Helping Injured Victims Seek Damages
Taking an Uber or Lyft ride is a great way to save time and get to your destination without driving yourself. Unfortunately, with so many vehicles on the road, the risk of getting into an accident while using rideshare services has increased dramatically. The insurance coverage of a rideshare vehicle isn’t straightforward, and you may have difficulty getting your damages paid for after an accident.
Injured victims deserve to be compensated for what they have gone through. If you’re struggling to receive payment for your property damages or injuries, you need a team of experienced attorneys on your side. As your legal representative, our lawyers can negotiate with insurance companies, file claims in court, and ensure that you get the outcome you deserve.
The team at Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & Powell, A Professional Corporation, has years of experience with personal injury law. We are confident that victims of Uber and Lyft accidents can find favorable outcomes after working with us. For more information, call us today at 626-208-9906.
What Are the Most Common Injuries After a Rideshare Accident?
Like most car accidents, rideshare accidents have the potential to cause severe injuries. Some victims suffer from life-long symptoms, costing them years of their lives and thousands of dollars in medical expenses. Your injuries sustained will depend on the severity of the crash and the circumstances of the accident.
The most common injuries after a rideshare accident include:
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Bone fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Head injuries
- Loss of limbs or amputation
- Burn injuries
- Paralysis
- Internal bleeding
Any of these injuries can lead to expensive medical bills and long recovery times. Even if you don’t feel hurt immediately after a rideshare accident, it is essential to get checked by a medical professional. Because of the shock and adrenaline running through your body, you could have underlying injuries that aren’t immediately apparent. Always keep a record of any expenses you pay yourself, as you can claim those in damages through a personal injury case.
What Kinds of Damages Can You Claim After a Rideshare Accident?
In general, you can request compensation for any losses you suffered as a direct result of your Uber or Lyft accident. Damages can be economic, non-economic, or punitive.
The most common damages Uber and Lyft accident victims seek include:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are damages that have a clear price tag attached to them. They are any expenses you had to pay because of the accident that you were in. Economic damages can include:
- Medical expenses, both present and future
- Lost wages from taking time off work
- Loss of future income
- Property damage repair or replacement costs
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages don’t have a specific price, but they are still damages that caused suffering as a result of your accident. In personal injury cases, you can typically claim the following non-economic damages:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are awarded by the court. In most cases, punitive damages are meant to discourage bad behavior and prevent a defendant from repeating their actions. For instance, if your Uber or Lyft driver was under the influence at the time of your accident, you may be given punitive damages due to the reckless nature of their actions.
If your loved one passed away because of an Uber or Lyft accident, you may also be able to seek damages for wrongful death. In a wrongful death claim, you can ask for compensation to pay for funeral costs, burial expenses, loss of companionship, and more. Compensation would go to the surviving family members of the deceased. If you’d like to learn more about pursuing a wrongful death claim, contact our office today for more information.
What Kind of Insurance Coverage Helps With Rideshare Accidents?
The reason that rideshare accident claims can be so tricky is mainly because of the insurance coverage involved. Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies have their own insurance policies that cover their drivers. However, that coverage can be complex and may vary depending on the nature of your accident.
Uber and Lyft drivers have insurance coverage policies that are divided into four categories. Each category is based on the driver’s actions during the accident.
The categories of insurance coverage include:
Period 0
If the driver is not logged into the Uber or Lyft app, it’s known as period 0. At this point, Uber and Lyft won’t cover any accident damage. Instead, the Uber or Lyft driver’s auto insurance policy would cover the cost of the accident.
Period 1
When an Uber or Lyft driver is in their personal car and logged into the app but has not received a pick-up request, it’s called period 1. Uber and Lyft will cover the accident expenses during this period if the driver’s auto insurance does not cover it. Standard coverage for this period includes:
- $25,000 for property damage
- $100,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $50,000 for bodily injury per person
Period 2
If the Uber or Lyft app is on and the driver is on the way to pick up a passenger, they are in period 2. Uber and Lyft will generally cover any accidents during this time. Standard coverage includes:
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury
- Comprehensive and collision coverage up to the value of the vehicle
- $1,000,000 third-party liability coverage
Period 3
When a passenger is in the vehicle, and a ride is in progress, this is called period 3. Most rideshare companies provide up to $1 million in liability coverage plus uninsured motorist coverage and collision coverage for this time period.
Uber’s insurance coverage only applies if a driver maintains personal auto insurance. If that insurance lapses, Uber may not cover the accident.
How is Liability Determined in Rideshare Accidents?
Determining liability is an essential first step when filing a personal injury claim. Sometimes, liability is easy — for instance, if another driver sideswiped the car you were in and caused an accident, that driver would be at fault.
But liability isn’t always straightforward in a rideshare accident. When Uber and Lyft drivers make mistakes on the road, accidents can happen. There is some debate about whether the driver is liable for your injuries or if the company they work for would have to pay you. Unfortunately, these debates can waste your time and money, leaving you without recourse.
If you’ve been in a rideshare accident, working with a Pasadena Uber accident lawyer is the best way to get the compensation you deserve. We will examine the facts of your case to determine who is at fault and how you can receive the maximum payment you deserve.
What Can a Personal Injury Attorney Do After a Rideshare Accident?
Our rideshare accident lawyers know how overwhelming it can be to suffer injuries in a car accident. When you work with a Pasadena rideshare accident lawyer on our team, you’ll be walked through the insurance claim and personal injury claim process step by step. We will help you file important paperwork, gather evidence, determine liability, and more.
As your legal team, we’ll take the following steps:
- Investigate the accident: Gathering evidence helps prove liability and also the extent of your injuries. We’ll look for photos, videos, witness statements, accident reports, and more to support your claim.
- Determine liability: Liability is one of the most challenging aspects of a rideshare accident claim. We will learn more about the circumstances of your accident to help you hold responsible parties accountable.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t always approve insurance claims. We can talk to insurance agents on your behalf to ensure you get the maximum payment you deserve.
- Represent you in court: Not all personal injury cases go to trial. If yours does, we will build a solid legal strategy to present the evidence in your case and get the best outcome possible.
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?
In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years from your accident. This means that you only have two years to seek compensation in court. If the statute of limitations has expired, it is unlikely that you’ll be able to pursue compensation, barring extreme circumstances.
Two years may sound like a long time, but personal injury claims can take weeks or even months to prepare. If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, contact an attorney immediately to begin your claim.
Do You Need a Personal Injury Attorney?
Being in a car accident is a very frightening experience. Dealing with insurance, liability claims, and personal injury lawsuits can add stress to this already overwhelming ordeal. Working with a rideshare lawyer allows you to focus on your mental and physical health while still getting the compensation you deserve.
Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & Powell, A Professional Corporation, is here to help you recover damages for your injuries. If you have any questions about rideshare accidents or would like a consultation about your case, please give us a call at 626-208-9906 today.
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