Santa Ana Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer

Rideshare companies, like Uber and Lyft, have gained mass popularity over the years due to its convenience and affordability. But, despite these benefits, accidents are still occurring during trips and this can lead to injuries, property damage, and other legal complexities.

Given the circumstance, filing an Uber or Lyft accident claim can be difficult to do on your own, especially since you have to understand the dynamics associated with rideshare liability. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our Santa Ana Uber accident or Lyft accident lawyers can guide you every step of the way. 

With over 20 years of experience in handling personal injury cases and a proven track record of delivering client satisfaction, we are confident that we will get you the compensation you deserve for your losses. As rideshare accident cases are notorious for being complex and confusing, our legal team is available to answer any questions and concerns you may have regarding your case.  

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you owe us nothing until we settle your case. To schedule a free consultation, you can reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling (213) 927-3700 or filling out our easy online contact form.

Uber and Lyft Accident Statistics

Uber and Lyft have shared their own safety reports that discuss the number of fatal rideshare accidents both companies have experienced over the years. Uber’s most recent one covers 2019 to 2020. In the document, it states that 101 individual motor vehicle fatalities took place across 91 deadly Uber-related crashes. Other additional details include the following:

• 32% of deaths involved at least one speeding vehicle. The rideshare company claims that 91% were third-party drivers.
• 23% of mortalities involved a driver who was under the influence. It was stated that 100% were third-party drivers.
• 13% of vehicle occupants were unbuckled third-party drivers.
• 15% of passengers were unbuckled riders using Uber.
• 42% of deaths involved vulnerable road users. About 64% of them were pedestrians, 29% were third-party motorcyclists, and 7% were bike or scooter riders. Most pedestrian fatalities happened on larger roadways.

Lyft, on the other hand, accumulated a total of 105 fatal motor vehicle accidents that occurred from 2017 to 2019.

• 2017: 22 reports
• 2018: 34 reports
• 2019: 49 reports

Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents

Uber and Lyft accidents can be caused by the factors sectioned below. Knowing what can contribute to this type of collision is important as it can educate drivers and passengers on what form of preventative measure should be taken to minimize the chances of one from occurring.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving, even for a few seconds, can put you at risk of getting into a car accident. Common factors that are known to influence rideshare drivers to take their eyes off the road include:

• Texting
• Calling
• Consuming food or beverages
• Using app navigation

Doing one or the other will require them to multitask, thus making it difficult for them to react to hazards in a safe and timely manner.

Impaired Driving

If a rideshare driver happens to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, several issues may arise. This includes the following:

• Less time to react to traffic
• Poor decision-making
• Improper control over the vehicle
• Blurry vision

Such factors can put the rideshare driver and passenger in harm’s way. It will also go against Uber and Lyft guidelines, meaning that legal consequences may be brought by the injured victim and the respective company the impaired driver was working with when the accident occurred.

Speeding

An Uber or Lyft driver may feel compelled to speed in order to reach the pick up or drop off zone on time. This, in any case, is never a good idea. Those who choose to do this will likely experience a reduced response rate to their surroundings or loss of control. Either outcome will ultimately lead to a rideshare accident.

Driver Fatigue

Rideshare drivers who operate motor vehicles without having enough rest are expected to develop fatigue. This can be dangerous, especially if it is severe. In such a case, the rideshare driver will find themselves falling asleep behind the wheel, leaving the Uber or Lyft passenger in a vulnerable position.

Common Rideshare Accident Injuries

Rideshare accidents can cause several types of injuries, ranging from minor to severe. Some common types of bodily harm that are likely to be sustained in such a collision include the following:

• Bone fractures
• Neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries

Uber and Lyft Rideshare Insurance Coverage

Uber and Lyft offer rideshare insurance coverage that will vary based on the phase of the ride. In the sections below, we will thoroughly discuss each one to inform drivers and passengers on what they can expect if a rideshare accident occurs during a specific period.

Offline

Uber and Lyft do not offer financial protection for damages in a rideshare accident that happened while offline. You will have to use your own personal car insurance coverage to pay for your expenses and damages that have been incurred. 

Online and Available for a Trip

If an Uber or Lyft accident took place while you were online and waiting for a ride request, third-party liability insurance will cover injuries or damages based on the amounts listed below:

• $50,000 per individual
• $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $25,000 in property damage per collision

Online and En Route or on a Trip

If you were involved in a car accident while you were on your way to pick up or drop off a passenger, you may receive the following:

• A minimum of $1,000,000 for third-party auto liability coverage.
• First party coverage, like Occupational Accident coverage and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
• Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage up to the actual cash value of the vehicle with a $2,500 deductible. However, this only applies if you have comprehensive and collision coverage on your personal auto policy.

