BlueLA is a car-sharing service that allows users to rent electric vehicles at specific hubs around Los Angeles. The cars are generally able to travel for nearly 100 miles on a single charge. A few hundred vehicles are on the street at the moment. The business is essentially like any other rental service, except there is no physical middleman – you use the app to pick up your car and you can drive for a while before turning it back in at a designated location. Of course, these vehicles are not always safe, especially due to the fact that they are used by numerous individuals in a row. There can be problems that arise during rides, and users may not report them. If the vehicles are not properly maintained and there is little upkeep, there can be many serious incidents. Our team of BlueLA accident attorneys at the Downtown LA Law Group can help you receive compensation if a defective BlueLA car injured you.

What are BlueLA cars?

BlueLA cars are manufactured by Bolloré, a European automobile company. The cars are specifically used around the world for rideshare services (it is only available for retail purchase in France) and are fairly small, fully electric, and can travel many miles on a single charge. In Los Angeles, the cars are located in bustling centers, such as downtown, Koreatown, Hollywood, Echo Park, and more.

What kind of service is BlueLA?

BlueLA is a membership-based service that allows you to rent cars at any point, 24 hours a day. You pay $60 a year (or $5 a month) and get charged 20 cents per minute that you use the vehicle. Individuals who qualify for the low-income package can pay $12 a year ($1 a month) and 15 cents per minute for vehicle use. You can go to any of the 200 charging points to pick up the vehicles, but you cannot leave them outside of the designated zone or you face a heavy fee.

What kinds of issues are there with BlueLA cars?

To date, there have been a few incidents reported with maintenance failures in BlueLA cars. It is required that the company perform routine maintenance on these vehicles, especially because many garages do not know how to handle all-electric cars. A few of the issues that have been reported include:

• Faulty gear shift lever which may suddenly break during use
• Broken or buggy software that will cause the vehicle to randomly turn off
• Water leak, which can short-circuit the engine and cause the battery connector to fail
• Air bags that deploy without warning or without any impact

These troubles can greatly increase the risk of accidents and injuries. BlueLA should have ample mechanics ready to take vehicles off the road at the smallest report of an issue.

What is the insurance coverage in BlueLA cars?

BlueLA provides insurance coverage up to the state minimum in liability. This protects third-parties in the event of an accident, or anyone you get into a crash with. You need to have your own insurance coverage while driving, as well as a driver’s license.

Can I sue BlueLA for an accident?

Because BlueLA is essentially a rental car service, you cannot outright sue the company if you are in an accident. If someone hits you, or if you are responsible for the crash, you cannot target the company for compensation. The other driver will have to pay off your expenses through his insurance agency, or your own insurance policy will go into effect. Because BlueLA only provided the vehicle, it cannot be sued after a crash. However, there are a few situations in which you can hold BlueLA accountable. Because they provide the vehicles the cars must be properly maintained. Thus, if there is a malfunction, you can sue the company. The business must ensure each car is secure, working, and safe to drive. Additionally, only those who are legally allowed to drive can use the vehicles. If a user is under the restricted age or if he is allowed to drive without a valid license, the company can be held responsible for not doing its due diligence in preventing him from getting behind the wheel.

What kind of injuries can I suffer in a BlueLA accident?

Maintenance failures in BlueLA cars can lead to devastating accidents, primarily because they are sudden and you cannot avoid them like you can other drivers on the road. If a car is swerving and the driver is acting reckless, you can usually slow down and avoid him. A sudden problem in a BlueLA car, like a battery issue, can cause the car to turn off, and you may not be able to control it. As a result, you can suffer some of the following injuries:

• Concussions
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Closed head injuries
• Facial damages
• Scarring
• Burns
• Broken bones
• Dislocations
• Fractures
• Nerve damage
• Torn muscles
• Neck and spinal cord injuries
• Disc damages
• Puncture wounds
• Crushing injuries
• Internal organ injuries
• Severed limbs and digits
• Paraplegia
• Quadriplegia
• Coma
• Death

The extent of your injuries will play a part in the worth of your case. These injuries can be short-lived or permanent, and if they are long-lasting, you should be given your rightful compensation.

