Rideshare services have completely changed the landscape of public transportation. The convenience of being able to order a private car at the touch of a button on your cell phone has innumerable advantages. However, there is a dark side to these apps and services and how their use has affected both public transportation and public safety.
If you have been injured in an accident with a rideshare service or were struck by a rideshare vehicle while they were transporting a customer, you may benefit from retaining a highly experienced and trial-tested Garden Grove Uber accident lawyer from Text Kevin Accident Attorneys. Having recovered more than $100,000,000 in compensation for our clients, our legal team has considerable experience representing injury victims who have been involved in collisions with rideshare vehicles. With more than 30 awards and honors, you can be confident in your pursuit of justice with an Orange County personal injury lawyer from our firm on your side.
Garden Grove Uber Accident Statistics
Garden Grove Uber accidents continue to be an issue. The number of collisions as a whole is of concern across Garden Grove. Notable stats from the most recent reporting year by the California Office of Traffic Safety OTS Crash Rankings Results include:
- Total injuries and deaths combined: 610
- Pedestrian accidents: 56
- Motorcycle accidents: 26
- Speeding accidents: 84
- DUI Arrests: 149
Which Roads and Intersections in Garden Grove Are the Most Dangerous?
Dangerous intersections in and around Garden Grove, CA include:
- Lampson Avenue and Haster Street
- Magnolia Street and Chapman Avenue
- Fairview Street and 14th Street
- Gilbert Street and Chapman Avenue
The Difficulties Rideshare Accidents May Present to Injury Victims
The decentralized nature of the gig economy and rideshare apps specifically have left victims of Uber accidents in Garden Grove confused as to who is responsible when a collision happens. After the passing of Proposition 22 in 2020 and its upholding in 2023, rideshare drivers are classified as independent contractors rather than employees working directly for Uber or Lyft. This poses unique challenges for the drivers themselves but also for personal injury victims who are either struck by these independent drivers or are in the rideshare vehicle when an accident occurs.
Uber does offer up to $1,000,000 coverage for passenger and third-party injuries if the Uber driver is found to be at fault and on an active trip. However, we must be able to prove that the accident occurred during an active trip as well as the driver being at fault to access this full coverage that Uber provides. That means that if the driver was not on an active trip or was not fully at fault, the available compensation provided by Uber could be substantially less.
If the driver that hit you is not on an active trip but is online and actively traveling to a pickup, you may only be entitled to up to $50,000 per person or $100,000 per accident offered by Uber’s third-party liability insurance coverage. This presents accident victims with the burden of having to prove the work status of the driver who hit you at the precise moment the accident occurred. This can be difficult at best if you are trying to pursue your case on your own.
How Your Uber Accident Lawyer in Garden Grove Can Overcome These Obstacles
Fortunately, with your Garden Grove Uber accident attorney from Text Kevin Accident Attorneys working diligently to investigate the crash, you can rest easier knowing we will conduct an intensive investigation into every aspect of your collision. Your Orange County personal injury lawyer can demand access to the Uber driver’s cell phone logs to determine their status at the time of the crash, black box data from the vehicle that struck you, and any available dash cam footage that the driver, you, or any witnesses may have captured of the accident in question.
If you are able, connect with Text Kevin Accident Attorneys immediately after your Uber crash. We may be able to meet you at the accident site, or your hospital room, or meet with you virtually to begin gathering evidence. After everything you have been through, we believe that whatever is most convenient for you, we will do our best to accommodate your situation.
What Should I Do After an Uber Accident in Garden Grove?
Start building the strongest claim possible immediately after the accident. You should:
- Record the incident
- Accept medical advice
- Inform the insurance
- Keep the evidence safe
- Speak with an Uber accident lawyer
Common Injuries That Uber Accident Victims Suffer
Many personal injury victims and Uber accident survivors are concerned that their injuries are not serious enough to warrant legal action. However, the impact your injuries have had on your life is a critical component of building a successful lawsuit. Some of the most frequent injuries our clients have reported include:
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractured or broken bones
- Amputations
- Lacerations
- Internal injuries
- Organ damage
- Facial injuries
- Dental injuries
- Concussions
- Brain injuries
If your injury is not specifically listed above, you may still have grounds for an insurance claim or legal action against the driver or other liable parties in your Uber accident. How your injuries have impacted your life is important in building your case. When you consult with your Uber accident attorney with Text Kevin Accident Attorneys, we will help you determine what information we need for a positive outcome.
