Fresno Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney

Our Knowledgeable Fresno Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys Will Discuss Important Steps a Rideshare Driver or Passenger Should Consider After an Accident

Rideshare services, such as Uber and Lyft, offer convenient and affordable transportation. These services allow people to travel without having the stress and hassle of doing it themselves. Most rideshare passengers are typically people who need a ride to go to work or are planning on having a night out.

During these trips, Uber and Lyft apps will provide the driver and passenger with an estimated time frame of when a pick up or drop off will occur. This could be a good or bad thing. Offering an estimated time frame could allow the passenger to schedule out their day accordingly. However, for a rideshare driver, they are obligated to meet the deadline in order to receive a good review. Those who fail to meet these time constraints may end up with a bad review, which could be detrimental to their job. This is particularly why rideshare drivers may become influenced to speed. Nonetheless, they could be putting themselves and the passengers in the vehicle in danger of getting into an accident.

If you were involved in an Uber or Lyft accident due to negligence caused by another party, you may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit against them. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our experienced Fresno Uber or Lyft accident attorneys are available 24/7 to offer legal assistance. With our track record of recovering more than $1 billion in settlements for our clients, we are confident that we will deliver a good outcome to your case.

Please do not hesitate to contact us by calling (559) 272-9881 or emailing [email protected] to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation at our Fresno personal injury law firm.

What to Do if You Are Hit by a Rideshare Driver

Accidents can happen when you least expect it to. You could be driving safely and follow the rules of the road, however, other drivers may commit reckless actions that, unfortunately, can affect you. According to safety reports released by Uber and Lyft, both companies have had their rideshare drivers get into a motor vehicle accident. Victims who have been involved in an accident with a rideshare driver should consider following the steps listed below to increase the likelihood of acquiring fair compensation.

• Check on others. If you are able to, check on the other parties involved in the accident.
• Call 911. If you notice any injuries or damages, contact the police immediately. They will arrive at the scene of the accident and conduct an official police report. Paramedics may also be present to provide medical care to those that need it.
• Exchange contact and insurance information.  Speak to the rideshare driver. Make sure you obtain their license plate number, contact information, insurance information, and driver’s license.
• Acquire witness information. If you notice any witnesses around, you should ask for their consent to acquire their contact information. Witness testimonies can greatly support your claim. 
• Gather evidence. Take photos or video footage of injuries, damages, and the location of where the accident took place. You should also document what happened, before, during, and after the impact. Do not forget to include the date and time of when the event took place.
• Be careful with what you say. Do not speak to any adjusters and do not contact Uber or Lyft. Any information you discuss with another party, such as the insurance or rideshare company, can be used against you.
• Reach out to an experienced Uber or Lyft accident attorney.  Don’t allow Uber, Lyft, or any insurance company to handle your claim. They will often try to get you to settle for less than what you deserve. Instead, get in touch with a Fresno Uber or Lyft accident attorney. They will help strengthen your claim and negotiate with insurance companies to get you the compensation you deserve.

What an Uber or Lyft Driver Should Do After an Accident

If you were involved in an accident while performing rideshare-related duties, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim against the party at-fault. We highly recommend rideshare drivers to follow the steps listed below in order to have a higher likelihood of acquiring a fair settlement amount.

• • Contact the police. If you notice any injuries or damages, you should contact the police immediately. They will arrive at the scene of the accident and create an official police report. 

• Seek medical attention. Paramedics will be present during the scene of the accident. If you have suffered any injuries from the accident, you should ask the paramedics to examine your wounded area. If you believe that you do not need immediate medical care, you should still set up an appointment to visit a doctor who will examine your wounded area. Doctor or hospital visits will be saved on file and can be used as evidence to prove that you sustained injuries after the accident.

• Exchange information. Make sure to exchange each other’s contact information, insurance information, driver’s license details, and license plate numbers.

• Get witness information. If you notice any witnesses nearby, you should get their consent to acquire their contact information. As previously mentioned, witness testimonies can greatly support your claim.

• Gather evidence. You should take photographs or video footage of your injuries, damages, and the location of where the accident took place. Make sure to also request a copy of the official police report.

• Reach out to an Uber or Lyft accident attorney. An Uber or Lyft accident attorney will guide you through the process of filing a claim and get you the compensation you deserve. 

Uber and Lyft Insurance Policies

In the case of a rideshare accident, Uber and Lyft will offer the rideshare driver coverage, depending on whether or not they were logged into the app during the time of impact. 

• Offline: The driver is not logged into the rideshare app. If they’re involved in an accident during this time, then they will have to rely on their own personal insurance.
• Online and Awaiting a Request: The driver gets into an accident while they are online and awaiting a request. Under this type of circumstance, Uber and Lyft will offer third-party liability if your insurance doesn’t apply.
  • $50,000 per person bodily injury
  • $100,000 per incident
  • $25,000 for property damage
• Online and Accepting a Request: The driver is involved in a collision after accepting a request or while on the way to pick up or drop off a passenger. Uber and Lyft will offer the driver a $1 million third-party liability, uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage, and contingent comprehensive and collision coverage.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you have sustained injuries in an Uber or Lyft accident as a result of someone’s negligence or deliberate acts of malice, you have the right to hold the guilty party responsible for your losses. A Fresno Uber or Lyft accident attorney at West Coast Trial Lawyers will help you recover compensation for your losses.

To schedule a free consultation at our Fresno personal injury law firm, please contact our 24/7 legal team by calling (559) 272-9881 or emailing [email protected].