Baldwin Park Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys | Rideshare Injury Lawyers

Rideshare services have never been more popular in California. Whether you’re looking for a quick commute into town or a designated driver after a night out, apps such as Lyft and Uber make it easy to find a ride. However, if you’re involved in an accident, life might not be quite as simple. Filing a claim against a rideshare service can be a complex undertaking. Fortunately, our Baldwin Park Uber and Lyft accident attorneys might be able to assist with your case. From identifying the liable parties and gathering evidence to proving fault and estimating a fair settlement for your damages, we provide tailored representation at each step of proceedings. To get started, contact us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS.

Can I Use Social Media after a Rideshare Accident?

In the modern era, sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have replaced most conventional forms of communication. These platforms keep us constantly connected, giving us a space to share life’s highlights, lowlights, and everything in between. After an accident, your first instinct may be to go online and vent to friends and family. You may even be tempted to leave a review on the rideshare service’s site to warn others of your harrowing experience. However, this online activity could bring your case crashing down, with just a single post costing you thousands of dollars in compensation. Just as the way we communicate has evolved, so too has the way insurers investigate claims. Monitoring claimants’ social media feeds has become just another method for insurance companies to find evidence to reduce or deny settlements. Here are a few ways you can protect your claim next time you go online:

• Dial Up Your Privacy Settings: If your social media accounts are set to “public”, your online activity is open for the world to see. Dialing up your privacy settings will limit those who can view and interact with your posts to only “approved” friends and followers.
• Do Not Accept Friend Requests from Strangers: “Stranger danger” is a helpful mantra that applies as much to the digital space as it does to the real world. While you may be in the habit of accepting connection requests without a second thought, if your claim is pending, that next request could be from an opposing party. Once accepted, these individuals will have free rein to scroll through your feed and pick out any posts that could be used to challenge your case.
• Disable Your Accounts: Deactivating your social media profiles may sound like a drastic step, but it’s a foolproof way to protect your rideshare accident claim. Not only will the insurer be unable to dig through your post history, but you will also avoid the temptation of posting about the accident. Once your case is concluded, most social media platforms offer the option to restore your profiles.

How Much Is My Claim Worth?

Before entering settlement negotiations, you will need to have a clear idea of what your case might be worth. Without a number in mind, you may be lured into accepting an offer that falls short of covering the full extent of your losses. As such, you will need to investigate the accident thoroughly, gathering the necessary evidence to estimate fair compensation for your claim. Here are a few factors that could affect the potential recovery in your case:

• The Severity of Your Injuries: Conditions that will result in long-term health complications will almost always cost more to treat than a minor injury. Typically, a victim’s medical bills will make up the lion’s share of a personal injury settlement. As such, the extent of your injuries will usually have a significant influence on the potential recovery in your case. Our attorneys can help estimate the value of your damages by reviewing your medical records and consulting with expert witnesses if necessary.
• The Earnings You Lost: Any wages you lost as a direct result of the accident might be recoverable in your case. If your injuries are likely to impede your ability to earn a living in the future, you may also be able to pursue damages for diminished earning potential. Estimating the value of lost future earnings can be a complex task. Based on your expected career trajectory, you may have to account for factors such as promotions, inflation, and salary raises. Our Baldwin Park personal injury attorneys have extensive experience estimating lost wages and possess the knowledge and resources to ensure that your claim accounts for the full range of recoverable damages you may be owed.
• The Pain and Suffering You Experienced: In California, accident victims have a right to seek damages for the physical and mental trauma they experienced because of the accident and their injuries. Examples of such damages can include loss of enjoyment, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. As you might suspect, estimating the value of these intangible losses is not as easy as tallying up your medical bills and repair costs. You will have to paint a picture of how your injuries have impacted your everyday life. Evidence that could help prove such non-economic damages can include your personal injury journal, psychiatric reports, statements from friends and family, and expert witness deposition.
• The Nature of the Defendant’s Misconduct: If the defendant attempted to cover up evidence of their negligence, their actions were extremely reckless, or they hurt you intentionally, you may be able to pursue a punitive damages award. For instance, if you were injured by an intoxicated driver, a judge and jury may award you an amount for punitive damages in addition to the other compensatory damages listed here.

Connect with an Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney in Baldwin Park

If you were injured by a rideshare driver, either as a passenger or another motorist, turn to our legal team. We have decades of collective experience handling personal injury claims, arming us with the knowledge and resources to build a convincing case against the at-fault driver and his or her rideshare company. Reach out to us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS or swing by our contact page to secure a free case review.5