West Covina Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Rideshare Accident Attorney in West Covina, CA

Experiencing a car accident can be challenging, but it is especially difficult when you are the passenger in a rideshare vehicle. You may not know who is at fault: the driver of the rideshare vehicle or another driver. A West Covina rideshare accident lawyer can review your case and help you get the compensation you deserve following an accident.

Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer

As a rideshare passenger, you are entitled to compensation for damages suffered during an accident involving a rideshare vehicle. Passengers are rarely at fault for an accident, but you can still benefit when you hire a rideshare accident lawyer. At Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor, we have helped Los Angeles County residents receive maximum compensation in personal injury cases.

Rideshare Car Accident Statistics

According to an article published in the Journal of Safety Research in 2024, 276 rideshare drivers self-reported their crash history. Of these self-reports, 33% reported being involved in a traffic accident while driving for a rideshare company. The leading causes of crashes involved:

• Driver age. Older drivers got into more accidents
• Taking 10 or more rideshare trips per day
• Frequently driving on unfamiliar roads
• Driving while tired

During the last three months of 2022, Uber reported an average of 23 million trips a day, while Lyft reported 20.4 million unique riders over the same time period.

If you experience an accident while in a rideshare vehicle in West Covina, you should attempt to negotiate with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You deserve fair compensation for any damages you suffered. If negotiations are unsuccessful, you may have to file a civil claim through the Los Angeles County Superior Court system.

Steps to Take After an Accident in a Rideshare Vehicle

It can be difficult to be vigilant when you’re a passenger in an unfamiliar vehicle. Rideshare vehicles contribute to increased congestion and distracted driving, which can lead to accidents. Some of the most dangerous areas of West Covina include:

• The 57 and 60 Freeway Interchange
• Interstate 10
• Foothill Boulevard

If you are involved in a rideshare accident on one of these roads or anywhere in West Covina, prioritize your safety and preserve evidence in the event you have to file a claim for compensation. You can do this by:

• Contacting law enforcement and reporting the accident
• Collecting contact information from all of the drivers involved in the accident
• Collecting contact information from any witnesses
• Reporting the accident to the rideshare company
• Taking pictures or video of any damage from any of the involved vehicles
• Seeking medical attention, even if you feel fine
• Consulting with a rideshare accident attorney

Ways a Rideshare Accident Lawyer Can Help

Car accidents involving rideshare vehicles are more challenging than other car accident claims. Large corporations like Uber and Lyft can challenge claims or lowball their settlement offers. An experienced rideshare accident lawyer can help you receive fair compensation after an accident. Rideshare accident lawyers help by:

• Explaining your rights and what damages you are entitled to recover
• Gathering evidence and identifying liability
• Estimating the value of economic and non-economic damages
• Negotiating on your behalf with the insurance company
• Presenting well-prepared documentation of your losses and how they resulted from the accident
• Ensuring deadlines are met and documents are completed accurately
• Representing you in court if negotiations fail to reach a fair settlement

FAQs

Can You File a Claim Against a Rideshare Driver After an Accident in California?

Yes, you can file a claim against a rideshare driver after an accident in California. When a rideshare driver has an accepted ride through their rideshare app, they are covered by that company’s insurance. If a ride was not accepted, the rideshare driver is only covered by their own insurance coverage. If the driver does not have appropriate insurance to work as a rideshare driver, their insurance company may refuse to cover the accident.

How Much Does a Rideshare Accident Attorney Cost in California?

There is no standard cost to hire a rideshare accident attorney in California. Rideshare accident attorneys are a type of personal injury attorney with experience handling rideshare or car accident cases. In personal injury cases, attorneys charge a percentage of the final settlement offer. If no settlement is awarded, no fee is paid. There are typically no upfront costs. The percentage paid usually increases if the case has to go to trial.

How Hard Is It to File a Claim Against a Rideshare?

If you have been in a car accident while riding in a rideshare vehicle, it can be very easy to submit a claim for the accident. Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft have a method for reporting accidents on their app. However, it can be difficult to secure fair compensation from these companies following an accident without the help of a West Covina rideshare accident attorney.

What Is California’s Pure Comparative Negligence Law?

California follows a pure comparative negligence law for car accidents. Under this law, even if you are partially at-fault for an accident, you can still seek compensation for any damages you suffer. The damages you receive are reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to your actions in an accident. Under the pure comparative negligence model, even if you are 99% at fault, you can still receive 1% of any awarded compensation.

Can a Passenger Be At-Fault in a Rideshare Accident?

Very rarely is a passenger found to be at fault in a car accident, but there are some situations in which a passenger could be liable. Generally, passengers do not have the ability to prevent an accident or directly contribute to an accident. However, if a rideshare passenger engages in behaviors that distract the driver or obstruct the driver’s view, and those actions lead to an accident, they could be found liable.

Contact Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor Today

Expenses can increase quickly following a traffic accident. Medical bills, lost wages, and the cost to replace a property damaged in the accident can leave you stressed. Our team offers high-quality and accessible legal representation. Contact Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor today to schedule your initial case evaluation.