Ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft have surged in popularity in urban and metropolitan areas. In 2014, California passed a law that requires all Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) and their drivers to have liability coverage and abide by new insurance regulations.
These changes came after TNCs began facing legal challenges following accidents. If you’ve been involved in a wreck as a passenger, an Uber and Lyft ridesharing accident lawyer in Los Angeles can fight for your right to seek compensation through a claim or lawsuit.
Why Might I Sue Uber or Lyft After My Accident?
Sometimes, drivers get into accidents that injure passengers or third-party individuals. No longer considered as just app companies, Uber and Lyft are under scrutiny about the safety of their services.
In 2019, Uber released a long-awaited safety report that revealed 107 fatalities were tied to Uber, specifically between 2017 and 2018. Lyft has yet to release a report.
If you suffered injuries in a ridesharing accident in Los Angeles, you might qualify to receive compensation. You can do this through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. A Los Angeles Uber and Lyft ridesharing accident attorney can help you build your case.
Liability Changes Depending on Whether the App Was On
According to the California Public Utilities Code (PUC) §5432, ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft must disclose to their drivers when they will cover accidents and when the drivers’ personal auto insurance policies must cover an accident.
These rules work under the nuance of when a driver is working for a ridesharing app. This means certain liability coverage limits might apply depending on the circumstances of the accident.
What this means for you is that you might pursue compensation from the driver, the ridesharing company, a third party, or potentially more than one party. Your Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer in LA can review your case to determine the liable party or parties and help you accordingly.
The Driver Is Liable
If the Uber or Lyft driver had the app turned off at the time of the accident, they must use their auto insurance to cover damages, as it is assumed they were not working.
The Rideshare Company Is Liable
The ridesharing company or TNC only becomes liable for an accident once the driver begins engaging with the app, which can be divided into three periods:
- The driver has the app on and is waiting for a ride request.
- The driver has accepted a ride request and is on their way to pick up a passenger.
- The driver is giving a passenger a ride to their destination.
There are different insurance requirements for each period, which both Uber and Lyft abide by. These minimums may include:
- $50,000 for death and bodily injury coverage per person
- $100,000 for death and bodily injury coverage per accident
- $30,000 for property damage coverage
- $1,000,000 in primary commercial coverage for third-party liability
- $1,000,000 uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage
- Cash value of the driver’s vehicle
This is why it’s so crucial for Los Angeles Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyers to prove whether or not a driver was on the clock at the time of your injury.
A Third Party Is Liable
If the Uber or Lyft driver was not at fault for the ridesharing accident, but another party was, you might be able to pursue compensation from this third party. Third parties can include:
- Another vehicle driver, including motorcyclists
- A commercial vehicle driver, including truck drivers and their employers
- A vehicle or vehicle parts manufacturer if the accident was caused by vehicle failure
- The maintenance worker who last worked on the vehicle that caused the accident
- A municipality in charge of maintaining the roads
In some cases, you might find that you have multiple parties liable for your accident. You can discuss these details with your legal team, who can guide you on how to proceed.
You Might Get Compensation for More than Just Your Medical Bills
When people first seek legal assistance to pursue compensation for an accident, they might only consider medical bills if they were injured and repair costs if their property got damaged. However, you might be entitled to more compensation than you think.
Any loss or inconvenience you had to face that is related to the ridesharing accident may be listed in your punitive damage claims. You might be able to get compensation for damages, such as:
- The income you lost because you had to stay home and heal from your injuries
- Physical pain, scarring, and disfigurement related to your injuries
- Emotional trauma you suffered from the accident
- Costs for medical equipment, surgeries, or even doctor’s appointments
- Potential refund for your Uber or Lyft trip
A Los Angeles Uber and Lyft ridesharing accident lawyer can help you fight for the financial recovery of your damages. Interested in learning more about what kind of damages you might be able to win? Contact one of our Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyers in Los Angeles.
Four Reasons to Work with an Uber Accident Lawyer
When we use the Uber app to hail a ride, you never anticipate any injuries or accidents due to a negligent, yet experienced, Uber driver. Uber and Lyft work hard to keep their safety records secret both in court cases and before their primary state regulator, the California Public Utilities Commission.
From 2018 to August 2019, San Francisco alone saw 47 car accident fatalities. And of these, seven were Uber rideshare cars. Riders even report that drivers can be distracted by the app and nearly cause accidents.
Police departments from all over the country report seeing Uber drivers make ongoing careless decisions. From blocking bike lanes to passing other cars on a double yellow line, and from speeding to tailgating, many Uber drivers are poorly trained.
Here are five reasons why you should hire one of our Uber rideshare accident lawyers in Los Angeles:
1. An Uber Accident Lawyer Will Offer Full Transparency
In order to win a hefty compensation figure, you need full transparency when it comes to your case. Insurance companies are notorious for hiding things in order to give themselves maximum control of the process, and to pay you as little as possible.
When you call an Uber accident lawyer from our firm, you get a free consultation. You can learn how the legal system works, how it favors your situation, what your case is worth, and the various options you have for moving forward in seeking compensation for your pain and suffering.
A reputable Uber accident lawyer will educate you so that you can make the best decision for you and your family with full confidence.
2. You Will Get a Higher Settlement with an Uber Accident Lawyer
Ever notice how insurance companies are very quick to catch you on the phone, ask questions, and try to get you to give a recorded statement? They want you to say something that an Uber accident lawyer would warn you not to say.
Industry statistics reveal that more than 80 percent of all people injured in rideshare accidents who get a lawyer receive significantly more money than those who settle through insurance companies, even after legal fees. You could get thousands or even millions more.
3. An Uber Accident Lawyer Improves Your Chances of a Physically Healthier Outcome
Getting to a doctor after an accident is critical. Not only will the medical record help strengthen your case, but more importantly, getting immediate health care can prevent injuries from worsening.
For example, whiplash symptoms can fly under the radar for some time before they surface. By then, someone could develop preventable nerve damage or other debilitating issues.
Our team can make sure the right doctors examine you. You must get the right care and minimize your medical bills that could destroy your family’s lifestyle.
4. Protecting Your Long-Term Lifestyle
Severely injured victims in a rideshare accident often suffer from lost wages. They can fall behind on their mortgage, rent, their kid’s tuition, or that long-anticipated family vacation.
Some insurance companies will grant victims compensation for these pain points. However, they might never go to the extent an Uber accident lawyer would. Despite all of this, insurance companies fight tooth and nail against paying victims for future lifestyle declines due to an Uber accident.
If you’re no longer able to work in your field due to your injuries sustained in an Uber accident, or if you are unable to continue your passionate hobby like cycling, scuba diving, or playing the piano, you can receive compensation for this loss.
How Long Do I Have to File?
We understand that some injuries and pain don’t show up until days after the accident, but the sooner you start your claim against Uber or Lyft, the better. Under California’s statute of limitations, you have up to two years from the date of your injury to begin a claim.
Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices Offer Free Case Evaluations
If you suffered injuries in a rideshare accident and you are unsure about where your case might fall, you are welcome to call our team and get a free case evaluation. One of our team representatives can explain to you what your legal options are based on your case.
Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not have to worry about paying any attorney’s fees unless we win your case. Let a Los Angeles Uber and Lyft ridesharing accident lawyer from Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices work on your case. We aim to fight for the compensation you deserve.
[INFOGRAPHIC] Ridesharing Accidents in California: Who is Liable?
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