San Diego Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer

If you or someone you know has been hurt or injured in an uber accident due to a negligent rideshare driver, you may be eligible to file a claim against the rideshare company for damages. A San Diego Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can help you navigate all the complex legal intricacies involved in such rideshare accident claims.

West Coast Trial Lawyers has helped over 5,000 clients get the justice they deserve while making sure reckless and negligent individuals are held liable for their actions. Our San Diego personal injury attorneys have recovered over $1.6 billion in compensation for damages and severe injuries and can help you hold uber drivers and rideshare companies accountable.

Schedule a free consultation with our law firm to discuss legal representation for your personal injury claim today at (619) 789-4494. You can also fill out our quick contact form and an experienced attorney will reach out to you about your ridesharing accident.

How a Lyft and Uber Accident Lawyer Can Help You

If you have suffered severe injuries in a rideshare accident due to no fault of your own, it is advisable to contact a rideshare accident attorney immediately.

Rideshare attorneys specialize in seeking justice and helping accident victims recover compensation for the damages caused to them.

An expert San Diego rideshare accident attorney can help ease the process of your rideshare accident claim by doing the following:

• Investigate the accident
• Negotiate with big insurance companies
• Determine liability
• Determine damages
• Represent you in court

Since the start of rideshare services in Southern California, rideshare accidents have continually been a complicated issue for both passengers and Uber and Lyft drivers.

An Uber accident lawyer at our San Diego law firm can assist you in handling your rideshare accident claim to the full extent of California law.

Getting in an Accident as a Rideshare Driver

Uber drivers are classified as independent contractors and not employees of the rideshare company so it may be difficult to sue Uber without proper legal representation.

If you were driving for Uber or Lyft in San Diego and an accident occurred, this might be a very distressing experience for you.

There are some crucial steps drivers must take in circumstances involving rideshare crashes and Uber or Lyft accidents, such as:

• Make sure to check for any signs of injuries and call 911 if there are any.
• Contact the police to ensure an official report of the Uber accident is recorded.
• Contact Uber or Lyft to report the car accident as well as any other relevant information about it.
• Document the car accident by taking photos, videos, notes, or anything that will help paint a clear and vivid image of the accident in the future.
• Contact experienced Uber accident attorneys who will help you understand your rights in a rideshare accident and fight for you.

Remember, the most important thing after an Uber accident is to make sure that everyone involved is safe and receives any necessary medical attention.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare accidents occur because of various factors. Even though Uber/Lyft rigorously vet their drivers, Uber accidents still occur.

Remember that when pursuing a ridesharing insurance claim, an accident involving an Uber driver can be complicated to handle without personal injury representation.

Some common causes of San Diego rideshare accidents include;

• Bad weather conditions
• Bad roads
• Negligent driving
• No driver background check
• Faulty vehicle

To get a fair settlement from Uber/Lyft, we can help the rideshare accident victim prove that the accident was caused by the negligent party and ensure expenses such as medical bills are reimbursed.

Determining Fault in San Diego Rideshare Accidents

Proving fault in a rideshare accident can be difficult as California operates a pure comparative negligence system. This means that more than one party can be at fault and held liable for the accident.

In a rideshare accident, several parties could be held liable including:

• The Driver: If the driver’s negligence, such as speeding or drunk driving, caused the accident, they may be held responsible.
• The Rideshare Company: Rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber have a duty to ensure their drivers meet specific safety standards. If proper background checks are not conducted, they may be held liable.
• Third Parties: Other parties, such as vehicle manufacturers or government entities, may share liability if a factory issue caused the car crash or failure to maintain good road conditions.

Companies like Uber and Lyft have insurance policies; however, it may be difficult to hold them liable on your own.

It is within your rights to sue Uber and other rideshare services if they are instrumental in a vehicle accident you have suffered. Our expert Uber accident lawyers can handle insurance claims and the rideshare service.

Common Injuries in a San Diego Uber or Lyft Accident

Car crashes in rideshare services can be extremely dangerous and cause serious injuries and damages to its victims.

Some common injuries victims of Lyft and Uber accidents suffer include;

• Broken bones
• Laceration
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
• Burn injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Death

Lyft and Uber Accident Damages You Can Sue For in San Diego

If you have been in a San Diego rideshare accident with a negligent Uber/Lyft driver, you are entitled to file a car accident claim.

Your San Diego accident lawyer can help you recover damages such as:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Property damage

You can also recover compensation for medical expenses you might incur in the future or future medical bills. Get a free case evaluation for your San Diego rideshare accident at our personal injury firm today.

Insurance Coverage for San Diego Uber Accidents

If you were seriously injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft, you would need to contact your own insurance company, the insurance companies of any other drivers involved in the crash, and the insurer for Uber or Lyft.

Period 0

Uber and Lyft have categories of insurance policies that are divided into four, based on what the driver may have been doing at the time of the accident.

The time period where the driver is not logged into the Uber or Lyft app is classified as Period 0.

If an accident happens during Period 0 when the driver is offline, the driver’s personal car insurance will cover the cost of the accident.

