Riverside Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer

Uber and Lyft are popular ridesharing services that have become a staple across Riverside county. As both companies offer their user base a range of rideshare services at the tip of their fingers, it has given customers a new means of traversing throughout Riverside and its surrounding areas. However, the rise of ridesharing apps has also brought a fair share of accidents and problems.

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%. As a result, there is an increase in traffic congestion and car accidents. In addition, there has been a shocking rise of sexual assault cases during ridesharing trips and it has made passengers start to reconsider using ridesharing services in fear of becoming the next victim. So if you or a loved one were a victim to either occasion, you may be eligible to receive compensation.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our experienced team of Uber and Lyft accident attorneys are ready to take on your case and represent you during this stressful time in your life. We are a personal injury law firm with over 20 years of legal experience and our lawyers are confident that they can get you the maximum compensation you deserve for your losses.

We have recovered over $1.7 billion in financial compensation to our clients and our compassionate team of lawyers are ready to guide you throughout the legal process. Whether you were involved in a minor accident or a large complex one, our rideshare accident attorneys are available 24/7 to answer any question or concern you may have about your case.

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 Rideshare Accidents

Car accidents and sexual harassment cases are the most common accidents found during an Uber or Lyft trip. As rideshare companies employ thousands of independent contractors to drive their customers from one location to another, the standard of becoming an Uber or Lyft driver is extremely low and completely accessible to anybody who is interested.

With that in mind, it is extremely easy for new drivers to get started because the training has been simplified to a series of prompts on the app and any training is learned while they are on the road. So if you have become involved in a Uber or Lyft accident, it is important to understand the complexities and problems that arise with each case to get a better grasp of your situation.

Car Accidents

Whether you are a passenger or a driver, getting into a car accident with an Uber or Lyft vehicle is just like any other car accident on the road. According to a 2018 crash report from the California Office of Traffic Safety, there were 15,359 people who have either sustained injuries or were killed as a result of a car accident in Riverside county.

While the causes of these accidents will vary on a case-by-case basis, the NHTSA has determined in a 2015 Crash Stats Fact Sheet that about roughly 74% of motor vehicle accidents were caused by negligent driver error, such as distracted driving, speeding, and driving under the influence. So even if Uber and Lyft drivers were responsible in their duties to drive attentively, they may still get involved in head on collisions from a third party driver.

With that in mind, if you were injured as a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, you can file a claim with the ridesharing companies and gain compensation for any injuries you may have sustained. Meanwhile for a rideshare driver, their liability coverage will be dependent on who caused the accident and how severe it was.

Sexual Assault/Harassment

Sexual harassment is a growing concern in ridesharing trips that not a lot of people are aware that could happen. According to Uber’s and Lyft’s first safety report, it has been revealed that there were over 4,000 cases of sexual harassment reported during ridesharing trips. While Uber and Lyft have implemented preventive measures to lower the chances of sexual assault and harassment by installing safety features, the chances of it happening to someone during a trip is never zero.

If you or a loved one are in a situation where a person is making unwanted advances, it is vital to maintain your composure and carefully separate yourself from the situation as soon as possible before it escalates. In addition, it is important to contact somebody or go to somewhere safe just in case of emergencies to increase your chances of preventing a sexual assault from happening. Should a sexual assault case does arise, it is highly recommended to pursue legal counsel in order to obtain justice and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

Uber and Lyft Insurance Requirements in California

If you have been involved in an Uber or Lyft crash due to someone’s negligence, it is important to understand the rideshare company’s insurance coverage, because rideshare accidents are notorious for taking a significant amount of time to process due to the insurance coverage of independent contractors. As independent contractors are not classified as full-time employees for a rideshare company, their insurance coverage will be entirely dependent on their trip status and depending on the nature of the accident it can complicate one’s insurance claim.

According to Uber and Lyft, both companies use a third party insurance company to cover their independent contractors should any of them get into an accident. However, if the rideshare driver gets into an accident when they are not using the app, then they would be forced to use their own personal insurance to cover any incurred damages.

Meanwhile, if an Uber driver gets into an accident when they are just online, then the company’s comprehensive bodily injury liability coverage kicks in and covers $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident. However, if an Uber driver gets into an accident during a trip then the liability insurance would cover a minimum of $1,000,000 for property damage and injuries to riders and third parties involved should the driver was responsible for the accident.

If the rideshare driver was not responsible for the accident, then the other driver would become liable for the auto accident. If there is a dispute over accident liability, multiple insurance companies would be forced to conduct their own investigations and this can become a lengthy process because they want to gather evidence to hold the other party responsible for damages. Whether you are a passenger, a rideshare driver, or a third party driver, if you are having trouble trying to determine liability with various insurance companies, it is recommended to hire a Riverside rideshare accident attorney to see what kind of options are available to you.