Writing down your feelings and how your injuries have impacted your daily life in a notebook or journal can help your legal advocate build a compelling case. The burden of proof in personal injury cases is based on a preponderance of the evidence per California’s Civil Jury Instructions Resource Center’s Civil Plain English Comparison under BAJI 2.60. This means we must present clear and concise evidence that the liable party is more likely than not responsible for causing the collision.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Uber Accident Lawyer?
Many personal injury victims are concerned that it will cost them a small fortune to hire an attorney to seek compensation after an Uber accident in Garden Grove. You can rest easier knowing that your personal injury lawyer with Text Kevin Accident Attorneys can accept your case on a contingency basis following the State Bar of California’s Rule 1.5 Fees for Legal Services.
This means you will not have to pay retainer or hourly fees to hire your Uber accident lawyer in Garden Grove and you will only have to pay our attorney’s fees when we recover compensation for you, part of which will cover our expenses.
Can I Recover Compensation if I Share Some of the Blame for an Uber Accident in Garden Grove?
When building the most powerful case we can, accurately totaling your damages is vital to presenting our case. Generally, damages will be divided into two or three categories. These categories include:
Economic Damages
With medical receipts, repair quotes, and records of your wages, we can calculate the total cost of your economic damages. Medical services costs, vehicle repair expenses, and lost wages are all common examples of your economic damages. Your Uber accident attorney in Garden Grove should account for all expenses you have paid for injuries and losses that were a result of your Uber crash.
Non-Economic Damages
Though not as clearly defined and documented as your economic damages, your intangible losses can be just as impactful on your life. Sometimes they are even more difficult to overcome than simple financial transactions but this also makes them more difficult to calculate. Using the per diem or multiplier methods as described by Bloomberg Law, we can account for your non-economic damages such as mental distress, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering.
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Frequent Causes of Rideshare Accidents
The on-demand nature of rideshare providers means drivers often spend significant time on their smartphones. Although careful drivers will often pull over to access apps or messaging platforms on their phones, not everyone chooses to follow California Vehicle Code 23123, which specifically prohibits the use of your cell phone while driving.
In fact, according to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 3,000 people were killed in distracted driving accidents throughout the United States in 2022.
Distracted driving is only one possibility for how your Uber accidents happened. Although they should be held to a higher standard like holders of Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDLs), with their status as independent contractors, Uber drivers do not need to meet any specific standards outside of some basic requirements. This means that even inexperienced drivers as young as 21 could be transporting you or responsible for striking your vehicle.
Third-Party Liability in Rideshare Accidents
Uber accidents may even happen without either driver being at fault for the collision. A third party could be responsible for the crash that occurred between you and the Uber vehicle. Some of the other third parties that could be liable for the crash include:
- The Garden Grove Public Works Department if the accident occurred from damaged roadways
- Vehicle parts manufacturers, distributors, and installers if malfunctioning equipment is found to be the cause
- Pedestrians or cyclists who ignore the rules of the road
- Other drivers that cause the accident but are not involved in the crash, also known as a miss and run
Other third parties not listed could also be responsible for causing the Uber accident that resulted in your injuries. If you believe that your injuries were caused by a third party or combination of factors, building a powerful case may be your best opportunity for compensation. With a top-rated Orange County car accident lawyer on your side, you can be confident that we will pursue all potentially liable parties.
How Long You Have to File a Lawsuit for Your Uber Accident
You may only have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit according to California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. This may seem like plenty of time to pursue compensation for your rideshare accident injuries but if you do not meet this deadline, you could be barred from filing your lawsuit. You should also understand that if the Garden Grove Public Works or another government entity shares partial or total fault for your accident, you will have even less time since the statute of limitations for actions against government agencies or government employees is only six months as outlined in California Government Code Section 911.2.
