California Car Accident Attorney Helping Victims of Uber & Lyft Accidents in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties
Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are great if you need to get somewhere but don’t have access to a car, don’t want to trouble with the hassle of driving, or know you are going to be drinking when you get where you’re going. With the tap of a button on your phone’s Uber or Lyft app, someone will come to your exact location in a matter of minutes and take you wherever you want to go. Payments are made through the app, so you don’t have to worry about cash or credit cards or how to handle tips.
Riding in an Uber or Lyft is not without its risks, though. Uber and Lyft drivers can get into accidents just like any other drivers, whether the crash is their fault or the other driver’s. If you get hurt in a ridesharing accident, whether you are the driver of the Uber/Lyft vehicle, the driver of another vehicle, or a ridesharing passenger, The Law Firm of Oscar A. Ischiu, Esq. can help you sort through the complexities of a crash with an Uber or Lyft and help ensure you get the medical care and compensation you need to deal with your physical injuries, pain and suffering, and other legal damages you endured because of the accident. Call our firm after an Uber or Lyft car accident in Los Angeles or San Bernardino County, and we’ll get to work right away building your case for a full and fair amount of compensation for the harm done to you.
Crashes Caused by Negligent Uber or Lyft Drivers
You might think that people drive extra cautiously when driving for Uber or Lyft since they are driving for pay and transporting strangers they are responsible for. This is often the case, and many drivers are extra conscientious while working for Uber or Lyft or other transportation network companies. But there are also many facts about ridesharing drivers that increase the likelihood they could cause a crash.
Taxi drivers in Los Angeles need more than just a driver’s license to work for a taxi company. They have to be drug tested, pass background checks through the California Department of Justice and the FBI, and complete the Los Angeles Department of Transportation Customer Service and Safety seminar. None of these rules apply to rideshare drivers, however. They aren’t regulated and don’t have any requirements beyond those of other drivers on the road.
Uber and Lyft drivers tend to spend much more time on the road than other drivers, and much of this time is spent “deadheading,” which refers to the practice of driving around heavily populated areas with no purpose other than trying to catch a fare. Deadheading increases the odds of causing a wreck through negligent driving as well as drowsy or fatigued driving.
Drivers who decide to make a living driving for Uber and Lyft have to spend enormous amounts of their day behind the wheel to earn enough money, adding to the risk of drowsy driving and driver inattention. The situation is no better for people who drive for Uber and Lyft as a side hustle. These drivers often get behind the wheel after already putting in a full day’s work at their main job and might not be in the best condition to spend several hours on the road.
Uber and Lyft drivers are also prone to distracted driving. They often need to rely heavily on their phone’s navigation app to get to an unfamiliar destination, and they can be distracted by having to interact with passengers as well. Some people have found ways to maximize their earnings by driving for Uber and Lyft simultaneously, which means while they are transporting a passenger for one company they are taking ride requests on the app for the other, which is not only distracting but can also cause them to drive more recklessly or aggressively to finish one fare and pick up another.
Insurance Coverage for Uber and Lyft Car Accidents
If you are injured in a car accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, you could be able to access significant insurance coverage to pay for your injuries. Insurance requirements for Uber and Lyft drivers vary depending on their driving status at the time of the crash. The requirements are as follows:
If they aren’t logged into the app at the time, they must carry the same minimum liability insurance as other California drivers, which is $15,000 for personal injury per person, $30,000 for personal injury per accident, and $5,000 for property damage.
If the driver is logged into the app but isn’t transporting a passenger or hasn’t made a match, Uber or Lyft will cover that driver with liability insurance much higher than the California minimums. These limits go up to $50,000 for personal injury per person, $100,000 for personal injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
If the driver has matched with a fare or is already transporting a passenger, Uber or Lyft covers the driver with a one-million-dollar insurance policy to cover any damages they cause through negligent driving.
If you were hurt in a crash caused by a negligent Uber or Lyft driver, The Law Firm of Oscar A. Ischiu, Esq. can help you identify the responsible party and applicable insurance claim and settle your claim appropriately. If you are injured as a passenger in the Uber or Lyft, you could have a claim against either driver, depending on who was at fault. You should be able to access the ridesharing company’s million-dollar policy regardless. With a dedicated car accident attorney on your side, you can be assured that the responsible party will not be able to wriggle out of their liability to you or underpay your claim.
Representing Injured Uber and Lyft Drivers in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties
Rideshare drivers are on the road more often, so they are statistically more likely to get in a crash. They are also most in demand on nights and weekends during times when people are out drinking, increasing the likelihood that the Uber or Lyft vehicle will get hit by a drunk driver. Once the other driver becomes aware you were driving for Uber and Lyft and have significant insurance coverage, they are more likely to come after you with a claim for damages, even when they were the ones at fault.
If you are hit by a negligent driver while driving for Uber or Lyft, The Law Firm of Oscar A. Ischiu will work to prove the other driver’s negligence while defending you against claims that your own driving was to blame. Your rideshare company will supply you with contingent collision and comprehensive insurance to supplement your own coverage for property damage up to the value of your car, less a $1,000 (Uber) or $2,500 (Lyft) deductible. Uber and Lyft both also offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage if the driver who hit you was uninsured. We can help you sort out the different coverage that applies and make sure you get properly compensated for your injuries.
Get the Help You Need After an Uber or Lyft Car Accident in Los Angeles or San Bernardino County
If you’ve been hurt in a rideshare accident involving Uber or Lyft in Los Angeles or San Bernardino County, call The Law Firm of Oscar A. Ischiu, Esq. for a consultation over the phone or computer or at our offices in West Covina, Ontario or Monrovia. We are available to speak to you whenever your accident happens and offer services in both English and Spanish. Our fee is based on the amount we recover for you, and if we can’t recover, we don’t charge any fee.
