Irvine Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney

What Is Liability? If a Rideshare Driver Is Not Found Liable for an Accident, Will the Company They Work for Cover Damages?

Whether you were driving home on the 5-South or heading to the coastal beaches just west of downtown Irvine, if you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, it is important to understand that personal injury claims involving Uber and Lyft are notoriously complex.

Not only do rideshare cases involve various factors, such as whether or not a driver was logged into the app when the accident occurred, but laws affecting employee classification for rideshare drivers are changing rapidly. Further complicating matters is that these types of cases often result in multiple claims against the company, the driver, and possibly other drivers.

However, as mentioned, with the passing of Senate Bill AB5, it is strongly recommended to discuss your accident with an experienced Irvine Uber and Lyft accident attorney if you suffered injuries and wish to file a personal injury claim. This is an important consideration because it may directly affect issues of liability and change the way these claims are processed, as well as the recovery of damages.

If you suffered injuries in the city of Irvine due to an Uber or Lyft driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your damages. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our experienced Irvine Uber and Lyft accident attorneys have over 60 years of collective legal experience in handling personal injury cases. With our track record of recovering more than $1 billion in settlements for our clients, we have been recognized as one of the top personal injury law firms in Irvine.

Please don’t hesitate to contact our 24/7 legal team by calling (949) 207-9619 or emailing [email protected] to schedule a free consultation at our Irvine personal injury law firm. 

Liability 

In the most basic sense, ridesharing accidents are very similar to most car accidents. Essentially, if you were injured by another driver’s negligence, that driver will typically be held responsible for your losses and injuries. The important question then is: how is liability in Uber or Lyft accidents determined? The answer is: liability is generally based on negligence.

Driver negligence in ridesharing accidents, and all types of car accidents, always represents some type of careless or reckless behavior. Examples of driver negligence are far-ranging, yet generally include common behaviors, such as speeding, looking up an address while driving, neglecting traffic laws, and driving while under the influence.

Negligent behavior is not only irresponsible and dangerous, but it is against the law. California law requires all drivers to abide by a duty of care and drive responsibly. This means being careful, obeying traffic laws, and focusing on the task of safe driving. If you were hurt because of an Uber or Lyft driver’s negligence, your Irvine Uber and Lyft accident attorney will have to show that their negligence caused your injuries.

In summary, it must be proven that the Uber or Lyft driver who caused your injuries owed you a duty of care, violated this duty of care through negligence, and their act of negligence caused your injuries.

There is another consideration to keep in mind. If a rideshare driver has their rideshare app turned off, any accident he or she is involved in will be treated like any other car accident. And most importantly, insurance coverage is strictly limited to a rideshare driver’s personal insurance coverage.

On the other hand, if an Uber or Lyft driver has the app on, contingent coverage with limits of $50,000/$100,000/$25,000 apply. If a rideshare driver has a passenger in the vehicle or if they have accepted a rider and are picking up that rider, the rideshare company’s $1 million commercial coverage will go into effect.

Uber’s $1 Million Policy 

Uber’s well known $1 million insurance policy is divided into three parts.

• Period 0: Say that an Irvine resident who moonlights as a rideshare driver is simply driving around town for non-work related purposes. If he or she is involved in an accident at this time, their personal insurance policy will go into effect.
• Period 1: This is when a driver is online and is waiting for a request. If an accident occurs during this time, Uber’s insurance policy will kick in ($50,000 per bodily injury/$100,000 per accident/$25,000 in property damage per accident). 
• Period 2: This is when a driver is online and is either picking up or dropping off a rider. If an accident occurs during this time, Uber’s coverage will include $1,000,000 third party liability, UI/UIM coverage, and contingent comprehensive and collision coverage.
  • Up to the actual cash value of a vehicle with a $2,500 deductible.
  • A $1,000 deductible for specific types of vehicles that are provided by the Vehicle Marketplace.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you have sustained injuries as a result of an Uber or Lyft driver’s negligence or deliberate acts of malice, you have the right to hold the guilty party responsible for your losses. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our Irvine Uber and Lyft accident attorneys are available 24/7 to help you with your case.

Call us today at (949) 207-9619 or email [email protected] to schedule a free consultation with our experienced, caring, and compassionate legal team.