What should I do after a BlueLA accident?

After an accident, BlueLA recommends that you secure the vehicle, call 911, report the accident to the company, and get necessary information. If your injuries are severe, your primary goal should be getting medical attention. Medical assistance will allow you to keep your health, and it will also help with your claim. If you wait too long to go to the hospital, the insurance agent can debate the validity of your injuries, and he may throw your claim out. Be sure to take pictures of your injuries and hold on to all documents from the hospital, including doctor’s notes and receipts.

Call (855) 339-8879 to set up a free, no obligation consultation to find out if you have a case.

You should then take photos of the scene of the accident and the damage done to both vehicles. It is crucial that you get a picture of the defect with the BlueLA vehicle. Write down statements and testimonies from passengers and eyewitnesses who saw the accident happen. They will benefit your claim and can provide additional support. Write down the insurance information and contact information of any involved drivers.

If the police showed up to the scene of the accident to conduct an investigation, you can request a copy of the police report when it has been processed. It is important that you hold on to all receipts and proof of payment or subscription to BlueLA. You can also print screenshots of the app showing you were renting a vehicle at the time. Lastly, you should call a lawyer who can file your claim for you. It is important that you find an attorney with experience handling BlueLA defect cases.

How can I file a claim against BlueLA?

You will likely file a product liability claim against BlueLA for the maintenance failure. This means that you must show one of three points:

• The car had a design flaw
• The car had a manufacturing error
• The car lacked appropriate warning or hazard signs

There was likely either error made during the design or a problem when the car was being created. Bear in mind that if you intend to file a product liability claim, it is important that you get as many photos of the defect as you can. BlueLA will likely repossess the car immediately and you will not be able to keep it in your possession. You may never have filed a product liability before, and an experienced lawyer can help.

What kind of compensation can I win in a BlueLA accident lawsuit?

Your BlueLA accident lawsuit can earn you a fair amount of compensation. The insurance agent representing the company will consider your case details and make you an offer based on the evidence presented to him. If you were seriously injured and the damages had a profound effect on your life and career, you could earn a lot of compensation. Similarly, if you were not responsible for the accident at all, you stand to gain more. A maintenance failure with the car generally points to negligence on behalf of the company for not maintaining the vehicle or bringing it to the shop to get evaluated or fixed. We can work around the clock to win you compensation for the following:

• Medical expenses from the pasta n future for surgery, hospitalization, medication and prescriptions, physical therapy, and more
• Property damage if you lost any items or belongings were damaged in the incident
• Lost income if you could not go to work or if you cannot attend work in the future because of your injuries or impending recovery time
• Pain and suffering damages to cover emotional anxiety, fear, PTSD, psychological aguish, and more

The most important action to take is to get an attorney so that you have the best chance of winning a fair settlement. If you do not have a lawyer, it is likely that the insurance agent will try to lowball you or will make you a small offer. If you do not have ample legal experience, you won’t be able to effectively handle your case. With our help, fair representation is guaranteed.

Learn more about your options for compensation by calling (855) 339-8879.

The Best Firm for You

The Downtown LA Law Group has a long history of success with personal injury and product liability claims. We have been at the forefront of lawsuits against new companies like Uber, Lyft, and AirBNB. BlueLA is no different – we have recovered millions for users who were hurt because of the defective vehicles, and we intend to protect everyone who comes through our doors. Our aggressive lawyers will do what it takes to win your case, including taking your claim to trial if necessary. Call us today at (855) 339-8879 for a free legal consultation concerning your claim. We will walk you through the legal process, discuss the potential value of your case, and help you understand how the evidence will prove the negligence of the company. If you have any questions, you are more than welcome to ask us. We will also give you more information on our zero fee guarantee, which says that you won’t have to pay a nay money out of pocket for our representation. We will not get paid unless and until we win, and the money will come as a portion of the settlement we bring you. You pay nothing if we lose your case. To sue BlueLA for a maintenance failure leading to a car accident, contact the Downtown LA Law Group in Los Angeles.