Santa Monica is home to Uber Technologies’ headquarters and residents there are steady customers using Uber for getting around the city and other points in LA metro. The city is also a tourist mecca with popular destinations like Muscle Beach, the Santa Monica Pier, and Palisades Park, and tourists love to use Uber in getting to these spots
While great for the local economy, with all those added Uber cars out on the roads, it’s tough on cyclists who need to use the same streets to get to work or just go on a bike ride. Cyclists are especially vulnerable to rideshare accidents because of the nature of rideshare activity and the proximity to cyclists.
Types of Uber v. Bicycle Accidents
Uber drivers need to pick up their rides and drop them off as quickly as possible. The faster they do, the more they make. It’s this dynamic that causes accidents with cyclists. At Bay Area Bicycle Law, we’ve seen countless Uber accidents and have helped injured cyclists get compensation for their injuries.
An accident between a bike and an Uber car can happen in many ways, and some of the more common are:
- Dooring: This happens when a cyclist rides along the right side of the road or in a bike lane and gets hit by an opening Uber car door.
- Right Hook: Many times when a cyclist is in a bike lane or on the right side of the right lane, a car will move over to turn right and not see the cyclists and turn in its path.
- Picking Up: Uber cars will often block bike lanes or stop suddenly to pick up a ride, and an unsuspecting cyclist can get injured.
- Dropping Off: The same can happen as when picking up, but sometimes a passenger gets out of an Uber car and doesn’t look for cyclists and then steps in their path.
What to Do if You’ve Been Injured in an Uber Accident in Santa Monica
If you’ve been injured in an accident involving an Uber car, the first thing to do is to make sure you get the medical attention you need. Then when you are able, talk to an attorney before speaking to the insurance company or their attorneys.
Most insurance company agents sound like they are going to be helpful, but their job is to pay as little as possible for your claim, and anything you say to them can help them do their job. Talk to an attorney at Bay Area Bicycle Law in a free consultation before you speak to anyone else.
Uber v Bicycle Injuries
Because of the lack of protection, a collision with an Uber car can cause serious and even deadly injuries. Over the years that rideshare vehicles have been operating, we’ve noticed some common recurring injuries suffered by cyclists, some of them are:
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Fractured Facial Bones
- Broken Collarbone
- Fractured Ribs
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Severe Road Rash
- Blunt Force Trauma
- Broken Arms/Legs
If you’ve been in an accident with an Uber car and have suffered any of these injuries, or any others, come talk to us at Bay Area Bicycle Law so you can get some peace of mind over your financial worries so you can focus on getting back to full health.
Northern California’s Bicycle Accident Lawyers.
Bay Area Bicycle Law works with clients all over the State of California and is one of the state’s only personal injury law firms working exclusively with injured cyclists.
We handle cases in your area, and there are many benefits to working with a specialist.
Years of advocacy for bicycle crash victims have seasoned our attorneys with the necessary skills to handle bicycle accident cases with the utmost level of professional expertise. We will always offer you legal advice which is in your best interest. Contact us today for a free consultation.