Long Beach Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer

Uber and Lyft are popular ridesharing services that make it easy for users to travel without the need to do it themselves. These two ridesharing companies provide people with a variety of ride options from private cars to carpooling services, allowing their users to pick and choose what kind of service they are looking for.

Since Long Beach is such a densely populated city, many people may turn to Uber or Lyft to get around traffic. However, considering how dense Long Beach traffic can be during rush hour, and how many people use the app, the chances of getting into an accident is more likely than you think.

According to a 2021 study that observed the impact of transportation companies, ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft increase the duration of road congestion by 4.5%. This means drivers are more likely to get stuck in traffic for a slightly longer period of time and, as a result, it increases the chances of a rideshare driver getting into a car accident.

If you were a victim of an Uber or Lyft accident and would like to file a lawsuit against the party-at fault, West Coast Trial Lawyers is a reputable law firm with over 20 years of legal experience in handling personal injury cases. We have recovered over $1.7 billion in compensation for our clients and our dedicated team of lawyers are available 24/7 to assist you throughout the entire legal process.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling us at (213) 927-3700 or by filling out our quick online contact form.

Common Incidents In Ridesharing Services

Car accidents and sexual assault/harassment are some of the most common incidents found in ridesharing services. Due to Uber’s and Lyft’s hiring policies regarding independent contractors, almost anybody can become a rideshare driver and, as a result, it has invited in a number of complex incidents that ranges from car crashes to sexual harassment.

Uber and Lyft have both released safety reports that have indicated past car accidents and assault cases to show people how rare these incidents can occur. However, that doesn’t change the fact that these incidents can happen to anybody. So if you are looking for rideshare accident lawyers to represent your case, it is important to understand these incidents in detail, so you can appropriately file your personal injury claim.

Car Accidents

Car accident cases in an Uber or Lyft can be just as damaging as any other car accident out there. According to a 2021 Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash report by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were an estimated 6,102,936 police-reported traffic crashes, and out of that total, 42,939 people were killed and an estimated 2,497,657 people were injured.

Considering that once you are in the Uber or Lyft driver’s vehicle, you are placing your trust in them to make sure that they take you to your destination safely. While top rated Uber and Lyft drivers can pick up and drop off their passengers without incident, negligent drivers or even other rideshare drivers may breach their duty of care and recklessly cause an accident.

The NHTSA have reported in a 2015 Crash Stats Fact Sheet that about roughly 74% of motor vehicle accidents were caused by negligent driver error, such as speeding, driving under the influence, texting and driving, and even drowsy driving. Considering how the City of Long Beach determined in a Safe Streets Data report that 86% of all traffic collisions in Long Beach are caused by negligent car accidents, the chances of getting into an Uber or Lyft accident and sustaining serious injuries is more likely than you think.

With that in mind, those who have become involved in a rideshare accident in Long Beach are highly encouraged to contact an experienced Uber and Lyft accident attorney. Whether the cause of the accident was due to your Uber or Lyft driver or other drivers, it is important to hire an experienced lawyer who will fight to get the victim the justice and compensation they deserve for their losses.

Sexual Assault/Harassment

Unfortunately, many female riders have been victims of sexual assault from an Uber or Lyft driver. According to a sexual violence statistic report from Helping Survivors, a corporate sponsor of the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, Uber’s very first safety report revealed that there were 5,981 sexual assault allegations in 2017 and 2018.

Lyft has also released a statement that shows more than 4,000 reports of sexual assaults occurring in rides that took place from 2017 to 2019. While Lyft has stated in their safety report that there is a less than 1% chance of experiencing sexual assault or harassment during a trip, this doesn’t account for all of the unreported incidents that may have occurred. These shocking facts have influenced many people to stay away from using ridesharing services to avoid being the next victim.

However, it is important to note that passengers are not the only ones who can experience sexual assault and harassment. According to an investigative 2019 article, 42% of reported sexual assault cases were from victimized Uber drivers and this is due to their independent contractor status which doesn’t give rideshare drivers certain protections from potentially dangerous passengers.

Many drivers have reported that the riders who instigate unwanted advances tended to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, however, others have mentioned that there are some riders who would make unwanted advances completely sober. So whether you are using rideshare services for your personal use or are driving for a rideshare company, if you have encountered somebody making unwanted sexual advances towards you, it is vital that you carefully separate yourself from the situation before it escalates.

