Rideshare apps such as Uber and Lyft are often an easy and convenient way to get around and are utilized by millions of people in Texas. However, they are not without risks. Rideshare drivers are not given any special training and may have very little experience navigating the area. For this reason, rideshare accidents are common. If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn for support. Rideshare accidents are far more complicated to navigate than traditional vehicle accidents due to all the additional parties and insurance policies involved. For this reason, if you have been injured in a rideshare accident, it is important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. A rideshare accident lawyer will do all the legwork so you can focus on your recovery.
Rideshare Pedestrian Accidents in Texas
When you imagine an accident between a vehicle and a pedestrian, you may assume that the pedestrian is the only one injured. However, that is not always the case. In a pedestrian accident, the driver will likely slam on the breaks to try and avoid hitting the individual. They may also veer to one side in an attempt to avoid hitting the pedestrian. This may cause them to swerve into traffic, a curb, or a traffic pole. The hitting of the brakes alone can cause serious injury to a passenger due to the whiplash motion that results. This can cause injury to the neck, spine, brain stem, and can even result in brain swelling, hemorrhage, and traumatic brain injuries due to the force of the brain hitting the skull. In some cases, the seatbelt will lock very quickly, and can cause internal bleeding. If the seatbelt malfunctions, it may not lock at all, causing the passenger to fly forward, potentially even through the windshield. This is not even considering the additional harm that can result if further collisions occur. For this reason, it is not at all uncommon for a rideshare passenger to suffer an injury in a pedestrian collision.
Claiming Damages
If you have been injured as a passenger in a rideshare pedestrian accident, you absolutely have the ability to claim damages. Because there may be multiple liable parties, the easiest way to proceed is by consulting with a Texas personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney will help you identify the liable parties, which may include the rideshare driver, their employer, the pedestrian, vehicle, or components manufacturers if there was a malfunction, and the city or state if the cross walks were improperly marked or the signals did not function correctly.
Contact the Texas Law Office of Raul A. Guajardo, P.L.L.C.
If you have suffered an injury in a rideshare accident in Edinburg, Texas, you do not have to navigate the claims process alone. The experienced attorneys at the Law Office of Raul A. Guajardo, P.L.L.C. will fight to get you the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. Contact the Law Office of Raul A. Guajardo, P.L.L.C. today to schedule a consultation and find out how we can help.