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San Clemente Uber/Taxi Accident Lawyer
When you choose to ride in a taxi or ridesharing service, you expect professionalism and safety. Uber, Lyft, and taxi operators should be professional drivers. At the least, you expect to get to your destination unharmed.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Rideshare drivers and taxicabs are often distracted by the GPS directions displayed on their phone. Other times, they are busy arranging their next passenger on the application.
If you were injured in an Uber, Lyft, or taxi accident, you likely played zero role in the crash. Therefore, you should not needlessly suffer due to the failure of others.
A San Clemente Uber and taxi accident lawyer may be your best advocate following your incident. An experienced car wreck attorney could review the details of your case, obtain evidence, and fight for your interests in a lawsuit.
Collisions Involving Professional Drivers
In California, taxicab companies are required to purchase comprehensive business insurance for drivers. Passengers who ride with taxis may be better compensated by the insurance agency.
Some taxi agencies also purchase public liability insurance. Essentially, this insurance policy protects the driver and the company when passengers file lawsuits. Depending on the severity of a crash, an Uber/taxi accident lawyer in San Clemente may be able to advocate for out-of-court settlements.
Uber and Lyft drivers, on the other hand, rarely carry business car insurance. These insurance policies could be upwards of $10,000 a year, and few rideshare operators are able to afford the premiums.
Even so, Uber and Lyft provide their drivers with variable levels of insurance, depending on whether a passenger is in the car or not. After picking up passengers, rideshare drivers are usually covered for up to $1,000,000.
The specifics of a professional driver wreck impact possible legal responses. A San Clemente Uber and taxi crash lawyer may be able to provide legal counsel on the options.
Distracted Driving Laws
Unfortunately, ridesharing services lend themselves to traffic accidents when operators misuse their phone. Nowadays, even many taxicabs rely on cell phone technology to schedule trips and find directions.
Sometimes, operators who use their phone while driving do so in violation of California Vehicle Code 23123. According to this code, drivers may not use a cell phone unless it is specifically designed for hands-free functionality.
The same holds true for using ridesharing applications while driving. Unless the app is operated through voice alone, use is not permitted.
When ridesharing or taxi drivers use their phones to schedule a forthcoming trip, they become distracted drivers. In some cases, an accident caused by this or other instances of distracted driving might be grounds for a lawsuit.
When drivers are not paying attention to the road, their response times could multiply several times over. An Uber, Lyft, and taxi crash attorney in San Clemente might be able to support victims of distracted driving.
Recoverable Losses in San Clemente Rideshare Cases
California law permits individuals who incur property damage or physical injury to petition the state court system for damage. Typically, a judge presides over the proceeding and a jury makes decisions in civil lawsuits.
The jury distinguishes between “economic” and “non-economic” damages. Per the California Code of Civil Procedure 1431.2, a plaintiff may be awarded both economic and non-economic damages in one filing.
Economic damages refer to losses that could be measured in dollars. Loss of employment, medical payments, and car repair bills may all qualify. Usually, there is a paper trail for economic losses.
Non-economic damages include mental and physical trauma. In some cases, loss of companionship may also qualify. Other non-economic losses may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Ideally, the damages claimed by a plaintiff would sound reasonable to the jury. If the claim seems overstated, the motives of the plaintiff may come into question. A seasoned lawyer may be able to help individuals through this process.
How a San Clemente Uber/Taxi Accident Attorney Could Help
Across the nation, ridesharing services and taxi agencies are vying for your business. At times, the pressure to arrange the next pick-up puts customers in peril.
If you were hurt, or suffered property damage, because of the negligent driving of an Uber, Lyft, or taxi operator, you may be entitled to damages under the California code. Talk with a San Clemente Uber and taxi accident lawyer today to learn how the details of your case affect your options.