How do Rideshare Accidents Differ from Regular Car Accidents Legally?

When a driver works for Uber or Lyft, they may be covered under their ridesharing company’s insurance policy. Along with this, the driver or their rideshare company may be held responsible for an accident.  A Sacramento rideshare accident lawyer can discuss the legal differences between ridesharing and other types of car crashes and how you may be able to request compensation after an auto collision.  

Triumph Law, P.C. has some of the top personal injury litigators in California on our staff. If you get hurt in a ridesharing or regular car accident, we may be able to help you get compensation from any at-fault parties. To learn more, reach out to us.

Insurance Coverage for a Rideshare Accident

In an accident where a driver works for Uber, they have insurance coverage from their ridesharing company. This coverage is in effect as long as the driver has their app on and is traveling with a passenger or looking for a fare. If an Uber driver gets into an accident during their work shift, anyone hurt in the crash may be able to seek compensation through the ridesharing company’s insurance coverage.

The insurance coverage from Lyft is similar to what Uber offers its drivers. If a Lyft driver has their app on, they maintain third-party liability insurance through their ridesharing company. This coverage includes $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $10,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage.

If a driver works for Uber or Lyft but is off the clock, they must still have auto insurance coverage. California has minimum liability insurance requirements for drivers. In a case where a rideshare driver is not working but causes a crash, anyone harmed in the collision may be able to pursue damages through a claim with this motorist’s insurance. 

Insurance Claims for Rideshare and Regular Car Accidents

California has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injuries. You may have up to two years from the date you get hurt in a ridesharing or regular auto crash to seek compensation from any at-fault parties. If you do not file a claim within this window, you may be solely responsible for any accident-related losses.

Following a rideshare crash, you may be able to submit an insurance claim directly through Uber or Lyft. Both of these ridesharing companies allow accident victims to report crashes directly through their respective apps. It may take only a few minutes to file an insurance claim with either rideshare provider.

In a regular auto accident, you may need to notify your insurance company about a crash, which may prompt an investigation. Your insurer may work with an at-fault party’s insurance provider to resolve your claim. In the best-case scenario, you get compensation from an at-fault driver’s insurer — but there is no guarantee you will achieve your desired outcome. 

Liability in Rideshare and Regular Car Crashes

In an Uber or Lyft accident, a ridesharing driver may be responsible. For instance, the motorist may have been driving while intoxicated and caused your crash. In this instance, you may be able to get compensation through the rideshare driver’s insurance coverage, which may come from their employer, with the help of a drunk driving accident lawyer in Sacramento.

There are times when Uber or Lyft may be at fault for a ridesharing collision. For example, a rideshare company may approve an individual’s application materials in spite of the fact that this person does not have a valid driver’s license. If this happens and the ridesharing driver causes an accident, the motorist and their employer may be held accountable.

In a standard car accident, a motorist may be at fault. There are scenarios where an auto parts manufacturer or government entity may be responsible for a car collision. Regardless of whether you are involved in a ridesharing accident or any other type of crash, a California car accident lawyer can help you prove an at-fault party was negligent in securing damages.

Negligence in Rideshare and Regular Auto Accidents

According to the State of California, negligence refers to an omission that a reasonable person would do or doing something that may otherwise be considered unreasonable. To prove fault after an auto accident, you must be able to show someone was negligent. This requires you to show the following elements of negligence were present when your crash occurred:

• Duty of Care: An at-fault party had a legal obligation to act reasonably and carefully toward you. 
• Violation of Duty of Care: The party breached their legal obligation.
• Causation: Because the party acted carelessly or recklessly, they got into an accident.
• Damages: You suffered quantifiable or subjective losses as a result of the party’s actions. 

The team at Triumph Law, P.C. understands the elements of negligence. We can take a look at your auto accident case and may be able to help you get damages from any negligent parties. For more information, get in touch with us.

What to Do After a Rideshare or Regular Car Accident

How you approach the initial moments after a car crash may impact your ability to get compensation. There are several things you can do after a ridesharing or regular auto accident that may help boost your chances of securing damages. These include:

• Call 911. Report your crash to 911 so medical personnel and police officers can come to the scene and assist you and anyone else involved in it. 
• Collect evidence. Use your smartphone to take photos and videos of your injuries, property damage, and other evidence from the accident scene. 
• Get the at-fault driver’s contact information. Ask the at-fault motorist for their first and last name, driver’s license information, and auto insurance information. 
• Receive medical care. Go to a hospital or emergency room to treat your injuries.
• Do not accept responsibility. Do not say you are in any way responsible for your crash.  
• Notify your insurer. Let your insurance company know about your collision. 
• Do not speak to an at-fault driver or their insurer. If you get a call about your crash, do not say anything since you may inadvertently take some or all of the blame for your collision. 

In addition to these things, it may be beneficial to connect with a personal injury attorney who has experience with different types of car crashes. At Triumph Law, P.C., we may be able to help you request compensation from anyone responsible for your car accident. To schedule a free and confidential consultation, contact us today.