Uber or Lyft Passenger Problems: How Can a Rideshare Accident Lawyer Help?

What happens when you get into a rideshare accident? Would it be beneficial for you to get a rideshare accident lawyer?
Ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft have become widespread in many urban and metropolitan areas. If you usually use these services, have you ever wondered what happens if you suffer an injury in a Uber or Lyft accident? In California, a law passed in 2014 requires all TNCs and their drivers to have liability coverage and abide by these strict regulations.

However, you might not know much about this law affects you as an Uber or Lyft passenger. Read on to learn more about their basics and how an attorney can help you:

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Who’s Liable For Your Rideshare Accident?

According to the California Public Utilities Code (PUC) §5432, ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft must disclose to their drivers when they’ll cover collisions and when their personal auto insurance policies must cover an accident. These rules work under the nuance of when a driver is working for a ridesharing app. Also, some liability coverage limits might apply depending on the circumstances of the crash

Your lawyer can review your case to determine the liable party or parties to determine your appropriate next steps. The following can apply based on the crash’s circumstances:

The Driver Is Liable

If the Uber or Lyft driver had the app turned off at the time of the crash, they must use their auto insurance to cover the damages.

The Rideshare Company Is Liable

The ridesharing company or Transportation Network Company (TNC) only becomes liable for an accident depending on the driver’s engagement with the app. You can divide this engagement 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

You might need to prove if a driver was on the clock during your collision. Fortunately, you can rely on the best rideshare accident attorney Los Angeles can offer. Learn more about them here.

A Third Party Is Liable

If another party’s negligence caused your Uber or Lyft accident, you might be able to pursue compensation from them. Third parties can include:

Another vehicle’s driver, including motorcyclists
A commercial vehicle driver, including truck drivers and their employers
A vehicle or vehicle parts manufacturer, if vehicle failure caused the crash
The maintenance worker who last worked on the vehicle that caused the crash
A municipality in charge of maintaining the roads

When a third party gets involved in an accident, you might find that multiple parties contributed to the crash. Multiple at-fault parties can complicate your case, so you must discuss these details with your legal team.

How To Handle A Rideshare Accident

Right after the crash, you must take the following standard steps for any car crash:

Stop the car immediately
Move the vehicle to a safe location, if possible
Call an ambulance if anyone is injured
Call the police to complete a crash report
Exchange information with the other drivers
Get contact information from any witnesses
Take pictures to supplement your evidence file

If you suffer any injuries, get help and emergency medical treatment as soon as possible. Don’t delay your medical examinations and treatments. Receiving them can also help your case because they create evidence in your medical record, indicating that the crash caused your injuries.

Once you’re in stable condition, contact a lawyer. Skilled and experienced rideshare accident attorneys can help you fight for your financial recovery. Learn more here.

Why Should You Consult a Rideshare Accident Lawyer?

Getting involved in any type of crash can leave you shaken and confused. Any paying passenger would feel overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events. You also need to sort out how to recover damages. Luckily, consulting an attorney can help you go through the process one step at a time. Also, lawyers can guarantee the following:

They offer complete transparency.
They’ll help you get a higher settlement.
Improve your chances of a physically healthier outcome.
Protect your long-term lifestyle.

You can learn more here. Rideshare accident lawyers, such as our team at Jacoby and Meyers, also help you in several ways, including but not limited to: