2024 What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in California?

Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft are incredibly popular, providing accessible transportation options to thousands of app users every day. However, while taking advantage of rideshare services may be affordable and convenient, it is not without risk. When rideshare accidents happen, the legal aftermath is likely to be far more complex than the proceedings that typically follow a standard vehicle accident.

An Uber & Lyft accident attorney in Beverly Hills, CA, can provide invaluable legal guidance and support for your recovery efforts following a rideshare accident. You are likely to face a very challenging insurance claim filing process that may involve interacting with more than one insurance carrier, such as the insurance provider of the driver who caused the accident, as well as the rideshare company’s insurance carrier. Ultimately, your case could be very difficult to resolve, and you need trustworthy legal counsel on your side to reach the results you hope to see.

First Steps After a Rideshare Accident

Just like any other accident, the first thing you should do after any rideshare accident is to seek medical care for your injuries. It’s possible for someone to experience a vehicle accident and emerge seemingly unharmed, only to realize several days later they were hurt far more than they thought. Adrenaline in your system will dull pain sensations, and seeking prompt medical care will prevent any injuries that aren’t immediately noticeable from worsening.

Your next challenge is proving fault for the accident. California operates on the fault rule for all car accident cases, so you must prove liability for the accident before you can recover any compensation for the losses you suffered. Liability may fall to the rideshare driver or another driver who caused a collision with your vehicle. If you do not remember the exact details of the crash, an experienced attorney will know how to gather the evidence you will need to prove liability.

Recovering From a Rideshare Accident

California law requires every driver to have auto insurance, and rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are also required to have additional insurance that comes into play based on the timing of an accident. An injured rideshare accident victim must typically file a claim against the at-fault driver’s policy, and if they were a passenger in a rideshare driver’s vehicle, the rideshare company’s insurance would then come into play to cover any outstanding damages.

Rideshare insurance providers tend to fight claims for coverage as much as all other insurance carriers, so it’s a good idea to have legal counsel you can trust on your side if you want to reach the ideal outcome for your recovery efforts. An experience rideshare accident attorney can help you prove fault for your accident, navigate the insurance claim filing process more efficiently, and ultimately help build a personal injury claim if necessary to ensure the fullest recovery possible. The attorneys at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, have years of experience helping Beverly Hills area clients with all types of vehicle accident claims, and we are ready to leverage this experience on your behalf as you seek compensation for the rideshare accident you recently suffered.

FAQs About What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in California

Who Is Liable for an Uber or Lyft Accident?

If you are involved in a rideshare accident, the recovery process will be very similar to any other accident, including the process of determining fault. Liability for your rideshare accident is likely to fall to the rideshare driver or another driver. An experienced attorney can assist their client in gathering the evidence needed to firmly establish liability, such as witness testimony, traffic camera recordings, and digital evidence like driver cell phone records.

Does the Rideshare Company Pay for Damages From a Rideshare Accident?

Uber and Lyft have similar insurance policies that come into play in different ways depending on the timing of an accident. Rideshare company insurance may apply to your recent accident if you were riding in a rideshare driver’s vehicle as a passenger or if a rideshare driver struck you while you were driving your own vehicle. If you are unsure whether rideshare company insurance applies to your case, it is important to consult an attorney as soon as possible.

How Much Is My Rideshare Accident Claim Worth?

If you can prove another party is responsible for the damages you recently suffered in a rideshare accident, you have the right to claim full compensation for all those damages. Your recovery may entail medical expenses, lost income during your recovery when you cannot work, property damage, and your pain and suffering. An experienced attorney can provide an estimate of the total compensation you might secure from a successful rideshare accident claim.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim for a Rideshare Accident?

You have a limited time in which to file an insurance claim after a rideshare accident, typically only a few days. However, if you cannot fully recover your damages through insurance, you will need to file a personal injury claim against the party responsible for causing the accident. The state places a two-year statute of limitations on most personal injury claims, and this time limit starts on the date an injury occurs.

Can I Still Recover Compensation for a Rideshare Accident That I Partially Caused?

California upholds a pure comparative negligence rule that applies in any case in which more than one party bears fault for the damages cited in the case. This means that if you are partially responsible for the rideshare accident you recently experienced, you can still recover compensation for your damages, but you will lose a percentage of the case award to account for your shared fault.

Rideshare accidents may happen from the same causes as all other motor vehicle accidents, but the legal aftermath can be far more challenging to navigate without legal counsel on your side. The attorneys at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, routinely provide legal counsel to clients facing all types of civil suits, including those arising from rideshare accidents. If you need legal counsel you can trust after an Uber or Lyft accident in the Beverly Hills area, we can help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our team.