If you get hurt in a California ridesharing accident, it’s important to understand liability. Holding someone liable means making them legally and financially responsible for your car accident and related losses. Unlike a typical car accident, an Uber or Lyft accident case in San Francisco can involve the liability of more than just a driver.
The Rideshare Driver
As is the case with all motorists in the State of California, rideshare drivers who pick up and transport passengers for Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft are required to carry minimum amounts of automobile insurance.
The mandatory insurance amounts in California are currently $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury and death, and $15,000 for property damage. After a rideshare accident, at least these amounts of coverage should be available to you from the Uber or Lyft driver’s personal insurance policy.
The Rideshare Company
Rideshare companies in California are required to have their own commercial insurance policies. All TNCs that wish to operate in the state are legally required to maintain at least $1 million in commercial liability coverage per auto accident, in addition to $1 million in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
As a rideshare accident victim, you may be eligible for the full $1 million or a fraction thereof to cover your medical bills and other losses. The amount you can access will depend on the phase or period of the ride, which is based on the rideshare driver’s on-duty status in the app. If you were riding in the vehicle as a passenger, you can access the full amount.
Although it is rare, suing the rideshare company in a lawsuit is also a possibility. However, Uber and Lyft typically avoid absorbing liability for the mistakes of their drivers by classifying them as independent contractors rather than employees. To sue a rideshare company, the company must be directly liable, such as for negligent hiring practices.
Who Is Liable in a Rideshare Accident in California?
An Outside Driver
Under California’s fault-based auto accident law, the driver at fault for causing a rideshare accident is held liable for a victim’s damages. If this is another driver outside of the rideshare vehicle, his or her automobile insurance policy can be used to cover the financial losses suffered by those impacted. In some scenarios, the rideshare company will provide supplemental coverage if the at-fault driver’s insurance is not enough.
A Third Party
Finally, one or multiple third parties may be held liable in a rideshare accident case in California. A third party is someone who may not have been directly involved in a car accident but contributed to it in some way. Examples include a defective vehicle part or product manufacturer, an employer, a trucking company, a delivery company, or the government for unsafe road conditions.
How to Establish Liability for Your Rideshare Accident in California
Liability can be a complicated legal element in any San Francisco car accident case, but it is even more complex when a crash involves a rideshare vehicle. You may have the right to name one or multiple parties as defendants, including Uber or Lyft.
The most effective way to determine and prove liability in your injury claim is by hiring a rideshare accident attorney to represent you from the beginning. Early legal representation can make it possible to preserve and collect key evidence that supports your car accident claim.
A San Francisco injury lawyer can investigate the crash, determine who is liable and file your rideshare accident claim before California’s deadline. Then, your lawyer can take over insurance claim negotiations to fight for a fair financial recovery on your behalf.
To get started with a rideshare accident case, contact Jacoby & Meyers for a free consultation.