West Hollywood Uber Accident Lawyers
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Our West Hollywood Uber Accident Lawyers Can Explain The Legal Process, Step By Step
As Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare services become increasingly popular forms of transportation, the number of car accidents has been on the rise. Thousands of victims are injured every year in accidents involving rideshare vehicles. Car accident victims can benefit from legal assistance, but rideshare accidents can be incredibly complicated. Our experienced West Hollywood Uber accident lawyers can assist you with the legal complexities of these unique cases.
Rideshare services have created new legal issues that can complicate an injury claim. Learn more about common Uber accidents, what insurance coverage is available to pay for your injuries, the common injuries that happen in Uber accidents, WeHo‘s designated pick-up/drop-off rideshare zones called The Drop, and answers to frequent questions our injury lawyers get about Uber accidents.
Car Accident
Our client was driving with his wife and son on a two-lane highway when a drunk driver crossed the double yellow lines, causing a head-on collision that claimed the life of a loving wife and mother.– ARASH KHORSANDI
Rideshare Accident Statistics
Despite West Hollywood being a trendy area known for its high-energy nightlife and being one of the most popular areas for rideshare services, you might be surprised to learn just how common Uber accidents are. According to the MIT Technology Review, Uber and Lyft are responsible for a significant increase in the number of overall U.S. traffic deaths.
A recent study found that traffic fatalities have increased by 2 to 3 percent every year since 2011 (when these apps started generating a significant number of users). MIT reviewers report that these deaths are directly attributable to the increased number of Uber vehicles on the road and the number of rides completed.
That’s right: there are so many rideshare deaths that they have increased the national average. These are not just numbers. They represent thousands of families who have lost a loved one far too early in a preventable accident. Surviving family members may be eligible to file wrongful death claims against rideshare companies for their losses if negligence caused the accident.
Not all injuries are fatal, of course. Every year, thousands more victims are injured in accidents involving rideshare vehicles. These victims may be entitled to compensation for their injuries and losses. As an injured victim of an Uber accident, it can be possible to pursue compensation from the liable parties, whether it is the Uber driver, the rideshare company, or other responsible third parties. Doing so can help the victim recover from their injuries and other losses. At the same time, it promotes accountability for the negligence of the responsible party and, as a result, helps keep California’s roads safer for everyone.
When Uber May Be Liable For Your Damages
Depending on your case’s circumstances and eligibility for compensation, the person or company legally responsible for your accident is required to compensate you for your injuries. It is important to consider hiring an experienced Uber injury lawyer who understands how to navigate liability issues effectively. Uber and Lyft have taken steps to carefully distance their companies from liability for a driver’s negligence. This is one reason why ridesharing companies classify drivers as independent contractors rather than as employees.
These companies are also not liable for accidents caused by another driver. Despite this, Uber and Lyft carry insurance policies with high coverage limits to supplement other insurance policies and protect the companies from financial responsibility for accidents that injure their passengers. So how does this work? Uber has a supplemental insurance policy.
This fact means that injury victims must first file a claim under a primary insurance policy. A primary insurance policy could be the driver’s personal auto insurance policy or the insurance policy of another driver who was at fault for the accident. Often, these policies do not provide sufficient coverage to pay for all of your losses. (State minimum limits in California are only $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident.
Though it may sound like a lot, accident expenses can add up quickly, especially if there were multiple victims or overnight hospital stays. In this case, you may be able to file a claim under Uber’s insurance policy for supplemental coverage to pay for the remaining amount. This supplemental coverage can also pay for injuries caused by an unknown hit-and-run driver or a driver with no insurance.
These supplemental policies can cover up to $1 million in damages when a driver has a passenger or is en route to pick up a passenger. Our experienced rideshare injury attorneys work hard to identify all insurance policies that could cover your injuries. Doing so can help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to under the law.
Common Injuries Reported By Uber Users
You should feel comfortable hopping into an Uber after a night out with friends on the Sunset Strip. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Often, Uber drivers rush to meet demands, resulting in automobile accidents. There are many ways to be injured by an Uber. Almost any part of your body can suffer injuries in a car accident. An experienced accident lawyer in rideshare can help you connect with medical providers to facilitate a proper evaluation and treatment of your injuries.
Our West Hollywood Uber accident attorneys at Arash Law understand how Uber accident injuries can cause significant suffering for victims. We know how to explain these injuries to an insurance company or jury so they understand the full extent of your losses.
FAQ About Uber Accidents In West Hollywood
Many car accident victims have questions about the claim process, especially if they have never been through it before. Injury claims for Uber accidents can be especially confusing. While there is a lot of settled case law about the legal issues involved in car accidents, these rules do not cover every new legal issue that arises in rideshare accident cases.
Courts across the country continue to address new legal issues involving Uber accidents. There are, however, many rules that still apply to Uber cases in the same way they apply to any other car accident. Our lawyers are here to answer your questions and help you understand the claims process. Here are some answers to the common legal questions that our clients ask us:
What If I Were Hit By An Uber While Walking Or Biking?
