In Staunton and the surrounding areas of the region, rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become an invaluable resource, facilitating thousands of rides each month for those who live in or visit the area. When a driver causes an accident that leads to serious injuries for you, you need to know your rights.
At MartinWren, P.C., our Staunton rideshare accident lawyer will help you seek compensation. We have been fighting for rideshare accident victims since 2009. Talk to our Staunton personal injury lawyer about your case today.
Rideshare Accidents Can Happen in Numerous Ways
Our law firm represents victims who suffer serious injuries. This includes a wide range of rideshare accidents. Some of the most common cases our Staunton car accident lawyer sees include the following:
- Passengers suffering injuries while receiving a ride
- Pedestrians struck by a rideshare driver
- Cars struck by a rideshare driver
- Bike riders hit by a rideshare driver
In each of these situations, if you have serious injuries and losses resulting from the accident, we encourage you to contact our legal team to receive representation.
These are some of the more complicated types of car accidents, and yet your losses are no less important to fight for recovering. Let our rideshare accident lawyer in Staunton from MartinWren, P.C., guide you.
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call (434) 817-3100
Determining if the Rideshare Company Is at Fault
One of the ways these accidents are more confusing and complicated is in determining liability. Most rideshare drivers are not employees of the company that pays them. That means you cannot assume the rideshare company is at fault. There are several situations that can commonly occur:
- The driver was engaging in service. The rideshare driver was logged into the app, had picked up a ride, and was en route to take the person to their destination. In this situation, the rideshare company, along with the driver, could be at fault.
- The driver was logged into the app. In situations where the driver is logged into the app but has not picked up a ride just yet, the driver’s insurance covers your losses if they are responsible.
- A third party. There are times when a third-party, such as a city, another driver, or an employer of another driver, is at fault.
To determine fault, our lawyers will gather data from police reports, speak to witnesses, and use accident reconstruction to clarify what happened and who is at fault. This must be done before you file a claim, and it is best to allow our Staunton rideshare accident attorney to guide you through this process.
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident
Victims of rideshare accidents could face serious injury and financial loss. Knowing what to do after an accident can help you preserve your right to compensation while also ensuring you receive the necessary medical support. In the ideal situation, we encourage you to take the following steps:
- Move to safety and call 911. Even if it seems like everyone is okay, the police will document the incident. This will help with recovering damages later.
- Take photos. Take as many photos as you can of the accident location, damage to vehicles, your injuries, and debris. Be sure to take a picture of the driver’s license and the license plate.
- Get the contact information for all parties involved. That includes the driver of the rideshare vehicle, as well as other vehicle passengers who are riders and witnesses.
- Seek medical attention right away. By getting medical care right after the accident, it is possible to clearly demonstrate that your injuries are the direct result of the accident.
- Seek legal guidance. We do not encourage you to submit a claim through the rideshare app or to contact insurance companies. Speak to us first.
By taking these steps, you minimize the risk that insurance companies will not take your case seriously or that you will receive a denial. You also ensure that you are getting the care you need, especially when injuries are hidden right after the accident. When you seek our help, we begin building your claim.
Staunton Rideshare Accident Lawyer Near Me (434) 817-3100
What Our Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Staunton Will Do for You
Once you contact our legal team, we begin building your case and demonstrating your losses. To do this, we must first gather all evidence from the scene, including the photos you have, police reports, video information, dash camera data, and more. All of this information helps demonstrate exactly who is at fault. We can then begin to build your claim.
To determine the value of your claim, our attorney will gather all medical bills you have, document the hours you missed at work, and calculate any potential other economic losses you have. These losses are often easier to put a value on, but you must know what your rights are to receive damages.
We will then calculate your non-economic damages, or the losses that are harder to substantiate, such as pain and suffering and mental anguish. We will speak to your family and friends, discuss your case with medical experts, and provide a clear indication of loss. With this information, our lawyers can then seek fair compensation through a claim to the insurance company and make them pay it.
Do Not Wait Beyond the Statute of Limitations
In Virginia, victims who suffer losses in an accident caused by another party must initiate legal action against that party within two years of the accident date, or they forfeit their right to do so. This is the general statute of limitations (§ 8.01-243).
Though our attorney will work to get the insurance company to settle your case outside of court, we are prepared to seek a lawsuit when it is in your best interest to do so. Review our FAQs to learn more about rideshare accidents in Staunton.
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Schedule a Consultation with a Trusted Rideshare Accident Attorney in Staunton Now
MartinWren, P.C., brings decades of experience to your case. We have established a strong reputation for delivering results for our clients. You can trust us to be aggressive.
Schedule a free consultation with a rideshare accident lawyer in Staunton now to learn more about your rights and the value of your case. We never charge you anything until you receive compensation from winning your case.
Call (434) 817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form
