Rideshare accidents can shake you up, even if you don’t walk away with visible injuries. The emotional impact can last much longer than physical pain. If you’ve experienced anxiety, fear, or trauma after a rideshare crash, you may wonder if you can take legal action for that stress.
Understanding emotional distress claims
Emotional distress refers to mental suffering caused by someone else’s actions. In California, you can file a claim for emotional distress under two types: intentional or negligent infliction. Most rideshare-related cases fall under negligent infliction, meaning the driver or company acted carelessly, leading to your emotional harm.
You don’t need broken bones to bring a claim. If you felt intense fear during the crash or developed anxiety afterward, that can form the basis of a lawsuit. Still, your claim must link your distress to the accident. Medical records, therapist notes, and testimony from loved ones can help support your case.
When passengers may have a case
You might have a strong case if you were involved in a violent collision, witnessed another person’s injury, or experienced panic attacks or nightmares afterward. Your role as a paying passenger matters too. California courts often view riders as more vulnerable and deserving of protection when they suffer mental trauma in an accident they didn’t cause.
However, if your distress seems mild or unconnected to the crash, your claim may not succeed. The court wants to see proof that your suffering is real and serious.
What compensation covers
If your claim succeeds, you may get money for therapy costs, lost wages from missed work, or the emotional pain itself. The amount depends on how severe your distress is and how well it’s documented. A clear record showing how the accident affected your daily life can make a big difference.
You shouldn’t ignore emotional suffering after a crash. Mental health matters just as much as physical injuries. If the accident disrupted your sleep, made you fearful of cars, or impacted your life in other ways, you may have legal options worth considering.