Uber Accident Injury Lawyer Hamilton

Uber launched its rideshare services in Hamilton in 2015, and the move was not without controversy. In Hamilton, as in many cities, a taxi license is required to operate a taxi, and at first, Uber drivers were charged with not having this document. By 2017, the city moved to regulate and allow the service in Hamilton, paving the way for many other rideshare services.

Since then, multiple car accidents and injuries have occurred involving rideshare cars. If you find yourself injured by a rideshare car, you may be confused about what insurance policy covers you and how you can seek compensation for your losses. If you are denied benefits or encounter problems, contact Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law for a free consultation. In a free consultation with an Uber accident injury lawyer in Hamilton, you can discuss your case and get answers to your questions.

Understanding Uber & Rideshare Accidents

Car accidents can happen in any vehicle. However, these collisions can be more complicated if they involve an Uber or other rideshare car. Rideshare companies are typically multi-billion-dollar companies based in the United States or other countries. This means that when you try to file a claim, you may be dealing with a company operating on another country’s laws and you will be facing a powerful company with the resources to deny or minimize your claim.

There are a few ways you may be involved in an accident involving rideshare in Hamilton:

• You may be a rideshare passenger who is injured in an accident.
• You may be a driver of another car that is struck by an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare car.
• You may be a driver for Uber or another rideshare company and may be injured during your work.
• You may be in a pedestrian accident where you are hit by a rideshare car.

In some cases, injuries involving Uber do not even involve car accidents. There have been a number of incidents where a passenger was assaulted or harmed by a rideshare driver, or even by someone posing as a rideshare driver. In these cases, you may want to report the crime to the police. You may also want to consult with a personal injury lawyer to find out whether you may have a personal injury case.

Determining Liability in an Uber Accident Case

Rideshare services use a third party to vet drivers and to run background checks. There is also an in-app emergency number you can call when you encounter a problem. However, rideshare companies are powerful corporations that take steps to limit their liability.

One way that rideshare companies like Uber protect themselves is with complicated insurance rules. Rideshare drivers must carry their own insurance, and the rideshare company also provides coverage, up to a limit. The two insurance companies can make claims complicated. For example, if a driver does not have a passenger but is on the app and looking for passengers at the time of a crash, the rideshare policy may cover some claims. If the Uber driver has a passenger, Uber’s insurance policy will generally cover any accidents.

Of course, this situation can easily become complicated, which is why working with a lawyer is important. A lawyer can help investigate the accident, the cause of the accident, and find all liable parties. Depending on the accident, liable parties can include:

• The manufacturer of the car, if a car’s mechanical defect caused the collision.
• The driver of the rideshare car, if the driver was negligent in either operating the car or keeping it maintained.
• The rideshare company, if their policies contributed to your accident or injuries.
• The municipality where the accident took place, if road conditions contributed to the accident.

In many cases, there may be more than one liable party. For example, another car may have swerved in front of the rideshare where you were a passenger. However, if your driver was distracted, he or she may also be held liable.

Why Choose Derek Wilson as Your Uber Accident Lawyer in Hamilton, ON?

At Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law, you can speak with an Uber accident injury lawyer in Hamilton who has been in practice since the early 1990s and brings decades of experience to your case. Our law firm has been representing individuals injured in rideshare accidents since rideshare first came to Hamilton.

When you work with Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law, you enjoy the following benefits:

• An insider’s view. The founder of our law firm, Derek Wilson, began his career at a law firm that represented large insurance companies. He has seen how insurers and large corporations work, and he can use that to your advantage when you need to face powerful companies like Uber and their insurance companies.
• Personal attention. Your case is always handled by Derek Wilson, the firm’s founder, personally. That way, you get the full benefit of his decades of experience. When you speak with our law firm about your case, you will be speaking to Derek Wilson and your case won’t be passed off to a junior associate newly out of law school.
• Clear, honest communication. We reply to your emails and calls promptly, and we communicate with you with no jargon. With our law firm, you can expect an honest assessment of your situation and a clear outline of any options you may have.
• No pressure and no upfront costs. Our team doesn’t pressure you. Ever. We also don’t get paid until and unless we recover money for you.

Above all, you work with a team that cares. We’re part of the community, and we give back because we genuinely care about the people of Stoney Creek, Hamilton, and surrounding areas. You can find us at local events and contributing to local organizations.

What To Expect from the Legal Process

If you were a passenger or rideshare driver and were in an accident, the companies require you to report the accident to them. You can do so in the app.

