Ridesharing services offer residents of Southern California a convenient way to get around. At the same time, ridesharing accidents are becoming increasingly common. If you have been injured in a ridesharing accident, it is important to know your rights. Because rideshare services are subject to complicated insurance rules, it is crucial to consult with an experienced rideshare accident attorney.
SoCal Injury Lawyers is a firm highly experienced in handling ridesharing accident claims. We have a working knowledge of the applicable rideshare insurance rules and a proven history of helping injury victims obtain meaningful compensation. Fluent in both Arabic and Spanish, we are highly regarded for providing first-rate representation to underserved communities. When you become our client, you can rest assured we will fight to protect your rights.
How Do Ridesharing Services Operate in Southern California?
Rideshare providers rely on smartphone apps and satellite technology to connect drivers and passengers. The consumer requests a ride through the app, which then notifies the driver, who uses GPS navigation to pick up and then transport the passenger. Despite the fact that hailing a rideshare is more convenient than relying on a taxi or using public transportation, a rideshare accident can have tragic consequences.
Although Uber and Lyft have long argued that their drivers are independent contractors, the definition of an independent contractor is now far more stringent in California since Assembly Bill 5 was signed into law in September 2019. While rideshare drivers use their own vehicles and create their own work schedules, both drivers and ridesharing services have a legal obligation to ensure the safety of passengers, other motorists, and pedestrians.
Recovering Damages in a Ridesharing Accident
If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, SoCal Injury Lawyers will explore all your options for recovering damages. You should know that insurance coverage depends on the rideshare driver’s status at the time of the accident:
- Was the driver logged onto the ridesharing app and being connected to a passenger?
- Was the rideshare driver on the way to retrieving a passenger?
- Was the driver transporting a passenger to his or her destination?
When the ridesharing app is off, the driver’s personal motor vehicle insurance will be the primary source of coverage. If the driver has yet to be connected with a passenger when the app is on, the driver must carry more than the minimum required coverage, and the ridesharing company is also required to provide $200,000 in additional liability insurance. When a driver is traveling with a passenger, however, the rideshare provider must carry a mandatory minimum of $1 million in liability insurance, which will be the primary coverage for damages.
If you have been injured in a collision with a rideshare vehicle or as a rideshare passenger, it takes a skilled personal injury attorney to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Rideshare accident claims are complicated because they may involve a number of parties, including the rideshare driver’s insurance company, the rideshare service’s insurer, other drivers and their insurance carriers.
How SoCal Injury Lawyers Can Help With Your Rideshare Accident Claim
We will conduct a thorough investigation of your ridesharing accident by obtaining and reviewing the police report, identifying and interviewing witnesses, and examining the accident scene, often with the assistance of accident reconstruction specialists. We have the skills and experience to show how the rideshare driver was negligent and to help you obtain meaningful compensation.
At SoCal Injury Lawyers, we will work tirelessly to help you recover damages such as:
- Lost wages (past and future)
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If a loved one has been killed in a rideshare accident, we can help you find justice through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Contact Our Experienced Southern California Rideshare Accident Lawyers
At SoCal Injury Lawyers, we are dedicated to helping rideshare accident victims fight back against companies like Uber and Lyft. We know that these companies typically seek to deny liability for accidents caused by their drivers, even though their drivers may no longer be considered independent contractors under California law. This is why understanding the complicated insurance rules for rideshare services is crucial.
We have the knowledge and skill to hold rideshare companies and their drivers accountable and will fight for every dollar you deserve. While rideshare accident claims can often be resolved by negotiating with an insurance company, we know that insurers often attempt to pay as little as possible to settle claims. If an insurer fails to make a reasonable settlement offer, our trial lawyers are fully prepared to litigate your case in court.
When you become our client, you will not pay any attorneys’ fees to us until we win compensation for you. If you or a loved one has been injured in a rideshare accident, contact SoCal Injury Lawyers today for a free evaluation of your case.