California Uber Accident Lawyers
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Our California Uber Accident Lawyers Have Won Hundreds of Millions
Booking an Uber to get to your destination means trusting your safety to an unknown driver. While Uber claims to hire professional drivers, there can be risks that can lead to accidents. Our California Uber accident lawyers at Arash Law, under the direction of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., will fight for your rights and recover maximum compensation for your Uber accident claim. Contact us at (888) 488-1391 for a free case evaluation.
Since its official launch in 2009, the rideshare service Uber has flourished from a small startup to a worldwide phenomenon. A user-friendly app, lower prices compared to traditional taxis, and modern convenience—these factors have propelled Uber rapidly to the top of its industry. Uber’s success, however, has not been without drawbacks.
Rideshare vehicle accidents, incompetent drivers, and even acts of violence have all occurred under the company’s watch. If you’ve recently suffered damages in a car collision while riding Uber, contact an experienced professional with extensive rideshare claim experience. Trust Arash Law, California’s most dependable Uber accident lawyers, with a 99% success rate.
Uber Driving and Accident Statistics
Today, Uber is a billion-dollar company with more than 5.4 Million drivers and over 15 million trips per day worldwide. It’s a global force that has experienced exponential growth since its start over a decade ago.
Due to their increased presence on the roads, Uber drivers face a heightened risk of collisions. The causes of these accidents are the same as those of other drivers—negligence, carelessness, recklessness, and unlawful acts.
According to Uber’s Safety Report, a remarkable 99% of journeys concluded without any safety-related incidents. In 2019-2020, reckless driving behavior, including alcohol impairment, speeding, or wrong-way driving, was involved in half of the fatalities. Third-party drivers caused 94% of these incidents.
Here are a few significant Uber statistics:
According to the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, in 2020, Uber trips in California typically peak from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Although accidents cannot be predicted and can happen at any time, everyone must be vigilant and prepared for what may happen.
Rideshare Insurance Requirements in California
In 2015, California passed Assembly Bill 2293. AB 2293 requires rideshare companies and drivers to carry liability insurance coverage. Ridesharing companies must provide a minimum of $1 million in liability insurance to cover the driver from the time he/she accepts a passenger match to the time the passenger exits the vehicle. Currently, however, the law does not require rideshare companies to carry collision or comprehensive coverage. The driver can carry these types of insurance on his or her personal policy.
Under AB 2293, the rideshare driver, the Transportation Network Company (TNC), or Uber’s affiliate will maintain primary third-party liability insurance in these amounts during Period 1, or the time when the Uber driver goes online and is available for a trip: $50,000 per individual, $100,000 per accident, and $30,000 for property damage. Uber must also carry $200,000 in excess liability coverage. The new law also means that a driver’s personal auto insurance coverage will not apply while the driver is logged into the rideshare app – unless the driver has specifically purchased insurance that includes ridesharing.
The $1 million in liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and contingent collision/comprehensive insurance (up to actual cash value) does not come into effect until the driver accepts a matched trip and is en route to pick up the passenger. Once the passenger leaves the vehicle, the insurance provided returns to Period 1 insurance if the driver remains on duty. If the driver exits the app, his/her personal insurance policy kicks in. If, however, a driver has a policy designed specifically for rideshare drivers, the drivers’ policy may come into play rather than the company’s.
Is Uber’s Insurance Coverage Enough In case of an Accident?
After an Uber accident, insurance questions and claims can be complicated. Despite having $1 million in liability insurance, the company’s policy has a gray area as to who is liable after a crash. There is fine print in Uber’s policy terms that states that passengers use the ridesharing platform at their own risk.
It holds that the company is not liable for the safety of its drivers or the quality of its services. This language contradicts the company’s insurance policy. This contradiction has led to several lawsuits against the company for failure to pay for driver and passenger damages.
