Rideshare accidents have become more common over the past few years due to the increased use ofride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft. These services offer convenient and affordable transportationoptions, but accidents can stillhappen. If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident, it’s important toknow your rights and seek legal representation to help you navigate the complex legal process.Why the increase in accidents?In 2019 in the US alone, Uber stated that it had 1 million drivers and that number has likely grown inrecent years to over 5 million drivers.Aspeopleresume office work and rely on rideshare services fortheir daily commute, the need for rideshare drivers isonlyexpected to increase.As of 2020, Californiahad approximately 209,000 drivers. Uber’s top performing cities where rides originated from are:

1.NYC

2.Los Angeles

3.San Francisco

4.London

5.Sao Paulo

Lyft currently operates only in the US and Canada and reportedly have 2 million drivers.

With the accessibility and availability of drivers, many people prefer rideshares to the average taxi driver.Rideshare applications allow users to request a ride with just a few taps on their smartphones, track thearrival of their driver in real-time, and pay seamlessly through the app.Rideshare servicesalsooffer competitive pricing compared to traditional taxis. The ability to estimate fares before booking a ride also adds transparency and helps users make informed choices.

Liability in Rideshare AccidentsDetermining liability in a rideshare accident can be complicated since there are multiple parties involved,including the driver, the rideshare company, and other drivers on the road. In general, liability dependson who was at fault for the accident. If the rideshare driver was at fault, the company’s insurance policywill typically cover the damages. If another driver was at fault, the driver’s insurance policy will beresponsible.However, there are some unique factors to consider in rideshare accidents. For example, ridesharedrivers are considered independent contractors rather than employees, which can impact liability.Additionally, the rideshare company’s insurance policy may only apply during certain stages of the ride(such as when the driver is activelytransporting a passenger), and the driver’s personal insurance policymay not cover commercial use of their vehicle.In California, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are required to carry certain insurance coverage toprotect both drivers and passengers in case of accidents.While the rideshare driver is driving with theridesharing app OFF, the minimum insurance required is $15,000 for injury or death per person, $30,000for injury or death per incident, and $5,000 for property damage. However, the current insurance requirements forrideshare companies in California can range from:

Primary Liability Insurance: Rideshare companies are required to carry a minimum of $50,000 for injuryor death per person, $100,000 for injury or death per incident, and $30,000 for property damage.Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Rideshare companies are also required to carryuninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of at least $250,000 per incident.Contingent Comprehensive and Collision Coverage: Rideshare companies must provide contingentcomprehensive and collision coverage of at least $50,000 per incident, but only when the driver is onlineand waiting for a ride request or has accepted a ride request.InCalifornia, the current commercial policy limits for Uber and Lyftwhen you accept a passenger and areen route to pick them up, the coverage can be as high as $1 million.It is important to note that these insurance requirements only apply when the driver is working for therideshare company, which is defined as the period when the driver has accepted a ride request and istransporting passengers to their destination. Outside of this period, the driver’s personal auto insurancecoverage applies.This is all very confusing and as an injured victim you shouldhave not to worry aboutthis.If you are involved in a rideshare accident in California, it is important to consult with anexperienced personal injury attorney to help you navigate the complex insurance and liability issuesinvolved in these cases.Compensation for Rideshare Accident VictimsWhile ridesharing has changed the way we move around, it doesn’t come without its problems. Withthe increase in rideshare rides comes the negligence surrounding the rideshare drivers. Injuries resultingfrom rideshare interaction can be due to negligent hiring and inadequate background checks on theirdrivers. Where the companies failed to properly screen and monitor their drivers, leading to instanceswhere individuals with criminal records or unsafe driving histories were allowed to become ridesharedrivers and hurt someone. Another form of rideshare negligence is when rideshare companies failed toprovide adequate training and supervision to their drivers contributing to negligent driving behaviorsand accidents.Rideshare negligence can also be due to the sexual assault and harassment committed bydrivers on their passengers.If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accidentor negligence, you may be entitled to compensation fordamages such as medical bills, lostwages, pain and suffering, and property damage. To recovercompensation, you will need to file a claim with the appropriate insurance company and provideevidence of your damages.It’s important to note that rideshare companies are required to carry insurance coverage for theirdrivers, but the amount of coverage may vary depending on the circumstances of the accident. Forexample, if the rideshare driver was not actively transporting a passenger at the time of the accident, thecompany’s insurance policymay offer less coverage.

Why You Need a Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Rideshare accidents can be complex, and it’s often difficult to navigate the legal process on your own.Working with an experienced rideshare accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and ensure that you receive fair compensation for your damages. A rideshare accident lawyer can help you:

Gather evidence to support your claimCommunicate with insurance companies and other parties involved in the accident

Negotiate a fair settlement offer

Represent you in court if necessary

If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident, don’t wait to seek legal help. Contact a rideshare accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights and increase your chances of receiving fair compensation .

Conclusion Rideshare accidents can be a traumatic experience, but you don’t have to go through it alone. With thehelp of an experienced rideshare accident lawyer, you can navigate the legal process and recover the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in a rideshare accident, contact us to schedule a free consultation.