Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Lawyers
We’ll tell you if you have a case or not, call (888) 488-1391 — We’re here 24 hours a day.
Our Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Lawyers Offer Professional Legal Assistance
Like any other mode of transportation in the city, ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft can also be involved in traffic accidents. When that happens, accident victims may need legal representation to pursue financial recovery. Call the Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyers at Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
The demand for ridesharing services in Los Angeles is at an all-time high. While Uber and Lyft can help you escape the hassle of traffic or get you home safely after a few drinks, safety remains an issue. As the number of rideshare users increases, congestion and traffic incidents also continue to rise. To assist you, the Lyft and Uber accident lawyers at Arash Law provide legal representation and support in seeking appropriate compensation for your damages.
How Can Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Attorneys Help You Seek Compensation For Damages?
Taking on ridesharing companies like Lyft or Uber as an injured victim on your own will not be easy, as they also work to protect their interests. You may receive initial settlement offers that do not address the full extent of your losses. Without legal counsel, you risk accepting a settlement that may not be sufficient to cover your damages.
It is advisable to hire a rideshare or car accident lawyer to represent you in your claim against rideshare companies. With the support of experienced personal injury attorneys, you can level the playing field when dealing with these companies and their insurance providers.
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 Hire Our Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Lawyers For Your Case?
Claims for damages involving large rideshare companies may not be easy to manage on your own. There are challenges in pursuing accountability from these corporations for their negligence and in seeking a fair settlement for your case. Arash Law’s rideshare accident attorneys in Los Angeles can guide you through the legal process so you can pursue just compensation for your losses. Here’s what our team offers:
- Legal Support and Resources — Having legal representation for your injury case after an unexpected traffic crash allows you to focus on your well-being while we handle the legal matters. Our personal injury lawyers work diligently to develop a well-documented case.
- Thorough Investigation — Our lawyer will conduct a detailed investigation of the crash, gather evidence, and assess liability. In some cases, they may consult professionals like accident reconstructionists or medical doctors to provide insights that can support your claim.
- Estimate Damages — Our team can help identify the available compensation for your case and estimate its potential value. We can assist in documenting your losses, including medical bills, lost wages, and future medical care. We also consider the emotional and psychological effects of the accident.
- Settlement and Litigation Support — Our lawyers can handle communications and negotiations with insurance companies and the opposing counsel on your behalf. We work to advocate for your rights throughout the process. If a settlement is not reached, we may recommend taking the case to court. Our lawyers are prepared to represent your interests before a judge or jury.
How Rideshare Works In Los Angeles
Using an app on a smartphone, passengers can request transportation services from ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft. The nearest drivers available are notified and sent to the location of a potential passenger who submits a request. Their rates are relatively cheaper than taxi fees, making them more appealing. However, drivers are classified as independent contractors instead of employees, minimizing the company’s costs by passing on expenses like gas. Labeling them as such also allows these companies to limit insurance liabilities.
While ridesharing companies offer coverage for passengers who get hurt in an accident involving their drivers, things can easily get complicated when third parties like pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers are involved. Essentially, their coverage may apply when an incident occurs between rides, especially if the driver’s personal insurance cannot cover it.
If the driver’s coverage does not fully cover the damages resulting from an accident, does the victim need their own policy to cover the gap, or will a third party cover it? When the at-fault driver was operating a commercial vehicle, should their personal policy be relevant? These questions on third-party liability insurance in the ridesharing industry can be challenging to comprehend. With our experience handling ridesharing accident cases in Los Angeles, our rideshare lawyers can address these questions and concerns.
What To Do After A Los Angeles Rideshare Accident
Feeling shocked and lost as a passenger after getting involved in a rideshare accident is normal. However, it’s crucial to take some steps to protect your rights and pursue a settlement for your injuries and losses. After a traffic accident involving Uber or Lyft, here are some actions to consider:
- Stay calm, move to a safe place, and do not leave the scene of the accident.
- Call the authorities and emergency responders.
- Explain what happened to the police, but do not admit any fault for causing the crash.
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine.
- Obtain the police’s official report of the accident.
- Collect the information of the other parties involved, including their names, contact details, and insurance information.
- Request the contact information of any witnesses or business establishments with surveillance footage of the crash.
- Gather evidence by taking photos and videos of the accident site and your injuries.
