Uber Accident Lawyer

Individuals injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, whether as passengers or other road users, may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim.  An experienced Lyft and Uber accident lawyer can guide you through the claims process and develop a strong case to maximize your recovery.

If you were involved in a rideshare accident, contact The JLF Firm today for a free consultation. Our award-winning legal team is dedicated to strengthening your case and securing the compensation you deserve.

 

 

 

 

 

Our Lyft and Uber Accident Lawyers Will Get You the Compensation You Deserve

A “successful” Uber accident claim should compensate for current damages and account for future expenses related to the rideshare accident victim’s injuries. 

Our law firm is committed to securing maximum settlements for our clients, ensuring both current and long-term needs are addressed. Here is how our personal injury law firm can maximize your Uber accident case.

• Expertise in Rideshare Accident Cases – Our personal injury lawyers have extensive knowledge of California traffic laws and the ridesharing industry, which is crucial for determining accident liability.
• Resources for a Thorough Investigation—Our firm’s rideshare accident lawyers conduct thorough investigations, work with expert witnesses, and gather evidence. Our efforts make it difficult for insurance companies to dismiss or challenge our rideshare accident claims.
• Compassionate Advocacy – At The JLF Firm, we are committed to client satisfaction. Our experienced rideshare accident attorneys provide compassionate advocacy and work diligently to secure the maximum compensation you deserve.

 

 

What To Do if You’re in a Rideshare Accident in California

Car accidents can cause many victims to feel disoriented, making it difficult to recount the necessary steps to take following a car crash. We are available 24/7 to offer over-the-phone assistance, should you need support in the moments following a collision. Here is a general overview of what to do after an Uber/Lyft accident.

What Should I Do if I Get Into an Uber/Lyft Accident as a Passenger?

Rideshare passengers must take certain precautions if their driver is involved in a car accident with another driver. This typically includes the following: 

1. Log the Trip: Immediately screenshot the trip details within the rideshare app. This confirms the ride’s status at the time of the accident.
2. Exchange Information: Uber and Lyft drivers’ personal insurance information must be provided. Rideshare drivers must also exchange contact information with all parties involved.
3. Document the Scene: If physically capable, and it’s safe to do so, take photos and videos of the crash site, including vehicle damage and any visible injuries.
4. Call for Help: Contact the police to report the crash and request a police report. Request paramedic assistance, or seek immediate medical treatment.
5. Report the Accident: Use the rideshare app, phone, or email to notify Uber or Lyft about the incident.

What Should I Do if I Get Into an Uber/Lyft Accident as Another Driver?

After a collision with an Uber or Lyft driver, it is crucial to take the following steps to protect your legal rights:

1. Report the Accident: Contact the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to report the accident and request a police report.
2. Exchange Information: Exchange contact and insurance details with the Lyft/Uber driver.
3. Seek Medical Attention: Prioritize your health and seek immediate medical attention, even if injuries seem minor.
4. Document the Accident Scene: Take photos and videos of the crash site, including all vehicles involved and any visible injuries.
5. Protect Your Case: Do not discuss the accident with the other party’s insurance or the rideshare company or make statements that could imply fault.

If you were injured in an Uber accident, whether as a passenger or another driver, protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation. Before accepting an offer from the insurance company, consult with an Uber and Lyft accident attorney to explore your legal options.

Schedule a free case evaluation with The JLF Firm to learn how we can strengthen your Uber/Lyft accident claim.

 

 

Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents

Like other motor vehicle accidents, Uber and Lyft accidents are often associated with driver negligence. Here are the most common causes of ridesharing accidents that an Uber/Lyft accident lawyer can assist with:

• Distracted Driving: Operating a vehicle while engaging in any activity that takes attention away from driving, like using the Uber or Lyft app while driving
• Fatigued Driving: Driving when tired, impairing concentration and reaction time, like logging longer hours to meet work requirements
• Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Inexperienced Driving: Driving without the necessary skills for sound judgment, decision-making, and risk assessment
• Reckless Driving: Driving with an apparent disregard for traffic laws and the safety of others, like tailgating or making illegal lane changes
• Speeding: Exceeding posted speed limits or driving at an unsafe speed for current conditions, like rushing to meet pickup or dropoff times
• Vehicle Defects: Mechanical failure to parts of the vehicle, like brake failure, faulty tires, or airbags not deploying properly

An experienced rideshare accident lawyer will investigate the incident and explore all potential causes of the Uber/Lyft accident to ensure all liable parties are held accountable.

 

 

Who Is Liable in an Uber and Lyft Car Accident?

