Las Vegas, renowned for its dynamic nightlife, premier entertainment, and various adventure opportunities, is always alive with activity. With the non-stop bustle, accidents can happen without warning, even when using reliable ridesharing services such as Uber.
A Las Vegas Uber accident lawyer with 60+ years of trial experience with H&P Law is someone you want on your side when you find yourself in this situation. If you are involved in an Uber accident, you should understand your rights and the steps you should take to protect yourself and seek possible fair compensation. Dealing with the aftermath of an Uber accident can be overwhelming, especially if you are dealing with injuries, medical bills, and lost wages. Let a Las Vegas rideshare accident lawyer help you through these steps as you heal.
What to Do After an Uber Accident in Las Vegas
It is easy to panic in the minutes after a devastating Uber accident. The crash may leave you in shock, so do not be surprised if you do not feel any pain immediately after the accident. Try to remain calm and take the following steps:
- Call 911 or ask witnesses to contact emergency responders.
- If possible, start to collect evidence at the accident scene, including taking pictures of surrounding property damages and your injuries and making a detailed note of how the accident occurred.
- Get medical attention as soon as the ambulance arrives so your condition does not deteriorate.
- Contact a Las Vegas car accident lawyer for guidance and legal advice.
You will still be healing from your injuries in the hours and days after the accident. However, if you get our legal team working on your case as soon as possible after the accident, we can start building your claim against the liable party while you recuperate.
This allows us to collect evidence that may only be available for a limited amount of time, such as traffic cam footage of the collision, which could be deleted or lost over time.
A Las Vegas Uber Accident Attorney Can Work With the Insurance Companies After an Uber Accident
When you are involved in an Uber accident, multiple insurance companies may come into play, making the claims process more complex than a typical car accident. Uber provides its drivers with a commercial insurance policy that covers accidents that occur while the driver is actively working for the company. However, the coverage levels and applicability of this insurance can vary depending on the driver’s status at the time of the accident.
It is important to understand that Uber’s insurance policy may not always provide sufficient coverage for your damages and injuries. The driver’s personal insurance company may attempt to deny coverage, claiming that the accident occurred during commercial activity. This can lead to a frustrating back-and-forth between insurance companies, leaving you struggling to get the compensation you need, and an Uber accident attorney in Las Vegas from H&P Law can help.
To make it through this complex insurance process, it is beneficial to work with a Las Vegas Uber accident attorney who understands the challenges of these cases. Having legal representation on your behalf can help ensure that your rights are protected. No outcome is guaranteed, but your Las Vegas personal injury lawyer can fight for the potential compensation you deserve.
How We Investigate Uber Accidents
Our team must complete an intensive investigation into your Uber accident. We need to figure out how the collision occurred so we can determine who is responsible. Uber accidents can take multiple forms, such as:
- Sideswipe accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Distracted driving accidents
- Accidents at intersections
- Rear-end collisions
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- Underride accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Highway accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Single car accidents
- Vehicle rollovers
As part of our investigation, we will likely hire accident reconstructionists to recreate the collision and piece together compelling forensic evidence. We will also work with specialists, experts, and other professionals to build our case against the liable party.
Our Las Vegas Uber accident lawyers will need powerful evidence to prove negligence in your case, including photos of your injuries and the accident scene, video footage of the collision if possible, and statements from any witnesses to the wreck.
Determining Liability for Your Uber Accident
It may surprise you to learn that the Uber driver is not always responsible for causing the accident. These types of collisions happen unexpectedly, and it may not always be clear exactly how the accident occurred until our team completes our comprehensive investigation.
In cases where the Uber driver is found responsible for causing the accident, it is typically because they were engaging in one or more of the following dangerous driving practices:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Following too closely
- Failing to stop
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Failing to yield
- Making unsafe lane changes
- Failing to check blind spots
- Reckless driving
- Aggressive driving
- Failing to properly signal when turning
However, other parties could share liability for the wreck. For instance, if the Uber driver could not prevent the accident due to hazardous road conditions, such as an improperly secured road construction zone, the city of Las Vegas or even the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) could be at fault.
If malfunctioning or defective vehicle parts caused your accident, auto parts manufacturers, distributors, maintenance technicians, safety inspectors, and other third parties could also be found culpable.
Tips to Prove Your Side of the Case with a Las Vegas Uber Accident Lawyer’s Help
Proving your side of the case is essential as you attempt to seek fair compensation after your accident. The right pieces of evidence can make a significant difference in your case. Here are some tips to help you build a strong case if you were hurt while riding Uber or Lyft and need to prove your case:
- Gather evidence at the scene, including photos of the damage, injuries, and surrounding area.
