Woodland HIlls Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer

Uber and Lyft have become popular ridesharing companies across cities in California, including Woodland Hills. Both companies offer ridesharing services that provide estimated pickups and drop offs, along with the total price for their services. These apps are popular amongst those who are headed to work, university, or a night out. Even though there are many benefits involved with using Uber and Lyft, the possibility of getting into an accident will always be there.

Based on several Uber and Lyft accident reports that have been released over the past few years, riders worry that they may be the next victim in an accident or assault case. Rideshare drivers have been victim to assault and sexual assault and this has commonly occurred with riders who were found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Fortunately, a rideshare driver does have the right to refuse service to those who may appear to be a threat to their safety, however, if an incident occurs it is important that they seek legal representation regarding the matter.

If you are a victim of an Uber or Lyft accident and would like to seek compensation for damages, we at West Coast Trial Lawyers, are ready to 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 fight and make sure you are on the road to recovery from your ridesharing accident. Whether you were involved in a minor accident or a complicated one, our Uber and Lyft 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 In Woodland Hills

From what is typically seen in Uber and Lyft accidents in Woodland Hills, car accidents and sexual harassment cases are the most common. This is due to the fact that rideshare companies employ thousands of independent contractors to drive their customers and training for new drivers has been simplified down to a series of prompts that can easily be skimmed through. 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.

Traffic 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. 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. So if you have been involved in a traffic accident, it is important to file a claim with the ridesharing app and if there are any problems that arise with your claim, then it is recommended to hire an attorney to handle your case.

Sexual Assault

Sexual harassment is a growing concern in ridesharing trips that not a lot of people are aware of. It has been revealed in Uber’s and Lyft’s first safety report, that there were over 4,000 cases of sexual harassment. While ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft have implemented preventive measures to lower the chances of sexual assault and harassment, 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. It is also important to contact somebody just in case the situation escalates. However, if an incident does occur during a ridesharing trip, it is important 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.

Should a rideshare driver get into an accident when they are not using the app, they would be forced to use their own personal insurance to cover any incurred damages as per Uber and Lyft insurance policy. However, 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.

The coverage can even increase to $1,000,000 for property damage and injuries to riders and third parties if an Uber driver gets into an accident during a trip. Whether you are a passenger, a rideshare driver, or a third party driver, if you are having trouble trying to determine liability or with the insurance company, it is recommended to hire an rideshare accident attorney to see what kind of options are available to you.

The Types of Damages You Can Recover

In personal injury cases, there are three types of damages that can be recovered, economic, non-economic, and punitive. However, depending on the nature of the accident, some aspects or certain damages may not be applicable to the claim. 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 recovered based on their value. For example, medical bills, lost wages, and property damage are all unexpected costs that typically arise in a Uber or Lyft accident. These damages can all be objectively valued at a certain amount and be recovered once the victim and their attorney can prove these costs were derived due to the accident in question.

Non-Economic

Non-economic damages are defined as subjective damages that can be recovered based on the impact it has had on the victim. For instance, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress are subjective and will vary from person-to-person and depending on the severity of the accident, it may compel opposing counsel to compensate them for their emotional losses on top of what they may have already earned through economic damages.

Punitive

Punitive damages are a rare form of damages that is specifically designed to punish the at-fault party for their actions. This is meant to serve as a means to give the victim justice and closure for the accident in question and to deter any similar incidents from occurring in the future. However, it is important to note that punitive damages is only served in cases where the negligent party showcased extreme recklessness and negligence for the accident in question.

How Much Is a Rideshare Accident Worth?

Generally, ridesharing accidents can be valued anywhere within the five to six figure range, but they will be dependent on a number of factors such as the scale, severity, and the number of sustained damages and injuries. For example, Uber and Lyft accidents that mainly has property damage can be valued around the five figure sum, meanwhile accidents where the victim requires immediate medical attention and accrued extensive bills and experienced tangible losses can be eligible for compensation around the six figure range.

How to Protect Yourself if You Are an Uber or Lyft Driver

According to an investigative 2019 article, around 42% of reported sexual assault cases were from victimized Uber drivers. As rideshare drivers encounter a variety of clientele in their day-to-day life, it’s no surprise that the chances of drivers getting unwanted advances from passengers is this high. With that in mind, there are several things you can do to protect yourself if you are a Lyft or Uber driver.

Verify Your Rider

Before allowing a rider into your vehicle, ask for their name for verification purposes. Depending on the time of day and area, it is easy for other rideshare passengers to mix up their drivers, especially in heavily congested areas. By double checking and verifying your rider, you can avoid accidentally picking up the wrong people and avoid any situations that may arise from it.

Protect Your Personal Information.

Considering drivers have to pick up and drop off a number of passengers throughout the day, interesting conversations arise between the driver and rider in order to pass the time. However, you should never release personal information about yourself, such as your phone number, address, or private details that you don’t want other people knowing. You never know the intentions a rider may have when learning personal details about a rideshare driver.

Install a Dash Cam

It is important to have a dash cam in your vehicle to monitor your trips. Having a dash cam available to record a rider’s behavior can be used as evidence if you choose to report them for their misconduct and you can even protect yourself from false accusations in an ongoing case. Uber and Lyft allow dash cams to be used for trips, however, you must check your local city’s rules and regulations to find out whether or not it is legal to record a stranger in your vehicle.

Contact the App’s Support Team in the Case of an Emergency

The apps have installed numerous features to contact the support team and local law enforcement with one push of a button. This allows drivers to immediately contact for help if they are in a stressful and severe situation and while every driver hopes that they never need to use it, it gives them options and a peace of mind knowing that there is a safety measure that is available to help them at a moment’s notice.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you or a loved one have sustained injuries in the city of Woodland Hills as a result of an Uber or Lyft accident, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your damages. As ridesharing crashes are notorious for being difficult to process and determine liability, it is important to hire an experienced accident attorney who is well versed in dealing with insurance adjusters and has a deep understanding of ridesharing policies.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of rideshare accident attorneys are ready to serve as your trusted legal counsel during this stressful time in your life. We are a law firm that specializes in personal injury claims and with over 20 years of legal experience our attorneys are confident that they can get you the compensation you deserve for your losses.

We have recovered over $1.7 billion in financial compensation for our deserving clients and we will continue to do our duty to represent them and look out for their best interests. Whether you are a ridesharing driver or a passenger, our compassionate team of attorneys understand how stressful these cases can be and 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 Uber and Lyft Accidents in Woodland Hills

When Should I Contact an Uber or Lyft Accident Attorney?

If you are involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, it is recommended to contact an attorney immediately. As rideshare companies employ thousands of independent contractors, their liability coverage is notorious for taking a significant amount of time to process and issue. With that in mind, a Lyft accident lawyer can help expedite the process and help get you the compensation you deserve for your losses.

What Should I Do if I’ve Been Involved in an Uber Accident?

If you have experienced a car accident with Uber, it is important that you carefully assess the situation and call 911 if it is an emergency. From there, it is vital that you document the accident scene for your own personal records and when you have all the necessary information, you can file a personal injury claim with the rideshare company. However, if there are any issues with your accident claim, it is recommended to consult with a Uber and Lyft accident lawyer for assistance.

How Much Does an Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney Cost?

Generally, rideshare accident attorneys operate under a contingency system where they won’t get paid unless they either win or achieve a settlement offer from opposing counsel. Should they manage to win, they would charge a contingency fee for their services and that can range anywhere between 25%-40%, but most tend to average around 33%.