Uber and Lyft are popular services throughout California, but it is important for those who use them to understand that they face the same risk of an accident in a rideshare vehicle as they would in any other vehicle. If you or a loved one has recently been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, maximizing your rideshare accident settlement in California will require the help of a seasoned attorney.

Proving Liability for a Rideshare Accident in California

Your first legal challenge after any motor vehicle accident in California is proving fault. You must identify the driver who caused your accident and prove exactly how they caused it. This typically requires several forms of evidence, many of which you may not know how to obtain on your own. Your attorney can help you gather the proof of fault that you will need to proceed with your recovery efforts.

It’s possible for a rideshare accident to happen because of the rideshare driver’s negligence. It is also possible for a third party to have caused your accident, and multiple parties may share fault for a vehicle accident in California. It is also possible for a rideshare company to bear fault for an accident under certain circumstances. Having an experienced attorney on your side can make navigating any complexities concerning fault much easier.

Recovering Compensation for a Rideshare Accident in California

California’s rideshare accident laws require companies like Uber and Lyft to have insurance coverage for accidents involving their drivers. Rideshare drivers are required to have personal auto insurance, like all other California drivers, but this insurance applies when they are “off the clock” and not logged into their driver apps. Once they are marked as available, the first tier of the rideshare company’s insurance applies if an accident occurs.

The second tier of the rideshare company’s insurance applies once a driver has picked up a passenger, and it will continue to do so until they drop the passenger off at their destination. This level of coverage may appear substantial at first, but it is important to remember that insurance companies will almost always push back against claims for compensation and attempt to settle for as little as possible. Additionally, accepting a settlement will confine your award to the limits of the policy.

An experienced rideshare accident lawyer can assist you in navigating all the insurance-related issues that you are likely to face in the aftermath of a rideshare accident. They can also help you build a personal injury claim if necessary to ensure the fullest possible recovery. You may need to file an auto insurance claim against another driver’s personal policy or a rideshare company’s policy. If that doesn’t yield results, an attorney can help you build a personal injury claim to fully recover your damages.

When maximizing your rideshare accident settlement in California, having the right attorney on your side is not only important for navigating the insurance claim filing process but also for accurately calculating all your claimable damages. You have the right to seek compensation for immediate and future economic damages as well as the pain and suffering you experienced, and the right attorney knows how to maximize your total case award.

FAQs

Q: What Damages Can I Claim in a Rideshare Accident Case?

A: The damages you can claim in a rideshare accident case include your property losses, medical expenses, and lost income. You also have the right to seek compensation for future damages resulting from the accident, such as ongoing medical treatment costs for severe injuries and lost earning power if you have been permanently disabled and cannot return to work. Additionally, you have the right to seek compensation for pain and suffering.

Q: Do I Need a Lawyer to File an Auto Insurance Claim After a Rideshare Accident?

A: Hiring a lawyer to assist you in filing an auto insurance claim after a rideshare accident can make the process much easier. You can also be more likely to maximize the total compensation you can secure from the claim. Your attorney can help you gather any evidence you need to firmly establish liability for the accident and guide you through the claim filing process. They can also resolve any disputes that the insurance company raises against your claim.

Q: How Do I Prove Fault for a Rideshare Accident in California?

A: You can prove fault for a rideshare accident in California by gathering the same types of evidence that you would need after any other vehicle accident. Traffic camera footage, drivers’ cell phone records, photos of the scene of the crash, and eyewitness testimony are all often crucial pieces of evidence for proving fault in vehicle accidents. Working with a seasoned attorney can make gathering this evidence much easier.

Q: How Is Pain and Suffering Compensation Calculated in California?

A: In California, pain and suffering compensation is usually calculated based on the overall severity of the victim’s damages and their anticipated recovery time. There is no single formula that a plaintiff must use to determine appropriate pain and suffering compensation, and this aspect of their recovery is not subject to limits in most personal injury cases. Note that auto insurance does not pay for pain and suffering, and this compensation must be sought through a personal injury claim.

Q: What Will It Cost to Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer in California?

A: The cost to hire a rideshare accident lawyer in California will depend on the lawyer’s billing policy. The majority of attorneys handling car accident claims in California accept these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that the attorney takes a percentage of the total compensation they secure for their client. However, they only collect this fee if they win the case, and there are no upfront fees for the client.

Kreeger Law Firm Can Help After a Rideshare Accident

Kreeger Law Firm has successfully represented many past clients in rideshare accident cases throughout California, and we can apply this experience to your situation. If you are unsure how to recover full compensation for the damages, you can rely on our team to help you maximize your results. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our firm and learn how we can assist with your recovery.