Uber/Lyft Accidents

Glendale Uber/Lyft Personal Injury Attorney

More than 50,000 car accidents resulting in nearly 4,000 fatalities were reported in California in 2021. With the increase in ride-sharing services, thousands of passengers are injured in Uber accidents each year. In California alone, this led to more than 100 deaths between 2019 and 2020.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an Uber/Lyft accident in Glendale or the surrounding Los Angeles county, you may be entitled to compensation. Whether you were injured as an Uber/Lyft passenger, a passenger in another vehicle, or as a pedestrian, you have the right to representation and restitution.

Uber cases can be quite challenging. Calling an experienced personal injury attorney like Rose Stepanyan brings you one step closer to the justice you deserve. Your first consultation is free, so schedule yours today by contacting our law firm or call us at (818) 818-1948.

Rest assured, Glendale Law Firm has helped thousands of accident victims in California get fair compensation. If you or a loved one were hurt, you may have the right to financial compensation. Getting the money you need and are entitled to is not always easy. Let Glendale Law Firm help you, too!

Why Should You Call Glendale Law Firm After an Uber/Lyft Accident?

When seeking compensation for injuries from an accident, you are required to prove that the other party acted negligently. This means, it takes a professional legal representative to ensure all the evidence is collected and circumstances are fully investigated.

Due to strict deadlines for filing a personal injury lawsuit, it is important to seek compensation as soon as you are able. Glendale Law Firm can assist you in recording all injuries efficiently and thoroughly.

Knowledgeable personal injury attorneys understand that the road to recovery may be long. Current medical bills are piling up, and future monetary responsibilities, like physical therapy are looming. These issues and costs must swiftly be discovered and documented.

Call Glendale Law Firm today so that your case can be handled as quickly and smoothly as possible.

How Are Glendale Uber Accidents Resolved?

Uber/Lyft accidents are not the same as other car accidents. There are many factors that determine insurance compensation. Some questions to consider could be:

  • Was the driver actively on a ride-share call?
  • Was the driver waiting to receive a new ride-share customer?
  • Was the driver on duty or were they on their own personal time?
  • What was the nature of the accident or injury and who is at fault or liable?

These are only some of the factors that can impact who is legally responsible for an accident and who we must negotiate with to reach a settlement.

At Glendale Law Firm, we take an aggressive approach to building a personal injury case from the very beginning. The initial handling of the case can have a significant impact on the insurance carrier’s understanding of its merits. This means the earlier we are contacted, the better we can represent you and begin pursuing your right to fair compensation.

If you have been seriously hurt, the pursuit of your rights and just compensation could be one of the most crucial things you ever do. Medical bills can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, plus you might not be able to work for weeks, months, or maybe ever again.

  • Exploring the valuation is one of the most important factors of an initial consultation and investigation. The insurance company will try to pay less than the full value of your case. A lawyer with experience knows how to value your case so that you get enough money to cover the whole cost of your injuries, including rehabilitation.
  • California law allows fault to be distributed between multiple parties. However, it must be determined who is to blame and for what? Your auto insurance may cover part of your costs, and Uber/Lift may also share blame. It is important to have a professional with experience make sense of your individual case.
  • Commercial insurance policies and coverage may be more complex than individual personal coverage. If Uber/Lyft is responsible, their insurance company has in-house attorneys that will without a doubt, choose to fight, delay, or use other tactics in order to avoid a payout. Insurance companies attempt to avoid responsibility by putting more work into a case when there is more money on the line.
  • What if someone blames you? California law allows fault to be shared by negligent parties. Do not forget, it also allows negligent parties to reduce your compensation award if you share in the blame. This is why you need an experienced attorney to make sure that your case is being represented fully and accurately.

Who’s Liable After I Get Hurt in a California Uber/Lyft Accident?

In California, you can seek compensation from anyone who contributed to your car accident and injuries.
This might include a negligent:

  • Uber/Lyft driver
  • Driver of another car, truck, or motorcycle
  • Bicyclist
  • Pedestrian
  • Public or private transit company
  • Local or federal government agency
  • Third party company that manufactured a defective car part, piece of equipment, or the car manufacturer themselves

What If the Uber/Lyft Driver Was Not Logged into Their Ride Sharing App?

