Encino Uber Accident Lawyers
Get Compensation for Your Injuries Our Encino Uber Accident Lawyers Can Help
Los Angeles County holds the unfortunate reputation of having the highest accident rate in the state. Even in the tranquil and relatively affluent neighborhood of Encino, part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area, accidents can happen unexpectedly and cause immense distress among residents.
If you’ve been injured in an Uber accident, our exceptional lawyers are prepared to assist you. We’ll promptly evaluate your accident and injuries, and should we take on your case, you can be confident that we’ll do everything in our power to achieve the best possible outcome. Our attorneys will take care of the legal paperwork, negotiations, and court appearances, allowing you to prioritize your recovery.
A farm worker, suffered multiple broken bones and other orthopedic injuries resulting from an auto accident where the defendant driver attempted to make a left turn in front of our client in heavy fog.– ARASH KHORSANDI
Why Choose Our Experienced Encino Uber Accident Attorneys to Represent Your Case?
- We’ll go beyond conducting initial witness interviews and preliminary evidence. We’ll also go to nearby businesses, traffic cameras, and even dashcam footage to uncover crucial details about the accident.
- We’ll examine the accident scene for overlooked clues like skid marks, debris patterns, and damaged signs while also reviewing digital evidence like the Uber app’s data and traffic light patterns.
- We’ll delve into the company’s policies and procedures, exposing any shortcomings that contributed to the accident, like inadequate driver training or lax background checks.
- We’ll leverage the strength of your case to secure a settlement that covers all your present and future needs.
What to Do After an Uber Accident in Encino, CA
- If possible, move to a safe location to avoid further incidents or injuries.
- Call the police and medical personnel immediately.
- File a police report and notify Uber through their app or customer support.
- Do not admit fault for the accident.
- Take photos of all involved vehicles from various angles, including any relevant objects like traffic lights or signs.
- Collect names, contact details, and insurance information from everyone involved, including witnesses.
- Even if you feel unharmed, get checked out by a medical professional and document all medical records.
- Consult our skilled Uber accident lawyers in Encino to guide you through the legal process. Our legal team will advocate for your rights and help you obtain fair compensation for your injuries.
Insurance Coverage for Uber Drivers
Uber offers varying levels of insurance coverage, which are determined by the driver’s status at the time an accident occurs.
- Not logged into the app – When you’re not using the app, your Uber driver’s covered just like any other motorist. If they cause an accident, their personal auto insurance steps in as long as they meet the state minimums: $15,000 per person for injury/death, $30,000 total for multiple injuries/deaths, and $5,000 for property damage.
- Logged into the app and awaiting a ride request – If the Uber driver is logged in to the Uber app and is actively awaiting a ride request, Uber offers the following insurance coverage: $50,000 for injury or death to a single individual, $100,000 for injury or death involving multiple individuals, $25,000 for property damage.
- Accepted a ride request or currently with a rideshare passenger – Once the Uber driver has accepted a ride request and until the passenger arrives at their location, Uber’s considerable $1 million in third-party liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury, and contingent comprehensive and collision insurance come into play.
Common Causes of Uber Accidents in Encino, CA
- Distracted Driving – The top cause of most automobile accidents, distracted driving, also applies to Uber accidents. The distraction can stem from a variety of sources, such as checking the Uber app for passenger details, using a GPS system for navigation, eating, or even answering phone calls. Anything that takes a driver’s attention off the road can lead to an accident.
- Fatigue – To maximize their earnings, some Uber drivers work long hours or pick up rides during late-night hours, leading to driver fatigue. This can decrease alertness, slow reaction times, and increase the risk of an accident.
- Speeding – In a bid to complete as many trips as possible within a given timeframe, some Uber drivers may exceed speed limits. Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around curves or objects in the roadway and extends the distance required to stop a vehicle.
- Lack of Experience – While Uber has specific requirements for their drivers—such as a minimum age of 21 and at least one year of driving experience—these requirements do not ensure that drivers have the adequate skills to navigate all traffic, weather, or road conditions safely.
- Vehicle Maintenance Issues – Improperly maintained vehicles increase the risk of accidents. While Uber enforces certain vehicle requirements, including periodic inspections, unforeseen issues such as brake failures or tire blowouts can still occur.
- Impaired Driving – Though Uber has a zero-tolerance policy toward drugs and alcohol for its drivers, instances of impaired driving still occur.
- External Factors – Factors beyond a driver’s control, like bad weather, poor road conditions, or the actions of other drivers, can also lead to accidents.
Our competent Encino Uber accident lawyers can guide you through the complicated terrain of ride-sharing accidents, ensuring your rights are upheld and helping secure the compensation you rightfully deserve.
