Auto accidents are usually caused by driver negligence. Therefore, to secure a suitable settlement or to win compensation in a jury trial, your personal injury attorney must prove the four elements of negligence. Transportation network companies, including Lyft, offer some insurance protection that can complicate matters, especially if you are a passenger and the crash also involves another vehicle, because you could be dealing with multiple sources of insurance.
At Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC, we understand the importance of evidence in Paramus Lyft accident cases. Our dedicated rideshare accident attorneys use this knowledge to negotiate and litigate large awards for our clients, and we can advocate for you, too. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.
How Does Evidence Prove Negligence?
The four elements of negligence, duty, breach, causation, and damages, must be proven and supported by evidence for you to win compensation. All drivers have a duty to obey the rules of the road to ensure the safety of others. If they drive carelessly or while distracted, they breach this duty. If their actions then cause an accident that results in your injuries, this establishes negligence.
Even if your attorney begins your case by negotiating with insurers, strong evidence supporting your claim translates into higher settlement offers. Insurers know litigation is expensive, and they have no control over the amount a jury will award.
Evidence comes from many sources. For example, a ticket your Lyft driver received for speeding or driving while intoxicated shows that the driver broke traffic laws and breached their duty, a doctrine known as negligence per se. The police report may also offer details about the accident, and your medical treatment provides evidence of your injuries. Rideshare collision cases in Paramus also require your attorney to provide proof of two types of causation.
Evidence and Two Types of Causation
The two types of causation are cause-in-fact and proximate cause. Cause-in-fact is the actual cause of the accident and is established using the ‘but for’ test. For example, but for the driver speeding or drinking, the accident would not have occurred. The proximate cause is the fact that the at-fault driver should have known that substandard behavior could lead to the resulting accident. Evidence such as the police report, eyewitness testimony, the traffic ticket, and testimony by an expert witness, if necessary, is crucial to proving causation in Paramus Lyft crash claims.
Overcoming Insurance Tactics With Evidence
Insurers wish to avoid making large payouts to those who sustained injuries in a crash. Insurance conglomerates are corporations that answer to shareholders, and fewer settlements mean greater profits. They use intimidating tactics such as claiming you were partly or fully responsible for the accident, or that your injuries are not serious.
Our firm is small but mighty. We will prepare your case thoroughly using the same resources as these insurers and large law firms. If we cannot settle your Paramus rideshare crash case in negotiations, we will take your case to court, using evidence to secure the compensation you deserve.
Call Our Paramus Office To Discuss How Evidence Supports Your Lyft Crash Claim
If you sustained injuries in an accident as a Lyft passenger, driver, or another motorist, the compensation claims process is more complex than for a typical car accident. Insurers want you to settle, but it is in your best interest to talk to our attorneys, who will gather evidence and support your claim for all available compensation. At Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC, your initial consultation is free. With the right evidence in Paramus Lyft accident cases, we can help you hold those responsible to account, so call us today.
