Orange County Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer

Rideshare companies, such as Uber and Lyft have exploded in recent years, replacing cabs and taxis as a cheaper and safer alternative.  There are tens of thousands of Uber and Lyft drivers on the road daily, and many of them might be considered inexperienced or incompetent drivers causing accidents, which result in serious injuries to their own passengers, as well as people in other vehicles and pedestrians. 

It’s critically important that when seeking out an Uber or Lyft accident attorney in Orange County, that you choose one that is both experienced and well versed in this complex area of law. The ridehare injury lawyers at Hicks Law Firm have recovered millions of dollars for Orange County residents from our offices in Costa Mesa. If you or a family member were seriously injured through the negligence or actions of another, contact us today at (949) 541-9944 to schedule a risk-free, no obligation consultation.

Despite new smartphone applications (apps) constantly emerging with the intention of making our lives easier, others can, in only a moment, turn from convenient to hazardous and even life-altering. If you or a loved one recently sustained an injury due to a car accident while a passenger in an Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare, you are facing a situation that requires you to not only deal with the normal aftermath of an accident, but also navigate which party you will be able to recover damages from.

Compensation for Injuries associated with an Uber Accident

You may be unsure if there is a path to compensation for the injuries you incurred, the costly medical bills, and other expenses that quickly surmount following a collision. Although seeking compensation as a passenger injured in a rideshare accident is challenging and quite different from getting into a crash when in your vehicle, you can be made whole for your damages.

Uber has a million-dollar insurance policy covering riders involved and injured in accidents while using their ridesharing platform. You simply need an advocate by your side to help you navigate the process.

What may be compensated under Uber and Lyft’s policy coverage?

Personal injuries derived from the collision are covered under Uber and Lyft‘s insurance policies, held by all of its drivers. Some recoverable costs include, but are not limited to:

• Medical bills, including future expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Long term recovery associated costs

Uber offers the following ridesharing coverage options in the US and Puerto Rico:

• Liability insurance coverage of $1 million for vehicle-related accidents, incidents, and collisions
• A bodily injury and underinsured/uninsured motorist policy for $1 million; and
• Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage; up to an actual cash value of the vehicle with a deductible of $2,500
• The company offers no-fault insurance on a state-by-state basis
• $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per person
• $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident
• $25,000 in property damage coverage per accident

When does coverage apply, and under what circumstances can compensation be sought?

Uber or Lyft accident insurance coverage amounts and what coverage kicks in depends on the driver’s actions when the accident transpired. There are different levels of liability limits for Uber and Lyft drivers in California, depending on whether:

• The driver was picking up a rideshare passenger.
• The driver was logged onto the app and waiting for a passenger; or
• The driver was not logged on the app, and they were driving for their own purposes.

In the case of an accident caused by an Uber or Lyft driver, liability may be determined by whether the driver was the company’s employee, independent contractor, or operating the vehicle registered with the company but driving for personal purposes when the collision occurred.

As listed above, Uber and Lyft provide drivers with policies offering $1 million in insurance coverage while on duty. Thus, claims may be brought against these policies if the rideshare driver was on-duty and determined to be at fault for the accident that caused your injuries and damages as a passenger, pedestrian, or another driver hit in the collision.

As a rideshare passenger, if the vehicle gets hit by an uninsured or an underinsured driver, a claim can be placed against the uninsured/underinsured coverage.

However, the companies (Uber and Lyft) $1 million insurance policies do not apply to accidents when the rideshare driver causes an accident but is not on duty. If you are injured by an Uber or Lyft driver when the app is off, then a claim is filed against the driver’s insurance policy (not through the rideshare company policy).

What if you are injured in a rideshare car with multiple injured passengers?

Imagine several injured people in rideshare, and the driver is also injured (who was not at fault for the injuries). Such a scenario may employ rideshare insurance coverage, and a level of compensation would be distributed to all injured parties, though not necessarily evenly. However, California has its own special laws that require ridesharing companies or Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), as Uber and Lyft are classified, to provide sufficient coverage in a motor vehicle accident.

When does consulting an attorney make sense?

Whether you suffered injuries in an accident as a passenger of a rideshare, in a multi-car collision while using a rideshare, the rideshare you were in was hit by an uninsured driver, or you were a pedestrian hit by a rideshare vehicle, hiring an attorney can have a significant difference in receiving fair and adequate compensation.

A rideshare accident injury or wrongful death claim involves multiple complicated steps, including determining insurance liability. Additionally, rideshare companies and insurance companies are primarily businesses that want to save money at the end of the day. You can turn to Hicks Law Firm for assistance with any legal challenges, holding the responsible parties accountable, and obtaining the compensation you deserve for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. Call 949-541-9944 or fill out our online contact form so we may discuss your case.