Alameda Uber Accident Lawyers
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Alameda Uber Accident Lawyers Turning Injured Victims Into Victors!
Injured while on an Uber trip? Our experienced Alameda Uber accident lawyers are ready to help you secure maximum settlement for your losses. Kickstart the success of your case by reaching out to us at (888) 488-1391.
Famous for its beautiful beaches and scenic picnic spots, Alameda provides stunning views of the East Bay hills and the San Francisco skyline. However, due to its busy community, the city witnesses more car accidents, sometimes involving ridesharing services like Uber. Thankfully, the injured victims may be entitled to compensation from the negligent party, per the law.
If you have sustained severe injuries in an Uber accident, seeking legal counsel from an experienced rideshare accident attorney is crucial. There is no need to scour the Internet for the best Uber accident attorneys. Under Arash Khorsandi, Esq.’s direction, our Alameda personal injury law firm team brings over two decades of expertise, securing a remarkable track record with hundreds of millions in compensation for our clients.
Settlement in a bicycle versus taxi cab company accident; client suffered lower leg injuries– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
What Is Uber, and How Does It Work?
Uber is a transportation company with a user-friendly app that facilitates ride-hailing and driver fare collection. A key player in today’s sharing economy, this technology-driven service operates on a ridesharing model. They hire independent contractors as drivers who use their own vehicles to transport passengers.
The app connects passengers with these independent drivers. Interestingly, Uber also provides rental and lease options to support its drivers through trusted partners like Hertz, Get Around, and Fair. Drivers can also use UberFleet to manage their squads. Dynamic pricing benefits both drivers and passengers by adjusting fares based on demand. During peak hours, passengers are charged more to ensure a sufficient number of drivers.
Uber Accident Statistics
As ridesharing companies take over the urban transportation market, the likelihood of rideshare accidents also rises. As shown in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report, Uber vehicles were involved in 107 fatal accidents in the U.S. between 2017 and 2019. Additionally, 2,935 non-fatal crashes involving Uber vehicles during the same period resulted in 3,221 injuries.
Meanwhile, Uber’s safety report for 2019 to 2020 revealed that 91 fatal Uber accidents resulted in 101 deaths. In 32% of these collisions, at least one vehicle was speeding. The second leading cause of these accidents was drinking and driving, accounting for 23%. Pedestrians were involved in 64% of Uber accidents, while vulnerable road users accounted for 42%, third-party motorcycle riders for 29%, and bicyclists for 7%.
What To Do After An Uber Accident In Alameda
In case of an unexpected turn during your Uber ride, staying informed and taking the necessary steps is vital. With ridesharing regulations and laws constantly changing, it is crucial to know your rights if you experience any harm, loss, or damage to property during an Uber accident.
Here’s what you need to do if you are caught in an accident during your Uber trip:
Attend to any safety or medical needs.
After an accident, follow these key steps to protect everyone involved:
- Check yourself for injuries and medical needs.
- Examine the other parties for any potential wounds or medical needs.
- Evaluate the surroundings for potential risks, such as oncoming traffic.
- If someone needs medical attention, call for an ambulance. Remember, all states have Good Samaritan laws protecting individuals offering assistance after an accident.
Report the incident to the police and Uber.
- Police Reports Police car accident reports require the following:
- All details of the incident, including:
- – Date
- – Time
- – Location of the accident
- – Vehicle information
- – License plate numbers
- – Weather conditions
- – Road signs
- – Involved Property
- All parties’ ID information, including names, phone numbers, and addresses
- All parties’ insurance policies
- Detailed descriptions of any injuries or vehicle damage
- Photos or camera footage from the scene
- Sketch or diagram of the vehicle collision
- Testimonies from witnesses, passengers, and drivers
- Citations or law violations
- Any official conclusions on the cause of the accident
- Uber Reports
Document all relevant details of the accident.
Uber’s $1 million accident policy ensures that the passengers are fully protected during the ride. However, receiving compensation can be difficult because Uber drivers who cause accidents are classified as independent contractors. That is why passengers have to stay involved in the event of a crash, even though they are rarely held liable.
Gathering as much information as possible for the report, including insurance policies and the time of the crash, is crucial for determining how much Uber will pay for the accident. Additionally, it is necessary to provide the timeline of the Uber accident when filing a claim. Doing so helps determine Uber’s liability coverage for any damages.
- For Uber accidents before a ride request, there is $50,000 coverage in bodily injury per person or $100,000 in bodily injury per accident, plus $25,000 in property damage per accident.
- The coverage for accidents during pick-up or travel is up to $1,000,000 in damages.
Take legal action if necessary.
Hiring an Uber accident lawyer is beneficial if you are injured in an Uber accident. Legal action may not be required if you experience a minor injury in an Uber accident. Nevertheless, it is advisable to consult with a car accident attorney if you have incurred any loss due to the accident, regardless of its magnitude.