- Obtain contact information from witnesses who can provide unbiased accounts of the accident.
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor, and follow your doctor’s treatment plan.
By collecting evidence and documenting your injuries, your legal advocate with H&P Law can create a compelling case that demonstrates the extent of your damages and the other party’s liability.
However, it is important to remember that the insurance companies will also be conducting their investigations and may attempt to minimize your claim. We can handle negotiations with the insurance companies and fight for the possible compensation you are entitled to.
When Both Parties Share Fault
In some Uber accidents, both parties may share some degree of fault for the collision. This can complicate the claims process and impact the amount of compensation you’re able to recover. Nevada adheres to a modified comparative negligence rule under NRS § 41.141, meaning that individuals found to be more than 50% responsible for an accident may be barred from receiving any compensation.
If it is determined that you are 50% or less at fault, you may still be eligible to recover damages. However, your award will be reduced by your percentage of blame. For example, if you are found to be 30% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would only be able to recover $70,000.
Determining fault in an Uber accident can be challenging, as multiple parties may be involved, including the Uber driver, the other driver, and even Uber itself. This is why it is crucial to have an experienced legal advocate on your side who can thoroughly investigate the accident. We can gather evidence and build a strong case to possibly minimize your percentage of fault and maximize your compensation.
How H&P Law Can Help Deal with the Insurance Company
At H&P Law, our experienced legal team is dedicated to helping clients like you take steps to tackle the challenging aftermath of an Uber accident. We understand the unique complexities of these cases and know how to deal with the insurance companies. We strive to protect your rights and secure any compensation you may be entitled to.
Your Uber accident lawyer in Las Vegas can handle all aspects of your case, from conducting a thorough investigation to negotiating with the insurance companies on your behalf. We have the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to build a strong case and fight for your best interests every step of the way.
When you work with H&P Law, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal details of your case. We will keep you informed throughout the process. This usually involves answering your questions and providing you with the support and guidance you need during this difficult time.
What Insurance Pays For
Although you might have hoped to avoid going to court by filing a claim with the insurance company, your insurance settlement may not be everything you were expecting.
Remember, since Nevada is a fault-based insurance state under NRS § 485.185, we will be dealing with the liable party’s insurance policy. This means the amount of compensation you recover is tied to the amount of coverage the policyholder carries.
How We Determine the Value of Your Uber Accident Claim
Before we can proceed with your insurance and civil claims, we need to determine your compensation amount. Assessing the value of your damages is one of our top priorities. Multiple factors must be considered when calculating the value of your damages.
First, there are multiple types of damages. Compensatory damages include the losses you have the right to recover. They include both economic damages, which are financial, and non-economic damages, which need to be quantified.
Our team will need to determine whether to use the per diem or multiplier method to evaluate how much your non-economic damages are worth. The per diem method involves assigning your non-economic losses a set daily rate and multiplying that rate by the number of days you are coping with your injuries and damages.
The multiplier method involves assigning your damages a multiplier and then multiplying that number by the value of your economic damages.
Common Types of Compensation
You may be entitled to various types of compensation, depending on the circumstances of your case. Compensation is never guaranteed, but it is helpful to know the possibilities. Some common types of compensation include:
- Lost wages if your injuries prevent you from working.
- Medical expenses, including hospital bills, medication, and rehabilitation costs.
- Pain and suffering, which provides compensation for the physical and emotional distress resulting from the accident.
You may also be eligible for other damages, such as property damage, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and more. The particular forms of compensation you may be entitled to will vary based on the specific details of your case. During a consultation, your Las Vegas Uber accident lawyer can provide insight into what you might expect.
Punitive Damages
In addition to the compensatory damages you should recover in your Uber accident lawsuit and insurance claims, there is also the possibility you could be awarded punitive damages at trial.
While punitive relief is not awarded in every personal injury case, the civil justice system may find it appropriate to punish the defendant for “oppression, fraud, or maliciousness” as described under NRS § 42.005. The cause of your Uber accident and the specific circumstances of your case will determine whether punitive damages are appropriate.
For instance, if your Uber driver was impaired by drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident, the court system may find punitive damages under NRS § 42.010 to be appropriate to punish the defendant to the fullest extent of the law. However, if your Uber accident was caused by another motorist who suffered a medical emergency at the wheel, punitive damages may not be appropriate. We will know more after reviewing the individual details of your case.
Contact an Uber Accident Attorney in Las Vegas for Help Today
Our team at H&P Law will review your case, answer your questions, and provide you with the guidance and support you need to move forward with confidence. Let us fight for your rights and help you get the justice you deserve.
Contact an Uber accident lawyer in Las Vegas for a free, no-risk consultation to get started.
