After getting into a rideshare accident, it’s crucial to make sure you hire the right Uber or Lyft accident attorney to represent you. Hiring the wrong lawyer will not only be a waste of time and money, but it could ultimately ruin your opportunity to seek out compensation, too.

The good news is that you can rest assured knowing you’re in good hands if you hire Mesa Accident Lawyers. We have ample experience representing rideshare accident clients, and we have a track record of success to back up our claims. Even better, we’re available to communicate with our clients 24/7. If you hire our firm, then we’ll be available to answer your legal questions anytime.

Another reason why our Costa Mesa law firm is a top choice is that we won’t charge you to inquire about your personal injury case. If you’re not sure if you even have the basis to seek out a personal injury claim, then you can take advantage of our free consultation to find out. Further, if we think we can help you, then we can work with you on a contingency basis. A contingency payment structure means that you won’t have to pay us unless your personal injury case is won.

It is possible to represent yourself throughout your rideshare claim, but the process won’t be easy. An experienced lawyer will help ensure that you get the maximum amount of compensation possible, while also taking the lead in negotiations with the responsible parties. They’ll help you file the proper paperwork and collect all the necessary evidence you’ll need to prove your arguments. Someone with little to no experience will not know what key variables are needed in order to win a rideshare claim. In addition, a skilled Uber and Lyft lawyer will handle the details of your personal injury claim so that you can focus on your physical recovery.

Before pursuing a Uber or Lyft claim after an accident, you want to make sure it’s worth your time and effort to do so. In order to figure that out, you need to have an estimate of how much your rideshare accident claim is worth. Whether you were a passenger in the rideshare or driving another vehicle that was hit by the Uber or Lyft driver, the personal injury claim should cover every loss you endured as a result of the accident. That includes losses like:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages from missed work
• Future medical care
• Disability payments

Your rideshare accident could be worth more if the liable party was extremely reckless, you’ll suffer long-term losses, or you suffered emotional distress. Speak with an Uber and Lyft lawyer if you need more clarification about how much your claim could be worth.

Like other types of car accidents, human error causes most rideshare accidents. Unlike other types of crashes, distractions are much more of a threat for rideshare drivers, though. That’s because Uber and Lyft drivers are attempting to multitask – they’re driving, constantly looking at the GPS, getting new ride updates from the app, and sometimes attempting to navigate in unfamiliar areas, too. These challenges are the top cause of rideshare accidents.

Here are a few other top causes of Orange County motor vehicle accidents:

• Speeding
• Inexperience
• Fatigue
• Failure to obey traffic laws
• Aggressive driving
• Poor weather
• Poor road infrastructure
• Mechanical failure

Figuring out what caused your rideshare accident is only one piece of the puzzle. You’ll also need to determine who is responsible for the financial losses associated with the crash, which means determining who is liable for the accident. Costa Mesa courtrooms operate on a comparative negligence standard, which means each driver will be responsible for the accident based on their percentage of fault. Negligence means that:

• The driver had a duty to provide for other motorists and the rider’s care
• The party breached its duty to provide this care
• This breach of duty directly caused the accident
• The accident led to specific injuries

If multiple drivers were involved and you were in the middle of a rideshare trip, things can get complicated. Multiple parties could be held partially responsible, which leaves you scrambling to get compensation from different parties. Don't deal with an insurance company alone. An insurance company will want to avoid a large payout and will try to find reasons to offer you a low settlement. Further, Uber and Lyft will likely try to minimize your claim, too.

During a Lyft or Uber ride, passengers usually sit in the backseat. That means certain types of injuries are more common in rideshare accidents, like injuries to the head and brain. Chest injuries are also common. Here are some more of the most common types of injuries after auto accidents:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Chest injuries
• Brain bleeds
• Bruising and fractures in the rib area
• Broken bones
• Whiplash
• Spinal damage
• Internal injuries

These injuries can be much worse if you fail to wear your seatbelt in the backseat. If you notice a lot of loose objects before the drive gets started, then you could also ask to move or secure those items before you get on the road.

Keep in mind that many car accident injuries have delayed symptoms due to the adrenaline and other chemicals present after a crash. You may not even realize you’re injured right away. For that reason, it’s important to get medical treatment even if you think your injuries are minor.