While the popular rideshare apps Uber and Lyft offer passengers convenient opportunities for getting around unfamiliar cities and neighborhoods, the increase in rideshare vehicles on the roads understandably increases motor vehicle accidents. There are estimated to be more Uber and Lyft accidents in Los Angeles than in virtually any other major United States city. There are over 120,000 rideshare trips across LA daily, resulting in at least one auto accident approximately every 45 minutes.

Rideshare auto collisions can occur similarly to any other car crash, but there may be additional causes behind rideshare accidents. For example, rideshare drivers often watch their phones and devices for future rides and directions for navigating their current ride. Rideshare drivers are encouraged to work fast and efficiently to make the most money, sometimes resulting in aggressive or reckless driving.

Every car accident case is a legal matter that deserves the attention of experienced attorneys capable of presenting a victim’s claims and helping them fight for fair compensation. However, a rideshare car accident is no mere motor vehicle crash, and these cases are often more legally complicated than most typical car accident matters. Rideshare accidents do not simply involve the passengers and drivers; they can involve multiple insurance companies, complex liability rules, lawyers representing powerful rideshare companies, and corporate tactics designed to minimize the total payout to auto accident victims.

Contact our Los Angeles law firm today to request a free case review with an experienced auto accident attorney.

Like any other sort of motor vehicle accident, the steps immediately following the crash are critical for ensuring your safety and well-being and strengthening your legal claim.

Your first step should be to prioritize your safety and the safety of any passengers in the vehicle with you, and then seek immediate medical attention. You should call 911 to summon emergency medical services to the accident scene, even if you believe your injuries to be relatively minor. Failure to get medical treatment could hurt your personal injury case, as having detailed medical records will be a strong piece of evidence that prevents insurance companies from downplaying the severity of your injuries.

Under California law, you must report a car accident to law enforcement if that accident results in bodily injury or significant property damage. We strongly encourage you to contact the police to give them a detailed account of the events that led to your accident. Police reports will benefit your personal injury lawyer when making an insurance claim or filing a lawsuit.

If you are physically able, attempt to gather evidence from the crash scene. Video and photographic proof of visible injuries, vehicle and property damage, license plates, road conditions, weather factors, traffic signs, and other contributing factors to the crash may be vitally important. As you were just in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, you will also want to get photos of the Uber or Lyft stickers in the windshield.

You will need to exchange information with the rideshare driver. In your conversation with the driver, attempt to remain polite so that things do not get heated, but never go so far as to apologize or diminish the severity of any injuries. Things you say in any dialogue with the driver or an insurance adjuster could harm your case. You will want the name, contact information, driver’s license, driver’s personal insurance policy information, Uber or Lyft identification number, and confirmation that the vehicle was in service at the time of the crash.

Soon after the collision, you should report the incident to Uber or Lyft through the app. This can be accomplished by using the ‘I need help’ function, which allows you to report an accident. Attempt to be as detailed as possible in your accident description, and be sure to save the accident report confirmation number.

Before contacting the insurance company, you should contact an experienced car accident attorney to discuss your case. Our legal team has extensive experience representing clients in complex rideshare accident claims, and we would be proud to represent your interests in the pursuit of justice and fair financial recovery.

Who is liable and what insurance coverage applies in your rideshare accident case will depend on several factors.

If the rideshare app was off during the crash, only the driver’s personal car insurance applies to the case. Uber and Lyft are not required to provide insurance coverage when the app is off and the driver is off the clock. Uber and Lyft will deny all liability. The minimum limits for insurance coverage in these cases are usually between $15,000 and $30,000 in California.

When the rideshare app is on, but the driver does not have a passenger and is not en route to pick up a passenger, rideshare companies provide limited coverage in motor vehicle accidents.

During incidents where the rideshare driver is actively traveling with a passenger or en route to pick one up, the company’s liability coverage is in full effect, providing $1 million in coverage.

Insurance companies, particularly those representing rideshare companies’ interests, can quickly dismiss claims and devalue payouts to victims. Often, the initial settlement offers provided by an insurance company or rideshare company are insufficient for the financial compensation the accident victim requires. In many cases, car accident victims who decide to go without professional legal representation often fail to recover the amount of compensation that may be possible with the help of legal counsel.

As your legal representative, our attorney will explore all options to help you obtain the financial recovery you deserve and require.

Potential economic and non-economic damages that you could be awarded in your rideshare accident case may include the following:

• Past medical bills and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and lost income-earning capacity
• Personal property damage
• Diminished quality of life compensation
• Disability, disfigurement, and dismemberment compensation
• Loss of companionship or consortium
• And wrongful death damages in the event of a fatal accident

The moments after a car crash are critical for protecting your safety and well-being and strengthening your personal injury case. If you follow the above suggestions, you have a better chance of recovering a favorable settlement in your rideshare accident claim.

Be sure to contact our California law firm immediately after your rideshare accident. We offer prospective new clients interested in retaining our legal services free 15-minute case evaluations.

To discuss your case in more detail with the attorney, please contact our office at 855-503-5303.

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