CALL (800) 863-5312 to Speak with one of our Lubbock rideshare accident lawyers
Rideshare use more than doubled from 2015 to 2018, and use continues to grow even now. Lubbock, Texas, has many rideshare options, which include Carmel, Lyft (including Lyft XL), Uber (including Uber XL), and taxi services. However, as Lubbock rideshare accident lawyers know, rideshare drivers can be negligent, even when they carry passengers.
If you or a loved one were in a Lubbock Uber accident that was caused by someone else, you deserve justice. Talk to a Lubbock car accident lawyer at Zinda Law Group by calling (800) 863-5312 and scheduling your free consultation.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationWhat can a Lubbock car accident attorney do for you?
Under Texas law, you have two years from the day the accident occurred to file a personal injury claim against the person who caused your injury. An experienced attorney can help you better understand your claim during a free consultation. The victim of a rideshare accident might be intimidated to go through this process alone, but a rideshare accident lawyer has experience with these types of cases and can help you learn your options moving forward.
An attorney can also help you during the legal process of discovery. Discovery is the evidence-gathering stage of litigation during which the parties learn everything they can about the case. The parties interview potential witnesses for trial and answer interrogatories and admissions. Then, they exchange this information and understand more about the appropriate settlement amount.
Finally, a lawyer can help you negotiate a settlement in pursuit of maximum compensation. Compensation comes in the form of economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages consist of the victim’s medical bills, missed wages, and other financial costs. Non-economic damages compensate the victim’s pain and suffering. In extreme cases, a court awards punitive damages to punish the defendant.
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationWhat happens if you are in an accident in an Uber?
The state in which you find yourself immediately following the crash depends on the severity of the crash and your emotional state. If you are involved in an accident with an Uber driver, follow these steps to aid in your recovery and the legal process:
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
Standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to answer in your time of need.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation1. Do not admit fault.
Liability allocation is an important step in car accident claims. In many states, the driver responsible for the accident is liable for all resulting injuries, costs, and damages. If you were involved in a car accident with a Lubbock rideshare vehicle, it is important that you avoid accepting fault for the collision without first speaking with a car accident attorney in Texas.
Even if you think that you may have been fully or partially responsible for the accident, do not admit fault because you may not be aware of all of the factors that caused or contributed to the wreck. Such an admission may be used against you in future proceedings, especially if you later wish to hold someone else accountable for your losses.
Additionally, avoid getting into lengthy conversations about what happened after an accident. Also, avoid giving statements to insurance investigators or the family members of the other motorist, especially before you have a chance to retain counsel. While you are obligated to cooperate with the police and give any necessary information, you are not usually required to go into detailed conversations about who was legally responsible.
Avoiding these conversations can help you with your claim in the future. If you were injured and want to discuss your recovery, or if you need help deciding what to do after a car accident, contact a personal injury attorney for help. An attorney who is working for you will be able to evaluate your claim and help you seek the maximum compensation available to you.
Cole Gumm
Attorney
We are here to ensure you won’t have to face this difficult time alone.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation2. Call the police
One of the first steps in any car crash is to inform the authorities of the crash. This ensures that officers and first responders will respond to the crash and that you receive treatment for any injuries. You should provide as much detail to the police as possible about the other driver, including the vehicle they were driving and any witnesses to the crash. Once you do that, the police will create a crash report, which you can later use to prove liability in your case.
3. Gather evidence
After an accident, do your best to document the scene as soon as possible and as thoroughly as possible on your own, and avoid leaving out any essential details. The best way to document the scene of an accident is to take photos or videos with your mobile device if you are able. Taking notes and describing the accident in written form can also help you recall the specifics of the accident later in the litigation process.
After you have confirmed that everyone is safe, exchange contact information with the other party, being sure to get the other driver’s name, phone number, address, driver’s license number, and insurance information. If there are any eyewitnesses, try to get similar information from them, for witnesses can play a key role in proving your claim if your case proceeds to litigation.
Also, keep a detailed list of any expenses related to the accident. Expenses can include medical bills, repair orders, or lost wages. If you were injured in a car accident and are uncertain about which expenses matter, speak with an attorney who can help you decide exactly what to do after a car wreck.
4. Seek medical attention if injured.
Regardless of the type of accident, drivers should always first check to see if anyone is hurt, even in minor fender benders; always check yourself and your passengers first. After you have ensured that the people within your vehicle are safe, you can then move to check on the people in the other cars. If anyone is hurt, immediately call for medical assistance.
