Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers

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Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers

  • Direct Access to Attorneys 24/7
  • No Money Out Of Pocket
  • Hablamos Español
Call us Now (888) 243-2050

Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers

Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers

Technology’s major goal has always been to simplify our everyday lives, and the rise of ridesharing services and apps is a testament to that fact. We now live in a world where Uber, Lyft and other ridesharing companies have become an integral part of transportation for millions of individuals across the United States, but the overall prevalence of these services have not decreased auto accidents and injury claims.

It’s safe to assume that one in every ten vehicles driving on Southern California roads is either a Lyft, an Uber, or both. With the rise of ridesharing, the chances of being involved in a rideshare accident are very high, and these accident victims will undoubtedly be hit with hefty medical expenses among other subsequent damages.

The resulting damages and injuries following any of these accident claims are often very serious and sometimes even include fatal wrongful death claims. If you or a loved one has been involved in an auto accident that was caused by the negligence of either a Lyft/Uber driver or other rideshare vehicle operator, then this page will guide you through all you need to know to get the maximum compensation you deserve.

Contact the rideshare accident attorneys of Megeredchian Law for a free consultation so we can better understand how your rideshare accident could develop into successful personal injury litigation.

Top Information to Know About an Uber/Lyft Accident in California

What Makes An Uber or Lyft Accident Different in California?

Ridesharing is relatively new, so laws and regulations may evolve with time. With so many accidents involving companies like Lyft and Uber, several states across the country, including California, have put certain laws in place to ensure victims get properly compensated.

There are several reasons why ridesharing accidents are quite different from any other kind of accident. One of the most prevalent being that these ridesharing apps are not a transportation company; instead, they are simply a platform that connects independent drivers (contractors) with people looking for rides (passengers). As a result, these companies were able to operate without insurance or many strict regulations in their early days.

Nevertheless, after several mishaps and accidents, many reforms have been made. These companies now have policies in place and require their drivers to carry certain forms of insurance.

Who Is Liable in a California Uber or Lyft Accident?

Unless you were responsible for the accident, the liability falls on either the ridesharing company or the driver. Contrary to what you may believe, liability does not automatically fall on the ridesharing company after an accident. Instead, it largely depends on whether the driver was logged into the rideshare app at the time of the accident or not.

Therefore, the driver is fully liable for the accident if he or she was not logged into the ridesharing app at the time of the accident. However, if the driver was logged into the rideshare app but has not accepted a ride yet, the rideshare company would only assume a part of the liability. Finally, if the driver was logged into the rideshare app and either has a passenger in the car or is on the way to pick up a passenger, then both Uber and Lyft claim full liability.

Speaking with an experienced Uber or Lyft accident attorney who is familiar with ridesharing laws in the state of California will help you quickly determine who is held liable for your accident and the subsequent settlement that comes with it.

How Uber & Lyft’s Insurance Policy Works in California

As previously discussed, there are two possible outcomes for liability; either the Uber or Lyft driver or the company itself will be held responsible.

However, after determining liability, you need to understand how the insurance policies of these ridesharing companies work and what to expect when trying to receive a settlement from them.

There are three levels of insurance coverage rideshare companies offer independent contractors when they get involved in accidents. These are:

  • Level 1: Not logged into the rideshare app: When a driver gets involved in an accident while he or she was not logged into the rideshare app, the driver carries full responsibility and his or her insurance policy will have to cover damages and compensation. The good news is that in California, rideshare drivers are required to have personal insurance policies and uninsured motorist coverage that amounts to at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 for each accident.
  • Level 2: Logged into the rideshare app but waiting for a passenger request: If the accident occurred while the driver was logged into the app but still waiting for a passenger request, then the rideshare company will accept partial liability. Both Lyft and Uber have policies of about $50,000 for injuries and $25,000 for property damage and they will only pay the amount that the independent contractor’s insurance does not cover.
  • Level 3: Logged into the app and either with a passenger or en route to pick one up: When an accident occurs when the driver was on active duty, the rideshare company assumes full liability. Both Lyft and Uber provide $1 million in liability coverage and another $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

As you can see, getting into a car accident with a rideshare company driver can be quite tricky, especially when it comes to deciding who to approach for your fair compensation. This is why it is very important to secure the services of a California Lyft and Uber accident attorney immediately after the accident. 

