Rideshares are part of the fabric of our society, and they have many benefits. But if you’ve been injured in an Uber accident in Columbus, OH, you may be coping with medical bills, lost wages, and other negative consequences. Fortunately, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries.
If the car accident was a result of the driver’s reckless or negligent conduct, they may be liable for your damages. A knowledgeable Columbus Uber accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal process.
That’s where Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC, can help. If you have a viable Uber accident case, we’ll fight for you to receive full compensation for your losses in Columbus, Ohio.
Contact our office online or call us at (614) 587-8423 to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Columbus Uber accident attorneys.
How Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC Can Help After an Uber Accident in Columbus
Our skilled attorneys have over 71 years of experience in personal injury law and have recovered hundreds of millions on behalf of our injured clients.
In addition, our experienced Columbus personal injury lawyers have earned the following recognitions:
- WVAJ Distinguished Service Award
- Alumnus of the Year, The University of Charleston
- AV Preeminent Rating
- Super Lawyers
When you hire one of our knowledgeable Columbus car accident attorneys, we’ll manage your case from start to finish so you can focus on your recovery.
We’ll take the following specific steps to try and achieve the best possible outcome in your case in Columbus, OH:
- Review your accident
- Investigate the accident further
- Identify who was at fault, if necessary
- Gather evidence, such as police reports and surveillance footage
- Offer sound legal advice
- Develop a case strategy
- Assess the extent of your damages
- Contact the insurance company to negotiate on your behalf
- Take your case to court, if necessary
Reach out to our office to learn more about how our Columbus Uber accident lawyers can help with your case.
How Common Are Uber Accidents in Columbus, OH?
Uber recently released a report indicating that the number of Uber accidents is significantly lower than the national average. However, in contrast to this, some other studies suggest that since rideshares were introduced, the number of cars on the road has increased, as has the number of car accident fatalities.
While the answer is unclear about how common these accidents are, they do occur. If you were injured in an Uber accident because of someone else’s negligence, you have a right to seek compensation for your injuries.
What Is My Uber Accident Case Worth?
If you were injured in an Uber accident, you might guess that the value of your case is the combined value of your medical expenses and property damage. But it’s not that simple.
Instead, there are many factors that influence the potential value of your case, including:
- The extent of your injuries
- The expected future outcomes of your injuries
- The extent of your property damages
- Whether you sustained other damages, such as pain and suffering
- Whether you were partly to blame for the accident
- The insurance policy limits
- Whether particularly egregious or reckless behavior was involved
An experienced Columbus personal injury lawyer will explain how these factors may apply to your case.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Accident Victims?
Uber accident victims may be able to recover compensation for their damages–or losses–incurred in an accident. The two main types of damages are economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to the financial consequences of the accident. They include medical expenses, property damages, lost wages, loss of earning potential, and out-of-pocket expenses. They are fairly intuitive, and many of these damages can be calculated by reviewing invoices, receipts, and other documentation.
However, loss of earning capacity or anticipated medical expenses require some guest work or, in some cases, an expert witness. It’s a good idea to consult with an experienced Uber accident attorney to make sure you aren’t leaving any damages on the table.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages refer to the other consequences of the accident or injury, which are often emotional or psychological in nature. These may include pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of companionship, loss of quality of life, or disfigurement.
Given their subjective nature, they can be more difficult to calculate than economic damages. If you think you’ve incurred non-economic damages, consider hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Uber Accident Lawyer?
Most personal injury lawyers–including ours–accept cases on a contingency fee basis. After an Uber accident, you may be dealing with medical costs, vehicle repairs, and lost wages that you weren’t planning for. The last thing you want to do is take on the cost of hiring an attorney, right?
Contingency arrangements mean the attorney collects their fee from your ultimate financial award, usually as a percentage of that award. Thus, if you don’t successfully recover compensation, you don’t have to pay the attorney. Further, you don’t have to pay any fees upfront, as they are collected at the end of the case.
Contingency fees allow anyone to hire an attorney, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for an Uber Accident in Ohio?
Ohio has a modified comparative negligence law. Under this law, if the plaintiff is 51% or more to blame for an accident, they cannot recover compensation for their injuries. If they are 0% to 50% to blame, they can recover compensation, but their damages will be reduced in proportion to their degree of fault.
Defendants will often accuse a personal injury plaintiff of being fully or partially to blame for an accident. If you were partially responsible for an accident, it could decrease the amount of damages you can recover or prevent you from recovering any damages.
For example, if you were injured in an Uber accident and suffered $100,000 worth of damages and were found to be 20% at fault, you could recover up to $80,000—or 80%—of your damages.
What Causes Most Uber Accidents in Columbus, OH?
One of the most common causes of all car accidents, Uber accidents included, is distracted driving. Distracted driving refers to the use of tablets, smartphones, or other devices while driving, as well as eating, drinking, or otherwise engaging in activity that takes your attention off the task of driving.
Uber drivers may be especially at risk of distracted driving because they use an application to schedule their fares.
Other common causes of Uber accidents include:
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Inclement weather or road conditions
- Failure to obey traffic signals
- Failure to yield
- Vehicle defects or faulty maintenance
- Driving while under the influence
It’s not always possible to prove what caused a car accident. Your attorney will review the evidence and try to determine the cause of your accident before crafting a case strategy.
How Do I Prove Negligence After an Uber Accident in Ohio?
As most car accident claims are founded on negligence, you will probably need to prove that the other driver was negligent before you can recover compensation for your losses.
To prove that the defendant was negligent, you must prove the following four elements:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care. This is often the duty to act reasonably under the circumstances.
- The defendant breached that duty of care. This requires showing that the defendant acted unreasonably under the circumstances.
- You suffered damages. This includes financial losses, emotional harm, and physical injuries.
- Your damages were caused by the defendant’s actions. You must prove that the defendant’s actions were both the actual cause and the legal cause of your injuries.
You must prove each of these elements by a preponderance of the evidence. That means you must show that, more likely than not, each of your assertions against the defendant are true.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After an Uber Accident in Ohio?
You have two years to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for injuries related to the accident. This two-year deadline is known as the statute of limitations. If your case is not filed on time, you won’t be able to seek compensation for your injuries in court.
Time is of the essence if you were injured in an Uber accident. To begin, you may need to report the accident to law enforcement and the insurance companies within a certain amount of time.
Keep in mind that most Uber accident claims will be settled before they go to trial, but having the ability to file a lawsuit can be a strategic tool in negotiating a settlement.
Contact Our Columbus Uber Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in an Uber accident in Columbus, OH, the at-fault driver may be liable for your medical expenses, property damages, lost wages, and more.
Our skilled Columbus Uber accident attorneys are here to help. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team.