- Report the accident to Uber or Lyft.
- Consult a Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyer for legal guidance and representation.
Rideshare Accident Statistics
Ridesharing has revolutionized transportation worldwide, giving billions of people a new way to travel. Uber and Lyft, the ridesharing companies, continue to dominate the industry. In the U.S. rideshare market, current industry data indicates Uber maintains approximately three-quarters of the U.S. rideshare market, with Lyft holding the remaining quarter. Rideshare usage has expanded considerably among American consumers.
As they become more widespread, some studies have indicated a potential link between the rise of ride-hailing services and an increase in traffic accidents. With thousands of traffic fatalities and injuries recorded each year, this added risk underscores the importance of learning your legal options in the aftermath of a rideshare accident. Reach out to our Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyers to learn more.
Common Injuries In A Rideshare Accident In Los Angeles
Some injuries you might sustain in a rideshare accident can heal quickly. Others may leave you permanently disabled. Regardless of the severity of your injuries, you may be able to pursue financial reimbursement for the expenses you incurred while recovering, including compensation for psychological effects that may persist after physical healing. To aid in the claims process, it’s important to keep records of your injuries and all the medical attention you receive.
The following are the common injuries the Los Angeles rideshare accident attorneys at Arash Law encounter when handling cases involving Uber or Lyft:
- Head and brain injuries.
- Back and neck injuries, including whiplash.
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis.
- Fractures or broken bones.
- Injuries to the legs and knees.
- Any internal injuries.
- Soft-tissue injuries.
- Scrapes, cuts, and other serious lacerations.
- Severe bruising or contusions.
- Severed limbs or amputations.
- Psychological issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Visits to the doctor, physical therapy, and rehabilitation after a severe accident can be costly. The financial and emotional burdens of recovering from injuries can be overwhelming. Our Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyers provide legal assistance in pursuing compensation for your injuries and losses. In tragic cases, rideshare accidents may lead to death. In such situations, the victim’s family may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim.
How Are Rideshare Accidents Different From Car Accidents?
Despite some similarities, there are significant legal distinctions between rideshare accidents and typical car accidents. Understanding your rights and legal options may require careful consideration of these differences.
The following are some of the differences our rideshare accident lawyers in Los Angeles observe when handling rideshare injury cases:
- A Third Party Is Involved — In certain situations, victims may file insurance claims against the company itself rather than the liable driver.
- The Rideshare Company Can Be Negligent — Even massive companies like Uber, Lyft, and others may be held accountable due to negligent hiring, training, or violating regulations governing safety inspections.
- Self-Driving Cars — In case the rideshare accident is caused by a malfunction in a self-driving vehicle’s software or hardware, the ridesharing company may bear the liability.
Vicarious liability, which holds employers accountable for their on-duty employees’ negligence, generally does not apply to rideshare companies, as they categorize their drivers as independent contractors instead of employees. However, accident victims may still file claims under certain circumstances, even if this classification limits the companies’ liability. A rideshare accident lawyer in Los Angeles can help you evaluate your case and pursue appropriate compensation for damages.
Common Causes Of Rideshare Accidents In Los Angeles
Determining what usually causes a ridesharing accident in Los Angeles can help raise awareness and promote prevention. It can also help in identifying who may be held liable for your damages and losses. Ridesharing accidents often result from the following causes:
- Negligence by the Rideshare Driver — Like other drivers, rideshare drivers can make the same mistakes that cause accidents, such as distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, reckless driving, and violating traffic rules.
- Negligence by a Third-Party Driver — Regardless of how responsible the rideshare driver is, another motorist can end up crashing into them. The third-party driver’s insurance carrier may cover the damage. If there are any remaining costs, the rideshare company may cover the difference.
- Negligence by the Rideshare Company — Ridesharing companies can be held accountable if they are found negligent in their hiring and operational policies, such as checking their drivers’ backgrounds or failing to provide proper training.
- Failure to Maintain Equipment — Because rideshare companies generally do not perform regular maintenance on drivers’ personal vehicles, poor vehicle upkeep can contribute to accidents. Inadequate maintenance is a common cause of traffic incidents.
- Poor or Dangerous Road Conditions — Potholes on the road, missing guardrails, defective traffic signs, poorly designed junctions, and other dangerous road conditions can cause traffic accidents. The city or state governments may bear responsibility for the resulting injuries in these cases.
