Should I Hire a Rideshare Accident Attorney in California?

36% of Americans have used a rideshare app for transportation. This number has more than doubled since 2015.

While the service is convenient and often saves time and parking hassles, there can be some risks. This is especially true if you’re involved in a car accident while on a rideshare trip.

Car accidents are unfortunately common in California. A rideshare accident can be complex, and you’ll likely need a rideshare accident attorney to protect your interests.

Read on to learn what you should do if you’re taking a rideshare ride and are involved in a car accident.

How Is a Rideshare Accident Different?

Rideshare services are convenient. Yet, when involved in a car accident, it can become complex quickly. A car accident when you’re the driver is much different than when you’re the rider in a car you’ve hired to take you to your destination.

If you’re in a car accident in your car, your car insurance is active. In a rideshare accident, your auto insurance coverage does not apply. It’s more complicated because you’re riding in the personal vehicle of the rideshare driver.

While they have their own insurance, they are also covered with some liability coverage by their rideshare company, like Uber or Lyft.

So, who covers your expenses following an accident? Is it the driver of the vehicle you hired? The rideshare company? The other driver?

Who Is Responsible After a Rideshare Accident?

Both Uber and Lyft require their drivers to have up-to-date car insurance on their vehicles. They also provide their drivers with $1 million in liability coverage.

Liability can often get complicated with so many parties involved.

If your driver is at fault or it’s a single-vehicle accident with you in the car, the rideshare company liability coverage will likely kick in. It’s important to remember, though, it’s still an insurance company.

Insurance companies provide coverage, yet, they don’t like to pay out claims. Often they’ll work to pay the smallest amount when the victim could be due more.

If multiple vehicles are involved, all the insurance companies, and the rideshare company, you can see how it gets complicated quickly.

Without an attorney, you should know the insurance companies are either going to attempt to get you to sign a quick settlement or not want to deal with you at all.

Hiring a Lawyer to Help After a Rideshare Wreck

Of course, you should seek medical treatment immediately following a rideshare accident, even if you don’t think you have a significant injury.

This should be followed closely by hiring an attorney. The quicker you hire an attorney, the quicker they can get to work on your behalf.

The rideshare lawyer can handle what happens after the accident. You can focus on healing while your attorney focuses on your case.

Let’s consider the many reasons it’s important to seek legal help for your rideshare accident.

Rideshare Companies are Powerful

Rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber are multi-million dollar companies. They have the resources to hire the best legal teams. They are also in the business of making money.

While it’s the insurance companies of these rideshare companies that would pay a claim, how much they pay impacts the cost of coverage for the companies.

Not to oversimplify, but they’re big and powerful. You need a knowledgeable and experienced attorney to stand up to the big rideshare company and protect your interests when filing a claim.

Expediting the Steps of Your Case

It’s not uncommon when an accident claim to get filed for it to drag on for months and sometimes years. Sometimes, that’s a tactic the insurance company will use to get you to accept a smaller settlement.

You may be injured and incurred a lot of medical bills. They know you’ll need money.

When you hire an experienced attorney, they can stay on top of the case. They can work to push the negotiations along to get you a settlement more expeditiously.

Expert Representation in Court

You might be surprised to learn that most personal injury attorneys settle their cases out of court.

However, you want an attorney who’s prepared to go to trial if necessary to get you the compensation you deserve.

If your case doesn’t get settled, be assured the rideshare company will send in their best attorneys to handle the case at the trial stage. You want to choose a rideshare attorney with the experience necessary to match their attorneys in court.

Objectivity

Suffering from the injuries of a rideshare accident can be traumatic and exhausting. It’s hard to imagine focusing on your own healing and also dealing with law enforcement, insurance companies, and rideshare lawyers.

It’s hard to set aside the emotions of your accident, too. When you have an experienced rideshare attorney representing you, they don’t have the same emotional connection to your case.

They can use their objectivity with the case to work towards the best settlement for you.

Quality and Comprehensive Medical Care

You already know one of the first things you should do following a rideshare accident is seek medical attention. But if you have extensive injuries, you may need continued care or you may need to see a medical specialist.

You might also need long-term therapy like physical therapy as part of your recovery process. It’s important to file a claim against the rideshare company to get compensation so you can seek the best possible care as part of your recovery.

A rideshare attorney will help make sure this happens for you.

Protect Your Interests With a Rideshare Accident Attorney

A rideshare accident attorney will know how to handle your case following the accident. You need to focus on recovery and let the expert handle your case for you.

If you’ve been in a rideshare accident, Alpha Accident Lawyers can help. Contact us today so we can get to work on getting you the compensation you deserve.