An experienced rideshare accident lawyer knows all the rideshare laws as they apply to the state of California, and will work to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.

1.2 Million

Drunk driver head-on collision with our client resulted in a broken clavicle and dextral face nerve damage.

1 Million

Client spent 3 days in the ICU after he was rear-ended off-road and into the ditch.

500,000

Client spent 3 days in the ICU after he was rear-ended off-road and into the ditch. They had no broken bones.

250,000

Client had a mild brain surgery after lane-splitting with their motorcycle and colliding with a vehicle making abrupt lane change.

Record Breaking Settlements

From a $1.2 million settlement for a head-on collision case to $1 million for a rear-end car accident case, Megeredchian Law results are among the best in California State. We know exactly how much your car accident claim is worth and we never settle for less. This is how we choose to represent your concerns every day- with passion, persistence, and excellence- ensuring that from us you only get the BEST RESULTS!

1.2 MILLION
1 MILLION
500,000
250,000

Results Matter!

We are selective about the volume of cases and the type of cases we undertake. This ensures our client’s case gets the attention it needs so results are achieved. Big firms with big case volumes means your case gets lost with the thousand others. Results matter, experience the difference by retaining our firm and let us exceed your expectations.

Our clients are not just “clients,” we treat everyone like family with compassion and the utmost care.

- Alex Megeredchian
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What Compensation Is Available in a California Uber or Lyft Accident Case?

It does not matter whether you are a pedestrian, motorcyclist or simply driving in your own car because once you’re involved in an accident with any of these ridesharing app companies, the compensation within a personal injury case is pretty much the same.

Level 1

The difference in the compensation payout largely depends on which insurance coverage level the accident falls under (see above). Therefore, if the accident falls under level 1, you should understand that you can hold neither Uber nor Lyft liable, and the driver will have to bear full responsibility. 

Compensation is limited to $50,000 per individual and $100,000 per accident when strictly utilizing a driver’s insurance policy.

Level 2

However, if the accident falls to level 2, then both Uber and Lyft will claim a limited responsibility along with the driver’s personal insurance. Insurers from both sides offer up to $50,000 in liability coverage per individual and $100,000 per accident. 

This liability further covers up to $30,000 in property damage, not to mention that the law makes it mandatory for rideshare companies to carry $200,000 in excess liability coverage under level 2 just in case the injuries are significant.

Level 3

Finally, if the accident falls under level 3 then both Lyft and Uber carry full responsibility and will be held liable for any injuries and property damage sustained. The insurance coverage under this level is up to $1 million in liability coverage as well as $1 million in uninsured or underinsured motorist injury. That means you can expect up to $1 million in compensation per accident.

Note: You are not limited to accepting what these insurance companies are offering in compensation if you feel you deserve more. Actually, nothing stops you from pursuing claims against the driver’s personal insurance policy as well as the ridesharing company’s.

Liability & The Rise of Car Sharing Apps in Los Angeles

While Uber and Lyft are the most popular ridesharing companies in the Los Angeles market, it does not mean they are the only ones.

Others like Turo, Sidecar, and Maven are also growing in popularity which means the chances of being involved in an accident with any of these services are also very likely. Although these services are similar to both Uber and Lyft, the difference is that people actually rent out their personal vehicles online instead of driving people around.

The insurance coverage they also offer is quite similar to both Uber and Lyft. Under California law, all drivers are required to carry insurance of at least $50,000 per individual and $100,000. However, unlike Lyft and Uber, when you get involved in an accident with Turo, etc., the person who rented the car will be fully liable and their personal insurance will kick in.

Contact Megeredchian Law Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber or Lyft related accident please contact us today for a free consultation. 

We offer no-strings-attached consultation that will help you make informed decisions regarding your case and the necessary steps to take to receive just compensation for your injuries.

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