After a traffic accident, it’s also important to contact the police and file a report. This will generally involve going to the police station to fill out some paperwork. A police report can help you with your insurance claim.

The rideshare company will contact you and seek more information about the accident. If you were injured, they may offer compensation.

Even if an offer seems reasonable, it’s important to get an honest evaluation of your situation. You can do so by contacting Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law for a free consultation. While accepting an offer can seem like the simplest path forward, you are likely not getting as much as you deserve with an initial offer from the insurance company. The rideshare company may also claim that you don’t qualify for compensation.

It is best to contact an Uber accident lawyer in Hamilton early in the process, before you make a statement to the rideshare company or anyone else and before you sign any documents. It’s free to consult with us at Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law. We can explain what options you may have, what to avoid doing, and how to maximize your possible compensation.

If you work with our law firm, we can explain your options, create an action plan to help you seek compensation, and take care of negotiating with the insurance companies involved. While we generally seek compensation through a settlement with insurers, we are willing to take your case to court if that is the best way to get you the compensation you need.

The Importance of Filing Your Uber Accident Claim as Soon as Possible

When you have been in a rideshare accident, it’s important to consult with an Uber accident injury lawyer right away so you can start the process of filing your claim. Your lawyer needs time to investigate the accident, and this is more effective when deadlines to file aren’t approaching fast.

When you act fast, it is also less likely that witness memories will fade or evidence will go missing, so your lawyer can build a stronger case. In addition, filing early shows you are serious about your claim.

Seeking Maximum Compensation

If you have been in a rideshare accident, seeking maximum compensation is crucial to protect your future. A serious car accident or pedestrian accident can affect your earning potential for months or years. It can also result in costly car repair bills and other expenses.

Seeking fair compensation ensures you have the financial security to move forward, without feeling the pressure to return to work before you are cleared to do so. Fair compensation can help pay for all the costs related to your accident and injury, so you do not have to drain your savings paying out of pocket.

Medical Expenses & Damage Recovery

In Hamilton, we are fortunate to have facilities like Hamilton General Hospital, St. Joseph’s, and other healthcare centers to help us after a traumatic injury. While OHIP covers your hospital stay, there are many healthcare services not covered by the provincial plan, including:

• Most prescription drugs, including pain management medication.
• Dental and eye care provided outside a hospital.
• Physiotherapy.
• Therapy and counseling.
• Medical devices and medical supplies.
• Ambulance transportation.

OHIP and most insurance will also not cover pain and suffering. If you have lost a family member in a rideshare traffic accident, funeral costs, loss of income support, and other losses are also not covered unless your family member had additional coverage or unless you file a claim.

Dealing With Insurance Companies

In Ontario, Uber drivers have commercial insurance through Economical Insurance (formerly Intact Insurance). While it can be reassuring to read on the app that your driver is covered by a one-million-dollar policy, don’t assume that you will get a large settlement or that the insurance company will make a fair offer.

The reality is that insurance companies are in business to make money, and they maximize profits when they deny or minimize claims. Large insurance companies, like those offering coverage to rideshare companies, have many resources to ensure you’re offered less than you may expect.

Rideshare accidents involve specialized insurance policies, multiple insurers, and multiple parties, all of which can make these accidents more complicated than most car accidents. The insurance companies for the rideshare companies are powerful, and you don’t want to take them on yourself. Consult with an Uber accident injury lawyer in Hamilton before you agree to anything or make any statement to insurers. We can take care of dealing with insurance companies for you.

How Much Is Your Claim Worth?

Every claim is different, and rideshare injury claims can be worth thousands of dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars to even more. It depends on the severity of your injuries, the cause of the accident, and the strength of your case.

You want to secure the fairest compensation possible, so you’re not stuck with devastating bills. We invite you to contact Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law for a free consultation. We can explain how much you may be able to pursue and what we may be able to do to help you maximize your compensation.

Rideshare Laws in Ontario

There are many rideshare laws and rules in Ontario, and the following apply specifically to Hamilton drivers:

• Rideshare drivers for Uber must have a car that is less than 10 years old and is inspected annually.
• Drivers must be at least 21 years old with a full G license.
• Drivers must pass a background screening every year.
• Drivers must have an annually renewed safety standards certificate (SSC).

Drivers in Hamilton are also subject to inspections by the municipality to ensure that rideshare cars are in good condition and that drivers have all necessary documentation. 

At Derek Wilson We Get Results, Period. Contact Us to Have Us By Your Side During Uber Accident Claim

Injured by a rideshare? Contact our compassion-first, results-driven law firm today for a free consultation.