Rideshare Accidents Attorney in Los Angeles, CA

Trusted Los Angeles Car Accident Attorneys

The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani represents clients with all types of personal injury cases. Have you, a loved one, or someone you know been injured while using a ride sharing service in Los Angeles, such as Uber or Lyft? If an accident involving that vehicle or its driver caused your injuries, you may be able to take legal action against the driver or company, and be entitled to substantial compensation. Our Los Angeles rideshare accident attorney can ensure whoever is at fault is held accountable.

If a driver or their company is found negligent or otherwise responsible for your injuries, whether you are a passenger or pedestrian, you can be entitled to compensation for:

Emergency medical costs
Hospital bills
Expenses for physical therapy
Pain and suffering
Fees for doctor visits
Lost wages

Read more about how we can help with your Uber Accident or Lyft Accident.

Rideshare Statistics

Rideshare companies are not lenient towards reckless drivers. Uber and Lyft drivers with more than three citations or at-fault accidents within five years are terminated. Even just one serious safety violation, such as speeding in a school zone or a DUI, can get a driver fired. These companies are highly selective in choosing drivers with acceptable safety records. They also are very stringent on the citations and accidents drivers are permitted to have and still be on the job.

There were over 55,000 traffic accidents in 2016, reflecting a significant increase in the past several years. Between 2015 and 2016, there was a 422% increase in traffic-related pedestrian deaths. Uber and Lyft drivers have been responsible for several fatalities. By August 2017, Uber had employed 147,000 drivers in California, although the exact number involved in accidents is unknown. Here are some examples of serious accidents caused by rideshare drivers in Los Angeles:

February 7, 2018 – According to NBC Los Angeles, a Lyft passenger was killed in a hit-and-run following an alleged altercation with the driver, who admitted to making the man exit the car on the side of a freeway, where he was struck by another vehicle.
September 8, 2018 – A CBS Los Angeles report said two people were killed on the 210 Freeway, after their Uber vehicle was struck by a driver going the wrong way. The rideshare driver was heading in the correct direction on the freeway.
March 30, 2018 – A 19-year-old woman from Belgium was killed in Goleta, near Santa Barbara, while riding in an Uber vehicle (based on a Santa Barbara Independent report). The foreign exchange student was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the two-car collision.
June 2018 – A 23-year-old woman was killed when a Lyft car she was riding in collided with another vehicle in Chicago’s Logan Square (WGN9). The driver was charged with driving under the influence, as was another motorist. Another passenger was injured in the crash. The incident proves that rideshare accidents can and do occur anywhere.

Uber, Lyft & Taxi Accident FAQS

How Long Do I Have to File My Claim?

In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years. That means you have two years from the date you were injured to file a claim and/or take a negligent party to court. The law regarding auto accidents is strictly followed. If time runs out, you may be unable to file any claim or receive any compensation at all. The resistance rideshare company insurers are notable for can make the situation especially challenging. That’s why you should always have a Los Angeles ride sharing attorney on your side.

Do Rideshare Companies Need to Have Insurance?

Uber is affiliated with James River Insurance while Lyft uses York Insurance. Unlike taxi cab drivers, Uber/Lyft drivers do not fingerprint drivers nor personally interview them. Both ridesharing companies provide up to $1 million for passengers, whether they are uninsured or underinsured. If in a rideshare accident, obtain the driver’s personal and ridesharing insurance information. Both Uber and Lyft separate insurance coverage based on “time periods”:

No period – If the driver is not logged into the ridesharing app, they are considered off the job, so their personal auto insurer must handle any accident claims if someone is injured as a result of their actions.
Period 1 – If the driver is awaiting a fare, and an accident occurs, they are limited to $50,000 in coverage per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage (the driver and their vehicle are not covered).
Period 2 – The driver has accepted a fare. Once they are en-route to a customer, $1 million in liability is available, while the driver must have collision coverage on their own personal policy.
Period 3 – Once the customer has been picked up, Uber and Lyft offer $1 million in liability coverage, although collision coverage is dependent on whether it is included on a personal policy.

Taxi cab drivers are also required to have insurance to cover passengers and their vehicle (damage and theft), which is also dependent on how many drivers the service employs and passengers their vehicles can carry. The insurance policies of Uber and Lyft are very similar. So are their procedures for handling claims. That can be tough for someone injured, because the companies can be difficult to work with, so make sure you contact a good for a Los Angeles personal injury attorney experienced in filing claims against these companies.

If I Am in an Accident, Is the Lawsuit Filed Against the Rideshare Company or the Driver?

If injured in accident caused by your driver, you can recover damages from the driver’s policy, but also the company’s policy if the driver has inadequate insurance. After all, you entrust the driver with your safety, which is dependent on them driving with caution and obeying traffic laws. Ultimately, determining responsibility requires carefully analyzing the accident and causal factors such as vehicle speed, force/angle of impact, and compliance with traffic signals.

What If Another Car Is Responsible for My Rideshare Accident?

