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Rideshare services have been great in meeting the transportation needs of the public. Instead of trying to call a traditional cab or even flag one down, services like Uber and Lyft allow individuals the opportunity to schedule a ride through the convenience of a smartphone app. However, the service is not without its issues. If you have been in an accident with a rideshare driver, our California car accident lawyer may be able to help.
The Uber & Lyft accident lawyers in California with Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers have a proven track record of helping victims who have been injured as a result of negligence. Whether as a passenger, pedestrian, or an occupant in another car, our legal team has the ability to help you get the maximum compensation for your case.
Call us today for a free case consultation. A member of our staff can review your case and explain your legal options for moving forward. Help is available.
Your Settlement Should Cover All Losses, Now and in the Future
There are some very serious injuries that can be inflicted as part of any vehicular accident. It is important that you seek immediate medical attention if you have sustained any sort of injury. Even if you feel ok following the accident, you should still take yourself to the hospital or your private doctor to get evaluated. Many people don’t fully experience the true extent of their injuries until days after the accident occurred.
Severe Injuries in a California Car Accident
In extreme cases, car accident victims have suffered severe to catastrophic injuries requiring emergency medical care. Such injuries have included:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), concussions, or head injury
- Spinal cord, neck, or back injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations and burns
- Internal organ damage
- Loss limbs
- Loss of function
The treatment and, in some instances, ongoing care for these patients can be very expensive medical bills. If you find yourself involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, you need to know all your options for possible compensation. It is important to understand the extent of your injuries and the true amount of time it will take for your recovery.
We can work with your doctors and financial planners to understand the costs of your medical care and how your injuries may affect your life.
It’s free to speak with us and learn the value of your case today.
Call Us NowExamples of Damages We Seek for Our Clients
Our personal injury lawyers in California treat every case as unique, providing our clients with a personalized strategy and the compassionate care they deserve. Though your damages will be based on the circumstances of your case, the following are the most common economic and non-economic damages you may be eligible to receive:
- Medical expenses, including doctor’s visits, hospital stays, medications, and transportation
- Ongoing healthcare, such as home modifications and nursing
- Lost wages while you recover from your injuries
- Reduced earning capacity if you are unable to go back to your job or have to change careers
- Property damage that requires repairs or a replacement
- Pain and suffering, including mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life if you cannot participate in activities you once enjoyed
- Disability and disfigurement
When our California Uber & Lyft accident lawyers take on your case and investigate the accident, we will compile a list of damages and determine a fair settlement to submit with your insurance claim.
Common Causes of Rideshare-Related Accidents in California
Both Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors. They are car drivers like everyone else on the road and capable of making the same mistakes and errors as everyone else. Ultimately, the cause of most auto accidents, whether it was an Uber or Lyft driver, is negligence.
Rideshare drivers will typically cause accidents under the following conditions:
- Checking their app for riders
- Checking their GPS for directions
- Talking with passengers
- Hurrying to a location
If you find yourself in an injury accident because of an Uber or Lyft driver, you might be entitled to fair compensation for the injuries sustained. Our California Uber & Lyft accident attorneys will identify who and how your accident occurred. Call Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers for your free consultation. Learn how Attorney Ryan Sargent and his legal team can help you recuperate from your losses today.
If you’ve been injured or a loved one has been killed through an act of negligence, you need the highest level of legal representation.
Schedule a Free ConsultationThe Complicated Process of Ridesharing Service Liability in California
Since Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing providers are independent contractors who use their own cars, there are some complications with insurance coverage.
All Drivers in California Must Be Insured
If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident in California, the liability system in place states that the at-fault driver bears the responsibility for paying damages. What this means for you is that you need to prove the following things to have a valid claim for damages:
- You must show fault on the part of the responsible driver
- The accident resulted in damages of some sort, whether those damages are medical, financial, mental, or emotional
All drivers in California are required by law to carry liability insurance because of the at-fault (tort) system of liability. According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (CADMV), the minimum requirements are:
- Bodily injury liability (BIL) of $30,000 per person
- Bodily injury liability (BIL) of $60,000 per accident
- Property damage liability (PDL) of $15,000 per accident
Uber, Lyft, and any rideshare drivers are included in this insurance requirement. If the rideshare driver is the at-fault party, then they are responsible for the damages. However, the driver’s status on the rideshare app can shift liability.
Rideshare Insurance Coverage in California
Even though rideshare drivers operate as independent contractors and must carry their own auto insurance coverage, the coverage that will apply to your claim depends on their status on the rideshare app. According to Uber and Lyft, both companies offer very similar insurance coverage:
Off the app, the driver’s insurance covers any accidents.
On the app looking for a rider, the rideshare’s third-party insurance covers the following amounts:
- Bodily injury liability (BIL) of $50,000 per person
- Bodily injury liability (BIL) of $100,000 per accident
- Property damage liability (PDL) of $25,000 per accident
On the app matched to a rider or with a rider, the rideshare coverage offers:
- $1,000,000 in 3rd-party auto liability
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage
- Comprehensive and collision coverage up to the car’s cash value after a deductible if the driver has it on the vehicle already
We have the resources to investigate your accident and determine the status of the rideshare driver at the time of the incident.
Get a free case evaluation
Schedule NowHow an Uber & Lift Accident Attorney in California From Our Law Firm Helps Injury Victims
As your attorney, we can manage your claim and allow you the time to recover from your injuries. We can:
- Investigate the accident to determine who was at fault
- Gather evidence, such as police reports, phone records, and medical records
- Speak with eyewitnesses and collect their statements
- Consult with experts, like accident reconstruction specialists
- File all paperwork on time, such as insurance claims and lawsuits
- Communicate with the insurance companies and their attorneys on your behalf
- Represent you in court if we cannot secure a fair settlement
We will also be available to address any concerns you have about your case and keep you updated on developments.
You Need to Start Your Claim Before the Statute of Limitations Expires
To help you secure compensation, we need to get started on your case before the two-year statutory deadline. If you fail to resolve your claim before the deadline, you could be left paying the difference the insurance company’s settlement fails to cover.
Per CCP § 335.1, we must file a personal injury lawsuit with the local California courthouse before two years pass on the accident. If the deadline passes, the courts could bar your case, and the insurance company will not be compelled to negotiate.
However, with early notice, we can ensure your case meets all deadlines. It also gives us time to investigate and preserve evidence before it is lost.
You Can Make a Difference in Your Case’s Outcome
There are also things you can do at the accident scene and immediately after that can significantly improve the strength of your claim. You should:
- Call 9-1-1 and have the police investigate the accident, which will generate a police report
- See a doctor as soon as you can and follow their treatment completely, which helps connect the accident to your injuries
- Request contact and insurance information, which lets you know who to file your claims with
- Limit who you talk to and what you say, which keeps the insurance companies from using your words against you
When you’re ready, you can contact us, and our California rideshare accident lawyers can get to work on your case.
Get a California Rideshare Accident Attorney on Your Side Today
Accidents involving Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare company can get extremely complicated. There is a multitude of involved parties, and the case becomes much more complex than what you would find in a traditional vehicle injury accident.
Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers has a proven track record of getting fair settlements for clients. Plus, our California rideshare accident attorneys work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win.
Call us today for a free consultation.