What Compensation Are You Entitled to Receive After an Uber Accident?
Compensation or damages are typically classified into two broad categories: economic damages and non-economic damages. These categories encompass the various ways in which a victim may suffer loss or harm.
Economic Damages
- Medical Expenses – This type of damage includes costs of hospital stays, physical therapy, medication, surgeries, and future healthcare costs related to the injury.
- Loss of Earnings – The victim may be compensated for lost income due to missed work.
- Loss of Future Earning Capacity – If the victim’s ability to work in the future is affected, they can claim damages for potential future losses.
- Property Damages – Any costs associated with repairs or replacement of damaged property, such as vehicles, are compensated under this category.
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and Suffering – This type of damage accounts for any physical pain and suffering endured by the victim as a result of the injury.
- Mental Anguish – Emotional distress, anxiety, depression, or diminished quality of life fall under this category.
- Loss of Consortium – If the injuries have caused the loss of the ability to maintain a relationship with a spouse or partner, victims may be awarded damages for loss of companionship, affection, sexual relations, etc.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life – If the injury prevents the victim from enjoying day-to-day activities, hobbies, exercise, and other pleasure sources, they could be entitled to these damages.
Common Causes of Uber Accidents in Encino, CA
Distracted Driving
Driver Fatigue
Long hours behind the wheel can leave even the most seasoned driver drowsy. Exhaustion impairs judgment and reaction times, making it harder to navigate sudden situations and avoid collisions.
Improper Vehicle Maintenance
Uber drivers are responsible for their vehicle’s maintenance—a task that some neglect due to costs or time constraints. This oversight can lead to mechanical failures, resulting in unfortunate accidents.
Speeding
Meeting personal quotas and maximizing earnings can tempt some drivers to push the pedal a little too hard. Speeding is a recipe for disaster, increasing the severity of any potential crash.
Our Encino Uber accident lawyers can help you gather the necessary physical evidence to assert liability for your accident, help you understand the scope of your financial losses, and advocate for just compensation for what you’ve been through.
Verdict in a mild traumatic brain injury case involving a motor vehicle collision– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
Proving Liability for An Uber Accident in Encino, CA
When liability is contested in a personal injury case, the state’s pure comparative negligence law comes into play. According to this legal framework, the plaintiff’s awarded compensation could be reduced by a percentage corresponding to their degree of fault for the accident. So, liability can be attributed to different parties—the driver, Uber, or other third parties.
- Duty of Care – This principle suggests that each person has a legal responsibility to avoid conduct or actions that could potentially harm others. In certain circumstances, it can be a professional duty, like a doctor’s obligation towards their patients.
- Breach of Duty – If it can be proven that the party at fault failed to fulfill their duty of care, a breach is said to have occurred. Establishing the existence of a breach of duty can often involve demonstrating that the defendant behaved in a way that is different from how a reasonable person would have acted under similar circumstances.
- Causation – There must be a direct and fair connection linking the breach of duty to the injury suffered by the plaintiff. It is necessary to demonstrate that the harmful outcome was not just a chance occurrence or related to another event.
- Damages – Economic damages could include medical bills or property damage, while non-economic damages might consist of pain and suffering or emotional distress. Regardless, the plaintiff must prove they suffered some type of harm as a result of the defendant’s negligence.
Uber Accident Statistics
- Between 2017 and 2019, Uber vehicles were involved in 107 fatal crashes and 2,935 non-fatal accidents in the U.S., resulting in 3,221 related injuries.
- Uber’s Safety Report for 2019 and 2020 showed that Uber vehicles were involved in 91 fatal accidents, claiming the lives of 101 people.
- The two leading causes of these fatal accidents are speeding (32%) and drunk driving (23%).
- Pedestrians make up the largest group of victims (64%), followed by vulnerable road users (42%), motorcyclists (29%), and cyclists (7%).
Filing a Personal Injury Claim After an Uber Accident in Encino, CA
Get Professional Legal Help from Our Encino Uber Accident Lawyers Today
At Arash Law, we won’t let ride-share giants and insurance companies stand in your way of obtaining a just outcome. Contact us today at (888) 488-1391 and safeguard your rights and interests. Our Encino Uber accident lawyers have years of experience getting through insurance hurdles and securing fair compensation for accident victims.
We offer legal services in Encino and various neighboring cities, including Sherman Oaks, Topanga, Calabasas, Northridge, North Hills, Westwood, West Hollywood, North Hollywood, Van Nuys, Magnolia Park, Panorama City, Hansen Hills, Sun Valley, Magnolia Park, Woodland Hills, and Chatsworth.