When a rideshare accident happens, the first step is taking care of injuries. Next is looking for a skilled and experienced rideshare accident injury lawyer. Selecting the right lawyer can make a significant difference in the outcome of the case. Here are key factors to consider when choosing a rideshare accident lawyer so you will receive the best possible legal representation.
Experience Handling Rideshare Accident Cases
The lawyer should be experienced in handling not only car accident cases but also those involving rideshare drivers and passengers. This way, it will be easier for them to work with the rideshare company and their insurance provider to achieve a favorable result.
Knowledge of State Road Laws
The attorney you want to work with should also be familiar with the road laws of your state. By knowing the rules drivers are supposed to follow while on the road, the attorney specializing in rideshare accidents will quickly prove instances of driver negligence. This will also help them understand how the accident happened and who to blame.
Knowledge of State-Specific Rideshare Laws
Many states have a set of rules and regulations when it comes to rideshare driving. This includes ensuring that the driver completes a training course to ensure they can handle their vehicle safely before they start the service. 
Your attorney should be familiar with all these requirements as well as other mandates rideshare drivers are supposed to follow set by the company they work for.
Identifying Relevant References to Understand Your Case
Ask the attorney to share references from past clients to ensure that the ones they provide are similar to your case. Look for situations where the attorney took these actions:
Negotiated with Insurance Representatives
You might think insurance companies are on your side, but the truth is they operate to protect their interest. Still, they will provide you with a settlement for the case, but it won’t be enough to cover all expenses, such as injuries and property damage.
They will do all they can to reduce the client’s degree of liability. They can manipulate you into accepting some degree of blame by using your words against you and convincing you that you also share a fault for that accident. Leave the communication with insurance to your lawyer because they understand which detail they are looking for and how to convince the insurance to maximize your compensation. Click here to learn more about navigating the complexities of insurance liability.
Calculated the Actual Value of Your Damages
The reference should include where the lawyer calculates the actual value of their clients’ damage. This includes both economic and non-economic damages, like
- Medical expenses (present and future)
- Emotional trauma
- Property damage
- Lower quality of life
- Compensatory damages
- Loss of consortium (companionship, support)
Economic damage usually has actual monetary value, like medical expenses. Non-economic values are those qualitative values like emotional trauma and life quality. The accident settlement should not only cover immediate expenses but all expenses whether it’s short-term or long-term.
Identified Fault and Liability
Ensure the lawyer is experienced in research and investigation to determine the root cause of rideshare accidents. This will help them understand who’s at fault and establish liabilities. The attorney should speak to eyewitnesses, review police reports, and reconstruct the accident scheme. If it’s the driver at fault, the policy that will be applied will depend on the scenario.
Investigating Legal Fees and Quality of Service
It’s essential to be familiar with the different types of legal fee structures that you may come across while searching for rideshare accidents lawyers. Some of them include the following:
- Contingency fees
- Hourly fees
- Flat rates
Contingency Fees
Most lawyers work on contingency fees. This is a situation where they will only get paid when your claim results are successful. When this happens, they will remove their pay from the settlement fees you received. Although this also means you don’t need to pay them from your pocket, there are still other legal fees that are involved, including:
- Courier fees
- Filing fees
- Travel expenses
- Service of process fees
Hourly Rates
Hourly rate structure is when you are charged by the hour that the lawyer works on your case. Each law firm has its own fees based on the kind of work it offers. For example, the hourly rate for legal research will be different from the rate for court appearances.
Flat Rates
A flat rate fee structure is where you will be charged a single fee for the entire case. This fee structure is mostly used in cases that are simple or routine in nature.
Visit https://www.researchgate.net/publication/ to read more on the legal ethics to look out for when working with an attorney.
Conclusion
A rideshare accident lawyer is there to help you navigate the legal process. Ideally, this is not something you can or should do alone. By working with professionals, you will receive all the appropriate compensation you deserve, whether you sustain injury or property damage. Working with experts can make a huge difference in your case outcome.