California’s fault-based statute requires the party at fault to pay for damages. The Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyers at Arash Law can thoroughly investigate your crash to determine its cause and identify who may be liable for your damages.
Common Types Of Ridesharing Accidents In Los Angeles
Accidents involving ridesharing companies can occur in various ways. Your Uber or Lyft driver might have struck another car while you were a passenger, resulting in an accident. Or maybe another vehicle hit the Uber or Lyft you were riding in. Determining the cause of the accident is important for identifying who may be legally responsible for any resulting injuries or losses. Other common ridesharing accidents our Los Angeles ridesharing accident lawyers can help you with include the following:- A Ridesharing Driver Hit a Pedestrian — Driver-related errors are a common cause of pedestrian accidents. Drivers have a legal duty to use reasonable care to avoid hitting pedestrians while crossing slightly beyond the crosswalk lines or after a signal change.
- Ridesharing Drivers Hit Non-Ridesharing Drivers — If a rideshare driver causes a collision with your vehicle, they may be liable for your property damage and injuries.
- A Non-Ridesharing Driver Hit a Ridesharing Car With Passengers — Typically, the at-fault driver is responsible for compensating the accident victims. In this instance, the other driver and their insurer would pay for your injuries.
- A Ridesharing Driver Caused an Accident While Transporting a Passenger — When a rideshare driver is at fault for an accident, their insurance should cover the passenger’s injuries. In addition, the rideshare company’s insurance policy may provide additional coverage depending on the situation. Both policies may be available to compensate a passenger injured due to the rideshare driver’s negligence.
Who Is Liable For A Los Angeles Rideshare Accident?
Since Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing companies classify their drivers as independent contractors, holding them accountable for accidents caused by their drivers can be complicated. Accident victims may pursue a personal injury claim against them, depending on whether the at-fault driver was “on-duty” during the accident or when the company is found to be responsible, for instance, for failing to check their drivers thoroughly before hiring them. A Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyer can help you navigate these nuances and assess liability.
In general, if the rideshare driver caused the accident, they may be held liable for your injuries and losses. Because they are driving for commercial purposes, the rideshare company’s insurance policy typically serves as the primary coverage. The same applies if another, non-rideshare driver is at fault. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, the rideshare company’s Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may apply to help cover damages. If multiple parties are involved, California’s pure comparative negligence rule allocates fault among them according to each party’s degree of responsibility.
What Can An Insurance Policy Cover In A Rideshare Accident?
While rideshare drivers in California are required to carry personal auto insurance for their vehicles, their policies may not be enough to cover commercial vehicle accidents. This means you can file your claim with the ridesharing company instead. Uber and Lyft have commercial auto insurance that varies depending on the period the accident took place, as well as supplemental liability insurance that aims to supplement the driver’s auto insurance in case of an uninsured or underinsured motorist accident.
For both Uber and Lyft, when a driver isn’t logged into the app and driving for personal reasons, the company’s coverage won’t apply. When the driver is logged in, a certain amount of coverage is offered depending on the time the accident happened. Basically, the insurance coverage limits will vary whether the driver is offline or in Periods 1, 2, or 3 (or in “Driver” or “Ride Mode” for Lyft).
- Offline — The driver’s personal auto insurance will take effect when they get involved in an accident while offline and not logged into the ridesharing app.
- Period 1 — When the driver is logged into their ridesharing app but is still waiting for a ride, the insurance policy limits include:
- $50,000 of liability coverage for bodily injury per person.
- $100,000 of liability coverage for bodily injury per accident.
- $25,000 of liability coverage for property damage per accident.
- In addition, Uber provides $200,000 in excess liability insurance coverage.
- Period 2 — The rideshare driver accepts a trip and is on the way to the rider’s location.
- Period 3 — The rideshare driver picks up a passenger and is in transit.
- In both periods (the Lyft Ride Mode), the rideshare company provides $1 million in liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
If an accident occurs, determining which insurance policy applies can be complex and depends on the specific facts of the case. Consulting a Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyer can help you understand your coverage options and pursue fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
December 2016: $22M+ verdict in a mild traumatic brain injury case. The entire details of the case can be found in the public record filings by the defendant entity that sued its defense.– BRIAN BEECHER
Can I Sue A Rideshare Company For My Personal Injuries?
