HopSkipDrive Accidents | Personal Injury Lawyer

Rideshare services have been popping up since Uber debuted on the market nearly a decade ago. The services have evolved from being generalized transportation services to specific chauffeuring services. HopSkipDrive is one such company that was founded as an alternative to Uber. It allows parents of children to organize rides so that their kids can be transported safely from one place to another. Other rideshare services expressly forbid users from having accounts and using the service if they are not 18 years old. HopSkipDrive was created so that the demographic of young kids can be included in the rideshare industry. The issues with rideshare services, though, are present across every platform. Accidents, incidents, and errors can lead to injuries and other damages on the road, and if your child was hurt, you and your family deserve ample compensation. Our HopSkipDrive accident attorneys at the Downtown LA Law Group will do everything in our power to win you the damages you need.

What is HopSkipDrive?

HopSkipDrive is a relatively new rideshare service that is aimed at providing rides for children aged 6 to 17 years old. These minors are not able to use other services like Uber or Lyft, and as a result, they must always be driven by family or friends. HopSkipDrive eliminates that need by expressly driving these minors around. The rides are organized and orchestrated by parents, and the service requires that riders and drivers exchange a code word prior to departing.

The company has a rigid sign up process that is much stricter than other rideshare companies’ policies. The requirements to sign up include:

• 5 years of caregiving or childcare experience
• Fingerprinting
• Criminal record background check
• Clean driving record
• Clean sex offender record
• Valid driver’s license
• 23 years old or older
• Owns or operates a vehicle that is not more than 10 years old and can seat at least 4 people
• Passes a valid vehicle inspection
• Undergoes an in-person meeting and orientation with a member of HopSkipDrive’s hiring team
• Possesses valid personal auto insurance that at least meets the state’s minimum requirements

The company has various policies that must also be followed. These policies include no smoking, no drinking, no possession of weapons, no touching, no illegal cell phone usage, no discrimination, no recording and more.

HopSkipDrive allows families to set up recurring rides, schedule rides in advance, and even carpool. The options allow them the ability to familiarize themselves with the drivers and to have a more personal relationship that will facilitate both parties.

How can a HopSkipDrive accident happen?

HopSkipDrive accidents can happen for a number of reasons, some of which may be completely avoidable. All drivers should practice defensive driving and not be aggressive on the road. They should avoid speeding, tailgating, changing lanes without turning, and more. If they do drive recklessly, they could potentially injure themselves, passengers in the car, and other drivers on the road. Drivers may also be hit due to the negligence of others on the road, such as when people run stop signs, fail to yield, or are driving drunk or under the influence of drugs.

There may be additional problems on the road that could contribute to accidents, such as construction zones with uneven pavement, adverse weather that makes it hard to see and maneuver, and more. In some incidents, the children in the car could have contributed – roughhousing, playing, and being a distraction could cause the driver to momentarily break concentration and get into an accident. Some of the injuries that can arise from HopSkipDrive accidents include:

• Concussions
• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Closed head injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Internal organ damage
• Dislocations
• Sprains
• Torn muscles
• Nerve damage
• Burns
• Facial injuries
• Scarring
• Disfigurement
• Neck and spinal cord injuries
• Hip damage
• Herniated discs
• Severed limbs and digits
• Paralysis
• Coma
• Death

These injuries may take weeks or months to heal. Kids are generally weaker than adults, but they do get better quicker due to ongoing development and lack of stagnation and wear. However, they may need numerous treatments to fix some injuries.

If your child was injured in a HopSkipDrive accident, contact our law firm today. We’ll be able to sue the company for compensation.

How can I file a lawsuit against HopSkipDrive?

If you wish to file a claim against HopSkipDrive because your child was involved in an accident while riding, you should take certain actions. You should know that the company owes your child and you a degree of care, and if that duty of care is breached in some way and an accident and injuries occur, you have the basis for a lawsuit. All personal injury claims are based on these four points of negligence.

We recommend following these steps if you want to sue HopSkipDrive for injuries: First, take your child to the doctor or medical center for treatment. You should not wait too long to go to the doctor, as a gap in between the accident and the treatment will be suspicious. It can also worsen injuries that occurred. While at the doctor’s office, take notes, request copies of medical treatment, retain your medical receipts, and more. Next, see if your child has the ability to take any photographs of the vehicle, the scene of the accident, the involved drivers, and more. He can take down the contact information and license plate number, as well. However, you may have to gather this information through the app, even the driver’s name and insurance details. If there were any eyewitnesses who saw the incident happen, you can request that they give you their statements and testimonies. These additional pieces of proof will solidify your claim. You should make a copy of the ride information, such as the proof of payment, the route, who was the driver with the code word, and more. A screenshot of the different sections can suffice. You may have to speak with the police and request that a copy of the police report be sent to you. You should file an incident report with HopSkipDrive so that they can conduct their own investigation with the driver. They will see where the accident occurred and see that you are not merely taking an opportunity that has been presented. Lastly, it is important that you look for a lawyer with experience in HopSkipDrive accidents or in rideshare accident lawsuits. If you have never handled a lawsuit by yourself, you may not know how to proceed. It is likely that your claim will be thrown away or that you will not be able to even enter talks and negotiations. With our attorneys on your side, your case will be in good hands and we promise to work around the clock to win you every penny you deserve.

How long is the statute of limitations to sue HopSkipDrive?

Personal injury lawsuits in California must be filed within 2 years of the date of the injury or you will be unable to receive any compensation. The statute of limitations allows both parties enough time to gather evidence so that one side will not have a clear and distinct advantage over the other. There are a few scenarios in which the statute of limitations can be extended, though. The most common involves minors. Individuals under 18 years old cannot sue; they must have someone represent them, like a legal guardian or parent. If the minor decides to wait until he turns 18 years old to sue, the statute of limitations will not count down until he turns legal age. There is also the chance for the statute of limitations to be extended because the victim is incapacitated or because the defendant has vacated the state. The statute will resume upon return to health or upon the defendant returning to California. Many cases fail to get filed because families do not know how long the statute of limitations actually is. If you contact our firm, we will do everything in our power to ensure that your case is filed on deadline.

What can I win in a HopSkipDrive lawsuit?

The potential compensation available for a HopSkipDrive lawsuit can cover numerous losses and injuries. We will negotiate until we are satisfied with the result we see. Our goal is to secure you a fair settlement from the insurance company representing HopSkipDrive. We will pursue the following:

• Medical expenses from the past and future
• Property damage
• Lost wages (if available)
• Pain and suffering

Your family and your child are entitled to the utmost compensation if you were injured due to the fault or negligence of a HopSkipDrive employee or driver. Let our firm help you.

The DTLA Law Group’s Promise

We at the Downtown LA Law Group promise to put your claim at the highest level of priority and fight around the clock to win your rightful restitution. We will stop at nothing and our aggressive lawyers will constantly negotiate with the insurance agent. Our attorneys are willing to go to court if we must to litigate your case.

Call today for a free legal consultation to discuss the legal process, the value of the claim, and what you can expect moving forward. We will also tell you about our zero fee guarantee. This means that you pay no fees unless and until we win, and the fees come from the settlement secured from the insurance company, not from your own pocket. If we lose, we take no payment from anywhere. If your child was in an accident while on a HopSkipDrive ride, contact the Downtown LA Law Group at (855) 339-8879 today to file a claim.