Toronto Ridesharing Accident Lawyer
Ridesharing services like Uber or Lyft have changed the way Torontonians get around town. In many areas of the city, hailing a ridesharing vehicle through a smartphone app may be more convenient than flagging down a taxi or waiting for public transit. With easy-to-use technology and as CBC News reports, nearly 100,000 individual ridesharing drivers in Toronto alone, app-based ride-hailing services have revolutionized the urban commute.
Despite their convenience, customers who use these services put their lives in the hands of drivers contracted by tech companies. Traveling in an Uber, Lyft, or another ridesharing vehicle comes with its share of risks. In the city of Toronto, new bylaws require ridesharing drivers to complete a mandatory training course. Nevertheless, these drivers are as vulnerable to the dangers of the road as any other motorist. Collisions caused by ridesharing vehicle drivers can be traumatic and have the potential to result in serious injuries.
A number of factors could lead regular drivers to cause an accidental collision on the road, but ridesharing vehicle operators have a unique set of conditions. As a for-hire driver, these motorists may engage in aggressive behaviour on the road, like speeding, to try and get to their next fare quickly. Ridesharing vehicle drivers may bring their passengers to parts of the city they’re unfamiliar with, increasing their risk of collisions. Furthermore, if a driver’s focus is on their app’s dashboard or their conversation with a passenger instead of on the road, their distracted driving may result in an accident.
If you have been injured in a ridesharing vehicle accident, it can be difficult to know what to do next, or where to go to seek accountability. Assistance from a Toronto ridesharing accident lawyer may help you recover damages from the parties responsible for your injuries.
What to Do After a Ridesharing Accident
Following an accident, taking some immediate measures may be able to help you prevent further injury, and could strengthen future legal cases against the responsible driver. These actions include:
- Seeking immediate medical attention
- Talking to eyewitnesses and requesting their names and contact information
- Providing law enforcement officers with a thorough description of the circumstances leading to the collision
- Recording details about the accident while they’re fresh in your mind
- Keeping records of any correspondence with the ridesharing service
Types of Injuries Sustained in Ridesharing Accidents
The severity of injuries resulting from ridesharing accidents can range from minor to life-threatening. Accident victims may endure lengthy recovery processes, which might impact their ability to return to work.
Some common injuries resulting from ridesharing accidents include:
- Neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Broken or fractured bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
Ridesharing Accidents Resulting in Wrongful Death
In truly tragic situations, collisions caused by a ridesharing vehicle driver may result in the death of a loved one. In these extremely unfortunate occurrences, mourners may find it difficult to seek any kind of accountability or restitution. If another driver’s negligence led to the accidental death of a loved one, a Toronto rideshare accident lawyer may be able to help pursue damages for the following costs:
- Funeral expenses
- Travel expenses
- Loss of income from the deceased
- Loss of guidance and companionship
- And possibly more
The loss of a loved one is always heartbreaking. But these tragedies can be even more painful when they are caused by a stranger’s negligence. If someone you loved lost their life in an accident caused by a ridesharing vehicle driver, a Toronto car accident lawyer may be able to help you pursue legal action by filing a wrongful death claim.
Contact Preszler Injury Lawyers to Discuss Your Case
If you live or work in the Toronto area and have been injured in a collision caused by a ridesharing vehicle driver, you may be eligible to recover damages for costs you incurred. To see if you’re eligible, call Preszler Injury Lawyers today for a free, initial consultation.
