California Rideshare Accident Attorneys

Helping Clients Throughout California After an Uber or Lyft Accident

In recent years, rideshare accidents involving Uber and Lyft drivers have become increasingly common across California due to the surge in popularity of rideshare services. With more rideshare vehicles on the road, the likelihood of accidents has grown, often leading to serious injuries made more frustrating by the complex legal situations that can follow.

Alvandi Law Group, P.C. is committed to helping anyone who was hurt in a rideshare accident, including rideshare passengers, rideshare drivers, or other motorists involved in collisions with rideshare vehicles. Our experienced attorneys are ready to face the unique challenges of rideshare claims and are dedicated to securing the compensation you need for your recovery.

If you've been hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident, contact our California rideshare accident attorneys to discuss your case and explore your legal options.

How Rideshare Accidents Differ from Regular Car Accidents

Rideshare accidents differ from regular car accidents primarily due to the involvement of commercial entities like Uber and Lyft, which introduces additional layers of complexity in terms of insurance coverage and liability. Unlike standard car accidents, where typically only the drivers' personal insurance policies are involved, rideshare accidents may engage multiple policies, including the rideshare company's insurance, depending on whether the driver was en route to pick up a passenger, actively transporting one, or driving without an active ride request at the time of the accident. Our California rideshare accident attorneys can help you figure out what insurance details might apply to your situation.

How Common are Rideshare Accidents in California?

Rideshare accidents have become increasingly common in California due to the widespread adoption and growing popularity of services like Uber and Lyft. With millions of rides being requested daily across the state—some cities see more than 100,000 rideshare requests in one day—the sheer volume of rideshare vehicles on the roads contributes to a higher incidence of accidents. However, it is not exactly known how many rideshare vehicles are involved in accidents each day, as many accidents are too minor to be reported to the police or remain mostly confidential due to rideshare company policies.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in California

Some of the most common causes of rideshare accidents in California include:

• Distracted driving: Rideshare drivers may be distracted by navigation apps, incoming ride requests, or communicating with passengers, causing reduced attention on the road.
• Fatigue: Drivers often work long hours or split shifts to maximize earnings, increasing the risk of fatigue-related accidents.
• Speeding: In an attempt to complete more rides quickly and increase income, some rideshare drivers may exceed posted speed limits.
• Inexperience: Many rideshare drivers are relatively new to professional driving and may lack the experience needed to handle complex traffic situations safely, especially when a passenger in the back of the vehicle may be unknowingly distracting to the driver.
• Traffic violations: Rideshare drivers might commit traffic violations, such as improper lane changes, running red lights, or failing to yield, in their rush to pick up or drop off passengers.

Who is Liable for Rideshare Accidents in California?

Liability for rideshare accidents can be particularly complicated because Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, which allows these companies to avoid direct liability for the drivers' actions. This classification creates a complex legal landscape where determining fault and securing compensation can be challenging, so working with a rideshare accident lawyer from our firm soon after a crash is highly recommended.

Both Uber and Lyft can offer insurance coverage for all parties involved after a rideshare accident, though. This coverage includes varying levels of protection depending on the driver's status at the time of the accident (e.g., waiting for a ride request, en route to pick up a passenger, or actively transporting a passenger). Unfortunately, in many cases, the rideshare companies will not offer any coverage at all based on when the accident happened or what caused it.

Rideshare Accident Damages in California

Securing damages after a rideshare accident can be a difficult process, especially if no other parties are interested in taking your claim seriously. While you might receive some coverage from Uber or Lyft—emphasis on ‘might’—it isn't guaranteed to cover all your damages, especially considering the limitations of their insurance policies. The amount and type of damages available to you may vary based on your role in the accident, too, whether you were a rideshare passenger, the rideshare driver, or another motorist involved in the collision.

Our attorneys can review your losses and help you fight for fair compensation, such as:

• Medical treatment costs: Expenses related to hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and other medical care required due to the accident.
• Lost wages: Compensation for income lost if the injury prevents you from working temporarily or permanently.
• Non-economic damages: Compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other intangible impacts of the rideshare accident.
• Property damage: Repair or replacement of personal property damaged in the accident, such as your vehicle and any personal items inside, which will be handled in a technically separate claim.

How Can a Rideshare Accident Attorney Help?

Our California rideshare accident attorneys are ready to provide you with dependable counsel for your case from start to finish. Typically, we will begin by conducting a thorough investigation of the accident, gathering evidence such as police reports, witness statements, any available video footage, and ride reports from the rideshare company. Your attorney can then handle all communications with insurance companies, attempt to negotiate settlements on your behalf, and, if necessary, represent you in court. The bottom line is that you can depend on our experience in rideshare laws and regulations to confidently pursue a fair outcome for your claim or lawsuit.

When you’re looking to hire a rideshare accident lawyer, you’ll want to consider:

• Experience: Look for an attorney with a proven track record in handling auto accident claims, including rideshare accident cases specifically. Take a look at our history of case results to learn more about our experience, which spans more than 20 years.
• Reputation: We encourage you to research online reviews of our firm and honest client testimonials to learn about our firm’s reputation and reliability.
• Communication: Choose an attorney who communicates clearly and promptly, so you feel informed about the progress of your case. We take pride in educating our clients at every stage of their cases.
• Resources: Our law firm often works with various third-party experts and investigators to prepare the strongest possible case for our clients. When fighting a major insurer or rideshare company like Uber or Lyft, resources might matter more than you expect.

How Long Do You Have to File a Rideshare Accident Claim in California?

In California, the statute of limitations for filing a rideshare accident claim is generally two years from the date of the accident. If you want to initiate legal action through the civil court system to demand compensation for your losses, you must do so within two years. This time frame applies to personal injury claims, not auto accident claims filed with an insurance company, which usually have a shorter time limit.

Let’s stand up for your rights together. Call (800) 980-6905 to ask for a free case evaluation.