Uber & Lyft Accidents Attorney in Pasadena

Ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft continue to grow in popularity, and it is easy to see why. These companies provide convenient transportation for a very competitive price, at least when compared to taxi cabs.

However, Uber and Lyft vehicles still get into accidents, and many people are injured in these collisions. If you need compensation for your injuries in a rideshare accident, we can help.

Contact our Pasadena uber accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Pius Joseph – Personal Injury Attorney now for a free consultation about your rights and options for compensation.

Who Is Liable in an Uber Accident?

California is a “fault” state, so every car accident case is analyzed to determine who is at fault for the collision. This person – or, more likely, their insurance company – will have to pay compensation to anyone harmed in the accident. This is also the case when an Uber or Lyft driver is at fault for a crash, though the insurance situation may be more complex.

A fault is determined by determining which driver was negligent and whether this negligence contributed to the crash. Examples include:

There are many types of Uber and Lyft accidents. Below, we will analyze the most common scenarios.

You Are a Passenger in an Uber or Lyft Vehicle

If you were a passenger and your car got into an accident, then you will need to determine who is at fault:

• The Uber or Lyft driver could be at fault. For example, your driver might have ran a red light and hit another vehicle.
• Another vehicle could have struck your Uber or Lyft vehicle, which would make that driver at fault for the accident. For example, your Uber might have been stopped at an intersection when another car rear-ended it.

It isn’t vital that you figure out at the accident scene who is to blame. A Pasadena uber accident lawyer can help you. However, you should get insurance information from all drivers involved in the crash.

You Are a Motorist Struck by an Uber or Lyft

Sometimes, an Uber or Lyft driver is at fault for a collision and injures motorists in a different vehicle. For example, you could be driving down the road when an Uber drifts into your lane and causes a head-on collision. In this case, it is likely that the Uber driver is to blame for your accident.

You Are an Uber or Lyft Driver Struck by Another Driver

Rideshare drivers can be injured, too. If another vehicle struck you, then you could be injured and could have a claim against the other driver.

You Are a Pedestrian Struck by an Uber or Lyft

The rideshare driver could be responsible for a pedestrian accident that resulted from his or her negligence.

What You Need to Know About Dealing with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies are big businesses. They make money by collecting premiums from drivers and limiting the number of payouts they make on claims. Insurance companies have developed different strategies that they use to minimize the claims they pay, such as:

• They often ask for a recorded statement soon after the accident, when you might not be feeling well or thinking clearly.
• They try to get you to agree that you were partially to blame for the accident or that your injuries aren’t really serious. Either admission could reduce the amount of money you receive.
• They tell you that you don’t need a lawyer.
• They try to pressure you to sign a settlement quickly. Remember that once you sign a settlement agreement, you give up your right to pursue additional compensation.

The best thing you can do is hire a Pasadena Uber accident attorney. Let us deal with the insurance adjuster so you don’t have to.

Pasadena Uber Accident Compensation

Compensation for losses in a crash involving a rideshare driver would be paid depending on who was at fault for the accident. The amount of compensation available will depend on the insurance coverage that the driver has.

An Uber or Lyft Driver Is at Fault

All rideshare drivers must carry insurance. Uber and Lyft have very generous insurance policies that provide coverage under certain circumstances. The amount of coverage available will depend on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash.

Let’s take a close look at how much insurance could be available for an Uber driver:

• The Uber driver is not logged into the Uber app when the collision occurs. In this situation, the Uber driver really isn’t an “Uber driver.” Instead, the driver is no different from any other motorist on the road, so you will be limited to that driver’s regular auto insurance policy.
• The Uber driver is logged into the app and is available to give a ride when the accident happens. The driver has $50,000 per person/$100,000 per collision in bodily injury liability insurance under Uber’s policy. The driver also has $25,000 per collision in property damage insurance from Uber.
• The Uber driver has accepted a ride and is on the way to pick them up. Here, the driver has $1 million in insurance coverage under Uber’s policy.
• The Uber driver has a rideshare passenger in the car when they get into a collision. The driver also has $1 million in insurance coverage under Uber’s policy.

Another Motorist Is At Fault for the Accident

An injured victim will need to make a claim on the driver’s insurance policy. The driver should have the state’s minimum, which unfortunately might not be enough to cover all your losses. However, Uber and Lyft also carry underinsured/uninsured motorist insurance — up to $1 million in California. So if you were a passenger, you may have a substantial policy available to pay for your injuries.

What to Do If You’ve Been Hurt in a Rideshare Accident

The first thing you should do is make sure you and everyone else in the crash are okay. If not, then you can call 911 and have an ambulance come to take the seriously injured to the hospital. If you can get out and move around, you can ask everyone else involved in the accident if they need an ambulance. If you need emergency treatment yourself, do not hesitate to accept it.

Next, you should obtain insurance information for all motorists involved. You also can begin collecting evidence about the accident. Your Pasadena Uber Accident Lawyer will find this helpful. For example, you can:

• Take pictures of the vehicles involved in the crash using a smartphone.
• Take pictures of any debris in the road, like a torn-off fender or side mirror.
• Obtain the names of witnesses who observed the accident. Get their names and phone numbers.
• Call the police out to the crash. The responding officer will write up a police report.

Once you are finished at the scene of the accident, get to a hospital or visit your doctor for a thorough exam if you did not receive emergency treatment and ambulance transport. Go over any symptoms you are feeling. Some injuries like brain or back injuries can take a day or two to manifest, so pay close attention to how you are feeling.

Reach Out to an Experienced Uber Motor Vehicle Accidents Lawyer in Pasadena

This is another important step. A skilled Uber & Lyft Motor Vehicle Accidents Personal Injury Lawyer Pasadena, CA can help you seek maximum compensation. Contact the Law Offices of Pius Joseph today to find out how we can help.

Our firm offers a free case evaluation, which you can schedule by calling or contacting us online.