Any car accident lawsuit is a challenge, but the liable party being an Uber or Lyft driver might complicate matters further. Let our lawyers handle your case from the get-go. We can start by getting the accident report from the Newton Police Department and preserving evidence most at risk of being lost, like video footage.
We will also prioritize interviewing eyewitnesses since their memories are fleeting. Their statements and the photos they took can help an accident reconstruction expert determine what happened. We will write and file the injury complaint within three years of the crash so you do not get barred from recovery. We can then negotiate a settlement that favors you or take your case to court so you get a jury award.
Call (617) 925-6407 for a free case assessment from the Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyers of the Law Office of John J. Sheehan.
Handling Uber or Lyft Rideshare Accident Cases for Newton Victims
We handle all aspects of rideshare accident cases for victims, from preserving evidence to proving liability at trial.
After Accident Reporting and Evidence Preservation
Call the police for any rideshare accident, even if either driver tries to convince you otherwise. Police officers put involved drivers’ information in the accident report, which we can get from the Newton Police Department. They can process scenes while victims get treated by paramedics or taken to the emergency room.
Key evidence we can preserve also includes video footage and eyewitness statements. We can inquire about footage from nearby security cameras and get it before it is erased. We can also ensure footage from cameras inside the rideshare car is preserved.
Give us any photos you have of damage to involved cars and vehicle parts left on the road. We may get more pictures when we contact eyewitnesses, too. Our Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyers can schedule also interviews to record their statements. Witnesses view crashes from different vantage points and can give previously unknown details that benefit claims.
Involving Experts
After any car crash, involving accident reconstruction experts can help. We will give them photos you have of property damage, as well as the police report, eyewitness statements, and video footage.
Clear pictures of impact points can tell experts how fast a car was driving and which vehicle initiated the impact, so do not underestimate the importance of taking pictures.
Medical experts’ testimony can clarify your injuries and their severity. Experts can discuss how injuries limit you physically, and we can explain how that affects your earning capacity and long-term lost wages.
Assessing Damages and Recovery Options
Drivers’ personal injury protection insurance is the first to pay medical expenses and lost wages after car crashes in Massachusetts. Rideshare companies also maintain insurance and coverage amounts vary based on accident circumstances.
Filing a lawsuit lets you get more than coverage limits. Car accident victims can file lawsuits in Massachusetts after sustaining a “serious injury” or suffering over $2,000 in medical damages, according to Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 231, § 6D.
Serious injuries include death, hearing loss, sight loss, permanent and serious disfigurement, whole or partial loss of a body member, and fractures.
In these serious injury cases, victims file lawsuits against at-fault drivers. While Uber and Lyft hire independent contractors so they are not liable for their actions, victims can sue rideshare companies in limited situations.
We monitor victims’ losses so they do not miscalculate their total damages. Copies of medical bills, records of past income, and documentation of other out-of-pocket expenses prove damages.
Writing and Filing Injury Complaints
The injury complaint starts your lawsuit, so its accuracy and completion matter. The complaint identifies you as the plaintiff and names the negligent driver who caused the accident.
It also summarizes the accident and explains what the driver did wrong. While rideshare drivers have their apps open while driving, they should not let new ride requests or notifications distract them. Distracted driving is a top cause of rideshare accidents, as is speeding and aggressive driving.
We will also request compensation for your economic and non-economic losses. This amount may influence settlement negotiations or a possible jury award.
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 260, § 2A gives victims three years after car crashes to file lawsuits, and we will ensure your case gets brought on time.
Negotiating Settlements or Winning Trials
We also handle settlement negotiations and possible trials for rideshare accident victims. Wanting to accept the first settlement offer you get is normal, but let our lawyers carefully review it. If you agree too quickly, you might leave damages on the table.
Getting non-economic damages from settlements is hard but possible through aggressive negotiations. When we reject offers, we will respond with counters. We can explain why you deserve more based on your injuries. For example, suffering disfiguring burn injuries in a crash should yield substantial non-economic damages.
Do not be surprised if we advise you to go to trial, particularly if settlement negotiations drag on. You might stand to claim more damages from a jury award, especially if the defendant has not increased their initial offers.
At a trial, we present our case to the jury. We can have eyewitnesses, experts, and victims testify. Eyewitnesses can confirm the driver was negligent, experts can report their findings, and victims can speak candidly about their pain and suffering.
You can settle during a trial if we get a good offer. Some settlements and jury awards are given in lump sum payments, while others are paid in installments. We can negotiate a payment structure that benefits you and alleviates the financial strain from a rideshare accident.
Call Our Attorneys About Your Recent Rideshare Car Accident in Newton
Call (617) 925-6407 to discuss your case for free with the Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyers of the Law Office of John J. Sheehan.