Century City Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Century City Rideshare Accident Attorney

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are incredibly popular in Century City and surrounding areas of California. Thousands of people use these services as alternatives to public transportation and traditional taxis, and they are often available at odd hours when other transportation services are not. If you use rideshare services in Century City, it is important to acknowledge the fact that you face the same risk of experiencing an accident as you would in any other vehicle, and you should also know what to do if such an accident occurs.

Legal Counsel for Victims of Rideshare Accidents in Century City

The attorneys at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, can provide the comprehensive legal counsel you need if you or a loved one has suffered injuries and economic damages in a rideshare accident caused by another party. While the recovery process from such an accident may entail an insurance claim and personal injury claim just like any other vehicle accident, these cases tend to be more complex due to the nature of rideshare company auto insurance.

The right Century City rideshare accident attorney can provide a tremendous advantage as you seek fair compensation for losses inflicted by another party. The team at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, has years of professional experience handling all types of personal injury cases in Century City. We are ready to leverage this experience for you in your recovery from a rideshare accident.

Navigating an Insurance Claim for a Rideshare Accident in Century City

Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are legally required to have auto insurance, much like the requirement for all licensed drivers. However, the rideshare company’s insurance works differently than a standard individual policy. If you are involved in a rideshare accident either as a passenger in a rideshare driver’s car or as a driver or passenger in another vehicle hit by a rideshare driver, it is likely that more than one insurance policy can come into play to pay for your damages.

Both Uber and Lyft require their drivers to have personal auto insurance policies. Whenever a rideshare driver is using their vehicle for personal reasons, their own insurance would apply if they cause an accident. However, once they mark themselves as available for a ride request, the rideshare company’s first level of insurance coverage activates and would come into play if an accident occurs.

At this level, the insurance provides up to $50,000 in bodily injury compensation for a single person or up to $100,000 in bodily injury compensation for multiple persons injured in a single accident and up to $25,000 in property damage liability coverage. By comparison, state law requires an individual driver’s auto insurance policy to include $15,000, $30,000, and $5,000, respectively, for these three forms of coverage.

Once a rideshare driver picks up a passenger, the second level of the rideshare company’s insurance applies, which can provide up to $1 million in compensation in third-party liability coverage. The at-fault driver’s insurance would apply first to compensate victims of the accident, and once their coverage is exhausted, the rideshare company’s third-party liability coverage applies to the remainder.

How to Build Your Personal Injury Claim for a Rideshare Accident

Your Century City rideshare accident attorney is an invaluable asset for maximizing your insurance claim payout after an accident. Once an insurance carrier sees that a claimant has legal representation it is less likely to attempt any unethical handling of the claim. Hiring the right attorney can streamline your insurance claim process significantly. However, before you can proceed with your claim, you must prove how the accident happened and identify the at-fault driver.

Proving fault may require witness testimony, digital evidence like traffic camera recordings, and expert witness testimony in complex cases. Once you have proven fault, you can proceed with your insurance claim. However, even if you succeed, there is no guarantee that the insurance settlement you receive will completely cover your damages. For example, if you suffered a serious traumatic brain injury or other catastrophic injury, you could face years of medical expenses, diminished earning capacity, and tremendous pain and suffering.

Under California law, the victim of any personal injury has the right to seek repayment for all the economic losses they suffered. Your Century City rideshare accident attorney can help calculate medical treatment costs, both immediate and future, lost income, and lost future earning potential. You may also have the right to claim the actual cash value of your vehicle if it was damaged beyond repair in the accident, or you can include any vehicle repair costs not covered by insurance.

When it comes to pain and suffering, there is no limit to how much you can claim in a vehicle accident case. Your Century City rideshare accident attorney can help determine a fair amount based on the nature and severity of your injuries. For example, if you suffered any injury that causes a permanent disability, your pain and suffering compensation may overshadow the total of your claimed economic losses.

Resolving Your Rideshare Accident Claim in Century City

Having an experienced Century City rideshare accident attorney represent you is the optimal method of navigating your recovery after a rideshare accident. If you intend to maximize the compensation you obtain, this may require filing an insurance claim against the at-fault driver, followed by another insurance claim against the rideshare company. If, for any reason, insurance cannot fully repay your losses, you will need your attorney’s help to file a personal injury claim to recover the rest of your damages.

Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, will aim to settle your case as quickly as possible for as much compensation as the law allows, but we are fully prepared to represent you in litigation if necessary. While the majority of civil claims filed in Century City each year end in a private settlement, there is always the possibility for a case to proceed to trial.

Whatever your rideshare accident claim may entail, our team is confident in our ability to guide you to a positive outcome in the most efficient manner possible. You have a very limited time in which to file an auto insurance claim after an accident, and you must also consider the statute of limitations if you intend to file a personal injury case for your accident. The sooner you secure legal counsel, the sooner your legal team can start guiding you toward the compensation you legally deserve.

FAQs About Century City, LA Rideshare Accident Lawyer

How Long Does One Have to File an Insurance Claim After a Car Accident in Century City?

You typically have a very limited time in which to report an accident to an insurance company and notify them of your intent to file a claim, sometimes as little as 48 hours. However, you do not necessarily need to negotiate your settlement right away. Notify the at-fault driver’s insurance company or the rideshare company’s insurance carrier of your accident, but state that you must consult with your attorney before discussing a settlement.

How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Rideshare Accident?

If another party caused your recent rideshare accident, you have the right to claim compensation for the entire scope of damages they inflicted. These may include your medical expenses for treatment of your injuries, long-term medical costs if you suffered a catastrophic injury, lost wages, and lost future earning capacity. If your vehicle was damaged, you can claim repair or replacement costs, and state law also allows the victim of a personal injury to seek compensation for their pain and suffering.

Should I Really Hire a Century City Rideshare Accident Attorney?

There is no legal requirement to hire an attorney for your rideshare accident claim in Century City, but having trustworthy legal counsel can significantly improve the quality of your recovery. Your legal team can manage the procedural end of your case so you can rest and recover from your injuries with peace of mind. They may also uncover compensation that you did not know you could claim, resulting in a more expansive case award than you could have managed alone.

What Does It Cost to Hire a Century City Rideshare Accident Attorney?

The attorneys at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, accept personal injury clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will not pay anything for our legal counsel until we win your case. There are no upfront or ongoing legal expenses for our clients, and the contingency fee we take at the end of a case is a percentage of the total amount recovered for the client. This billing policy ensures you have access to the legal counsel you need when you need it most, irrespective of your personal financial situation. If we cannot secure compensation for your rideshare accident, you will pay nothing in legal fees.

Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, have the legal skill, experience, and resources you need on your side to reach the optimal outcome for your recovery. Rideshare accidents may happen for many of the same reasons that all other vehicle crashes occur, but they tend to involve far more complex insurance-related issues and other legal entanglements. Whatever your case entails, our firm is ready to provide the legal counsel you need to navigate your recovery successfully. Contact us today and schedule your consultation with a Century City rideshare accident attorney to learn more about the professional legal services we provide.