Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become extremely popular ways to get around Hawaii. However, the convenience of these services comes with risks. Rideshare drivers are not professional drivers and may make mistakes or drive recklessly, increasing the chance of accidents. Passengers and drivers alike can sustain serious injuries in rideshare crashes. Below we will explore some of the most common injuries occurring in rideshare accidents in Hawaii.
Whiplash
One of the most frequent injuries in all motor vehicle collisions, including rideshares, is whiplash. This neck injury occurs when the head is suddenly jerked back and forth, stretching the muscles and ligaments beyond their normal range. Symptoms of whiplash include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Headaches
- Shoulder and upper back pain
- Numbness or tingling in the arms and hands
- Reduced range of motion in the neck
Whiplash ranges from mild to severe. In bad cases, it can cause long-term impaired mobility and chronic pain. Prompt treatment from a chiropractor or physical therapist is important to help alleviate symptoms and restore normal function.
Concussions
Concussions are also very common in rideshare crashes. A concussion is a traumatic head injury that affects brain function. Concussions occur when the head hits an object or is severely shaken, causing the brain to bounce around inside the skull. Symptoms include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Memory problems
- Loss of consciousness
Concussions should always be evaluated by a doctor. They can have long-term impacts like persistent headaches, difficulty concentrating, and increased susceptibility to future concussions if the brain is not given proper time to heal.
Broken Bones
The impact from a rideshare collision can easily lead to broken bones in the arms, legs, hands, feet, fingers, and toes. Chest and rib fractures are also common. Broken bones are extremely painful and make it impossible to use the affected limb or body part. They require immobilization and surgical repair in many cases.
Back and Neck Injuries
Beyond just whiplash, back and neck injuries like herniated discs or pinched nerves occur frequently in rideshare crashes. This is especially true if the occupants were not properly wearing seatbelts and their bodies were thrown about the vehicle. Back and neck injuries cause debilitating pain, numbness, and reduced mobility. Physical therapy, injections, or even surgery may be necessary in addition to pain medication.
Internal Organ Damage
The internal organs, like the spleen, liver, kidneys, bladder, stomach, and intestines can be lacerated, bruised, or ruptured in serious rideshare collisions. This is a medical emergency requiring hospitalization, surgery, and extended recovery time. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, internal bleeding, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
Sprains and Strains
Sprains to joints like the knees, wrists, and ankles are common rideshare injuries. This stretches or tears the ligaments that connect bones together. Strains — tears and inflammation of the muscles or tendons — also frequently happen. Standard sprain and strain symptoms are pain, swelling, bruising, and reduced mobility of the joint or limb. They are typically treated with PRICE therapy — protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
Facial Fractures and Lacerations
Unrestrained passengers can hit their heads or faces on the interior parts of the rideshare vehicle during a crash. This can lead to broken facial bones like the nose, jaw, cheekbones, eye socket, and skull. Deep cuts and gashes requiring stitches are also a possibility. These facial injuries are often extremely painful and disfiguring. Some broken bones may need wires or metal plates to repair them.
Emotional Trauma
Beyond physical harm, rideshare crash victims can be left with psychological trauma. Witnessing or being involved in an accident can cause anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, and fear of driving or riding in vehicles again. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a rideshare collision is not uncommon. Working with a therapist can help to process the emotions and memories from the accident to recover.
Scarring and Disfigurement
Many rideshare accident injuries result in permanent scarring and disfigurement. Large laceration scars, burn scars from airbag deployment, and visible deformities caused by broken bones that did not heal properly can lead to self-consciousness and reduced self-esteem. Plastic surgery and other procedures may be options to reduce scarring.
Chronic Pain
Unfortunately, some rideshare crash injuries cause chronic long-term pain due to permanent damage to the muscles, joints, nerves, and bones. Even after the initial injury has healed, ongoing symptoms like headaches, back pain, numbness, and reduced mobility can continue to impact one’s quality of life for years. Ongoing pain management with medications, therapy, injections, or surgery may be necessary.
The Cost of Rideshare Accident Injuries
As outlined above, the injuries sustained in rideshare crashes can be devastating, painful, and life-altering. The costs associated with these injuries quickly add up. You may have to pay for:
- Ambulance transportation and hospital bills
- Diagnostic tests like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs
- Medical procedures, devices, and surgeries
- Prescription medications
- Follow-up appointments with various specialists
- Physical therapy, massage therapy, or chiropractic treatment
- Mental health counseling
- Lost wages from missing work during recovery
These costs can easily total tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in serious cases. Hawaii’s personal injury protection (PIP) covers up to $10,000 in medical expenses, but that is usually nowhere near enough.
Seeking Damages with a Rideshare Injury Claim
If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident while riding with or driving for a transportation network company like Uber or Lyft, you have legal rights. The at-fault party (usually the rideshare driver) can be held liable for any injuries and damages they caused by their negligent actions.
Working with an experienced Hawaii personal injury attorney is essential. We can conduct a detailed investigation into your crash, prove fault and liability, quantify your total damages, and fight to recover a full settlement for you. This provides the compensation you deserve to pay for medical bills, lost income, diminished quality of life, and pain and suffering.
We take rideshare injury claims on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing until we win your case! Contact our office today for a free consultation to discuss your potential case.
Visit us in person at 700 Bishop St, Ste 2100, Honolulu, HI, 96813.
Or call us for a free consultation on (808) 745-1592.