In a simple car accident case, passengers may easily file a claim with Uber’s insurance company and receive a settlement offer. This, however, is not always the case. The company may deny its liability for your accident for any number of reasons, leaving you to file a claim with the driver’s insurance or with your own.
A third-party insurer may pay leftover costs if Uber’s insurance coverage isn’t enough to cover your damages. Discussing your chances of filing a personal injury claim against a responsible party with a personal injury attorney after an Uber accident is worthwhile. A personal injury claim often results in greater compensation than an insurance claim.
Uber Accident
$1,000,000.00
Settlement in an Under Insured Motorist Claim against ride share company; client suffered spinal injuries.– Judd Ross Allen
Examples of Common Uber Accidents
Uber drivers may have a greater responsibility than other drivers when carrying paying passengers, but they can still make the same mistakes. Uber accidents can stem from distracted drivers, cell phone use, tired drivers, and drunk drivers. A 23-year-old motorcyclist in Sherman Oaks recently died in a three-vehicle collision involving an Uber driver. The investigation stated that the Uber driver stopped on northbound 405, and the motorcyclist slammed into the rear of the vehicle. Investigators have not released who was at fault for the crash.
In Seattle, an Uber driver carrying passengers struck another vehicle before crashing into a gas station, causing a fire and explosion. The driver of the other vehicle later passed away from his injuries. The Uber driver got away with no injuries. In Dallas, Texas, a woman sued Uber and Honda for her crash-related injuries, which resulted in her paralysis. In this collision, the Uber driver ran a red light and collided with a pickup truck, causing the vehicle to roll over and trap the victim. The victim’s spinal cord sustained severe injuries, paralyzing her from the chest down. The lawsuit revealed that the Uber driver had a criminal background and was driving an uninsured car he did not own.
Sexual and Physical Assault by Uber Drivers
Uber’s incident history does not involve only vehicle collisions. Uber’s Safety Report in 2022 reveals 3,824 incidents of sexual assault. About 43% or nearly half of Uber’s sexual assault cases from 2019 to 2020 involved riders as the accused party. In California, Uber drivers have allegedly committed acts such as:
- Dragging passengers out of the vehicle
- Stealing passengers’ phones
- Threatening to attack passengers
- Brandishing knives at passengers
- Kidnapping passengers
- Sexually assaulting passengers
- Driving under the influence
- Impersonating an Uber driver
Sexual and physical assault cases involving an Uber driver can lead to criminal and civil charges. You can file a personal injury claim against the alleged offender at the same time as an ongoing criminal investigation. Filing both types of claims can lead to adequate compensation and justice for your pain and suffering.
How to Handle Insurance Claims After a Car Accident with Uber
It’s difficult enough to be the driver of a vehicle in an accident. You must speak with the other driver, exchange insurance information, and potentially file a personal injury claim. As a ride-sharing platform passenger, the process is even more confusing. According to California law, you may not know who is responsible for your injuries or what your rights are.
If you’ve been injured as a passenger in a rideshare accident, you need to know how to handle the insurance claim. First, report your Uber accident to the police. Gather the insurance information of your Uber driver. After you seek treatment for any injuries, report the accident to Uber.
Log in to the app and select “Trip Issues and Fare Adjustments.” Press, “I was in an accident,” and describe what happened. An Uber employee will contact you shortly to gather information about the crash. At this point, Uber will either offer a settlement through its insurance company or deny your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Call California’s Best Uber Accident Law Firm
If Uber denies your claim or offers an amount that does not cover your damages, talk to an attorney. We have experience handling complex rideshare accident cases all across the sunny state of California, with a stronghold in counties like San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose, and Riverside.
We can help you negotiate with Uber and file a personal injury claim, if applicable. It can be difficult to understand who might be liable for your crash, and who will pay your damages. Working with our Uber wreck attorneys can give you confidence and peace of mind after a frightening, confusing, and harmful accident. Call (888) 488-1391 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation about your Uber accident attorney anywhere in California.