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Sharing a taxi has become very popular in many cities around the world. There are now multiple apps that allow you to share a ride with someone that goes in the same direction. You can even share the car with more than one passenger, multiple trips are also a thing, although less popular. This way of traveling may have its advantages, and users claim that they can travel at a cheaper rate and sometimes they even make some friends on the road.
While this situation may bring some economic benefits to the passenger and also to the driver of the units, this also brings about some more complications if the vehicle happens to be involved in a car accident. Each individual is at risk of suffering mental and physical damage, and they have the right to pursue legal compensation separately.
Taxi companies are obliged by law to have a personal injury liability insurance of a minimum $100.000. This may seem like enough to cover for the damages of a possible accident, but there are so many nuances to be considered that costs can go beyond expected.
When you consider hiring a lawyer to represent you in case of an accident there are several things you have to remember:
- Know who your lawyer is
This may sound obvious, but in many cases, the lawyer is appointed by a larger firm that has so many people working with them that is not easy to keep track of them. Talk with your lawyer and discover what he or she specializes in. Visit https://krasneylaw.net/rideshare-accidents/ for more information. This way you can work with the right person that specializes in rideshare accidents. They know what to pay attention to and what to do next.
- Do your homework
Try to reach more than one firm and more than one lawyer before making a decision. This is the only way you can get better service, by selecting the professional that best suits your needs. Some lawyers charge for an initial consultation, while with others the first one is free of charge. Describe your problem and get proper advice on who to hire.
- Understand your part
Some people hire a lawyer and then complain about not meeting enough or not talking to their lawyers enough. You have to make sure what you agree to at the beginning of the contract. Certain firms require the clients to reach for the lawyers more often than the other way around. Some other lawyers prefer to communicate face-to-face, and they would prefer everything to be discussed in person and not by phone. There are right and duties to be followed that need to be clarified at the beginning.
- Fees and costs to undertake
Make sure you know what you will be charged for. Consultation may be one of the fees, but you may pay other related expenses, some others may be paid initially by the lawyer and then by the client. Anyway, this needs to be clear and reasonable from the very beginning. Don’t wait until the moment of the accident to realize you don’t like what you are paying for. Think of contingency fees, hourly rates, retainer, and public legal services.
- Keep your papers in order
You lawyer could ask for documents at any given time, and they can be used to back up your case and to continue with the regular legal procedure. To make things run smoothly, you need to have these documents ready for the delivery and inspection of the lawyer. Bills, reports, pictures, examinations, keep the originals and a set of copies available for your lawyer.
Being involved in a car accident is already complex enough, imagine now being involved in a car accident with some more parties to consider and to compensate for damages. It is not an easy task for the authorities and for a lawyer to determine who is to blame, who should pay for costs and what kind of compensation these people have the right to receive.
These matters are more complex than what it seems. If regular citizens could handle them, then the laws would leave a space for that. But, many different regulations and steps require a professional to do it.
