Who Covers The Medical Treatment In An Uber Accident?
Uber accidents could get a bit tricky, especially when you have sustained injuries from an Uber accident. If you have been involved in a new accident, whether as a driver, passenger, or a driver or passenger in another vehicle, contact us today to see how we can help you get the compensation you need.
Uber accidents are very similar to car accidents in the sense that you could file a lawsuit or file a claim to recover your damages. There are a variety of damages that you could recover, including lost wages loss of income, medical bills, and property damage. But, to better look into the circumstances, we recommend that you contact our car accident attorneys for a one-on-one case evaluation.
A case evaluation is a great way to get to know our attorneys. Our California personal injury lawyers are available to help you every step of the way. We make sure that our clients get the help they need, and we recover the maximum compensation available to them.
What is Uber or Lyft?
Uber or Lyft allows a person to schedule or book a ride to an area through an app. The rider pays Uber or Lyft, which then pays the driver.
Who is responsible for an Uber or Lyft accident in California?
The responsibility depends on a variety of factors, including the type of accident, where the accident occurred, and who was involved.
If the driver’s app is turned off, the general rule is that the driver was conducting personal business and was not on the clock. For example, if a driver was driving and was not technically “clocked on” to the app, then a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft cannot be held responsible because they were not even on notice that their employee was working. Therefore, liability does not apply against the rideshare app. Instead, the driver’s personal insurance policies may kick in. Each driver must have their very own car insurance policy. However, the compensation from the policy could differ depending on the coverage. This is very similar to a car accident where one party files a lawsuit or claim against another party.
If the driver’s app is open, but the driver does not have any rides accepted, the rideshare company’s insurance may now kick in. This means that if the driver was on the app but had not accepted a ride, and an accident was to occur, then the passenger of the app could recover from the driver’s insurance company and Uber or Lyft’s insurance company. Usually, a passenger’s payout from a claim with the rideshare company may be too low.
If the driver’s app is turned on and the driver has accepted a ride, and an accident occurs during the ride, then the passenger has a right to recover compensation from Uber’s or Lyft’s insurance policy. Each rideshare app has a different insurance policy, so to make sure what insurance policy you qualify for, we recommend that you contact our attorneys immediately. Our car accident attorneys will take a look into the different policies and determine what exactly you may qualify for.
Can I file a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft for my medical bills?
Usually after a car accident, a party may seek various medical providers, such as physical therapists, emergency room doctors, or orthopedic surgeons. All these medical providers could get very costly. That is why we recommend filing a lawsuit against the right share company in the event that their insurance policies do not adequately cover your medical expenses. Usually, passengers file a lawsuit against rideshare companies in cases where the accidents have been very severe and have led to traumatic injuries. A rideshare company has a duty to compensate the victim for their medical costs.
Does Uber or Lyft file a lawsuit against their own driver?
Drivers must make sure they drive reasonably, especially when signing an employment contract with Uber or Lyft. But, usually, Uber or Lyft do not file a lawsuit against their own employees, and instead may discipline the employee by restricting their account or restricting the number of rides they can take on.
What if I was in an Uber or Lyft, but it was another vehicle's fault?
If you were in an Uber or Lyft as a passenger, and another vehicle was responsible for the accident, you could file a lawsuit or a claim against the other vehicle driver’s insurance company. This is very similar to filing a car accident lawsuit. The other driver’s insurance policies may have to compensate you for your medical bills.
Who are the other parties that could be held responsible for an Uber accident?
Besides the other driver, there are several other parties that could be held responsible for an Uber or Lyft accident. For example, this could include:
- Municipalities: this is in the event that the road was in a dangerous condition, and caused the accident.
- Vehicle manufacturers: vehicle manufacturers are responsible in the event that there is a defect with a vehicle part.
There may also be other parties that could be held responsible given the circumstances of the accident. We recommend that you contact our attorneys after an accident to determine exactly which parties could be held liable, and which steps we should take for you.
How much compensation for medical bills can I recover from my Uber or Lyft accident?
The compensation you could recover depends on the accident. For example, one who has received treatments like surgeries or injections may recover more in compensation than another party who had only suffered minor injuries.
Who pays for the injured party's medical bills after a car accident?
Usually, the injured party is responsible for paying for their own medical bills after an accident. But, after they have filed a lawsuit for recovery, the injured party could then recover compensation from the at-fault party and then use it to pay off their medical bills.
Usually, injured parties may have health insurance. This insurance may cover a portion of the medical bills. But, when it comes to the unpaid portion, it is the injured party’s responsibility. Sometimes, injured parties may make a medical lean, which means that they do not pay the doctors until they have been paid themselves from the lawsuit or insurance claim. For more information, we recommend that you contact our attorneys to schedule a one-on-one case evaluation.
When should I contact an attorney after I have been involved in an Uber accident?
You should contact an attorney as soon as possible after being involved in an accident while riding an Uber or Lyft because the longer you wait, the more difficult it may be to recover compensation. It could get very difficult to recover key pieces of evidence, such as photos or key witnesses.
Our Uber accident attorneys will get started on your claim right away. We will take a look at the circumstances of the condition make sure that you get the top-rated care you need.
Contact our Uber or Lyft accident attorneys today
Our rideshare accident attorneys at Megeredchian Law will help you get the recovery you need. We work tirelessly to make sure that our clients get legal help, and get compensated for their medical bills