If a lawyer advises you, file an Uber accident claim for damages from:
- Lost working time
- Damaged or lost items
- Healthcare costs or hospital bills
- Property damage
- Resulting conditions from the accident (PTSD, anxiety, chronic pain, etc.)
Uber’s Liability Insurance
Uber drivers are considered independent contractors, not regular employees, under California Proposition 22. This means Uber drivers are responsible for carrying their own liability insurance. However, in certain situations, the rideshare company’s insurance policy may come into play. If a driver is fully responsible for an accident, their personal liability insurance may also be involved.
Rideshare drivers in California must have minimum liability coverage, including:
- $15,000 for bodily injury per person
- $30,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $5,000 for property damage.
As per California Assembly Bill No. 2293, transportation network companies like Uber must adhere to specific insurance requirements, including:
- Maintaining a $1 million insurance policy that covers personal injury, property damage, and death
- Providing $1 million in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
- Informing their drivers about the insurance coverage and liability limits provided while actively working and using the rideshare app.
- Informing the drivers that their personal auto policy will not cover the damages in the event of an accident while they are actively working and using the app.
Determining Liability In Uber Accident Cases
Rideshare Driver Liability (Driver At Fault)
While a driver uses a vehicle for ridesharing, their personal insurance policy may not provide coverage. And if the rideshare driver causes the accident, the ridesharing company’s insurance may come into play.
Ridesharing Company Liability (Driver At Fault)
Ridesharing companies can be held responsible for accidents caused by their drivers under the legal principle of respondeat superior. The Latin expression respondeat superior literally translates to “let the master answer.” Simply put, the company may be liable if a rideshare driver is caught in an accident while on the job.
Other Involved Drivers (Other Drivers At Fault)
Liability may not be limited to the rideshare driver or company. Other drivers involved in the accident may share liability for damages and medical expenses sustained by the injured party.
Statute Of Limitations
The statute of limitations refers to the time limit within which a lawsuit must be filed. It is crucial to adhere to this deadline, as most legal claims become invalid once the statute of limitations expires. The specific duration for filing a lawsuit varies depending on the nature of the legal dispute.
The timeframe or statute of limitations for California personal injury claims is established in Section 335.1 of the California Code of Civil Procedure. In this case, the lawsuit must be filed within two years from the time of the injury. However, if the injury was not immediately discovered, the time limit is reduced to one year from the date of discovery. Similarly, the statute of limitations for property damage cases is three years from when the damage occurred.
It is important to note that you have six months from the date of the injury to file your administrative claim for personal injury or personal property damage. There are a few exceptions, though. You can consult a lawyer or review section 911.2 and section 905 of the California Government Code.
The government has 45 days to respond to your claim. If the government agency denies your claim after 45 days, you will have a period of six months from the date of the denial to take legal action by filing a lawsuit in court. However, if you do not receive a rejection letter, you generally have two years from the incident to file your claim. Still, it is recommended to talk to a lawyer to determine the time limit for filing government claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens If My Uber Is In An Accident?
Both you and your Uber driver should notify Uber regarding the rideshare accident, either online via Uber’s website or the app’s Help section.
Information about the accident, including where you were, what happened, and a description of every vehicle involved, will be needed for the reporting process. Uber must also be informed if anyone is injured.
Will Uber Deactivate The Driver For An Accident?
Yes, Uber will deactivate the driver’s account after an accident, especially if the rideshare driver is proven to be at fault.
Does Uber Cover Accidents In Alameda, California?
Yes, Uber covers accidents in Alameda, CA. Uber and Lyft drivers are covered by the company’s liability insurance of up to $1 million when on duty. This insurance is meant to pay for any damages caused by the driver in case of an accident during a ride.
The following coverage limits may apply when an Uber or Lyft driver causes an accident:
- If the driver is signed in to the ridesharing app but has yet to accept a ride request, there is $50,000 coverage in bodily injury per person and $100,000 per accident.
- If the driver has accepted ride requests and is ready to pick up passengers, there is coverage of $1,000,000 in bodily injury per accident.
- If the passenger is in the rideshare driver’s vehicle, there is coverage of $1,000,000 in bodily injury per accident, limited property damage, and coverage for uninsured motorists.
How Do I Protect Myself On Uber?
Here are some tips from law enforcement to keep you safe on Uber:
- Make your trip request inside.
Reduce the amount of time you spend outside holding your phone. Instead, request your trip inside and wait until the app shows your driver has arrived. - Check your trip.
Please confirm that the license plate, vehicle make and model, and driver photo match what your Uber app lists each time you travel. This will help you get into the right car with the right driver every time. - Ask the driver to verify your identity.
