Uber Accident Attorney in Los Angeles

Trusted Los Angeles Injury Accident Attorneys

Uber launched the ride sharing phenomenon in 2009. Now valued at nearly $70 billion, it accounts for 77% of the ridesharing market in the United States. Riding an Uber is a popular way to get around, but it doesn’t come without risks. As with any form of transportation, there is the potential for accidents, and victims of an Uber crash have rights. Our Los Angeles Uber passenger accident attorney can help navigate the many tactics insurance companies use to avoid liability.

Uber Drivers: Contractors or Employees?

Drivers of Uber vehicles are independent contractors. They can choose to work when they want to, and each owns their own vehicle. Basically, a driver clocks into work by turning on their app. This has implications in terms of liability and insurance coverage at different times and whether the driver is working or not. The California Labor Commissioner has maintained that Uber drivers are employees, but the company still insists they’re contractors.

Uber Passengers

A smartphone app allows you to select a destination and where you want to be picked up. If an Uber driver is nearby, they can respond to your request. Wait time is usually just minutes and your driver will take you to your desired destination. If you’re in an automobile accident involving an Uber, pinning liability can be complex, but our Uber accident lawyer in Los Angeles & Orange County can help gather the evidence and substantiate your claim, as Uber drivers have a duty to ensure their passengers’ safety.

Uber Accident Statistics

There have been several fatal accidents involving Uber vehicles. In 2013, a six-year-old girl was killed in San Francisco after being hit by a driver. In September 2018, two people were killed when their Uber vehicle was hit by a wrong-way motorist on the 210 Freeway in the Los Angeles area. Although the Taxi and Limousine Commission in New York City claims more Uber drivers than yellow cab drivers have been involved in deadly crashes, other studies have not found Uber vehicles to be more dangerous.

Accidents can occur if an Uber driver is distracted, another vehicle is hit by that driver, or the driver hits a pedestrian or bicyclist. Someone else’s negligence can cause the Uber driver to be injured. A passenger injured inside the vehicle faces many legal complexities, especially those involving insurance companies and liability coverage.

About Insurance Policies

Uber has various rules about liability coverage for drivers and their vehicles, which is why having our Los Angeles ride sharing accident attorney on your side is so important.

Drivers are covered by a $1 million liability policy. The company also provides uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Insurance coverage applies while the passenger is in the vehicle, and they are covered unless proven the cause of an accident that resulted in their injuries.

An Uber driver is required to have a personal auto insurance policy if using their own vehicle. The company’s coverage kicks in only when their app is in driver mode and fares are being accepted. California law has divided rideshare insurance coverage into three periods:

Period 1: An active driver has opened the app and is waiting for a passenger. The company must provide coverage of $200,000 in liability insurance for a driver, $100,000 in death/personal injury coverage per incident, and $50,000 for death or personal injury per person.

Period 2: The driver has accepted a request but hasn’t picked up the passenger, and is driving to their location. Commercial insurance coverage of $1 million kicks in.

Period 3: The time the passenger is in the vehicle. During this period, the company must provide $1 million of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.