In the state of California, Uber and Lyft passengers can seek compensation from the insurer of the other driver. You can also pursue compensation from the rideshare company’s insurance company. The Uber/Lyft driver doesn’t even have to be at fault.

What Should I Do If I Am a Pedestrian Who Was Struck by a Rideshare?

If you are a pedestrian hit by a rideshare, there can be many questions regarding liability. You should file a police report and seek medical attention, even if you don’t believe you were seriously injured. The information and the records you keep can make it easier to establish a legal case. Make sure you also contact a pedestrian accident attorney in Los Angeles.

What If My Rideshare Driver Is Responsible for My Accident?

You might have to file a claim against the driver’s personal auto insurance policy. Many ridesharing services consider their drivers “independent contractors” rather than employees, to protect themselves against accident liability. Even though Uber and Lyft have advertised coverage, it only applies under certain conditions, such as when a passenger has been picked up.

What Kind of Compensation Can I Receive?

A Lyft or Uber accident lawyer in Los Angeles can get compensation that covers your medical costs related to injuries and associated surgeries and therapies. You can also be compensated for loss of income if you can’t work due to injuries sustained in a rideshare accident, or even pain and suffering caused by those injuries.

What Should I Do After My Rideshare Accident?

First check whether you are anyone else is injured; if so, call 9-1-1. Contact the police even if nobody is hurt and include any property damage in the police report. Obtain information on the ridesharing company’s insurance policy or the drivers personal automobile coverage. You may be able to obtain insurance information from the company’s app.

Also get:

The driver’s full name, address, phone number, and license number.
The make, model, and license plate of all vehicles involved in the accident.
Detailed contact information of witnesses.
Pictures and notes pertaining to the accident.
Details on injuries, damage, weather, and violated traffic lights/stop signs.

What Are the Typical Risks of Ridesharing Programs?

Although there’s no thorough research comparing the risks of ridesharing programs versus traditional cabs, reports suggest passengers have faced injuries, theft, and sexual assault. Uber relies on drivers’ feedback and accident records to determine their safety. On the other hand, traditional cab companies require drivers to be subject to national background checks and tests. Overall, there are risks to both ridesharing and general transportation.

If I Am the Ridesharing Driver, Will I Get Fired?

As a driver, you must have a clean driving record and at least three years of driving experience. You will be fired for a single DIU, or a speeding ticket in a school zone, while termination is the procedure if you have three citations or at-fault accidents within a five-year period. If you were involved in an accident, in which you were not at-fault, make sure to contact a attorney.

What Are Some of the Most Common Rideshare Injuries?

Rideshare passengers are at risk of the same automobile injuries as anyone. Head injuries ranging from minor bumps and bruises to concussions and traumatic brain injuries are possible. Spinal cord and nerve damage can occur as well. Injuries to ligaments and muscles in the neck are common, as are broken bones in the arms, legs, hands, and feet. Broken ribs are also common in automobile accidents.

Typical Rideshare Accident Injuries

Loss of Limbs
Paralysis
Internal Bleeding
Road Rash
Scars
Whiplash

Injured in a Rideshare Accident in Los Angeles? Call The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani

If you need a Los Angeles Lyft accident injury attorney, or you or a loved one has been hurt in an Uber crash, we can focus on holding negligent parties accountable and fighting insurance companies to get you maximum compensation. You can depend on us because of:

High ratings – The reviews, testimonials, and recommendations are evidence of our experience, diligence, and caring for all our clients and ability to get them full compensation after life-changing accidents and injuries.
20+ years of experience – Knowledge and experience has put us at #1 for taking on personal injury cases. We know the law and the actions taken by personal and commercial insurance companies that will do anything to limit financial payouts.
Successful million-dollar verdicts – You may be entitled to more than you think; we’ve won cases involving compensation as high as $6 million for auto accident victims, $2 million for those in truck accidents, and substantial payouts for those in motorcycle, slip and fall, bus, and medical malpractice accidents.
Work on a contingency fee basis – Clients don’t owe us anything unless we win their case. You don’t carry any financial burden with our Los Angeles personal injury attorney while your case is ongoing, so legal action can be taken regardless of your financial situation.
Our ability to meet in your home – Your mobility options may be limited due to injuries sustained in an accident. There’s no need to travel to our office, as our lawyers are open to meeting at your home or location of your choice.
Our ability to negotiate with insurance companies – We know all the tricks in the book insurers use to reduce compensation, and have solid negotiation skills. You never have to settle for a low-ball offer and walk away—we keep fighting for you until you get the compensation you deserve.
Our ability to act before statute of limitations end – Depending on the accident and your circumstances, you may have a limited time to file a claim. Our ridesharing accident attorney is fast and efficient; call us as soon as possible and we’ll get your claim started before any statute ends.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a ridesharing vehicle, we can help you get compensation. Not only is our ride sharing accident attorney knowledgeable in California law, but also highly skilled at working with the insurance companies of Uber, Lyft, and individual drivers. They can quickly determine who or what was at fault, so you receive higher compensation than what any insurance company would otherwise offer you.

Call us today at 888-952-2952 to discuss your situation and schedule a free case consultation.

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