Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Houston

The Texas Personal Injury Process for Rideshare Charges

The path to compensation in Houston involves several critical stages that must be navigated with precision:

• Scene Documentation: Collecting evidence is vital. We advise clients to take screenshots of their ride receipt, photos of the driver's ID, and the position of the vehicles.
• The Investigation: Our firm performs a deep dive into the crash. We look for evidence that the driver exceeded the 12-hour "on-app" limit or was distracted by multiple navigation apps.
• Filing the Claim: We notify the appropriate insurance carriers—whether it is the driver's personal insurer, Uber/Lyft’s corporate policy, or your own uninsured motorist coverage.
• Demand and Negotiation: We compile your medical records and lost wage documentation into a comprehensive demand package. As your Houston Uber and Lyft accident attorney, we handle the aggressive adjusters who try to low-ball your settlement.
• Litigation: If the insurance company refuses a fair settlement, we file a lawsuit in Harris County or the appropriate Texas court. We are trial-ready and will not hesitate to take a case to a jury to get you justice.

Recoverable Damages in a Houston Rideshare Accident

When we pursue a claim on your behalf, our goal is to "make you whole" by securing compensation for every way the accident has impacted your life. In Texas, damages are generally categorized into three types: economic, non-economic, and, in rare cases, punitive.

Economic Damages (Tangible Losses)

These are the quantifiable financial costs resulting from your injury. Because these losses come with receipts, bills, and pay stubs, they are often the most straightforward to calculate. They include:

• Medical Expenses: Coverage for ambulance rides, ER visits, surgeries, hospital stays, and prescription medications. We also calculate future medical costs if you require ongoing physical therapy or long-term care.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for the income you lost while recovering and unable to work.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries result in a permanent disability that prevents you from returning to your previous career, we seek damages for the lifetime of income you have lost.
• Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace your vehicle or any personal property (like a laptop or phone) damaged in the crash.

Non-Economic Damages (Intangible Losses)

These damages compensate for the subjective, non-monetary impact of an accident. While they don't have a fixed price tag, they are often the most significant part of a settlement.

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and discomfort caused by your injuries.
• Mental Anguish: Coverage for emotional trauma, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD following a violent collision.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If you can no longer participate in hobbies, sports, or daily activities you once loved, you are entitled to compensation for that loss.
• Disfigurement and Physical Impairment: Additional compensation if the accident left you with permanent scarring or a loss of mobility.

Punitive Damages (Exemplary Damages)

In rare cases involving "gross negligence," a court may award punitive damages. These are not meant to compensate you, but rather to punish the at-fault party and deter others from similar behavior. In the context of a rideshare accident attorney in Houston, this might apply if a driver was severely intoxicated or if the rideshare company knowingly allowed a driver with a dangerous criminal record to stay on the app.

How Our Firm Handles Rideshare Injury Cases

When you contact Alexander J. Houthuijzen, Attorney-at-Law after a rideshare collision, our first priority is to understand what happened to you and what you are facing now. During your free consultation, we listen to your account of the crash, ask focused questions about the rideshare trip and your injuries, and explain in simple terms how the claims process generally works. Our goal at this stage is to give you clarity so that you can decide whether to move forward.

If we move ahead with your case, we treat you as an active member of the legal team. We work to collect and review important information, such as medical records, the crash report, app records, and insurance documents. We may request materials from Uber or Lyft related to the trip when appropriate. At each step, we keep you informed about what we are doing and why, so you are never left guessing where your case stands.

At the firm of Alexander J. Houthuijzen, we specialize in holding negligent parties accountable. Contact a rideshare accident attorney in Houston for a free consultation by calling (713) 600-9902 or messaging us online. We are ready to go the extra mile for you.