According to California State Law, a person would only be able to have a claim against the ridesharing company (or their insurance) if the driver was working for Uber or Lyft at the time of the accident. If the driver was “off duty” and not logged into the app, it is no different than an accident with a person driving their personally owned vehicle.

This in no way means the driver is not held accountable, but that the case can be pursued as an ordinary personal injury car accident and the driver’s insurance provider would be contacted by our attorneys.

What if an Uber Driver Was Logged Into the App, But Has Not Accepted a Ride Request?

Things change when the Uber driver is logged into the Uber app and waiting for a ride request. If an accident occurs under these circumstances, you might be able to recover compensation.  Review Uber’s insurance policy here.

The limited policy will cover:

  • Bodily Injury: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
  • Property Damage: $25,000 per accident

In this scenario, the driver and his insurance coverage would still be your primary source of compensation. If you or your loved one have damages that exceed what the Uber driver’s insurance covers, then you may file a claim to get benefits from Uber’s policy.

What if I am in an accident with an Uber/Lyft Driver that has accepted a ride request and/or has a passenger in the car?

Once an Uber or Lyft driver accepts a ride request, their insurance policy becomes effective. This insurance will cover injuries, deaths, and damage from the moment the ride request is accepted until the passenger leaves the vehicle and ends the ride.

Again, the Uber/Lyft driver and their insurance policy will be the first place you’ll have to look for compensation. Uber’s policy can cover the difference between what your damages are and how much you are able to recover from these other sources. Hiring an attorney can level the playing field and put you in the best position to get the money you deserve.

What Causes Uber/Lyft Auto Accidents in California?

Car accidents involving Uber or Lyft occur more frequently than you might think. Common causes of California rideshare accidents include:

  • Distracted driving (cell phone, eating, fiddling with the app)
  • Fatigued driving (the end of a long shift)
  • Drivers looking for their customers
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Moving violations such as:
    • Speeding
    • Failing to yield the right of way
    • Sudden or unpredictable stopping or lane changes
    • Stopped in no standing or parking zones
    • Failure to make a full stop at a stop sign or running a red light
  • Defective vehicles or seatbelts
  • Dangerous driving during inclement weather

If you were in an accident due to mistakes made by an Uber/Lyft driver, you may have the right to demand money for your injuries. The personal injury attorneys at Glendale Law Firm are here to help. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.

You Deserve Compensation for All of Your Injuries

Rose Stepanyan at Glendale Law Firm understands that every injury can disrupt your life, no matter how small it is. Injuries that occur due to a car accident may include:

  • Emotional trauma, including PTSD and insomnia
  • Cuts, scrapes, and lacerations
  • Broken bones
  • Sprains, strains, bruises, and other soft-tissue injuries
  • Eye injury
  • Chest injury
  • Head injury
  • Whiplash
  • Back and neck injury
  • Concussion
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Lost limbs
  • Spinal cord damage
  • Paralysis
  • Wrongful death

What Should I Do If I Get Injured Because My Uber/Lyft Driver was in an Accident?

  1. When you are injured in an accident that was not your fault, it is essential to gather and present as many details as possible about what happened. This includes:
    • Taking photographs and video of the scene (with your phone or someone else’s)
    • Photographing and even recording videos of your injuries
    • Talking to all witnesses who saw the accident and recording their statements
    • Documenting the names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of all witnesses
  2. If you have any medical expenses resulting from the accident, make sure to:
    • Keep all your receipts so they can be included in your claim
    • Get as much documentation as possible from hospitals and doctors related to your injuries
    • Document all medical treatments, physical therapy, and mental health treatments you have received and will be receiving in the future
    • Keep your documentation in a safe and easy-to-access place, and provide copies to your attorney and/or trusted friend or relative
  3. If you are unable to drive after the accident, please document the following:
    • All expenses for public transportation or mileage required to and from the hospital, clinic, or wellness center
    • Childcare expenses or other similar expenditures, because you could not care for your children
  4. Keep detailed notes of what happened after the accident and try to record everything in case you need to refer to it later.
    • Keep and maintain your copy of any accident report made by police officers, as well as any medical reports from emergency medical teams. These can be crucial to establishing liability for your claim.

Call Our Glendale California Uber/Lyft Accident Lawyers Today

Contact us today to schedule a Free Consultation with an Uber/Lyft accident lawyer. We will go over the details of your case and fight for every penny you deserve so you can move forward on your road to recovery. Call today at (818) 818-1948.