Your driver’s app shows your first name, and yours shows theirs. To safely exchange names, ask the driver, “Who are you here to pick up?” The driver may also ask you to confirm their name for peace of mind. - Take the back seat.
Taking the back seat allows you and your driver to exit on either side of the vehicle without traffic, giving you privacy. - Wear your seat belt at all times.
According to the World Health Organization, using a seat belt is the most effective way to prevent injuries and save lives in auto accidents. - Tell your loved ones all the details of your Uber trip.
To notify a friend or family member of your location, license plate number, photo, and driver’s name, tap the Share Trip Status option in the app. Your trip and ETA will be tracked and sent to them via text or push notification. - Maintain the privacy of your data.
The app anonymizes your phone number when you call or message your driver. It also hides your pick-up and drop-off addresses from the driver’s trip history. - Trust your intuition.
Follow your instincts and use your best judgment when riding with Uber. If you ever feel that you’re in an urgent situation, you can call emergency services using the emergency button in your app. - Be considerate and polite.
As outlined in Uber’s Community Guidelines, please respect fellow passengers, your driver, and their car. - Provide trip feedback.
After each trip, you’re asked in the app to rate your trip. Your feedback helps keep Uber safe and enjoyable for everyone. If you ever experience a safety issue on a trip, please report it to Uber. Our 24/7 response team will follow up.
What Are The Responsibilities Of An Uber Driver?
A ridesharing driver’s responsibilities extend beyond driving from point A to point B. Here are some of the duties of an Uber driver:
- Keep passengers safe by following traffic rules and maintaining a safe environment within the vehicle.
- Greet passengers warmly to foster a positive and comfortable experience for them.
- Choose safe and convenient locations for pick-up and drop-off.
- Transport passengers to their destinations safely and efficiently by staying focused on the road, taking the best routes, and adapting driving behavior to guarantee a smooth and secure trip for everyone on board.
- Close each ride properly through the mobile app to complete the transaction and improve data tracking accuracy.
Morales v. Construction Group Staffing (settled on 7/23/2020) – settlement involving a client who was catastrophically injured when he fell from a height of 4 stories down a shaft. This is a record breaking California Workers’ Compensation settlement. Read more about this case on Yahoo! Finance News– TINA ESHGHIEH
Why You Need Alameda Uber Accident Lawyers
No matter how small your losses are, getting in touch with an Uber accident attorney after an incident is always beneficial. Here is a list of reasons why you should hire our Uber accident lawyers in Alameda, CA:
- We Can Accurately Evaluate Your Accident
Acquiring police reports, interviewing witnesses, and assessing vehicle damage can all be done efficiently with our help. We will file a claim for you once we have all the documents and statements. - We Will Negotiate With Insurance Companies
We can negotiate with big insurance companies on your behalf. Insurance companies often employ tactics such as offering inadequate settlements and challenging valid claims, especially when dealing with individuals who may not be familiar with the process. If you have been injured in an Uber accident, you should not deal with the other driver’s insurance company alone. They may not provide sufficient compensation for victims to recover financially and physically. - We Have Valuable Courtroom Experience
Many car accident victims receive compensation from insurance settlements, but some may need legal action. If the responsible party’s insurance company does not offer a fair settlement, filing a lawsuit might be the next step. Our team is here to help you through the complicated process of holding a negligent driver accountable. We will gather evidence, call witnesses, and build a solid case to guarantee you receive the maximum compensation. - We Will Meet Critical Deadlines
Our Uber accident lawyers understand critical legal deadlines. We will ensure you meet your deadlines and act quickly to file your lawsuit on time. If you fail to submit your claim on time, you might miss the chance to seek compensation for your suffering, medical bills, and emotional distress. Knowing that personal injury claims have specific time limits in each state is crucial; your lawyer will know about these deadlines. - We Can Determine What Kind Of Damages You Deserve
If you are unfamiliar with personal injury cases, you may only know some of the damages you are entitled to. But you can put your worries aside. Our qualified Alameda Uber accident lawyers can assess how the accident has affected aspects of your life and identify the losses you can legally recover.
Get In Touch With The Best Alameda Uber Accident Lawyers
Suffering a severe injury in an Alameda Uber accident is overwhelming. At Arash Law, we understand the impact of a traumatic accident. Our Alameda Uber accident lawyers are here to guide you through the legal process. They have over a decade of experience and are passionate about assisting individuals injured in car accidents.
Wherever you are in Alameda, including Woodstock, West End, West Alameda, Bay Farm Island, and more, trust that our legal team can come to your aid 24/7. We also serve other cities and counties nearby, namely Oakland, San Francisco, Fruitvale, Rockridge, Piedmont, Emeryville, Fremont, and beyond.
Dial (888) 488-1391 to discuss your case. We are Alameda’s trusted personal injury lawyers, your ally in pursuing justice and securing the maximum damages settlement.
