Sacramento Lyft and Uber Accident Lawyer
Who is liable in an accident between an Uber or Lyft driver and another driver? Can injured passengers of these accidents be compensated for injuries and medical bills? Furthermore, what is the process for filing a rideshare accident claim?
There are many uncertainties surrounding rideshare accidents and legal liability. However, something that is certain: Alpha Accident Lawyers provides the necessary guidance to obtain financial recovery for accident victims.
Our dedicated Sacramento rideshare accident lawyers can investigate the crash, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies. If you or someone you know are in need of an experienced personal injury lawyer in Sacramento to handle a rideshare incident, schedule a free consultation with us to get started today.
START YOUR FREE CONSULTATIONUnderstanding Lyft Accidents and Uber Accidents
As one of the most utilized forms of transportation, not just in Northern California but throughout the US, Uber drivers completed nearly 7.6 billion trips in 2022. Ridesharing continues to increase in popularity, and with more drivers on the road, car accidents are more likely to occur.
The unique aspects surrounding accidents with rideshare drivers are much more complex than other car accident cases, making it difficult to recover a fair settlement. For instance, there are more parties involved, such as Lyft and Uber drivers, passengers, and other drivers–the more people involved, the more insurance companies involved, and the more difficult it will be to reach a solution.
While Uber and Lyft are required to possess specialized auto insurance, their liability coverage is limited to certain situations. The expertise of a knowledgeable Uber and Lyft accident attorney will be able to assess the damages in this type of accident, as well as investigate the crash to prove fault and collect damages from the appropriate parties.
Why You Need a Sacramento Rideshare Accident Attorney
Undergoing the claims process while dealing with aggressive insurance companies is not only stressful, but it is very complicated, and the chance of success is minimal without strong legal representation. It is strongly advised to work with a Sacramento rideshare accident attorney when experiencing the following circumstances.
It's Not Clear Who Is At Fault
In many states, rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft are classified as "transportation network companies" (TNCs), which means they are not considered to be traditional ride-hailing companies, like taxis are.
Instead, Uber and Lyft drivers are hired as independent contractors, making it difficult to assign legal responsibility when an Uber or Lyft accident occurs. So, when it comes time to file a claim, it may not be clear whether or not to file a claim against the rideshare driver, the TNC, or another party.
Rideshare Insurance Coverage Is Not Like Typical Auto Insurance Coverage
Uber and Lyft typically carry commercial liability insurance which is meant to cover the damages of their drivers and passengers after an auto accident. However, coverage is only available if the rideshare drivers are logged into the app at the time of the event. Additionally, available coverage will vary depending on when the rideshare accident occurred.
Unlike other car accidents, it will not matter which party was at fault. If a Lyft or Uber driver was not logged into the app, the rideshare companies will not be liable for damages.
Multiple Parties Are Involved in the Uber and Lyft Accident
In an Uber or Lyft accident, it is not uncommon for more than one party to be at fault. For example, all of the drivers involved and even the TNCs can be found liable for a rideshare accident.
California follows the legal principle of comparative fault, which holds all contributing parties who caused the accident accountable. While these laws break up the distribution of fault, lessening how much each party owes, determining the degree of fault for each party will require an in-depth investigation that yields much evidence.
Expertise in Sacramento Uber and Lyft Laws
It cannot be stated enough; Uber and Lyft accidents are very complex. If the case is mishandled, the personal injury claim can be negatively impacted, severely reducing the amount of recoverable compensation.
Alpha Accident Lawyers specializes in personal injury accidents involving Uber and Lyft vehicles. Our Sacramento rideshare accident attorneys provide guidance and expertise by:
- Obtaining critical evidence, like the driving history of the rideshare driver, police reports, surveillance videos, witness statements, cell phone records, and Uber/Lyft app data
- Conducting a thorough investigation, utilizing our resources such as accident reconstructionists and personal investigators
- Identifying all at-fault parties
- Managing legal matters, such as completing paperwork, monitoring filing deadlines according to California’s statute of limitations, and negotiating with the insurance company
- Assessing all areas of damages to determine an accurate value of the claim, including economic damages and non-economic damages
For a detailed description of how a rideshare accident attorney from Alpha can assist with your case, please schedule a free consultation.
