Solana Beach Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer

Steps a Rideshare Driver and Passenger Should Consider Doing After a Uber or Lyft Accident in Solana Beach

Uber and Lyft are very popular ridesharing services that have become a trend across California. People have gotten accustomed to the idea of requesting a driver to take them to their selected locations. Both ridesharing companies offer apps that are easy to access and navigate. These two apps provide an estimated price and time for a trip. This gives users an idea of when they will arrive at their selected location and how much they would need to pay for the entire trip. Even though these ridesharing companies offer convenience for users, it may also have a lot of downsides, especially with safety.

Uber released a safety report that covered the total amount of accidents the ridesharing company faced in 2017 and 2018. About 107 fatal crashes occurred in 2017 and 97 deaths took place in 2018. 21 percent of these fatalities involved Uber drivers, 21 percent were passengers, and the remaining amount were third parties. 19 fatal physical assault cases also occurred during trips. 8 of the victims were passengers, 7 were Uber drivers, and 4 were third parties. Many factors can contribute to these types of situations, especially if one or both parties were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

If you were involved in an Uber or Lyft accident and would like to take legal action against the party at-fault, West Coast Trial Lawyers has Solana Beach Uber and Lyft accident attorneys with over 60 years of collective legal experience in handling personal injury cases. We have successfully acquired more than $1 billion in settlements and judgments for our clients. Due to our success with client satisfaction, we have been praised as one of the top personal injury law firms in Solana Beach. 

To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation at our Solana Beach personal injury law firm, please contact our 24/7 legal team by calling (858) 283-5917 or emailing [email protected].  

What a Passenger Should Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident

1. Contact the police. If you notice any injuries or damages, call the police immediately. They will arrive at the scene of the accident and create an official police report. Paramedics may also be present to provide medical attention to those who need it.
2. Gather evidence. If possible, take pictures or video footage of your injury, the accident, and the location of where the incident took place. You should also document important information, such as the rideshare driver’s name, vehicle model, license plate number, and where they were taking you.
3. Speak to a witness. If there are any witnesses around, you should ask for their consent to obtain their contact information. Witness testimonies can significantly strengthen your claim.
4. Get examined by a doctor. Be sure to get checked by a medical professional, even if you have minor injuries. This is highly suggested for all accident victims to do in order to check for any internal injuries or catch a problem that could develop into something worse if not taken care of in its earlier stages.
5. Reach out to an experienced Uber or Lyft accident attorney. The attorney will help build up your case, negotiate with insurance companies, and get you the appropriate amount of financial and emotional compensation you deserve.

What a Driver Should Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident

1. Make sure all parties involved are okay. If possible, you should check on those who were involved in the accident in case they are suffering from any serious injuries.
2. Contact the police. If you or another party are suffering from any injuries or damages, you should call 911 immediately. The police will arrive at the scene of the accident and conduct an official police report. Paramedics may also arrive to examine any injured individual that is in need of medical attention. Those who are seriously wounded will be taken to the hospital for further assistance.
3. Exchange information. You must share your driver’s license, contact information, and insurance information with the parties involved in the accident.
4. Report the accident to the ridesharing company. You must report the crash to Uber or Lyft, whichever ridesharing service you were using during the time of the accident. A claims support team will be available to assist you with the claims process and crash reporting to the insurance carrier that is offering compensation in your state.
5. Visit a doctor. You should get checked by a medical professional to determine whether you have any injuries that need to be taken care of.

Uber and Lyft Insurance Policies

Uber
Uber has a $1 million insurance policy that is divided into four parts. Listed below is a quick evaluation of the different tiers.

• Period 0: When a driver is using their car for non-work related purposes, they must rely on their personal insurance policy should they get into any accidents.
• Period 1: If a driver is available to pick up a ride, but does not yet have a passenger, this is considered as period 1. If an accident occurs, Uber will offer you third party liability if your personal insurance does not apply.
  • $50,000 in bodily injury per person
  • $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
  • $25,000 in property damage per accident
• Period 2. The driver is online and on the way to either pick up or drop off the passenger. During this time, Uber’s insurance policy is in full effect and liability insurance, including uninsured and underinsured riding insurance, can cover liability for up to $1 million in damages per accident.

Lyft

Lyft also shares a similar insurance policy as Uber. Below is a list of tiers that Lyft has created for drivers who are involved in an accident.

• App is off. If a Lyft driver was involved in an accident while the app was off, then their personal auto insurance must cover for damages.
• App is on and the Lyft driver is waiting for a request. If a Lyft driver had the app on and was waiting for a rider request when the accident occurred, then Lyft will provide third party liability insurance to cover for damages if the Lyft driver’s personal insurance does not apply.
  • $50,000 in bodily injury per person
  • $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
  • $25,000 in property damage per accident
• App is on and the Lyft driver is on the way to pick up or drop off a rider. If the Lyft driver was performing either action during the time the collision took place, then Lyft will offer:
  • $1,000,000 for third party auto liability
  • Uninsured Motorist/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) bodily injury
  • Contingent comprehensive and collision up to the actual cash value of the vehicle – $2,500 deductible.

Contact Us

If you are an Uber or Lyft accident victim and need help getting legal assistance, West Coast Trial Lawyers has experienced Solana Beach Uber and Lyft accident attorneys that will help you recover compensation for the losses you have suffered, including medical bills, emotional distress, property damage, lost wages, and more.

We offer a free consultation at our Solana Beach personal injury law firm. Reach out to our legal team 24/7 by calling (858) 283-5917 or emailing [email protected].