There are exceptions to the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits. If your minor child was injured in your Garden Grove Uber accident, this deadline could pause until your child turns 18 years old to give them a chance at pursuing compensation for themselves. The statute of limitations could also pause, or toll, if your injury was not diagnosed until some time after the accident originally occurred, this deadline may be counted from the date of your diagnosis.
Garden Grove Uber Accident FAQs
The inception of ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft presented new opportunities for drivers but also created challenges for individuals who were injured by these drivers. Understandably, you may have many unanswered questions about how best to proceed if you were involved in a motor vehicle accident with an on-duty rideshare driver.
To help you avoid fruitless internet searches that create more questions, our dedicated legal professionals at Text Kevin Accident Attorneys have developed this quick FAQ section to help you and the community.
Punitive or exemplary damages are not an entitlement for victims in personal injury cases in California. It is at the court’s discretion to award punitive damages as described in California Civil Code Section 3294 if the defendant acted with malice, fraud, or oppression.
Although rare, if the liable party’s reckless behavior is deemed particularly egregious, the court may choose to award you exemplary damages to send a message to the community that negligent actions are unacceptable.
Since there is no standard amount or average compensation for personal injury claims, it is impossible to estimate how much your case could be worth until we discuss the specific details of your Uber accident injuries. Once we have an idea of how extensive your injuries are and who may be liable for your damages, we can give you an idea of how much you could anticipate recovering.
While no amount of money can undo the suffering you have endured, if your life has been irreparably damaged by your injuries and you are suffering life-altering or chronic health issues, we will fight relentlessly to secure you enough financial support to move forward with your life.
Discover How Your Uber Accident Lawyer Can Help With Your Rideshare Collision
The unique differences between standard motor vehicle accidents and being injured in an Uber accident present distinct challenges for both you and your Garden Grove personal injury attorney. While Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare services have tried to mitigate issues with unqualified or negligent drivers, these crashes can still result in considerable difficulties. These challenges should not make you reluctant to demand the fair compensation you deserve for the injuries you have endured.
Text Kevin Accident Attorneys has successfully recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our personal injury clients. Our legal team has substantial experience with rideshare accidents and can advocate for you with both insurance providers and in court. Connect with your knowledgeable and dedicated Garden Grove Uber accident attorney from the Crockett Law Group now by completing our convenient contact form or call our offices to schedule your no-risk, 100% free consultation as soon as today.
Garden Grove FAQs
Garden Grove is approximately 46 min or 33.9 mi away from Los Angeles via I-5 S and I-605 S.
Overall, Garden Grove is a wonderful suburban community that is generally safe and provides excellent learning and adult development opportunities for students.
There are 11 miles between Garden Grove and Huntington Beach. The driving distance between Garden Grove and Huntington Beach is about 17 minutes.
Garden Grove Points of Interest
A landmark church known for its stunning architecture and beautiful campus.
Location: 13280 Chapman Ave, Garden Grove, CA 92840
Website: christcathedralcalifornia.org
An annual event celebrating the city’s strawberry-growing history with a parade, carnival, and food.
Location: 12762 Main St, Garden Grove, CA 92840
Website: strawberryfestival.org
A unique and imaginative playground and park for children.
Location: 13630 Atlantis Way, Garden Grove, CA 92844
Website: ggcity.org
A community park with sports facilities, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
Location: 9301 Westminster Blvd., Garden Grove, CA 92844
Website: ggcity.org
A historical museum showcasing local history and heritage.
Location: 12174 S Euclid St, Garden Grove, CA 92840
Website: gardengrovehistoricalsociety.org
A park designed specifically for dogs to play and socialize.
Location: 13601 Deodara Dr, Garden Grove, CA 92844
Website: ggcity.org
Garden Grove Neighborhoods We Serve
- West Garden Grove