Investigating a Car Accident Involving an Uber or Lyft Driver
To build a strong case with sufficient evidence, Sacramento Uber and Lyft accident attorneys must be meticulous in their efforts to investigate the event. A crucial component of the investigation is working with expert witnesses, such as accident reconstructionists.
Accident reconstruction experts essentially work in reverse. By applying a scientific approach, utilizing physics and engineering, they can evaluate the possible factors that caused the crash. Expert testimony, paired with critical evidence significantly strengthens a personal injury case, as an Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can leverage their findings to negotiate for the optimal reward with the at-fault party’s insurance company. The evidence that our law firm can compile includes:
- A police report
- Witness statements
- Medical records, listing diagnoses and treatments
- Photographs and videos from the accident scene
- Vehicle repair invoices
- The rideshare trip log
- Driving history of all involved drivers
Proving Fault and Seeking Compensation
To win a personal injury case, it must be proven that the accused party exhibited negligence, which ultimately led to the accident. Under the legal system, four factors prove negligence.
- The rideshare driver, the TNC, or another third party owed a duty of care.
- One or all parties breached their duty of care.
- The breach resulted in an accident with a rideshare vehicle.
- The rideshare accident caused injuries and other damages.
Compensation for an Uber and Lyft Accident
Compensation for all suffered losses, including economic damages and non-economic damages can be negotiated in personal injury claims. Recoverable damages in rideshare accident cases include:
- Current medical bills
- Property damage
- Future medical expenses
- Vehicle repair costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Mental trauma
- Wrongful death
Dealing with Rideshare Company Insurance
Insurance companies are known to lack transparency, offer extremely low settlements, and apply calculated tactics to either persuade victims into settling for less or giving up on their cases altogether.
Deceitful strategies to accomplish this include intentionally undervaluing injuries and only offering compensation for current medical expenses, overlooking the need for future treatment like physical therapy, corrective surgery, or other treatments. Another common tactic is to shift blame onto the victim.
Closely following the accident, insurance adjusters contact the involved parties to obtain recorded statements about the event. During these discussions, it can be perceived that victims are accepting fault or sharing that they are not badly injured due to how the questions they are being asked are framed.
Working with an experienced Sacramento rideshare accident lawyer protect clients from being misled into unfair outcomes.
Understanding Your Rights as an Uber or Lyft Passenger
In some scenarios, Uber and Lyft will not be accountable for damages. Instead, rideshare drivers or the other party can be held financially liable. To protect victims, California law requires rideshare drivers to possess specialized car insurance, as their contracted jobs carry a higher risk of an accident.
Uber and Lyft possess similar insurance policies with coverage varying on the specific “period” of when an accident took place. Here’s a general overview of how insurance works for Uber and Lyft passengers.
- Period 0: The driver is not logged onto the app, so Uber/Lyft does not need to provide coverage.
- Period 1: The driver has not yet accepted a trip request but is logged onto the app, so Uber/Lyft will provide coverage up to: $50,000 per person injured, $100,000 total injury liability per accident, and $25,000 total property damage.
- Period 2: The driver has accepted a trip and is en route to pick up the passenger, so Uber/Lyft will provide coverage up to $1 million.
- Period 3: The driver has picked up the passenger, so Uber/Lyft will provide coverage up to $1 million for the passenger and limited coverage for the driver.
It’s important to note that in most of these cases, the insurance of the other involved parties will be applied first up to the policy limit before Uber or Lyft insurance kicks in.
No-Fee Guarantee
When working with a Lyft and Uber accident attorney from Alpha, clients never have to worry about the fear of legal fees. Our personal injury law firm works entirely on a contingency fee basis. This means that our clients will never be financially responsible for attorney fees if we cannot produce optimal results.
Contact Alpha Accident Lawyers in Sacramento, CA
Address: 1201 J St., Suite 337 Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone Number: (916) 926-0036
Email: [email protected]
*In-person office meetings by appointment only
Schedule a Free Consultation
If you have been injured in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle, it is essential to speak with an experienced Uber and Lyft accident attorney.
Alpha Accident Lawyers will help you understand your legal rights and explore the available options during your free case evaluation.
We are available to assist 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To meet with our Sacramento legal team, schedule a free consultation today.
