If you were injured in a car accident with an Uber driver in Salinas, CA, our team at Mercado Kramer, LLP is here to help. An experienced Salinas Uber accident lawyer can help you maximize your compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more. Call (888) 311-4050 today to arrange a free case review to explore your legal options.
Our attorneys have 18 years of combined experience handling personal injury cases. We know how complex Uber accident cases can become. We’re well-prepared to handle the complex insurance and legal issues while you recover. Call our law offices in Salinas, California today to get started.
Why Choose Mercado Kramer, LLP to Handle an Uber Accident Claim in Salinas?
Accidents occur in an instant. A victim’s pain, suffering, and financial loss can last for months or even years. If you were hurt and someone else was responsible, you should be compensated.
Most of the time, that’s easier said than done. Insurance companies resort to all types of tactics to avoid paying full settlements. You deserve an experienced Salinas personal injury attorney who will work to protect you.
Our team at Mercado Kramer, LLP is committed to going the distance for our clients. As our Salinas personal injury lawyers work toward recovering every dollar you deserve, we’ll communicate with you and keep you informed. Every client who hires us benefits from a custom-tailored legal strategy designed to produce top results.
Our Salinas Uber accident lawyers are ready to put our experience to work for you. Call today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an attorney who can fight for you.
What Is My Salinas Uber Accident Case Worth?
All personal injury cases are fact-sensitive. The value of your claim will depend primarily on the extent of the damage you’ve suffered.
The main considerations include:
- The extent of your injuries
- Whether you’ll recover completely or suffer a long-term injury
- The value of the income you’ve lost
- The amount you’ve spent on medical care and rehab
- The pain and suffering you have experienced
- How a long-term injury will impact your future earning capacity
- Anticipated future needs and expenses
- Available insurance coverage limits
- How California’s shared fault laws impact your case
Ideally, you’ll receive compensation for the full value of any losses you’ve suffered. In reality, victims often struggle to recover full compensation. How do you establish the value of your pain, suffering, and trauma? What if the insurance coverage isn’t enough?
Hiring an experienced Salinas Uber accident attorney is always a good idea. After a rideshare accident, we have the resources to locate evidence that the insurance company will take seriously.
How Will Insurance Impact the Value of My Salinas Uber Accident Claim?
Available insurance often limits the amount that car accident victims can recover after a crash.
California is a fault-based auto insurance state. The at-fault party’s insurance company is responsible for the victim’s damages. As with any car accident case, you’ll first have to identify the at-fault party.
In Uber accident cases, you’ll also have to determine which of several insurance policies will be available to cover your damages. It all depends on the Uber driver’s status at the time of the crash. Uber itself maintains two types of insurance policies.
When the Driver Is Available to Accept Ride Requests
Uber’s insurance applies if a driver is logged into the app and willing to take ride requests.
Assuming the driver is logged in, yet has not accepted a passenger request, the following coverage is available in California:
- $50,000 for bodily injuries per victim
- $100,000 for bodily injuries per accident when multiple parties are injured
- $30,000 for property damage
This coverage is often more generous than California’s mandatory car insurance limits.
When the Driver Has Accepted a Ride Request
A $1 million coverage limit applies once the driver has accepted a passenger’s ride request. The higher limits apply while the driver is en route to pick up a passenger and during that passenger’s trip.
When the Driver Is Logged Out of the Uber App
Uber’s coverage is only available if the driver is “working” for Uber at the time of the crash. When a driver is logged out of the app, their own personal car insurance will be on the hook for damages.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Rideshare Accident Victims in Salinas?
When it comes to damages, Uber accident victims are entitled to the same types of damages as any other car accident victim.
You can pursue economic damages to cover your monetary losses, including:
- Current medical bills
- Projected future medical expenses if you need ongoing care
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning potential and career opportunities
- Nursing assistance
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
You can also seek non-economic damages to help you cope with the pain and trauma of the experience, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Fear
- Embarrassment
- Physical disfigurement or scarring
- Reduced ability to enjoy life
- Loss of consortium and other damages for wrongful death
As with all personal injury claims, punitive damages are rare. California courts only award punitive damages when a defendant’s acts deserve punishment. For example, if the Uber driver was intoxicated and caused the crash, a judge or jury may award punitive damages.
Do I Have to Pay Anything Upfront to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in California?
Like most injury law firms, Mercado Kramer, LLP operates on a contingency fee basis. Our lawyers collect attorneys’ fees once your case is resolved, rather than when you decide to hire us.
The amount you pay depends entirely on how successful we are. You’ll never be responsible for attorneys’ fees if we fail to recover any compensation in your case.
Can California Shared Fault Laws Impact My Right to Recover Compensation After an Uber Accident?
Yes. California has what’s known as a “pure” comparative negligence law. Multiple parties can share blame for the same accident. When that’s the case, liability is divided among them based on each party’s acts or omissions.
You’ll be assigned a percentage of fault. Any damages awarded are reduced by that percentage.
Our lawyers aren’t surprised when insurance companies blame Uber accident victims. The law motivates them to shift as much blame to the victim as possible so they can pay less. We’ll be prepared to defend against unfair accusations.
Our Attorneys in Salinas Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Uber Accident Injuries
At Mercado Kramer, LLP, we handle all types of injury claims, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Chest injuries
- Eye, dental, and facial injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Whiplash injuries and other soft tissue damage
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Motor vehicle accidents can cause a range of injuries. Your medical care should be your top priority. At any time, feel free to call our lawyers in Salinas to discuss your legal rights and options.
What Causes Most Uber Accidents in Salinas?
You probably already know that rideshare drivers aren’t subject to any specialized licensing requirements. They may spend more time behind the wheel than most, but they’re just as likely to cause an accident as anyone else.
Some common causes of Uber accidents include:
- Uber drivers who are distracted by GPS, cell phones, and conversations
- Speeding
- Fatigued and overworked Uber drivers
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating and other aggressive driving behaviors
- Road rage
- Lane departures
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Drunk driving or drug use behind the wheel
- Stopping in unsafe places for passenger pick-ups or drop-offs
- Dangerous road conditions
- Improper vehicle maintenance
Your right to compensation isn’t automatic merely because an Uber driver was involved. You’ll still have to identify the cause of your crash to establish your right to compensation.
How Do I Prove Negligence After an Uber Accident in California?
Negligence is the most common legal theory involved in car accident cases.
To prove a negligence claim, you’ll have to prove:
- The defendant had a legal duty of care
- A breach of that duty occurred
- That breach caused your accident
- You suffered damages (and their value)
We all have certain legal duties. Drivers have a duty to exercise a reasonable amount of caution and obey traffic laws to keep others safe.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After an Uber Accident in California?
The statute of limitations in California personal injury cases is two years. You’ll have a two-year window of time following an accident to take legal action. After the two-year deadline passes, your right to pursue compensation disappears.
Contact Our Salinas Uber Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation Today
The compensation you recover by filing a personal injury claim can go a long way toward helping you get back on your feet again. An experienced Salinas Uber accident attorney can help you maximize your financial recovery. Call Mercado Kramer, LLP to explore your legal options today.
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Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Salinas, CA
450 Lincoln Ave Ste. 102, Salinas, CA 93901
(888) 311-4050
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