Period 1

Period 1 begins when an Uber or Lyft driver is using their personal car, while the app is active, but has not yet received a pick-up request.

This means that the driver is online and waiting for a ride request. Uber and Lyft will cover the expenses of the accident if the driver’s personal auto insurance does not.

When the driver is logged in but hasn’t accepted a ride, standard coverage for the accident includes:

• $50,000 for bodily injury per person.
• $100,000 for bodily injury per accident.
• $25,000 for property damage per accident.

Period 2

If the Uber or Lyft rideshare app is on and the driver is on their way to pick up the passenger from their designated pickup location, that stage is known as Period 2

If a rideshare driver has accepted a ride and gets into any accidents during period 2, Uber and Lyft will provide liability coverage in the following amounts:

• $1,000,000 third-party liability
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury
• Contingent comprehensive and collision (up to the actual cash value of the vehicle with a $2,500 deductible)
• Specific types of vehicles are subject to a $1,000 deductible.

Period 3

Period 3 is the time when the passenger is in the vehicle, and the ride is in progress. If any accident occurs during this period, Uber provides $1 million in liability coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, contingent collision, and comprehensive coverage.

It is important to note that Uber's insurance coverage is contingent on the driver maintaining their own personal auto insurance policy and only applies to accidents that occur during a ride.

If the driver uses the app for personal reasons, their auto insurance will provide coverage. If the driver's personal coverage lapses, Uber's coverage may not apply. Additionally, the coverage amounts and terms may vary depending on the state or country where the accident occurs.

Vehicle Requirement for Uber/Lyft

To be eligible to drive with rideshare companies like Uber/Lyft, you must meet general and state-specific requirements.

Uber drivers must pass a background check and vehicle inspection and carry the state minimum insurance policy requirements.

Here are some driving/car conditions that every driver accepts upon working for a rideshare company like Uber/Lyft:

UberX

• Must be a 4-door vehicle
• At least 5 factory-installed seats and seat belts
• Usable windows and working air conditioning
• Registered and insured in the state of California

UberXL 

• Must be a 4-door vehicle
• 7-factory installed seats and seat belts
• Accessible windows and reliable air conditioning
• Registered and insured in California

Black 

The Uber black option is for the rider who is looking for a more professional appearance. The guidelines for these vehicles include:

• A 4.85 star rating
• No more than 5 years old
• Commercial insurance
• TCP number
• Pristine black interior and exterior condition
• Accessible windows and air conditioning

Black SUV 

• 4.85 Rating
• 5 years or younger
• Commercial insurance
• TCP number
• Immaculate all-black interior and exterior
• Seats 7
• Uber Black and Black SUV Prohibited Features

LUX

This title is reserved for Uber’s most lavish vehicles. Only the most exclusive cars qualify for this service:

• Commercial insurance
• No older than 2012
• Seats at least 4 people
• Immaculate insides and outside

Decals

Every Uber driver must display the Uber decal on their vehicle while they are online. The Uber decal must be placed on the front and rear windshield facing outward.

Rideshare drivers may remove the decal when they are offline. However, the decal must be placed back onto the vehicle when the rideshare driver goes back online.

Minimum Car Requirements

With so many cars on the market, it makes sense for there to be a minimum criteria that must be met by all vehicles:

• The car must be no older than 15 years.
• Must be a 4-door vehicle.
• Blemish free, without any visible cosmetic damage.
• No commercial branding, such as promotional stickers or signs.
• Ability to pass the state’s vehicle inspection test.

Prohibited Features 

Just as Uber requires vehicles to have certain features, it also bans specific embellishments. You may not be able to drive for Uber if your vehicle has any of the following:

• Ads or promotions for any other company besides Uber.
• Ripped seats, damaged interior, horrible odors, or heavy stains.
• Paint oxidation damage.
• Mismatched car hoods or doors.
• Heavily tinted windows.
• Aftermarket modifications, including racing pedals and interior dome lighting.

Types of Accidents Covered by an Uber or Lyft Accident Lawyer

An Uber or Lyft accident attorney can help you with various types of accidents involving ride-hailing services.

Here are a few examples of the types of accidents that an Uber or Lyft accident lawyer can help with:

• Car Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Multi-car Accidents
• Rollover Accidents
• Drunk driving Accidents

In some cases, rideshare vehicles and drivers are implicated in hit-and-run incidents as well as in violence claims and sexual assaults against Lyft accident victims.

Our San Diego legal team of Uber accident attorneys can assist you if you have sustained serious injuries and need medical treatment for your rideshare vehicle accident.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

Do not suffer in silence by letting rideshare companies and negligent rideshare drivers get away with the serious injuries they have caused you.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we will support you through every step of your car accident case, ensure the driver's negligence is accounted for, and that you receive fair compensation.

Contact a San Diego rideshare attorney from our legal team today by calling (619) 789-4494 or filling out our quick personal injury contact form.

San Diego Uber and Lyft Accident Resources

10 Uber and Lyft Safety Tips for Riders

Uber Laws and Rules in California You Need to Know

Every Difference Between Uber & Lyft

Uber Rider Safety | How Does Uber Protect Passengers?