The Most Common Injuries In A Rideshare Accident

When it comes to determining the most common injuries in an Uber or Lyft accident, there are a variety of possible injuries that can happen depending on the severity of the incident. However, from what is typically seen in Long Beach, traumatic brain injuries, blunt force trauma, and internal injuries are common from cases where victims have been involved in a car accident or a sexual assault. Nonetheless, if you have experienced any symptoms from any of the following injuries after an Uber or Lyft incident, it is important that you seek medical treatment before your condition becomes worse.

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Burn injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Scratches and bruises
• Broken bones
• Internal injuries

Understanding Lyft and Uber’s Insurance Coverage

Uber and Lyft both utilize a third party insurance plan that covers their drivers in case they get into an accident. However, this insurance policy is only applicable under certain conditions and how they were using the app. If these conditions are not met, then the driver would be forced to use their personal car insurance.

For instance, if the driver causes an accident when they are just online, according to Uber’s insurance policy, the rideshare company’s liability insurance covers $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident. If an Uber driver causes an accident while they are completing a trip, then the company’s insurance covers at least $1,000,000 for property damage and injuries to riders and third parties involved in the accident.

Who Is Liable for Your Injuries?

Determining liability for a car accident with an Uber/Lyft driver is notoriously complex because of the employment classification of independent contractors. Traditionally, independent contractors who have caused any automobile accidents are typically responsible for damages and any accrued medical bills, however, due to their association with rideshare companies, there are many who believe that the company who hired the contractors are responsible for any accidents.

As a result, multiple insurance companies are conducting their own investigations and the time to determine liability is significantly long and it leaves rideshare accident victims waiting for compensation. However, with the passing of Proposition 22, and rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are now required to give their independent contractors who drive a certain amount of hours benefits and coverage.

So if you have been involved in a car accident with/as an Uber or Lyft driver and are having a difficult time determining liability, hiring an Uber accident lawyer can help speed up the process and help determine who is at fault party of the auto accident.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you or a loved one were injured in an Uber or Lyft due to a person’s ill intentions or negligence then you may be eligible for financial compensation. As rideshare accident claims can take a significant amount of time to process due to the complexities of the accident and/or incident in question, it is extremely important to seek legal representation in order to get compensation and justice that you deserve.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we are readily available 24/7 to help with your rideshare accident claim. We are a reputable personal injury law firm that has over 20 years of legal experience in handling personal injury cases. On top of all that, we have recovered over $1.7 billion in financial compensation for our deserving clients and we will continue to do our duty to fight for our clients throughout the legal process.

As car accidents and sexual assaults can potentially leave you with serious injuries, our attorneys are well versed in California state law and they handle each case with care and integrity. To schedule a FREE consultation, we welcome you to reach out to our offices by calling us at (213) 927-3700 or by completing our easy online contact form.

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Uber and Lyft Accidents In Long Beach

What Should You Do After Being Involved In an Rideshare Accident?

If you have been involved in an Uber and Lyft accident in Long Beach, call 911 if there are those who need immediate medical attention. If no one requires immediate medical attention, then it is recommended to document the incident by taking photos and filing a claim to Uber/Lyft so they can process it and issue any necessary payments.

If there are any issues in how the insurance company determines liability, or if you have not received fair compensation for your Lyft/Uber accident case, then it is recommended to hire an experienced attorney for your Uber accident claim.

How Do You File a Claim for a Rideshare Accident?

If you were injured as a passenger in a rideshare accident, you can file a claim through the Lyft/Uber app and once you provide enough details regarding the accident scene, the rideshare company will issue you compensation through their third-party car insurance company.

However, as a driver, you would need to file a claim through your personal insurance company and through the rideshare company’s insurance company. Once the companies have enough details to determine fault, then the responsible party’s insurance will pay for all accrued damages such as medical bills, lost wages, etc.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim if I Was Injured?

According to Section 335.1 of the state’s legislation, California law requires personal injury claims to be filed within two years of the incident date, and this encompasses all personal injury accidents caused by ill intention or negligent behavior. If you do not file a claim within that time, you waive your right to sue and would not be able to recover compensation from the incident.