Call (800) 863-5312 To Speak With Zinda Law Group’s Waco Rideshare Accident Lawyers Today
Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft are an incredibly popular way to get to and from different locations. In Waco, Texas, ridesharing is an especially common way to see various sights of the city, including the Cameron Park Zoo as well as the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. Despite the ease and convenience of ridesharing, the rise in popularity has also led to an increase in rideshare vehicle accidents. If you are injured in a rideshare car accident, call Zinda Law Group’s Waco rideshare accident lawyers who can guide you through what happens next.
If you or a loved one are the victim of a rideshare accident in Waco, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a 100% free case evaluation with a Waco car accident lawyer.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationHow Waco Rideshare Accident Lawyers Help Rideshare Accident Victims
Rideshare accidents are often traumatic and in the aftermath of one, you may wonder “what happens if you are in an accident in a Lyft or an Uber?” Fortunately, your Zinda Law Group rideshare accident attorney will have the necessary expertise to determine how your injury happened and who is liable for your damages.
Our Zinda Law Group rideshare accident attorneys know how difficult it can be to hold ridesharing companies liable for injuries caused by a rideshare driver. For example, Uber and Lyft label their drivers as independent contractors instead of employees. The purpose for doing so helps the companies avoid liability altogether for the actions of the drivers. Otherwise, if a driver was labeled as an employee, the company could be held responsible for a driver’s accident through the vicarious liability doctrine. The doctrine states that there are circumstances where an employer is liable for the actions of an employee. Importantly, for rideshare companies, the doctrine does not apply to independent contractors.
Despite the inherent difficulties in holding rideshare companies responsible, our Zinda Law Group rideshare accident attorneys know there is a way to hold these companies liable and pursue maximum compensation for your injuries. Namely, Uber and Lyft have insurance policies to provide coverage if an injury occurs while the ridesharing vehicle was in driving mode. As such, the ridesharing companies only consider themselves liable for damages if a passenger was in the vehicle, or if the driver was en route to picking up a passenger.
Additionally, in the aftermath of any personal injury accident, it can be confusing to know who to speak with to settle a claim. That is especially true for a rideshare accident in which you could be dealing with your insurer, the driver’s personal insurer, and the rideshare company’s insurer all at the same time. That it’s important to have a Zinda Law Group rideshare attorney in Waco who negotiates with the appropriate insurance companies and settles the claim on your behalf.
Our experienced attorneys will determine who is responsible for your rideshare accident injury, engage in settlement negotiations with the right party (or parties), and pursue maximum compensation. Call Zinda Law Group today for a 100% free consultation.
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationSteps to Take Immediately After a Rideshare Accident in Waco
In the aftermath of a rideshare accident, it is important to know which steps to take to strengthen your case and increase your likelihood of receiving fair compensation. Here are the actions to take if you or a loved one are injured in a rideshare accident in Waco.
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. Seek Medical Attention (If Necessary)
The most important thing to do after your Waco Uber accident or Waco Lyft accident is to monitor your health. If your injuries are severe, go to a medical facility as soon as possible. Even if you do not think that your injuries require immediate medical attention, visit a medical professional, and keep them updated on any new health developments. Additionally, keep a record of all the medical expenses incurred, including any emergency care, surgeries, evaluations, and rehabilitation services.
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 Waco Police
After evaluating your health, notify the Waco police of what happened. When a police officer arrives, they will likely ask you questions about how the accident occurred. Be truthful, but do not admit to any fault as that will potentially hurt your case moving forward.
If your injuries were the result of the ridesharing accident, the police officer will likely ask you to fill out an accident report. The accident report will include preliminary information, including the parties involved, vehicle(s) involved, insurance information, and a summary of what took place. You should fill out the accident report and then request a copy of the report when it is available.
Learn More: How to Obtain a Police Report in Waco
3. Report the Accident to the Relevant Ridesharing Service
Depending on which ridesharing service was involved in your accident, you should report the accident to the respective company’s website. Uber allows you to file a report on its website. Additionally, Lyft also allows you to file a report on its website. Both websites are accessible through their apps and provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to report your accident.
4. Document the Evidence
You will need to gather additional evidence to strengthen your personal injury claim. If it is possible and safe to do so, document what you observe following the accident. You should collect information regarding:
- The name and contact information of the rideshare driver
- The driver’s personal insurance information
- What the driver was doing leading up to the accident
- Your injuries
- The weather and road conditions
Additionally, take pictures of the accident scene if you can. Taking pictures helps boost your claim’s credibility.. Furthermore, if any witnesses are present on the scene, try to get their names and contact information. Witnesses can greatly help a rideshare accident lawyer present corroborating evidence of your claim.
