Los Angeles Uber / Lyft Accident Lawyer
Our Uber Accident Lawyers in LA Will Represent Your Interests
Ride-share providers like Uber and Lyft have exploded on the scene as a means of transportation for users worldwide who find them convenient, cost-effective, and preferable to traditional taxi cabs. Transportation network companies, as they are referred to in California, are especially popular in Los Angeles: According to Business Insider, the municipal region lands a spot at #12 on the list of top cities throughout the world for Uber and Lyft usage. However, despite the attraction of using an app to arrange, track, and pay for a ride, accidents still happen. Due to the unique arrangement among passengers, drivers, insurance companies, and ride-share companies, these incidents can be even more complex than typical motor vehicle collisions.
Despite the intricate, sometimes confusing laws, negligence is still at the heart of many rideshare accidents in Los Angeles, which means you still have rights as an injured victim. At the Dolan Law Firm, our skilled Los Angeles Uber/Lyft accident attorneys are here to help you overcome the challenges you face in recovering the compensation you deserve by law. Please contact our office to set up a consultation about your case, and check out some general information about rideshare liability.
Different Scenarios Affecting Uber/Lyft Accident Claims
When you arrange a ride through Uber or Lyft, there is one thing that will almost always be clear about liability in an accident: As a passenger, you will not be at fault. Aside from this factor, there are multiple scenarios that call blame into question:
- The accident was caused by negligence of the Uber/Lyft driver before picking up a passenger;
- The collision was the result of an Uber/Lyft driver’s negligence while carrying a passenger; or,
- The crash is due to the negligence of another motorist or multiple motorists on the road.
If the collision was the result of the driver not operating your rideshare vehicle, you stand in the position of any other passenger who is hurt in a car accident. You would file a claim with the responsible motorist’s insurance company and attempt to recoup your losses. When the accident is due to the negligence of the Uber/Lyft operator, there are complicated routes of recovering compensation.
- When not carrying a passenger and engaged in their own personal business, Uber and Lyft drivers are on their own in terms of liability. The minimum auto insurance coverage amount is $15,000, per person, per accident. Operators can opt for higher coverage amount, and many do to cover their own interests.
- From the moment the driver accepts your request via the mobile app until you arrive at your destination, the ridesharing service is liable for the negligence of its drivers. Uber and Lyft provide commercial liability insurance coverage for passenger losses, up to $1 million per person, per accident.
Similarities to Typical Car Accidents
Though your situation is slightly different as the victim hurt in an Uber/Lyft accident, there are some common elements that will seem familiar. Therefore, you should keep in mind that:
Negligence Remains the Key Factor: The specifics of auto crashes vary and may include speeding, drunk driving, falling asleep at the wheel, using a cell phone, and other causes. However, negligence is still at the core of motor vehicle incidents, including Uber/Lyft accidents. In such a claim, you must prove:
- The driver had a responsibility to operate the vehicle safely;
- He or she breached this legal duty of care;
- Because of the breach, you were injured in a crash; and,
- You suffered losses as a result of your injuries.
Insurance Companies Will Protect Their Own Interests: Whether you are dealing with the insurance company for the Uber/Lyft driver, the rideshare company, or a third party motorist, you can expect a fight in attempting to get compensation for your losses. Insurers are not in business to protect your interests; they are motivated by profits. Your claim is a threat to the company’s bottom line. Employees will do everything possible to deny you compensation.
You are Entitled to Compensation: If you are injured in an Uber/Lyft accident, you can recover for all losses related to your injuries, including:
- Your medical costs, including expenses for surgery, emergency care, ongoing treatment, pain medications, and related amounts;
- Any lost wages for the time you cannot work due to your injuries;
- Pain and suffering;
- Scarring and disfigurement;
- Diminished quality of life;
- Emotional trauma; and,
- Other losses depending on how your injuries affect your life.
There are Potential Limitations on Your Claim: California law may affect your right to compensation because, like any personal injury case, there is the state statute of limitations. You have two years after the date of your Uber/Lyft accident to file a lawsuit, or you are forever barred from monetary recovery for your losses.
In addition, California law follows the rule of comparative negligence in motor vehicle collisions. If you are partially at fault for causing an accident, your compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault attributable to your actions. As a passenger of a rideshare service, the rule may not apply to you. However, if you are a pedestrian, bicyclist, motorcyclist, or driver of another car, comparative negligence may operate to reduce the amount of compensation you can recover.
Consult with a Skilled Los Angeles Uber Accident Lawyer About Your Case
You do not give up your right to recover compensation just because you were injured in an Uber/Lyft accident rather than a motor vehicle collision involving two private drivers. However, when there are multiple potential parties and complicated laws covering ride-share companies, you may not know where to being with filing a claim. At the Dolan Law Firm, our Lyft accident lawyers in LA are prepared to fight for your interests because we have extensive experience in car crash cases involving ride share operators and specific knowledge of the relevant statutes. If you were injured in a Los Angeles Uber/Lyft accident and want to hear more about your legal remedies, please call us toll free at 1-888-452-4752 or check us out online. We can schedule a free case assessment to review your circumstances.