What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Santa Ana

It is common to feel stressed or overwhelmed after an Uber or Lyft accident. Although it is easier said than done, it is encouraged to fulfill the actions sectioned below to ensure you receive proper care, protect your legal rights, and to better your chances of recovering maximum compensation.

Contact Law Enforcement

If you or someone else has sustained injuries or damages after the rideshare accident, you should contact your local law enforcement. They will arrive at the accident scene and conduct a police report. Paramedics will also arrive to administer immediate medical care to those who need it.

Seek Medical Attention

Regardless of whether you sustained minor injuries, you should still seek medical attention from a specialist. They will assess your wounded area, diagnose the condition, and develop an effective treatment plan to ensure it improves your quality of life. Your doctor visits, medical prescriptions, and/or surgical procedures will be documented and saved on file.

Obtain Driver Information

Be sure to get the driver’s insurance company and contact information. Other additional details you should ask for include:

• Driver’s license
• Ridesharing platform they worked with
• Vehicle specifics (make, model, year, and license plate number)

Report the Accident to Uber or Lyft

Both rideshare companies encourage passengers to report a crash as soon as it occurs. You can fill out an accident report and submit a claim. Or, the other option would be to reach out to a trained Uber or Lyft support staff for assistance.

Gather Evidence

Try to gather the following evidence:

• Pictures of your injury and the accident scene
• CCTV footage
• Witness statements
• Uber or Lyft driver information
• Details about the trip
• A copy of the police report
• Medical records pertaining to any injuries you endured from the ridesharing accident

Hire a Santa Ana Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer

Hiring a personal injury law firm, like West Coast Trial Lawyers, to assist you with your rideshare accident case will greatly improve your likelihood of obtaining a fair settlement. Our Santa Ana legal team will listen to your concerns and incorporate it into a personalized approach against the opposing side to ensure you submit a strong claim and receive a favorable outcome.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Santa Ana Rideshare Accident?

To determine liability in a rideshare accident, you will need to gather substantial evidence and present it to a Santa Ana Uber or Lyft accident lawyer. They will assess the documentation provided and figure out what responsibility party should be held accountable for the damages you incurred.

Under California’s comparative negligence law, the court will review both parties to learn what percentage of fault each side committed in order to calculate compensation and divide it accordingly. Even if you are found partially liable for the incident, you can still recover damages, but it will be reduced based on the severity of the negligence you committed.

If it is found that the Uber or Lyft driver caused the collision, you can pursue legal action against them. Since they are classified as independent contractors, you cannot sue the rideshare company they worked under during the time the crash occurred. But, vicarious liability may apply on some occasions. Vicarious liability is when one party is held responsible for the actions committed by another party. For instance, an applicant with a bad driving record was selected to work as a rideshare driver. Soon after, they get into a car accident with a passenger in the vehicle. 

In this case, the injured victim may file a lawsuit against the rideshare company for hiring the unqualified individual.

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

In Santa Ana, you have two years starting from the date of when the incident took place to file a rideshare accident lawsuit. If you do not submit your claim prior to the deadline, you will no longer have the opportunity to pursue compensation. However, there are a few exceptions that may toll the statute of limitations. For instance, if the defendant is out-of-state, the time limit will pause and commence after the reason has ended.

What Are Some Available Damages in a Santa Ana Rideshare Accident?

Available damages in a Santa Ana rideshare accident will depend on the following factors:

• The severity of your bodily injury
• Lost wages and future earnings
• Degree of liability
• Estimated expenses for medical treatment

Generally, economic damages and non-economic damages are awarded, but in rare occasions, punitive damages will also be given.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are financial losses you endured after the rideshare accident, like medical bills and lost income.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are intangible costs that do not have an exact monetary value, such as:

• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Pain and suffering

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are added on top of compensatory damages as a way to punish the wrongdoer for their egregious conduct and to prevent others from performing similar actions in the future. This is awarded in about 5% of verdicts. To prove punitive damages, you will need to gather evidence that shows how the defendant acted with malice or the intent to harm you.

Our Santa Ana Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help

If you were injured in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver, you may be given the right to sue to obtain compensation. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our knowledgeable Santa Ana legal team is readily available to offer assistance. We will protect your rights, argue aggressively against the opposing side, represent you in court if your case heads to trial, and get you full compensation.

To schedule a free consultation with an experienced rideshare accident attorney, you can get in touch with us by calling (213) 927-3700 or completing our quick online contact form.