Every day, thousands of riders take Ubers in San Francisco to get around. Unfortunately, some of these rides will end in serious automobile accidents. At Jacoby & Meyers, our personal injury lawyers have a reputation for representing Uber accident victims and their families.
We will aggressively advocate for your rights, help you seek justice and pursue maximum financial compensation for your losses as your rideshare accident lawyers. Contact us today to start with a free case consultation.
Why Choose Us?
- Our law firm beats the competition in terms of experience and settlements won. We have more than 50 years and $2 billion in settlements in our firm’s history.
- One of our recent case results was a $19 million outcome for a rideshare passenger who suffered quadriplegia from an automobile accident in California.
- We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means we won’t charge you anything in attorney’s fees unless we win your Uber or Lyft accident case.
Who Pays for an Uber Accident in San Francisco?
In a typical car accident case in California, the at-fault driver pays for a victim’s medical bills and property repairs through his or her automobile insurance. After an Uber accident, however, liability can be more difficult to determine.
Uber carries insurance that can provide up to $1 million in liability coverage for injured victims. However, the amount of insurance available will depend on the period or phase of the ride:
- Period 1: the Uber driver is logged onto the app and waiting for a ride request. In this phase, Uber protects crash victims by offering up to $100,000 in bodily injury and $25,000 in property damage insurance.
- Period 2: the Uber driver has accepted a ride request and is on the way to pick up the passenger. In this phase, up to $1 million can be accessed in coverage by crash victims, regardless of fault for the accident.
- Period 3: the driver has picked up a passenger and is en route to the final destination. The full $1 million in insurance coverage is also available for accidents that take place in this phase, regardless of fault.
If the driver is not logged onto the Uber app at the time of the crash, Uber will not be liable. Instead, victims can seek financial damages from the individual driver’s personal auto insurance policy.
How Can an Uber Accident Lawyer in San Francisco Help You?
Motor vehicle accident cases involving Uber or other rideshare vehicles can be complex. You will have to navigate multiple layers of liability and insurance coverage as an injured victim. An attorney with experience handling Uber accident cases in San Francisco will understand how your claim works and how to pursue a just settlement on your behalf.
Your attorney can take over negotiations with Uber’s insurance provider, for example, or take your case to trial if a settlement cannot be achieved. A lawyer will excel at investigating your crash, documenting the scene, gathering evidence and demanding justice. A law firm will also have connections to crash experts who can strengthen your injury claim.
What to Do After an Uber Accident in San Francisco
Ridesharing should be a safe and convenient way to get from Point A to Point B in the Bay Area. Unfortunately, Uber drivers often make mistakes that put riders at risk. If you get involved in an Uber or Lyft accident in San Francisco, Take the following steps to protect yourself:
- Remain where you are and check for injuries.
- If you or anyone else is injured, call 911 to report the accident (or make sure the Uber driver calls).
- Get immediate medical treatment for your injuries.
- Exit the Uber when it’s safe to do so and exchange information with the other motor vehicle driver.
- Write down your Uber driver’s name and take a screenshot of the ride information in the app.
- Contact Uber’s customer service department to report the accident.
- Take photographs of the crash scene before you leave.
- File an insurance claim with Uber for your injuries and losses.
- Document your injuries and medical care as you heal.
- Consult with an attorney for assistance if you run into problems during your claim.
Uber has a reputation for avoiding liability for accidents by classifying its drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. If an Uber driver is at fault for your crash, it is important to contact a San Francisco car accident attorney to help you get the justice you deserve.
How Common Are Uber Accidents?
After demands made by the public and safety experts, Uber finally began releasing annual safety reports containing traffic accident data involving its drivers. The most recent safety data (2022) states that Uber received reports of:
- 153 motor vehicle accident deaths
- 2,717 sexual assault and misconduct incidents
- 36 physical assault fatalities
This data shows that at least 18 percent of fatal crashes were caused by the Uber driver’s actions, as well as 25 percent by the actions of more than one party (including the Uber driver). Uber driver mistakes can include violating traffic laws, speeding, distracted driving and drunk driving.
Third-Party Liability for an Uber Accident
Uber is not the only party that may be held liable for your rideshare accident in San Francisco. Depending on the circumstances, you may also have grounds to file a claim against a third party or with your own car insurance provider.
If a defective vehicle part or road hazard contributed to your crash, for example, a product manufacturer or the government could be held liable. If another driver crashed into your Uber while you were riding as a passenger, that driver could be held responsible.
An in-depth investigation of your Uber accident may be necessary to identify all at-fault parties. An attorney from Jacoby & Meyers will explore all potential outlets for financial compensation to ensure you achieve the best possible case results.
Contact Our San Francisco Uber Accident Lawyers Today
A successful Uber accident case in San Francisco could help you move forward by providing you with the settlement or judgment award that you need. To discuss a potential claim in detail with a knowledgeable injury attorney in San Francisco, contact Jacoby & Meyers to arrange a free consultation. We will guide you through your rideshare accident case to get you the justice you deserve. Call us at (415) 855-4289 for more information.