How Are Uber and Lyft Accidents Different from Other Accidents?
Insurance
Uber and Lyft are transportation network companies licensed by the California Public Utilities Commission to use an online application to arrange rides for passengers in their independent drivers’ vehicles. Both have gained substantial success and users since they launched. Uber’s assets totaled $69.6 billion in May 2018 and Lyft carries 1 million passengers every day.
Despite its popularity, Uber and Lyft accidents happen in an instant. Though both ride-hailing companies insist that their drivers pass stringent background checks, they are just average people who pickup and drop off passengers in their own vehicles. Uber and Lyft don’t own or maintain their own vehicles, and they don’t directly employ their drivers. Their drivers have no commercial qualifications and no special training.
Ride sharing services pay $5.33 billion to $13.24 billion to personal injury and wrongful death accident victims each year. Our Los Angeles ridesharing app accident lawyer can help you prove liability for your Uber or Lyft ridesharing accident and recover compensation for your personal injuries. Both Lyft and Uber carry $1,000,000 of liability insurance as required by the California Public Utilities Commission. Uber and Lyft’s policy pays up to $25,000 for property damage and up to $50,000 per person for personal injuries per accident. However, the maximum is $100,000 per accident.
Emergency Service
If you are in an Uber or Lyft accident, you should tell their 24-hour Trust and Safety customer service representative what happened after you’ve been taken to the hospital or seen by a doctor. Their 24-hour emergency number is the first claims adjuster who will speak to you. Anything you say to this representative can be used to reduce the compensation you receive for your injuries. Pre-existing conditions, medications, or excess weight contributes to your injuries and reduces their driver’s liability.
Negligence
Our personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles can look for all possible acts of negligence, and contributory negligence involved in the liability for your accidental injuries. Our ride sharing accident lawyer may find improperly maintained or faulty equipment by examining the inspection and maintenance receipts for the Uber or Lyft vehicle involved in your accident. If the vehicle was not inspected on time or defective equipment contributed to your accident, our injury lawyer in Los Angeles can:
- Investigate your case
- Find additional evidence
- Interview additional witnesses
- Prepare your case
- Negotiate with Lyft or Uber
- Negotiate with insurance companies
Liability
Liability for ridesharing accidents can get complicated.
Lyft or Uber’s insurance policies cover accidents caused by their driver when their status is active on the ridesharing app. If the driver picks you up but forgets to accept your ride request in the online system, for instance, Uber or Lyft insurance will not kick in. If another driver caused the accident, the at-fault party is liable for the accident, which means that the third-party insurance company must pay for property damage to the Lyft or Uber vehicle and the personal injury claims of both you and your driver.
Lyft and Uber drivers are required to purchase car insurance which meets or exceeds California’s minimum requirements for liability coverage, but car insurance policies don’t cover drivers who are working for an employer, making deliveries, or transporting others. The law of “vicarious liability” means that you are responsible for the accident. Under the laws of “imputed negligence,” you may be held responsible if you caused your driver to hurry in inclement weather or required the driver to enter an unfamiliar high-crime area.
The Law Offices of Oscar H Gutierrez
Call or contact our ride sharing accident lawyer if you were injured or your loved one died in a Lyft or Uber traffic accident in southern California. You can schedule a free initial consultation in our conveniently located office. Our bilingual ride sharing accident attorney serves as treasurer for the Mexican American Bar Association of Los Angeles County and in the litigation section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and will be able to accommodate Spanish speaking clients.