Injury While in a Rideshare Vehicle
There have been many advances in technology in the last few years that have felt like they have thrust the world into the future. None have been more prevalent than using an app on a phone to get a ride instead of using a taxi.
The days of standing on the side of the road and hailing a cab are long gone. They have been replaced with ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft who have swapped the hassle of waiting for a taxi with the convenience of doing everything through an application on a phone. A person can now request a ride, view the trip cost, and even choose a luxury vehicle all from the palm of their hand.
As the trend of people who use this option continues to grow, there has also been a gradual increase in accidents related to rideshare drivers. These accidents can lead to severe injuries for anyone who uses this service. With a constant threat of bodily injury, it is essential for anyone who is in a rideshare accident to seek a law firm with experience in rideshare accidents.
Injury While in Rideshare Vehicle Lawyer
If you or someone you know has had an injury due to a rideshare accident, it is important that you contact Abrams Justice immediately. There is no reason for you to have to hassle with insurance companies after a life altering crash.
Let the experienced rideshare lawyers at Abrams Justice deal with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure that you get the compensation you are entitled too. If you live in Miami-Dade County including Miami, Miami Beach, Kendall, Homestead, Miami Lakes or any other of the surrounding areas, contact Abrams Justice at (305) 709-0880 for a free consultation.
Injury While in Ride Share Vehicle Information Center
- Possible Injuries in an Accident
- Responsible party in Rideshare Accident
- Miami-Dade County Resources for Ride Share Vehicle Accidents
Possible Injuries in an Accident
An accident can be a scary moment in a person’s life depending on the circumstances. In 2015 alone, there were 6.3 million crashes reported in the United States. Many of these crashes have led to fatalities, injuries, and property damage.
Injuries in a car crash can be unpredictable and vary from accident to accident. The rate of speed of each vehicle involved, the location of the injured person in the vehicle and the location of impact can affect how severely injured a person is after an accident. The following are common injuries a person can have after a car accident.
Neck Injury
One of the most common and well-known neck injuries caused by a car accident is whiplash. Symptoms for whiplash may not show up until hours or even days after a crash and it is usually misdiagnosed or ignored altogether. Whiplash generally happens when a person’s head moves backward and then forward abruptly with force. This type of injury can occur even during a small collision.
Another common neck injury is a strain that can affect a person’s muscles. Although it may seem minor, a neck strain can still cause discomfort, reduced mobility and pain.
Head Injury
Head injuries can be one of the most severe medical issues a person can face after a car crash. Not only can it cause serious short-term damage like dizziness and headaches, but it can also lead to a lifetime of treatment that can seriously affect a person’s cognitive abilities.
A person riding in a rideshare vehicle can hit their head on a window, seat or dashboard causing head trauma. This head trauma can include concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and even comas.
Back Injury
Back injuries are another medical issue not easily detectable after a car accident. Even the slightest body jerk in a car crash can cause a spinal injury that could lead to a lifetime of pain. Significant nerve damage from a back injury can cause people to experience reduced control in their hands, legs, feet and many other places. If a person is in a serious rideshare accident, a spinal cord injury can leave them permanently paralyzed.
Responsible party in a Rideshare Accident
If a person is injured in a car accident, the responsible party must pay for damages regardless of how minor the accident may have been. Injuries from fender benders can lead to a lifetime of pain, treatment, and medical bills. Thanks to Uber and Lyft’s bodily injury insurance coverage of 1 Million dollars per accident, an injured customer should rest assured that their injuries will be covered even if the at-fault driver is underinsured or doesn’t have insurance at all.
The State of Florida has a complicated system to determine negligence in an accident. A court or jury uses a comparative negligence system to assign the percentage of fault for each driver in a crash. This system only allows each driver to seek damages for the percentage of the accident they are not at fault for. For example, if an Uber Driver is in an accident and is found to be 40 percent negligent, they may only seek 60 percent of their damages.
It doesn’t matter if one or both vehicles are negligent for an accident that caused injuries to a rideshare customer. The rider is entitled to file a lawsuit against the negligent parties for damages including:
- Medical bills- Any medical bills that result from an injury due to an accident can be recovered. This includes medical bills from right after the crash to the distant future.
- Lost wages– If an injury causes a person to miss any amount of work that results in lost wages then they can recover those wages in a lawsuit.
- Physical Pain and suffering– Physical pain and suffering come from the injuries sustained in an accident and can last a long time. This discomfort can include permanent limitations on activity, constant pain of the head or extremities and the shortening of a person’s life.
- Mental Pain and Suffering– Although not a physical injury, mental pain and suffering can be a serious condition suffered by an injured person due to a crash. Conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, severe anxiety, and depression can lead to a lifetime of stress and anguish.
Miami-Dade County Resources for Ride Share Vehicle Accidents
Florida Rideshare Statute– This link provides the statute that regulates the rideshare industry. The statute covers insurance requirements, background checks and driver disclosures. This link also provides information on recent changes to Florida laws, Senators and committees of the Florida Senate.
Accidents Statistics- This link provides resources for accident awareness in the U.S. You can find out about state by state accidents including Miami-Dade County Florida. This website also provides general information about rideshare companies including, estimated revenue, market share of drivers and booking volume.
ABRAMS JUSTICE | Miami-Dade County Injury While in Ride Share Vehicle lawyer
There is no time to waste when it comes to your injury due to a rideshare accident. The longer you wait to contact an experienced and professional rideshare accident lawyer, the more time insurance companies have to build their case against you.
Don’t get stuck paying your medical bills and wondering if you could have gotten indemnified for the traumatic event you just went through. If you live in Miami-Dade County including Miami Gardens, Doral, Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Palmetto Bay or any other of the surrounding areas, contact Abrams Justice at (305) 709-0880 or fill out an online form for your free consultation.