The difference between rideshare accidents and other auto accidents is that Uber and Lyft’s insurance coverage only applies under specified conditions and is based on who the at-fault party is. The various liable parties that could be liable for rideshare accidents include the following: 

The Uber or Lyft Driver

Rideshare drivers can be at fault for car accidents due to errors in judgment, such as speeding, running red lights, or reckless driving. 

Because they are independent contractors, they must carry their own personal auto insurance coverage.

Depending on the circumstances, the driver’s personal auto coverage may apply instead of Uber or Lyft’s insurance policy.

Other Motorists

Other drivers may also be held liable for injuries to Uber or Lyft passengers in rideshare accidents. 

Like other car accident cases, if a driver’s negligent actions, such as running a stop sign or driving under the influence, contributed to the crash, that individual will be liable for damages.

The Rideshare Company

California law mandates that rideshare companies maintain insurance coverage for their independent contractors from the moment a ride is accepted until the passenger is dropped off.

Therefore, Uber/Lyft may share liability if their rideshare drivers are deemed unfit for the job due to safety issues or inadequate background checks.

Determining liability in Uber and Lyft accidents follows the same principles as other motor vehicle accidents: the at-fault driver is held liable.  

Consulting with a Los Angeles Uber and Lyft accident attorney is crucial for accurately establishing liability and ensuring clients receive full compensation.

 

 

How Liability Affects Uber and Lyft’s Insurance Policy

While rideshare companies require Uber and Lyft drivers to have personal auto insurance, these policies do not provide commercial auto insurance coverage.

As a result, they do not typically don’t cover accidents involving rideshare drivers. Instead, Uber/Lyft’s bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage kick in, BUT it is only applicable during the following “periods.”

Period 0: Rideshare Application Is Off

If an Uber/Lyft driver is “offline” and not logged into the app, the accident will only be covered by the driver’s personal auto insurance. Therefore, compensation will be determined by the individual driver’s policy limits. Under California law, drivers must carry at least:

• $30,000 for injury/death to one person
• $60,000 for injury/death to more than one person
• $15,000 for damage to property

Period 1: App Open, Waiting to Accept a Ride

During this period, the driver is logged on to the app and waiting to accept a ride. Uber and Lyft’s insurance policy in the event of an accident during this period is:

• $50,000 for injury per person
• $100,000 for injury per accident
• $30,000 for damage to property

These insurance coverage amounts represent minimums, not maximums. If a passenger is injured in an accident, the available compensation may exceed these figures, as rideshare companies must carry $200,000 in excess insurance during this period.

Period 2: Ride Accepted

During this period, the driver is logged on to the app but has not picked up the passenger. The same insurance policy limits from Period 1 apply.

Additionally, California rideshare companies must provide at least $1 million of bodily injury liability coverage for third parties (not-at-fault parties) in an accident and $1 million of uninsured motorist coverage or underinsured motorist coverage.

Period 3: Passenger Is Present

During this period, the driver is logged on to the app and has picked up the passenger. The same insurance policy limits from Period 1 apply.

The $1 million liability and UM/UIM insurance coverage remains in effect during Period 3 and until the time the passenger exits the rideshare vehicle.

 

 

Should I Still See a Doctor if I Don’t Feel Pain After an Uber Accident?

Yes. 

Following any personal injury accident, especially car accidents involving Uber or Lyft, seeking immediate medical attention is paramount. 

Some injuries, like traumatic brain injuries, TBIs, or internal bleeding, may not present immediate symptoms, and adrenaline can mask pain.

Failing to seek prompt medical evaluation can worsen injuries and create the impression for insurance companies that the injuries were not severe enough to require immediate treatment after the accident. This can result in an insurance claim being denied.

Our Los Angeles Uber or Lyft accident lawyers connect clients with leading medical specialists throughout California to ensure injured rideshare accident victims receive the best and most necessary medical treatment.

 

 

Do I Need to Talk to a Lyft Accident Lawyer or the Insurance Company First?

It’s important to understand that the insurance companies prioritize the company’s best interests–not yours. Therefore, it is always best to consult with an Uber or Lyft accident lawyer before speaking with the insurance company to avoid undervaluing your case.

Uber’s complex commercial insurance policies, with varying levels of coverage and multiple clauses, further complicate matters. Working through this system without professional legal representation often results in receiving only a fraction of the compensation deserved, if any.

Insurance companies may make a seemingly adequate offer, but that is often far below the actual value of most rideshare accident cases. This is because insurance adjusters do not account for future medical expenses or non-economic losses, like pain and suffering.

An experienced Uber accident lawyer understands these tactics, has the knowledge to access all applicable policy levels, and can effectively document a case to maximize the best available compensation.

