffness, headaches, and limited neck mobility.
• Broken bones are also frequently seen in rideshare accidents, especially when the collision is severe. Victims may break bones in the arms, legs, ribs, or even the face. These injuries often require surgery, casts, or physical therapy to heal, and in some cases, they can lead to long-term complications.
• Spinal cord injuries can occur in serious accidents, especially when the victim is thrown from their seat or if the vehicle experiences significant impact. These injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, affecting the victim’s ability to move or feel certain parts of their body. Spinal cord injuries are among the most devastating, requiring lifelong care and medical treatment.
• Head trauma is another common injury, especially in cases where passengers or drivers are not wearing seat belts or where airbags do not deploy properly. Head injuries can range from concussions to severe brain trauma. Brain injuries can cause long-term cognitive issues, such as memory loss, trouble concentrating, or difficulty with motor skills.
• Soft tissue injuries, such as bruises, sprains, and strains, are also common in rideshare accidents. These injuries occur when muscles, ligaments, or tendons become stretched or torn. While these injuries may seem minor at first, they can lead to chronic pain or require physical therapy for recovery.

Victims of rideshare accidents may need medical care, rehabilitation, and, in some cases, lifelong treatment. If you’ve suffered an injury, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately and consult a lawyer to understand your rights and potential for compensation.

How Can an Experienced Rideshare Accident Lawyer Help with My Case?

An experienced rideshare accident lawyer can play a vital role in helping you with a claim or lawsuit after an accident. Rideshare accidents are oftentimes more complicated than typical car accidents because they involve multiple parties, including the rideshare driver, the rideshare company (like Uber or Lyft), and sometimes a third-party driver. A skilled lawyer can guide you through the process, ensuring that your rights are protected and helping you obtain the compensation you deserve.

• One of the first ways a rideshare accident lawyer can help is by investigating the accident. An experienced lawyer knows how to gather important evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, and video footage from nearby cameras. They can also request the rideshare company’s records, like the driver’s history and whether they were on the job at the time of the accident. This information is essential to understanding who was at fault and how the accident occurred.
• A rideshare accident lawyer can also help determine liability. In these cases, it’s not always clear who is responsible for the accident. Was it the rideshare driver’s fault? Was it a third-party driver? Or was the rideshare company partially to blame? An experienced lawyer can look at the facts and help identify all potentially responsible parties, making sure that every person or company who should be held accountable is included in the claim or lawsuit.
• In addition, a lawyer can help you navigate insurance issues. Rideshare companies typically have insurance coverage for their drivers, but it can be difficult to understand how this applies to your case. An experienced lawyer knows how to deal with rideshare insurance policies and how to get the maximum compensation from all available insurance sources. They will also handle any negotiations with insurance companies to ensure you don’t settle for less than you’re entitled to receive.
• If a fair settlement can’t be reached, a skilled lawyer can take your case to court. They have experience in building strong cases and can represent you in front of a judge and jury. With their knowledge of the law and how to present evidence effectively, they can increase your chances of winning the case.
• Finally, a rideshare accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. Their goal is to ensure that you get the financial support you need to recover and move forward after the accident.

What Do I Need to Prove to Recover Compensation after a Rideshare Collision?

In a rideshare accident case where either a rideshare driver or a third-party driver is negligent, the burden of proof falls on the victim to demonstrate that the driver’s negligence directly caused the accident and the resulting injuries. To recover compensation, you’ll need to prove several key elements: negligence, causation, and damages.

• Negligence – First, you must prove that the driver was negligent, meaning they failed to exercise reasonable care on the road. Negligence can occur in many forms, such as distracted driving (e.g., texting or using a phone), speeding, running red lights, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. A rideshare accident may also include failure to follow the rideshare company’s policies, like ensuring that the vehicle is well-maintained or has proper documentation. Similarly, if a third-party driver is at fault, their negligent actions, like ignoring traffic signals or driving recklessly, must be proven.
• Causation – Next, you need to prove that the driver’s negligence directly caused the accident. This means that if the driver had not been negligent, the crash would not have happened. Causation connects the negligent actions of the driver to the injuries you suffered. 
• Damages – Finally, you must show that the accident caused real harm to you. Damages can include lost income due to missed work, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. You will need to provide evidence of these losses to prove the extent of the effect the accident has had on your life.

To prove your case, gathering strong evidence is essential. Key types of evidence include:

• Police Reports – These reports contain important details about the accident, such as the time, location, parties involved, and any citations issued. They may also indicate who the officer believes was at fault.
• Medical Records – These records show the extent of your injuries and the treatment you’ve received. Medical documentation establishes the link between the accident and your physical harm.
• Witness Statements – Eyewitnesses who saw the accident can provide testimony about how it occurred, which can support your claims of negligence.
• Dashcam or Surveillance Footage – If there’s video footage from the rideshare vehicle’s dashcam or nearby security cameras, it can provide clear evidence of the accident and who was at fault.
• Driver Logs and Records – In the case of a rideshare driver, reviewing their driving history, hours worked, and even prior complaints can reveal patterns of negligent behavior.

By proving these elements and providing strong evidence, a rideshare accident lawyer can help you secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.

How Much Is My Rideshare Accident Case Worth?

In a rideshare accident claim or lawsuit, victims can recover compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial harm they suffer as a result of the accident. These types of losses are collectively known as damages, and they can be categorized into economic and non-economic damages.

• Lost income and Future Earnings – If you suffered an injury in a rideshare accident and are unable to work, you can recover compensation for your lost income. This includes the income you missed out on while recovering from your injuries. If your injuries are severe and cause long-term effects, you may also be entitled to compensation for future earnings that you will likely lose as a result of being unable to return to work – or having reduced earning capacity. For example, if your injuries prevent you from doing the same job or limit the number of hours you can work, you can claim compensation for the difference in earnings over time.
• Pain and Suffering – Pain and suffering compensation addresses the physical and emotional distress resulting from the rideshare accident. This includes not just the physical pain from your injuries but also the mental anguish, anxiety, and emotional toll you may experience during recovery. Pain and suffering can be difficult to quantify, but an experienced lawyer can demonstrate how your life has been affected by the pain and limitations due to the accident.
• Loss of Life Enjoyment – If your injuries prevent you from participating in activities or hobbies you once enjoyed – such as sports, travel, or spending time with family and friends – you may be entitled to compensation for loss of life enjoyment. This damage recognizes the reduction in your quality of life due to your inability to do things that once brought you happiness or fulfillment.
• Emotional Distress – In addition to pain and suffering, victims can claim compensation for emotional distress. This may include anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that can result from the traumatic experience of the accident. If the crash was particularly severe or caused lasting emotional harm, this type of non-economic damage accounts for the psychological effects the accident has had on your life.
• Loss of Consortium – If the accident significantly affects your relationship with your spouse, they may be entitled to loss of consortium damages. This compensates for the loss of companionship, affection, and sexual relations due to your injuries. 

In cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct, you may also be eligible for punitive damages. These damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from engaging in similar behaviour.

Contact an Experienced Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today

If you sustained injuries in a recent rideshare collision, a skilled rideshare accident lawyer can be of great help. Your Edmonton personal injury lawyer will handle your case from start to finish, aggressively advocate for your interests, and pursue the compensation you deserve for your losses.