The Types of Damages You Can Recover

In an Uber or Lyft accident, there are three types of damages the injured victims can recover, economic, non-economic, and punitive. However, it is important to note that the amount of damages a person can receive will be dependent on the severity and scale of the accident in question. So if you are filing an accident claim with a rideshare attorney, it is important to understand the different types of damages in order to appropriately place a fair value for your claim.

Economic

Economic damages are defined as calculable damages that can be objectively valued by their overall value and worth. This type of damages is designed to compensate victims who have encountered unexpected costs that have come as a result of being in an accident. For example, hospital bills, lost wages, and property damage are all unexpected costs that typically arise in a Uber or Lyft accident and they can all be objectively valued at a certain amount.

Non-Economic

Non-economic damages are defined as subjective damages, which means they are incalculable losses that are hard to place an objective value on. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life are all subjective losses that are extremely difficult to place a monetary value on, because the severity will vary on a person-by-person basis. Typically, they are seen in more severe accidents and a rideshare accident attorney would be able properly negotiate compensation for these damages in order to ensure that the victim recovers from the emotional damage they have suffered in an Uber or Lyft accident.

Punitive

Punitive damages are a rare form of damages that is specifically designed to punish the at-fault party for their actions. There is no monetary compensation for punitive damages because it is meant to serve as a means to give the victim justice and closure. However, for a court to serve punitive damages onto the responsible party, they must have exhibited extreme recklessness or showcased ill intentioned actions that has resulted in the accident in question. Depending on the severity and criminal history of the negligent party, the court may serve punitive damages onto them to deter any similar accidents from happening in the future.

How Much Is a Rideshare Accident Worth?

Rideshare accidents are generally valued based on the severity of the accident and what type of injuries the victim has sustained. For example, moderate accidents that have sustained some property damage and medical bills, can be worth anywhere within the five figure range.

However, for more severe accidents that have left the victim hospitalized with long-term health complications and medical expenses, then they may be eligible for compensation anywhere between the six to seven figure range. This range is meant to accommodate and pay off any medical bills, quality of life adjustments, property damage, and to compensate the injured victim for any non-economic damages that may have been derived as a result of the rideshare accident.

What To Do After Being Involved In A Rideshare Accident?

If you have been involved in a rideshare accident, it is important to call 911 if anybody requires immediate medical attention or if the accident is too large to contain and manage on your own. If nobody is critically injured, then everyone involved should exchange contact and insurance information and document as much of the accident as possible through pictures and videos.

Once you have acquired all of the necessary information then, you should make a claim with your insurance company or with Uber/Lyft. If you are facing any complications in filing your claim or if you believe any insurance adjusters are gathering information to use against you, it is important to hire a rideshare accident attorney in order to be properly represented.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you or a loved one have sustained injuries in Riverside county due to a rideshare accident, then you may be eligible to recover economic and non-economic damages. While rideshare accidents may be like any other automobile accident, they can be difficult to process and file due to Uber’s and Lyft’s liability policy. As such, it is important to hire an experienced attorney who is well versed in these types of cases.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of rideshare accident attorneys are ready to take on your case and serve as your trusted legal counsel throughout this stressful time in your life. We are a personal injury law firm with over 20 years of legal experience and our attorneys are well versed in negotiating with insurance companies to ensure our clients get the maximum compensation for their damages.

We have recovered over $1.7 billion in financial compensation for our deserving clients and we will continue to do our duty to guide them through the legal process. As rideshare accident claims are notorious for taking a significant amount of time to process, our lawyers are available 24/7 to address any legal concerns or questions you may have about your case.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE consultation, we welcome you to reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling us at (213) 927-3700  or by completing our easy online contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rideshare Accidents In Riverside

How Long Do I Have to File a Rideshare Accident Claim in Riverside?

According to Section 335.1 of California’s Code of Civil Procedure, rideshare accident victims have up to two years to file a claim, and if they do not take any legal action within the time period then they waive their right to pursue for damages. Depending on the nature of the accident, filing a personal injury claim may take more time if you choose to file it on your own, so if you wish to expedite the process then it is recommended to hire a Riverside Uber and Lyft accident lawyer so you can start the process to recover compensation for your injuries.

How Much Does a Riverside Rideshare Accident Lawyer Cost?

A rideshare accident attorney would usually charge a contingency fee for their services and this fee can range anywhere between 25%-40%, but most Lyft and Uber accident attorneys average around 33%. However it is important to note that Uber and Lyft accident lawyers who operate under a contingency based system can only charge this fee if they win or receive a settlement offer from opposing counsel. So before you hire an attorney for your case, it is important to discuss their payment method, because it can ultimately affect how much you receive should you win.

What Is the Average Settlement for a Rideshare Accident Case?

The value of rideshare accident cases will vary widely on the severity of the sustained injuries. So for example, if a rideshare accident victim has sustained severe traumatic brain injuries and requires extensive medical care and quality of life adjustments, then they can receive compensation anywhere between six to seven figures in order to accommodate for all of the medical expenses and any non-economic damages that were derived as a result from this.