5. Retain a Waco Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in an accident with a rideshare vehicle, you should obtain the services of a Waco car accident attorney. Because a ridesharing accident often involves multiple parties, it is not always a simple task finding out who is liable. Often, it is not just the driver of the ridesharing vehicle who is at fault. Your Waco attorney will investigate your case to determine who the responsible parties are. Due to their expertise and training, a Waco rideshare accident lawyer will know that the responsible party could be the ridesharing company itself or even the manufacturer of the car involved in the accident.
After your attorney files a lawsuit against the responsible party or parties, they may negotiate with the insurance company, on your behalf, to obtain a favorable monetary settlement for you. If the negotiations are unsuccessful, your lawyer will bring your case to trial and pursue maximum compensation in court.
CASE RESULTS
Common Reasons For Rideshare Accidents in Waco
Rideshare accidents can occur in any number of circumstances, anytime, anywhere. Plus, you could be injured as a pedestrian or as a passenger. Here are the most common reasons why rideshare accidents happen in Waco:
Distracted Driving
Although you probably expect your ridesharing driver to maintain focus on the road, that is not always the case. Distracted drivers are unable to pay attention to their surroundings on the road, usually due to texting or driving under the influence. Numerous types of accidents can happen as a result of distracted driving, including running a red light, failing to stop at a stop sign or yield sign, and not noticing that the vehicle in front of them has come to a halt.
Mechanical Failure
A rideshare accident may not be the fault of your driver, but instead, be caused by an issue with the car itself. If that is the case, your rideshare accident lawyer can consider pursuing a claim against the car’s manufacturer for failing to produce a properly functioning vehicle.
Read More: Product Liability Lawyers
Types of Injuries in a Waco Rideshare Accident
Here are just a few of the more common examples of injuries sustained in an
accident with a rideshare driver:
- Brain injuries
- Rib fractures
- Broken bones
- Disfigurement
- Paralysis
- Death
As you can see, rideshare accidents can cause a variety of injuries. A car accident attorney with Zinda Law Group can help you pursue maximum compensation for injuries sustained, as well as for pain and suffering.
Demanding Compensation After a Rideshare Accident Injury in Waco
For a personal injury lawsuit under Texas law, you can obtain damages if a defendant, or negligent party, is found at fault for your injuries. In a circumstance where the victim passes away due to someone’s negligence, a loved one can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the victim. The same type of compensation is available whether you are pursuing a personal injury lawsuit or a wrongful death lawsuit.
At Zinda Law Group, our experienced Waco ridesharing accident attorneys can help you seek maximum compensation for your injuries, regardless of whether your ridesharing injury was the result of a Waco Uber accident or a Waco Lyft accident. The potential remedy available to an injured rideshare accident victim are economic damages, non-economic damages, and possibly punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages refers to compensation for monetary losses, such as medical expenses (past and future), loss of earnings, loss of use of property, and loss of future employment. These damages are the easiest to calculate. To ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries, keep documents which demonstrate your medical expenses, property damage, and missed work.
Non-economic Damages
Non-economic damages refers to compensation for non-monetary losses such as pain & suffering, emotional distress, inconvenience, and loss of companionship. Non-economic damages are harder to quantify than economic damages. However, your attorney will help determine the value of your non-monetary losses.
Punitive Damages
Unlike economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages punish the responsible party rather than making the victim “whole again.” You must meet a very high standard to obtain punitive damages. A court may award punitive damages in addition to economic damages in a situation where the responsible party was reckless or acted intentionally.
Importantly, even if you are able to meet the threshold for punitive damages, state law has a damage cap on what you can receive. In Texas, the cap for punitive damages is:
$200,000; or twice the amount of economic damages plus an equal amount of non-economic damages up to $750,000.
After a rideshare accident in Waco, you should consult with your Waco car accident attorney to determine whether you should pursue punitive damages.
Read More: How to Calculate the Value of a Case.
What Are the Statutes of Limitations for a Rideshare Accident Injury?
Each state has a different statute of limitations for bringing a personal injury case. In Texas, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party (or parties). In contrast, the statute of limitations is usually tolled when a child is injured. For example, if a four-year-old child was injured in an accident, the statute of limitations would not begin until the child turns eighteen. In that scenario, the injured child would have sixteen years to file a lawsuit against the responsible party.
Contact Our Zinda Law Group Waco Rideshare Accident Lawyers Today
There is a long list of factors and steps to be aware of when deciding to pursue litigation for your rideshare accident injuries. Car crashes can create long-lasting injuries with costly medical expenses that may take years to pay off. At Zinda Law Group, our attorneys will help you determine your next steps. You deserve the ability to get your life back to normal as soon as possible.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a Waco rideshare accident, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a 100% free case evaluation with an experienced Waco car accident lawyer. You pay nothing unless we win your case. That is our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.
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