While it is possible, suing a rideshare company to pursue damages for your injuries is not an easy task to do alone. You can seek compensation more effectively by hiring Los Angeles rideshare accident attorneys from Arash Law. Since rideshare drivers are independent contractors, the outcome of your claim or the lawsuit will depend on the circumstances of your crash and who is found to be liable.
If you were injured as a passenger in a rideshare vehicle or if a rideshare driver struck you while you were walking, cycling, or driving, and the rideshare driver is at fault, you may file a claim or sue the rideshare company for compensation. The rideshare company’s commercial insurance policy will cover your medical bills and other damages.
Lyft’s terms of service include an arbitration clause, which may require certain disputes to be resolved through arbitration rather than through a traditional lawsuit. However, this provision has exceptions, and an attorney can help you understand your legal options and the appropriate course of action for your situation. A lawyer can handle the legal complexities on your behalf, including building your case, gathering evidence, communicating with insurance providers, and representing you in court if necessary.
What Types Of Compensation Are Available In Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Cases?
In California, accident victims have the right to seek compensatory damages for injuries and losses. While compensation cannot undo the harm suffered, it can help alleviate the financial impact. Compensatory damages are generally classified as economic or non-economic. In certain cases, punitive damages may also be awarded if the at-fault party acted with willful or gross negligence.
Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to tangible, quantifiable losses that can be calculated and claimed in a settlement or lawsuit. Examples include:
- Medical bills, including future expenses due to ongoing care, rehabilitation, etc.
- Property damage, including the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle.
In case of a wrongful death claim, an eligible family member may pursue:
- Funeral and burial expenses.
- The deceased’s financial support or losses of benefits.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages compensate for losses that do not have a direct monetary value and can vary widely between individuals. Your legal counsel can account for the following types of losses:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Damage to reputation
- Permanent disability and disfigurement
Punitive Damages
A judge may award punitive damages under California Civil Code 3294 when they rule that the at-fault party should be punished due to their actions being considered extremely careless or malicious. Punitive damages serve to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future. Only a judge can grant this, but your Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyers can provide guidance on whether your case may qualify.
How Much Is A Rideshare Accident Case Worth?
Case values depend on the victim’s injury severity, medical expenses, likelihood of future medical treatment, age, health, and other case-specific considerations. An attorney can thoroughly review your case and help estimate its potential value.
How Long Do I Have To File My Rideshare Accident Claim?
California’s statute of limitations dictates how much time a party has to bring their claim. In cases of personal injuries, like in ridesharing accidents, injured parties generally have two years from the date of the accident or the discovery of the injury to submit a claim. When government vehicles are involved, the timeframe is only six months.
Certain exceptions exist, such as when a minor is involved. Waiting too long or failing to submit your claim within the deadline may result in forfeiting your rights to compensation. To protect your rights and begin the claims process, consider contacting Arash Law’s Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyers.
FAQs About Rideshare Accidents In Los Angeles
What If I Contributed To A Rideshare Accident In Los Angeles?
Since California is a pure comparative negligence state, it is still possible for you to pursue financial compensation even if you are found to be partly liable for the rideshare accident. Your share of fault will be calculated as a percentage, and that percentage may be deducted from the total amount of your settlement or award.
What If Both Drivers Are At Fault For A Rideshare Accident?
When more than one party shares responsibility for a rideshare accident, each may be held legally liable for a portion of the victim’s damages. In California, comparative negligence determines the allocation of fault, meaning each party is responsible for paying damages in proportion to their degree of responsibility for the accident.
Call Our Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Lawyers For A Free Case Review
The emotional and financial toll of an accident injury might get considerably more complicated when ridesharing services like Uber or Lyft are involved. Our team of Los Angeles rideshare accident attorneys at Arash Law provides legal representation and advocates for the rights of accident victims to seek just compensation.
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients are not required to pay attorney’s fees unless compensation is obtained. However, certain case-related expenses may still apply.
Our Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyers also serve nearby cities and communities, including Lancaster, Lake Hughes, Quartz Hill, Palmdale, Santa Clarita, Thousand Oaks, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Malibu, Torrance, Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine, Lake Forest, Mission, Chino, San Clemente, Riverside, San Bernardino, Hesperia, and Victorville.
Latest Traffic Reports in California
