Were you or a family member injured in a rideshare accident in Sandusky, OH? Call Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers for legal assistance today. You may deserve compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other crash-related damages. Our experienced Sandusky Uber accident lawyers are prepared to help you take on the insurance companies and fight for every available dollar.
Our lawyers have over 181 years of combined experience. Since 1946, we’ve been a fierce advocate for injury victims. Our top-rated attorneys have forced powerful insurance companies and defense teams to hand over more than $100 million in settlements and verdicts.
We’re ready to help you get full compensation after an Uber accident. Call our law firm in Sandusky, Ohio, at (419) 625-7770 to schedule a free consultation today with an Uber accident attorney.
How Can Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers Help After an Uber Accident in Sandusky?
Rideshare drivers can cause accidents in Sandusky, OH, like anyone else. When these crashes happen, recovering damages can be more difficult. It’s rarely as simple as filing a claim with the responsible driver’s personal auto insurance. They’ll likely deny your claim outright.
An experienced Sandusky personal injury attorney can help. Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm. We have a proven track record of winning big for clients when it matters most.
Over the years, we’ve been recognized by Super Lawyers and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for our success.
You can count on our Sandusky Uber accident attorneys to:
- Discuss all of your legal options
- Develop the strongest case strategy possible
- Gather evidence and evaluate facts about your case
- Assess your damages
- Calculate how much money you really deserve
- Identify all sources of insurance coverage, including Uber’s policy
- Negotiate with Uber’s commercial insurance company and defense team
- File a lawsuit and fight for you at trial if necessary
Uber accident injuries can quickly become expensive. Make no mistake, Uber’s insurance company knows what they’re doing. They may even offer a fast settlement to get your case off their plate. Accepting without consulting an experienced Sandusky personal injury lawyer is almost always a mistake.
Give us a call today to learn more about how our Sandusky car accident lawyers can help.
How Much Is My Sandusky Uber Accident Case Worth?
Because all cases involve different facts and circumstances, each has a unique case value. Even if you suffer the same injury as someone else, your prognosis could be vastly different.
Your case value is based on several factors, including:
- The extent of your injuries and property damage
- Your out-of-pocket expenses, including medical treatment, rehabilitation, nursing care, etc.
- Your lost wages during recovery
- How a long-term disability will impact your future earnings and quality of life
- Whether you share any blame
- The available insurance coverage in your case
Standing up to Uber’s commercial insurance company can be intimidating. When larger policy values are at stake, the insurance company will work even harder to minimize your settlement. It’s critical that you know how much your case is worth–otherwise, you risk taking a lowball insurance deal.
How Do I Recover Compensation After an Uber Accident in Ohio?
As with any car accident, nearly all Uber accident cases start with an insurance claim. Ohio is an at-fault insurance state. In Ohio, the at-fault driver is responsible for damages they cause in a car crash.
Rideshare accident cases are more complicated. When a rideshare driver causes a crash, their insurance company can deny the victim’s claim for compensation. Personal insurance in Ohio doesn’t have to cover damages when the policyholder is driving for a profit.
That’s why Uber and Lyft now have to carry their own car insurance. The policy coverage limits vary depending on the Uber driver’s status at the time of the crash. The limits are the same for Uber drivers who carry passengers and for Uber delivery drivers.
Driver is Online and Available to Accept a Ride Request
Once the driver logs into the Uber app, Uber’s policy becomes available. Uber drivers often drive around while waiting for a request.
When accidents happen during this time period, the following coverage is available:
- $50,000 per victim for injuries or death
- $100,000 per accident when multiple parties are injured or killed
- $25,000 for property damage
This commercial insurance coverage is important. It’s been established that you can’t sue Uber for damages after an accident. That’s because Uber drivers are classified as independent contractors, so Uber can’t be liable as an employer.
Driver Has Accepted a Ride Request
A larger policy kicks in once the driver accepts a passenger request. This policy is available while the driver is en route to pick up a passenger and for the duration of the trip.
Coverage includes:
- Up to $1 million for injuries or death
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage up to the cash value of the damaged vehicle (with a $2,500 deductible)
Delivery drivers have similar coverage, with the exception of the uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
What Types of Compensatory Damages Are Available to Uber Accident Victims in Sandusky?
“Damages” is the term for the losses you suffer due to an accident. The two main types of compensatory damages are economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages typically include:
- Current medical expenses
- Future medical bills
- Rehabilitation and nursing costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Vehicle repairs
- Other types of property damage
Non-economic damages are much more subjective, so they can vary greatly from case to case.
Examples include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment
- Loss of consortium
These damages are related to the specific emotional and lifestyle changes you’ve suffered. Because these damages are subjective, insurance companies have room to downplay their value. In reality, these are the losses that are likely to haunt you for years to come.
Hiring an experienced lawyer can be the key to maximizing the amount you take home.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Sandusky?
We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. Once we settle or win a jury verdict, we take a percentage of that compensation. That way, you can get solid legal representation without upfront fees.
What Happens to My Compensation Award if I’m Blamed for Causing an Uber Accident in Ohio?
Unless you were an Uber passenger, there’s a good chance you’ll be blamed for the accident. Ohio follows a comparative negligence law. Once your percentage of fault reaches 51%, you completely lose your right to compensation. If you share less blame, your compensation is reduced by your share of blame.
Common Types of Rideshare Accident Injuries
Rideshare accident injuries are similar to those in typical car accident cases. In some cases, Uber accident injuries can be more severe when backseat passengers fail to wear seatbelts.
Our lawyers in Sandusky handle all types of injury claims, including those where the victim has suffered:
- Facial injuries
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
After a crash, call 911 and file a report. Request emergency care if you need it. Otherwise, seek medical attention as quickly as possible.
Why Do Uber Accidents Occur in Sandusky?
Accidents tend to happen because drivers are careless or reckless. Uber drivers are no exception. However, because of the phone-based nature of Uber, rideshare drivers may be even more prone to distraction. Drivers who are looking at their phones instead of the road are often unable to react in time to stop the crash.
Aside from distracted driving, some common causes of Uber accidents include:
- Speeding
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Dangerous turns
- Racing through intersections
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Drunk driving
- Driver fatigue
Road conditions and negligent vehicle maintenance can also contribute to the cause of an Uber wreck.
How Do I Prove I Deserve Compensation After an Uber Accident in Ohio?
Negligence is the legal theory in most Uber accident cases.
Negligence requires proof of the following:
- The at-fault party’s duty of care
- A breach of duty
- Causation, or proof that the breach directly caused an accident
- The damages you sustained
For example, if an Uber driver ran a red light, that would be a breach of their duty to exercise reasonable caution. If they struck and injured you because they ran the red light, that amounts to negligence.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After an Uber Accident in Ohio?
As with any other personal injury case, you have two years to file a lawsuit in Ohio. The statute of limitations started to run on the date of your accident.
Call a Sandusky Uber Accidents Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Uber accident claims in Sandusky, OH, often involve complicated insurance and legal issues. An experienced Sandusky Uber accident lawyer can help you navigate any challenges you face. Call Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers to schedule your free case review today.