Rideshare services like Uber are now household names in San Antonio. Using the app on your smartphone, you can get a rate to your destination, see your car traveling to you, and share information about your ride with others. While it’s extremely convenient for riders, Uber vehicles are like any other mode of transportation in that you can be seriously injured in an accident en route.
If it happens to you, the experienced San Antonio auto accident lawyers at the Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS, will help you pursue compensation. We work tirelessly to get our clients the maximum amount of compensation for severe injuries sustained in Uber accidents. We understand Texas rideshare laws and can stand up to large insurance companies that try to deny liability for your motor vehicle accident.
When you have been injured in an Uber incident in San Antonio, seek assistance from a law firm that has extensive personal injury experience. The Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS will handle all aspects of your case.
Here are a few of the many reasons why we stand out:
In 2021, the fatality rate on Texas roads and highways was 1.56 deaths per 100 million miles traveled, which is an increase of nearly 19% over the year before. The total number of reported deaths was 4,489, which is 14% higher than the total recorded for 2020. In terms of injuries, there were 15,764 motor vehicle crashes in Texas, leaving 19,448 people seriously injured.
Several factors contribute to accidents involving rideshare companies, including driver error and the nature of the business. Some Uber drivers operate their vehicles in an unsafe and negligent manner because they want to collect as many fares as possible in a limited amount of time. This is especially problematic in urban areas like San Antonio.
Some reasons why Uber accidents occur include:
Like regular motorists, Uber drivers can also engage in unsafe actions such as driving while fatigued or intoxicated. Regardless of the cause, it can lead to an accident that leaves you with common injuries like the following:
Navigating the liability process in order to get the money you deserve can be challenging. If you are involved in a rideshare accident, contact the Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS, as soon as possible, so we can use our resources, knowledge, and legal experience to recover the compensation you need.
Most states have established clear rules and laws for rideshare companies, formally referred to as transportation network companies (TNCs). In 2017, legislators in Texas passed House Bill 100 outlining regulations for transportation network companies like Uber. Under the bill, Uber drivers must meet the following requirements:
According to Texas law, Uber must also conduct a criminal background check on any new drivers, and do so every year thereafter. Information sources from local, state, and national sources must be included in the check. Background information must include:
According to Texas law, Uber cannot allow a driver to join or remain in the system if their background check reveals any of the following violations within the last three years:
According to Texas law, applicants who have been convicted of the following crimes within the last seven years are not allowed to drive for Uber:
Uber drivers are required to carry insurance in Texas, but the law is not concerned whether the coverage is provided by Uber or by the driver. The financial responsibility laws for transportation network companies and their drivers vary depending on whether the driver is actively transporting passengers or not.
When an Uber accident occurs in San Antonio and a customer is injured, determining who is liable can be difficult. Dealing with a combination of personal insurance, the Uber driver’s insurance, and the ridesharing company’s insurer can make settling an Uber accident claim seem like an uphill battle, as the conditions of coverage primarily depend on the at-fault driver’s work status at the time of the accident.
Injured victims will have to contact the ridesharing company’s insurer to determine if contingent insurance benefits can be used to cover catastrophic injuries or losses that are not covered by their own policies. The San Antonio Uber accident lawyers at the Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS, will explore and pursue all potential sources of financial compensation for economic and non-economic damages like the following:
If the negligent driver behaved in an especially wanton or reckless manner, you may also be awarded punitive damages, which are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.
Under Texas law, you have up to two years to file a personal injury claim in a San Antonio rideshare accident case. The experienced lawyers at the Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS, will help ensure that your insurance claim is filed on time so that you don’t unintentionally lose your right to compensation.
You should start documenting everything as soon as possible. Be sure that you call the police, and ensure that everyone involved is safe. When the police come, they will take down some information so they can make a report of the crash. If you need medical assistance, be sure to request it. Any accident, no matter how minor, can leave you with serious injuries. Even if you have no visible injuries, see a doctor as soon as possible to confirm.
It’s also important that you report the accident to Uber, as they should be made aware of the crash. After that, contact a personal injury attorney. Your crash injury lawyer will be able to help you with the next steps and make sure you get the fair compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one are injured in a rideshare accident that was caused by another person’s reckless or negligent actions, seek legal assistance today. At the Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS, we will explore all avenues of compensation and work to secure the following:
If you lost someone you love, we can help you pursue a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for burial expenses, medical bills, and related losses.
You don’t have to be in the same vehicle as the driver to sue a rideshare company. Uber vehicles can be involved in other incidents, such as:
If the rideshare driver is at fault, you might be entitled to financial compensation from the company. This is especially true if the driver did not have insurance, or the insurance provider will not pay you the full extent of the damages you are owed. An auto accident attorney will help you identify all responsible parties who may owe you money for your losses.
As soon as you know your San Antonio Uber accident has left you with compensable injuries, you should contact a personal injury lawyer with experience in rideshare cases. Whenever insurance companies get involved, they have shifty claims adjusters and teams of attorneys whose sole responsibility is to ensure that their employers pay you as little compensation as possible. Your case deserves the representation of a knowledgeable and experienced attorney who will fight for every dollar of compensation you deserve.
Your San Antonio Uber accident lawyer can:
An Uber accident case is generally far more challenging and complex than a car accident case, as liability and your avenues for compensation will mainly depend on the driver’s status at the time of the crash. Many San Antonio personal injury attorneys have never handled a case involving a large commercial vehicle, but the Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS, has recovered millions in compensation for clients and knows how to help car accident victims get the justice they deserve.
If you’ve been injured, contact us for a free consultation and case review. If we believe that you have an accident claim, we will pursue all legal options to maximize your recovery. There are no upfront fees for our services, and you only pay if we recover compensation for you.
When you’re facing years of pain and rehabilitation or the loss of a loved one, you deserve an aggressive advocate who will guide you through the legal process and won’t settle for less than what you deserve during this difficult time.
The accident attorneys at the law firm of Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS, have obtained fair settlements and judgments on behalf of victims involved in a wide range of San Antonio rideshare accidents. From your first phone call to the trial, we are here for you, so to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a San Antonio Uber accident lawyer, contact us.
