Guiding Injured Victims Toward Their Rightful Compensation
Relying on rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft for transportation has become increasingly common over the past decade. Knowing you have a safe, comfortable ride to and from your destination in the Los Angeles area can give you peace of mind. However, it’s important to remember that rideshare drivers aren’t necessarily more responsible or skilled at driving than other drivers on the road, which is why some are involved in serious car accidents. If you were a victim of one of these accidents in Los Angeles, you should seek legal help from experienced Uber accident firm.
When you contact California Legal Counsel for legal representation as an injured victim, you’ll speak with a caring rideshare accident lawyer who will determine if you’re entitled to financial compensation after suffering injuries in a Lyft or Uber car accident. Contact our Los Angeles law office to schedule a free consultation with an Uber or Lyft accident lawyer who is committed to winning your case.
What Should You Do After a Lyft or Uber Accident in Los Angeles?
Whether you’re an injured passenger or a driver who was struck by a rideshare driver in Los Angeles, you might be feeling confused and vulnerable in the aftermath of the rideshare accident. But you’re not as powerless over the situation as you might think, since taking a few important steps can make a significant difference on any personal injury claims you make after the car accident.
In particular, you can help your Lyft or Uber accident claim by taking the following actions after a Los Angeles rideshare accident:
- Check yourself and anyone else inside the vehicle for injuries
- Call 911 to report the rideshare accident and ask for an ambulance if necessary
- Let the paramedics examine you for severe injuries that may require emergency medical attention
- If your injuries don’t require you to take an ambulance to the hospital, stay at the car accident scene until the police arrive so you can file a police report
- Take photos and videos of your injuries, nearby traffic signs, and the damage to the cars involved in the crash
- Ask any witnesses for their contact information before you leave the scene of the rideshare accident
- Make sure you have the correct contact information for the Uber or Lyft driver in case you decide to file a personal injury claim against them
- Report the Lyft or Uber accident to the appropriate rideshare company via their website or app
- Contact your doctor for an exam to find out if you have any hidden rideshare accident injuries that need medical treatment
- Call Los Angeles Lyft or Uber accident attorneys to learn what your next step should be as a rideshare accident victim
When you call our Southern California law firm, you’ll get personalized attention from a Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyer who has spent years helping Lyft and Uber accident victims pursue fair compensation. If you’re worried about how you’ll afford your medical expenses and other bills as you heal from a Los Angeles rideshare accident, contact us for a free initial consultation with an Uber and Lyft accident lawyer.
Who Can Be Held Liable for an Uber or Lyft Accident?
If you decide to bring a personal injury claim against the at-fault party, one of the main questions you might have is whose insurance company will be liable for your losses. The answer depends on the circumstances of the rideshare accident you were involved in, as Uber and Lyft drivers have different insurance coverage when they transport passengers than they do when they’re waiting for passengers to request a ride.
Both rideshare companies offer the most insurance coverage when Uber and Lyft drivers have paying customers in the car at the time of the rideshare accident. In fact, the primary commercial insurance coverage that may apply to certain rideshare accidents goes up to $1 million. The underinsured motorist coverage and uninsured motorist coverage on such policies also reach $1 million. So, if your Lyft or Uber driver was driving you to your destination when they crashed, the rideshare company’s insurance policy will cover the damages.
The same coverage applies when rideshare drivers crash after they have accepted a ride request and are on the way to pick up the passenger. So, if a rideshare driver struck your vehicle while on their way to a passenger’s pickup location, you can bring an Uber or Lyft accident claim against their commercial auto policy.
However, different insurance coverage will apply if the driver was logged into the Lyft or Uber app and had not accepted a ride request yet when they struck you. Namely, while the rideshare company’s commercial auto insurance is still liable for the damages, the limit on the policy is much lower than $1 million. For instance, the bodily injury liability insurance coverage is $50,000 per injured person and $100,000 per car accident. The liability insurance for property damage is limited to $30,000 per rideshare accident. Rideshare companies also provide $200,000 in extra liability insurance when rideshare drivers cause an accident before accepting a ride request.
If the rideshare driver was not logged into the Uber or Lyft app when the car accident occurred, the rideshare company’s insurance policy would not be liable for the damages since the driver wasn’t behind the wheel for work. Instead, the driver’s personal car insurance would be expected to pay the claim. Their limits could be minimal and insufficient to pay for your losses, or the insurance company could deny your claim. This is why it’s essential to hire a Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyer to identify the insurer responsible for your claim and negotiate a fair settlement. Call our Los Angeles law office today to learn more.
What Compensation Can You Get from Your Uber or Lyft Accident Claim?
Los Angeles rideshare accidents can cause severe injuries and property damage for accident victims, leaving them in pain and unable to work for a while. If this sounds like your situation after an Uber or Lyft accident, we will file a personal injury claim for financial compensation. This could lead to you getting a combination of economic and non-economic damages from the negligent driver or their insurance provider.
If you’re unsure how you could benefit from filing a claim, it helps to learn what kinds of damages you can be compensated for as an injured victim. The most common economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
So, if you had to seek medical attention after your Los Angeles rideshare accident, you should be compensated for the total of the medical bills stemming from the crash. If you need additional medical treatment in the future – such as surgery and physical therapy – your settlement should include money to pay for these expenses, too. Finally, if you lost wages from taking time off work and will need car repairs, bringing a claim against the at-fault Lyft or Uber driver is often recommended.
Our skilled Lyft and Uber accident law firm can also get injured victims payment for non-economic damages. These can include disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering. If you’d like to recover compensation for any losses related to a Los Angeles Uber or Lyft accident, contact California Legal Counsel to learn more about rideshare accident cases.
Are You Ready to Hire a Los Angeles Uber Accident Lawyer?
If you were severely injured in a Southern California Uber or Lyft accident, you should get legal assistance to determine if the driver or the rideshare company they work for may be liable for your injuries. It’s particularly helpful to talk to Los Angeles personal injury attorneys who have handled countless cases involving rideshare accidents, which is why you should call California Legal Counsel.
Our Uber and Lyft accident attorneys have represented numerous rideshare accident victims who were injured by Lyft or Uber drivers guilty of distracted driving, impaired driving, or other negligent actions behind the wheel. If you’re unsure who caused the Uber or Lyft accident and whose liability insurance to hold responsible, you can depend on our legal team to find out.
Our skilled Uber and Lyft accident office are adept at investigating rideshare accidents for clients, gathering medical records, police reports, witness statements, and other evidence to show the extent of the damage caused by negligent Uber and Lyft drivers. We have a private investigator on staff, in the office, everyday for this very purpose. If you’re ready to learn more about the compensation available to victims of rideshare accidents, call 866-691-2077 for a free consultation with a caring Uber and Lyft accident lawyer.