Prompt treatment for any kind of injury is crucial, as many injuries can greatly affect the way your body moves and functions. If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, it is imperative that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. A medical professional may be able to help you mitigate the overall effects of your injuries, which may include:
- Back injuries
- Brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Bruising
- Burns
- Contusions
- Disfiguring facial injuries
- Foot and ankle injuries
- Fractures
- Internal bleeding
- Knee injuries
- Neck injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Road rash
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Whiplash
- Wrist and hand injuries
Even if you do not have any apparent injuries, you should still visit a healthcare professional in case some injuries take a while to present. A healthcare professional will be able to perform a thorough medical evaluation and determine next steps in your care.
What if I Cannot Afford a Lubbock Car Accident Lawyer?
Many Americans represent themselves without a lawyer at court because they do not believe they can afford a lawyer. They do this even though having a lawyer increases the litigant’s chances of winning across the board—in immigration matters, Social Security Disability cases, and in personal injury lawsuits. We believe that victims of personal injury accidents should not have to weigh the odds of winning a settlement against the cost of an attorney, which is why we work on a contingency basis to ensure our clients do not pay out of pocket for our services.
Read More: What is a Contingency Fee Agreement?
CASE RESULTS
Who to sue in a Lubbock Lyft accident
The parties involved in the accident can include the rideshare driver, a rideshare passenger, another driver or several other drivers, a pedestrian, a motorcyclist, or countless other parties. Additionally, the types of vehicles involved greatly impact the kind of injuries the parties incurred.. The person at fault is the one who caused the accident, but that is not always the person who pays for the victim’s injuries. Sometimes the driver is at fault, but the driver’s employer must pay for the victim’s injuries. That is why the victim must know who he or she can sue in order to get the right amount of compensation.
Parties determine fault by looking at the crash report, witness statements, and other evidence. Then, they attempt to reach a settlement. If they cannot reach a settlement, the parties sometimes go to trial. At trial, a jury evaluates the evidence to decide who caused the accident and how much money the victim deserves.
What kinds of companies are involved in rideshare accidents?
Uber and Lyft are by far the most popular rideshare services. Together, they make up 99% of the United States’ rideshare market, with Uber owning 69% and Lyft owning 30%. In some states, Uber and Lyft were responsible for up to 14% of vehicle miles traveled. With great presence comes great responsibility, and Uber and Lyft have tried to avoid liability when it comes to compensating victims of their drivers’ crashes.
If you are similar to over a third of adults in the United States, you have already used a rideshare app. However, there are notable differences between rideshare services and taxi services in the way they classify their workers. This matters when determining who you should sue for an accident with a rideshare or taxi driver.
The Employee Classification Problem
Many times, employers classify employees as independent contractors instead of employees for tax purposes and to limit their liability. Therefore, if an Uber driver negligently causes an accident and injures her passenger, Uber may argue that the driver is an independent contractor so that the company can claim it did not have adequate control over the driver’s negligent actions and does not have to pay any legal fees or settlements associated with the crash.
The status of gig workers such as rideshare drivers has been seriously questioned in several states, including California and Massachusetts, but there is still no straightforward answer to the classification problem. In 2017, Texas passed a law that placed additional regulations on “transportation network companies” like Uber and Lyft, and this law classifies rideshare drivers as independent contractors. If you are unsure about whether the driver in your case should be considered an independent contractor or employee, consult a Lubbock car accident lawyer who can use his or her experience to help you understand the possibilities in your case.
Not a Rideshare: Taxi Services
One of the major differences between rideshare drivers and taxi drivers is that taxi drivers are almost always considered employees, whereas the status of rideshare drivers is much more disputed.. This means that if you are in an accident involving a taxi driver while the taxi driver is working for the taxi company, then the taxi company is liable for the driver’s accident.
Rideshare driver requirements
Importantly, there are instances in which the rideshare company itself may have been negligent in regulating its workforce. and Lyft list their requirements for drivers on their websites, and these requirements set the standard for their drivers. For example, both rideshare companies require drivers to use an eligible vehicle, have a valid U.S. driver’s license, and pass a screening, including reviews of the applicant’s driving record and criminal history.
Our zinda law group Lubbock rideshare accident lawyers are here to help you
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident with rideshare vehicle in Lubbock, give the experienced rideshare accident attorneys at Zinda Law Group a call. At Zinda Law Group, we believe that everyone should have access to quality representation. That’s why we offer a No Win, No Fee Guarantee. This means that you owe us nothing unless we win your case.
Call (800) 863-5312 to speak with the attorneys at Zinda Law Group and see how they can help you with your case. The sooner you schedule your free consultation, the sooner you can understand your legal rights. Call us now to learn more.
Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.
Our Awards
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA BY THE NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (2016-2020)
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA (2009, 2011-2012, 2014-2021), & NEIL SOLOMON (2020-2021)
AWARDED TO JACK ZINDA (2016-2020)
LIFETIME MEMBERS JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
We have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
