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As convenient and as easy as rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft have made life, they can just as quickly turn your world upside down when you get into an accident with one. Unfortunately, rideshare drivers can also make mistakes or act irresponsibly like other drivers.
Getting a Van Nuys Uber and Lyft accident lawyer is critical in the aftermath of a rideshare accident. You might consider not going forward with a claim because you’ll be against a large company. Connect with a Van Nuys injury lawyer with rideshare accident experience at Attorney Jeff Injury Lawyers to pursue the compensation you rightly deserve.
Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents
Unsurprisingly, the most common causes of Uber and Lyft accidents are not any different from those of regular accidents. They include:
- Speeding
- Driver Inexperience
- Driving while drowsy
- Driving under the influence
- Failure to obey traffic signs and signals
- Driving distracted
- Driver violence
Uber & Lyft Driver and Vehicle Requirements
Uber and Lyft have set various vehicle and driver requirements to ensure they work with competent drivers and vehicles.
Uber and Lyft driver requirements
Uber and Lyft conduct annual background checks for criminal records. Additionally, both rideshare companies require:
- At least one year of licensed driving experience in the U.S. for Lyft drivers and at least three years for Uber. Foreign driving experience does not count.
- A copy of the Motor Vehicle Report
- You must own a smartphone
Drivers must provide proof of vehicle insurance, social security number, and vehicle registration details during registration.
Lyft and Uber vehicle requirements
Besides the requirements posed to the drivers, rideshare companies also have separate requirements for the vehicles used to carry passengers on the app. These requirements include:
- Uber requires all vehicles to be less than 15 years old. For Lyft the age of the vehicles differs slightly depending on jurisdiction.
- The vehicle must have four doors
- Must be in good condition without any physical damage
- Must display a California license plate
- Vehicles shouldn’t have any advertising on them or dark-tinted windows
- No salvage vehicles
Both rideshare apps also require drivers to carry their own insurance to cover for accidents that occur when the driver is not driving for Uber or Lyft.
How Does Rideshare Insurance Work in An Accident?
In Southern California, rideshare companies must adhere to multiple regulations, including strict minimum insurance coverage, to operate. The amount of insurance coverage companies like Lyft and Uber provide differs depending on various circumstances at the time of the accident. That is why they require the driver to carry additional insurance.
While every accident has unique circumstances, several scenarios apply to most Uber and Lyft accidents, including:
When the driver is on duty with a passenger
If you’re a passenger in the rideshare when the vehicle gets into an accident, Uber and Lyft will provide insurance coverage of:
- Up to $1M in combined property damage and third-party bodily injury liability coverage
- Uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage for rideshare passengers and driver
- Contingent comprehensive or collision coverage up to the actual value of the rideshare vehicle without deductibles
When the driver is on duty and on the way to pick up a passenger
The same insurance coverage limits apply when the driver is going to pick up a passenger after accepting a fare request as when the rideshare passenger is in the vehicle.
When the driver is on duty and waiting on a fare
If the rideshare driver was only logged into the app awaiting a ride request from a passenger at the time of the accident, then the following insurance coverage limits apply:
- Up to $50,000 per person or $100,000 per accident in third-party bodily injury liability coverage
- Up to $250,000 per accident in third-party property damage liability coverage.
In this case, the rideshare company’s insurance obligations will only kick in if the driver’s car insurance doesn’t provide coverage.
When the driver is not on duty and not logged into the app
If the driver has not logged into the app, they’re not considered to be on duty with the rideshare company. Therefore, the driver’s personal car insurance coverage should apply in the event of an accident.
When another driver hits your rideshare car
Rideshare drivers and passengers can also be victims in Uber and Lyft accidents when another car hits their Uber or Lyft. If the other vehicle’s driver caused the accident, the initial step is to turn to the insurance of the driver at-fault for compensation. However, if that driver’s insurance can’t cover the full cost of your expenses and losses, you can then turn to Uber or Lyft for UM/UIM coverage.
Why Get a Van Nuys Rideshare Accident Lawyer?
Choosing to work with a Van Nuys rideshare accident lawyer for a rideshare accident is crucial. The success of your case will depend on the experience and dedication of the lawyer, and we can help!
There are different ways we can help depending on at which stage of the case you contact us by. If you get in touch with us as soon as the accident happens (which is what you should do) just after calling the police and first responders, these are some of the steps we can take to advocate for your legal rights and interests:
- Start an investigation: We need to recover physical evidence and collect witness testimonies while everything is still fresh and before it is recoverable. This goes a long way in proving culpability if the case goes to court.
- Review the evidence: We will take time to review the evidence we collect. Sometimes, we might work with accident reconstruction experts to determine with better certainty the cause of the crash and identify who could have been liable for the injuries and losses.
- Document your injuries and expenses: To determine what would be fair compensation, we will need to document your injuries and expenses and other losses. Collating these costs will help us develop a comprehensive figure and pursue total compensation.
- Present your demands for compensation: With the information we gather, we will make demands of the liable parties and insurers. We will put up a spirited fight and aggressively negotiate to secure you the best possible outcome.
- Represent you in court: If all else fails and litigation is necessary to recover the compensation you deserve, we will represent you in court.
Time Limit to File an Uber and Lyft Accident Claim
In Van Nuys, rideshare accidents fall under personal injury litigation, which has a statute of limitations of two years to file a lawsuit or obtain financial reimbursement for personal injury. If your accident hasn’t passed the 2-year threshold, you’re within your rights to pursue compensation.
Call a Rideshare Accident Attorney in Van Nuys Now
Our Van Nuys Uber and Lyft accident lawyers will thoroughly review the details of your claim and help you build a strong case. At Attorney Jeff Injury Lawyers, our efforts can make a huge difference in getting what you need out of an accident claim.
Contact us for a free case evaluation for Uber and Lyft accidents in Van Nuys, Fontana, and the surrounding areas, and let us help you get the compensation you rightly deserve.
Uber and Lyft Accident Claim FAQs
Can you sue an Uber driver if you’re injured in an accident?
Not only can you sue the driver, but you can also sue Uber or any other rideshare company if you’re injured in an accident involving one of their vehicles. It doesn’t matter whether you were riding in the car as a passenger or you were hit by an Uber or Lyft while in another car.
Do I have to go to court after a rideshare accident?
Most rideshare claims are settled long before going to court. Some even settle without filing a lawsuit. But other times, the case may proceed to court, and your attorney will have to litigate your case.