All drivers owe a legal duty of care to all other road users. This means they must use reasonable care to avoid hitting bicyclists, pedestrians, motorcycle riders, e-scooter users, and everyone else who is on and near the roadway. Drivers who violate this duty of care are considered negligent. The injured road user may be entitled to compensation for their injuries, and the driver’s auto insurance company is contractually obligated to pay for these losses under the driver’s written insurance agreement.
Can A Pedestrian Or Cyclist Be At Fault For An Uber Accident?
California is a comparative negligence state. This means that liability can be split between two or more parties, and each party is responsible for their portion of the damages that resulted from their own negligence. A pedestrian or cyclist could be found partly at fault for causing an accident with an Uber if they were negligent.
However, the Uber driver is still liable for their own portion of damages. For example, a bicyclist was 20% at fault for a collision with an Uber driver who was 80% at fault. The bicyclist can still seek compensation for 80% of their damages from the Uber driver.
Comparative negligence can reduce the amount of compensation that a bicyclist or pedestrian may be able to pursue. This rule may be used by insurance companies to limit their financial responsibility, asserting that the victim is partly at fault for their injuries. Consider consulting with an injury attorney to help assess liability and advocate for a fair assessment of fault and your losses.
Who Else Can Be At Fault For An Uber Accident?
In addition to a road user at the scene of the accident, there are other potential defendants in an Uber accident case. Suppose an accident was caused by the Uber driver’s defective brakes. The auto manufacturer may be liable for this defect, and the injury victims may file a product liability claim against that company. An accident could be caused by poor road conditions (such as potholes) or negligent road work.
A mechanic might have negligently serviced the Uber vehicle before your driver came to work. There are many potential defendants, and it can benefit your claim if you seek legal assistance from an experienced Uber injury lawyer who can determine liability. Otherwise, you could miss out on the compensation to which you may be entitled.
What Should I Do If I Suspect My Uber Driver Is Drunk?
Your first priority in any Uber is your immediate safety. If you suspect your driver is drunk, you should get out of the car as soon as possible and call 911. It is critical that you get the drunk driver off the road before they hurt someone else. Provide officers with any information you have about the driver, the license plate number, and any other helpful details.
Be sure that you are not in any immediate danger. Then, report the incident to Uber. Uber has a zero-tolerance policy for drunk driving. If a person reasonably suspects that a driver was intoxicated, the driver’s access to the app may be restricted until Uber conducts its investigation into the incident.
Sufficient evidence in the investigation may lead to a permanent ban. (This is another reason why it is important to call 911 and get a police report of the incident.) If you have been injured in an accident caused by an Uber driver you suspect to be drunk, hiring an injury attorney afterward can be helpful for your case because they can help protect your legal rights.
Should I Talk To Uber, Their Lawyers, Or Their Insurance Company About The Accident?
It is advisable not to talk to Uber (or any of its representatives) until you have consulted with your own injury lawyers. When you are injured in or by an Uber, you may have a legal claim against the company, depending on the case’s circumstances. This means that they are not on your side. If you talk to the company, their lawyers, or their insurance company about the accident, your words could be used against you.
This is why hiring an injury lawyer after the accident is recommended. They can manage communications and negotiations with a large company like Uber and its attorneys on your behalf. This helps you avoid making any statements that could harm your potential claim. An injury lawyer advocates for your legal rights to seek fair compensation.
Will Uber Ban Me From The App If I File A Claim Against Them?
Uber is a business. They want customers to continue using the app and feel secure in doing so. While a driver may be banned for causing an accident, a passenger is not prohibited from using the app if they make a legitimate accident report or injury claim. This policy is not likely to change: remember, passengers are customers, and Uber does not want unhappy customers.
Uber also wants to keep bad drivers off its app in order to prevent future passenger injuries. Our injury lawyer can assist you if you are having any trouble using your app or accessing rideshare services after you have reported an accident.
Contact Our Skilled West Hollywood Uber Accident Lawyers
An Uber accident victim might wonder how to find a “West Hollywood car accident lawyer near me.” Our experienced attorneys can provide skilled legal representation for your case. Arash Law has decades of experience handling accident cases, including Uber accidents, in California. We can help you understand the legal complexities of this type of case and negotiate with Uber’s insurance companies on your behalf to pursue compensation.
We assist victims who are in West Hollywood and the entire West LA area, including Century City, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Brentwood, Bel-Air, Westwood, and Hollywood.
Our legal team also serves victims in Los Angeles, Sacramento, Riverside, Bakersfield, Santa Barbara, San Jose, San Diego, Fresno, Sherman Oaks, and throughout California.
We provide our legal services on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay attorney’s fees unless compensation is obtained. However, other case-related costs may still apply, and we will help you understand these potential fees during your consultation.
Call us at (888) 488-1391 to schedule your free initial consultation. It is crucial to file your injury claim within California’s legal deadline after your Uber accident. Our West Hollywood Uber accident attorneys can guide you through the process.
