Beverly Hills Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney

Uber and Lyft continue to grow in popularity due to their convenience and availability. Their respective mobile apps grant people access to request a ride, know the costs associated with the trip, and how long it will take to get dropped off. Although such benefits have attracted mass attention, concerns have been expressed over the years, especially after safety transparency reports were released by Uber and Lyft that provide data on the following occurrences:

• Rideshare accidents,
• Physical assault, and
• Sexual assault.

These events have created hesitancy and legal implications surrounding rideshare services. Passengers who were harmed during a trip may be entitled to sue, but determining liability will be challenging since Uber and Lyft drivers are classified as independent contractors. In this particular situation, you should consult with a personal injury law firm, like West Coast Trial Lawyers, for legal insight.

Our skilled Beverly Hills Uber and Lyft accident lawyers will analyze the situation, figure out who is the liable party, and aggressively argue against the opposing side to ensure you get fair compensation. We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you owe us nothing until your case has been settled.

To schedule a free case evaluation, we welcome you to reach out to us by calling (310) 919-5962 or filling out our quick contact form.

What Should You Do If You Have Been Involved in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Beverly Hills?

Rideshare accident victims who were harmed during an Uber or Lyft trip should consider doing the actions listed below.

Check on Yourself and Others

Examine your body condition, and be sure to check if others are okay, as well. If you or someone else is injured, it is encouraged that you contact the police as soon as possible.

Contact Local Authorities

Once the police arrive at the accident scene, they will conduct a written report describing the situation. Be sure to ask for the police officer's name and badge number so that you can request a copy of this document to use as proof in your personal injury claim.

Obtain Evidence

Try to get as much evidence as possible. This includes the following:

• Photographs of your injuries and the accident scene,
• Contact and insurance information of all parties involved,
• Witness details,
• A written documentation of your perspective of the collision,
• A copy of the police report, and
• A copy of your medical records.

Report the Rideshare Accident to Uber or Lyft

Uber and Lyft have forms available for riders and drivers to submit in case a rideshare accident occurs during a trip. Once you have sent it to either company, they will assess the situation and reach out to you to get a statement about your perspective on what happened. From there, they will determine how the issue could be resolved based on what you presented to them.

Seek Medical Attention

You should get medical attention right after a rideshare accident. The doctor will examine you to determine your condition, and will create a treatment plan if they notice any bodily injury. Your appointments, procedures, and prescriptions will be saved on file, and can be used as evidence. If you fail to do this in a timely manner, the opposing side may argue that your injury was not as serious as you claimed or that another factor could have caused it.

Consult With a Beverly Hills Rideshare Accident Lawyer

To ensure you get the best outcome possible, you should speak to a rideshare accident lawyer. They will assess the information provided and determine what necessary steps should be taken to get you fair compensation.

Rideshare Driver Insurance Coverage

Uber and Lyft offer rideshare accident insurance coverage to their drivers. Each type provides different forms of protection depending on the circumstances involved.

Period 0

If an Uber or Lyft driver was offline prior to the accident, they will not receive coverage by either rideshare company. Their personal auto insurance carrier would have to be used instead.

Period 1

If the rideshare driver was online and waited for a pick up request before the accident took place, Uber and Lyft will provide third-party liability coverage only if personal auto insurance does not apply. Financial assistance may include the following:

• $50,000 per bodily injury,
• $100,000 per accident, and
• $25,000 in property damage per accident.

Period 2 & 3

If the Uber or Lyft driver was online and accepted a request or had a passenger present in the vehicle when the accident occurred, Uber and Lyft will give:

• $1 million third-party liability coverage,
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, and
• Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage.

Common Injuries Caused by Uber and Lyft Accidents

Rideshare accident victims could sustain mild to severe harm based on the intensity of the impact. Some common injuries that may occur include:

• Head injuries,
• Brain injuries,
• Chest injuries,
• Arm and leg injuries,
• Spinal cord injuries, and
• Scrapes and cuts.

Determining Liability in a Beverly Hills Uber or Lyft Accident

To determine liability in a Beverly Hills Uber or Lyft accident, you will need to collect evidence that proves negligence. This includes showing the following:

• The defendant owed you a duty of care,
• The defendant breached their duty of care,
• The defendant's reckless behavior caused you to sustain injuries, and
• You endured financial and/or emotional losses as a result of the rideshare accident.

Directly suing Uber or Lyft can be difficult. The employment status of a rideshare driver has been a major debate amongst California residents, and became a bigger issue after the passing of Proposition 22 in November 2020. 

A lower court ruling claimed that this bill was illegal. However, on March 13th 2023, the decision was reversed, meaning that Uber and Lyft can treat state-drivers as independent contractors.

So, if a rideshare accident victim wants to sue for damages, the liable party would have to be the assigned driver unless an outside source caused the crash. But, Uber and Lyft are not entirely excused from holding accountability for issues caused by their drivers. They could still face legal consequences for the following circumstances:

• Carelessly hiring unqualified people,
• Poorly executing training sessions, or
• Not properly supervising their rideshare drivers.

What Compensation Are You Entitled to in a Beverly Hills Uber or Lyft Accident?

Compensation you may be entitled to in a Beverly Hills Uber or Lyft accident will vary based on what factors are associated with the event. Typically, rideshare accident victims are granted the following:

• Past and future medical expenses,
• Past and future lost wages,
• Emotional distress, and
• Pain and suffering.

Under rare circumstances, punitive damages could also be available. You will need to prove how the defendant exhibited malicious, intentional, or fraudulent behavior towards you.

Since California is a comparative negligence state, you and the opposing side will be evaluated to determine what amount of reckless behavior you both contributed to the rideshare accident.

If the court finds that each side violated any traffic signals, compensation may be reduced based on the percentage of fault.

Get Legal Assistance From Our Beverly Hills Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers Today

If you were involved in a car accident with a negligent rideshare driver, you may be entitled to seek compensation by filing a personal injury claim against them.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our skilled Beverly Hills Uber and Lyft accident attorneys are available 24/7 to guide you through the legal process. We will make sure you submit a strong claim that will get you the compensation you deserve for your losses.

To schedule a free consultation, we welcome you to reach out to us by calling (310) 919-5962 or filling out our easy contact form.

More Resources for Uber & Lyft Accidents

Uber and Lyft Safety Tips for Riders

Uber Accident Laws and Injury Settlements in California

Passengers Involved in an Uber or Lyft Accident

Rideshare Sexual Assault Cases