 

 

Why You Should Hire an Uber Accident Lawyer After an Accident

Personal injury, car accident, and ridesharing laws and regulations are complex, involving numerous procedural rules, filing deadlines, and legal requirements that can be challenging for those without legal experience to meet.

Following an Uber and Lyft accident, victims should prioritize their recovery, not a list of legal complexities. Hiring an Uber/Lyft accident lawyer alleviates these burdens and provides several key benefits:

• Legal Rights Explanation: Clear explanation of available legal options, relevant laws, potential liability, and possible outcomes empowering clients to make informed decisions about their next steps
• Claims Process Guidance: Assistance throughout the entire claims process, from initial filing to filing a personal injury lawsuit and trial representation, if necessary
• Case Evaluation: Thorough calculation of the full value of a claim, considering all factors such as medical expenses (past and future), lost wages (past and future), property damage, pain and suffering, and other related losses
• Document Preparation: Prepare all necessary paperwork and legal documentation, ensuring accuracy and compliance with legal requirements
• Timely Filing: Ensuring all claims and paperwork are filed within the applicable statute of limitations, protecting rideshare accident victims’ right to pursue compensation
• Insurance Negotiations: Effectively negotiate with insurance companies to secure the best possible settlement, refusing to accept an inadequate offer 

 

 

Damages That Can Be Compensated in an Uber or Lyft Accident

Anyone injured in a personal injury accident, including an Uber/Lyft accident, has the right to claim damages for their injuries and other accident-related expenses. This includes the following types of damages.

Economic Damages

These measurable losses can be calculated and proven with invoices or other documentation. Economic damages can include but are not limited to:

• Current medical bills
• Future medical expenses
• Loss of earning capacity
• Lost income
• Property damage

Non-Economic Damages

These losses are more subjective and difficult to quantify but may still be compensated in a successful personal injury claim. Common non-economic damages include:

• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium, companionship
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Physical pain and suffering

 

 

Do I Need to Sue the Rideshare Company?

While filing a personal injury lawsuit is an option, it may not always be necessary. Injured parties have the right to sue a rideshare company if they were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident.

However, the specific details of each case determine whether legal action should be pursued against the company directly or the individual Uber/Lyft driver.

Lawsuits can take months or even years to resolve. Consulting with a Los Angeles Uber/Lyft accident attorney is crucial for making informed decisions that best suit your needs.

A trial may be necessary if there is a significant disagreement regarding liability or if the insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable settlement.

Most personal injury cases, however, are resolved out of court through negotiations between the defendant’s insurance company and the injured party’s Uber/Lyft accident attorney.

 

 

Common Injuries from Uber and Lyft Accidents

Like other car accidents, traffic collisions involving an Uber or Lyft driver can cause personal injury victims varying degrees of physical harm, ranging from minor injuries to serious injuries, such as the following:

• Broken bones
• Burns
• Cuts
• Head injury
• Internal bleeding
• Spinal cord injury
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Wrongful deaths

A Lyft and Uber accident lawyer at The JLF Firm can help secure maximum compensation, ensuring clients have the financial resources to fully address their current and future medical needs.

 

 

How Long Do I Have to File an Uber or Lyft Accident Lawsuit in CA?

The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in California, including an Uber and Lyft accident claim, is generally two years from the date of the injury.

However, exceptions exist. For instance, if a government entity, like a city vehicle, is involved in an Uber accident, regardless of whether you were a passenger, pedestrian, or driver, the filing deadline is reduced to six months from the date of the incident.

Failing to file within the applicable statute of limitations will eliminate legal recourse, regardless of the severity of your injuries.

 

 

Contact the Top Personal Injury Law Firm Today

The JLF Firm understands the financial and emotional challenges of recovering from an accident, especially those involving Uber or Lyft.

Don’t let another’s negligence jeopardize your recovery and financial stability. Our compassionate legal team is here to support you during this challenging time. 

Schedule a free consultation today to speak with one of our award-winning Uber and Lyft accident attorneys.

Other Personal Injury Practice Areas We Specialize In

• Bicycle Accidents
• Car Accidents
• Dog Bites
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Personal Injury Accidents
• Slip and Fall Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Wildfire and Fire Damage
• Workers’ Compensation
• Wrongful Death Claims

 

The JLF Firm Corporate Office

Location Address:
8255 Firestone Ave, Ste 207,
Downey, CA 90241
Phone Number:
562-667-3104

Our Other Locations in Southern California

The JLF Firm has additional locations in the following Southern California cities:

• El Monte
• Pomona
• Riverside
• San Bernardino