San Bernardino Rideshare Accident Lawyer Near You

Ridesharing platforms like Uber and Lyft have made transporting between places seamless. However, accidents do happen – even with drivers from these platforms. It may involve drivers, passengers, cyclists, or pedestrians. If you’ve been injured in a head-on car accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver, you may wonder who pays your medical bills.

Or, picture this: You’re in a rideshare, cruising through the city streets, when suddenly, another vehicle careens into yours and speeds off into the night—a hit and run. Now, you’re left shaken, injured, and grappling with the aftermath of a hit and run lawsuit, all while trying to recover from the traumatic experience.

The experienced San Bernardino rideshare accident lawyers at Gold Firm can answer your questions and help you determine if you have a case. Contact Gold Firm by calling 909-308-1118 or filling out our contact form.

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What to do if you get into a San Bernardino rideshare accident

If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident in San Bernardino, you should take the following actions:

Call 911 immediately so law enforcement can inspect the scene and make an official accident report. You’d need such information to support your lawsuit or claim.
Take the rideshare driver’s name, license number, and insurance information.
Get witness information
Take pictures and videos of the scene and injuries you have sustained.
Find out if the driver was waiting to pick up or carry passengers.
Contact a San Bernardino car accident attorney.

Learn more about what happens if you don’t file a police report after an accident in California.

What If You Are An Injured Passenger?

Rideshare accidents can cause significant injuries – especially if you are involved in a head-on collision in San Bernardino. And if you are traveling in rideshare with children, it is imperative that you follow California car seat laws.

If you are an injured passenger inside an Uber or Lyft car, you must determine who might be liable for the accident. However, it would help if you carried out the following actions:

Can You Sue Uber or Lyft?

Ridesharing platforms classify their drivers as independent contractors and not staff. This means these drivers cannot access workers’ compensation from ridesharing companies.
Most likely, ridesharing platforms will use their driver’s status as an independent contractor as an escape – if you plan to sue them as a passenger. More so, they’d argue that when you accepted the terms and agreement of their service, you forfeited the right to file a lawsuit against them.
However, you should contact an attorney if you want to sue them. A professional attorney will review the process and determine who was at fault and if you can sue them.

How Much is Your Rideshare Accident Settlement Worth?

It is difficult to establish how much your compensation from a rideshare injury is worth. However, an estimate can be determined by these factors:

Get the names of the drivers involved in the accident
The severity of your injuries
The possible need for a future medical care
Your medical expenses
Pain and suffering
Who was at fault, and their insurance policy limit

It is recommended to hire an experienced San Bernardino personal injury lawyer who will assist you in filing a strong lawsuit or claim against the at-fault parties and their insurance providers.

Rideshare injury lawsuits are rigorous; you need an attorney to navigate these complexities to give you the best compensation. The attorney should be able to advocate for you in arbitration, court lawsuits, and other settlements. Consider choosing a no win no fee attorney near you so that you can pursue getting justice without additional financial stress.

Reasons Why a Car Accident Case May Go to Trial

A car accident case may go to trial in court for a couple of reasons.

Liability dispute.

If there’s a constant dispute over who is liable for the accident, the case may go to court to determine who’s wrong.

Disagreement over high damages sought.

If the at-fault party’s insurance company feels the damages asked may be too high, they might go to court rather than settle to pay.

Disagreement over the extent of injuries.

If there’s a dispute over the extent of the injuries sustained from the accident, the case may go to trial.

Precedent-setting case.

Sometimes, a car accident case may get to trial because it can set a precedent for future cases.

Jury Selection

The first to a trial is the selection of the jury. The panel of jurors will be randomly selected to eliminate a form of bias. In most cases, the jurors will go through the pre-qualification phase to determine if they can be involved in the case.

Trial Date Will Be Set

After the jury has been selected, the trial date will be set. Your auto accident attorney will gather all the information, including witness testimonies, cam footage of the scene, San Bernardino police incident reports, and other evidence, to make your case substantial.

Opening Statements

Both parties will present their argument on the set trial date to make the judge and jury believe they are blameless in the accident case. Your insurance company or the at-fault party’s insurance company may claim you do not deserve fair compensation because the accident may be your fault.

Cross-Examination

After both attorneys finish their opening statements, witnesses, the plaintiff, and the defendant will be cross-examined.

Closing Arguments

After both parties have presented their case, the attorneys will have the opportunity to present their closing arguments to prove their deniability. They will give a recap of the whole case, including witness statements that support their stance.

Jury Deliberation

After the closing arguments, the jury will convene and decide their verdict. It will be primarily based on the severity of the case, and the evidence presented. The deliberation can take between a couple of hours to several days.

Final Verdict

The jury will share their verdict with the judge, who will then pass on the information to the plaintiff and defendant. If you win your case, you will be entitled to the compensation listed. However, if you lose the case, you can appeal the decision. If you’ve experienced an auto accident, contact a lawyer who will ensure you receive fair compensation. Are you in the California area? Reach out to us to see how we can assist you.