Rideshares like Uber and Lyft are popular among Stockton residents and visitors, whether catching a ride to the Miracle Mile Entertainment District or to a show at the historic Bob Hope Theatre, or heading home from the Weber Point Events Center.
You expect rideshare drivers to deliver you safely to your destination. But like other motor vehicles on the road, Uber and Lyfts are not immune to accidents.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in an accident involving a rideshare vehicle, you may be eligible for compensation for your medical bills and pain and suffering. Contact a Stockton rideshare accident attorney from Roberts Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers for a free consultation to hear if your case qualifies.
Why Choose Roberts Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers for Your Rideshare Accident Claim?
The legal team at Roberts Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers is dedicated to providing accident victims and their families with sensible, cost-effective legal representation.
Our personal injury lawyers in Stockton have handled several accident cases involving Uber and Lyft vehicles. We understand the laws that affect these claims and the insurance coverage that can compensate those injured in rideshare crashes. If you choose to retain our legal services for your accident claim, we promise to work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve.
Contact an Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer at Roberts Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers today for your free consultation.
Do I have a Rideshare Accident Case?
In a rideshare accident, various individuals can be injured, depending on the circumstances of the accident and the positions of the people involved.
Here are some of the injured parties in a typical rideshare accident who can bring a rideshare accident claim:
- Rideshare passengers: The most obvious group at risk in a rideshare accident is the passengers inside the vehicle. They can sustain injuries ranging from minor cuts and bruises to more severe injuries, including fractures, head injuries, or internal injuries, depending on the severity of the accident.
- Rideshare drivers: Rideshare drivers can also be injured in an accident, particularly if the collision is severe. They may experience injuries similar to those of passengers. Rideshare drivers often drive for extended periods, increasing the risk of accidents due to driver fatigue.
- Occupants of other vehicles: If the rideshare vehicle collides with another vehicle, the other vehicle’s occupants can sustain injuries. These injuries can range from minor to severe, depending on the force of the impact and whether the vehicles were traveling at high speeds.
- Pedestrians and bicyclists: Rideshare accidents can involve pedestrians or bicyclists who the rideshare vehicle may strike. Pedestrians and cyclists are particularly vulnerable to severe injuries.
What Damages Are Available in an Uber or Lyft Accident?
In a rideshare accident in California, damages can compensate injured parties for their losses. The specific damages you can pursue will depend on the circumstances of the accident and the extent of your injuries.
Here are some common damages available in Stockton Uber or Lyft accident cases:
- Medical expenses: You can seek compensation for all reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to your injuries. This includes ambulance fees, hospitalization, surgeries, doctor’s visits, prescription medications, rehabilitation, and any future medical treatment you may require.
- Lost income: If your injuries result in missed work or reduced earning capacity, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income. This can include not only past lost income but also future lost earnings if your injuries have a long-term impact on your ability to work.
- Pain and suffering: Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, are intended to compensate you for the physical and emotional distress caused by the accident and your injuries. Our lawyers can quantify this important part of your personal injury claim.
- Property damage: You can seek compensation for the repair or replacement of your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the accident.
- Loss of consortium: If the accident results in a loss of companionship or a negative impact on your relationship with your spouse or partner, you may recover loss of consortium damages.
- Wrongful death damages: If a rideshare accident results in a fatality, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death damages, including funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.
- Scarring and disfigurement: You can recover compensation for any visible scarring or disfigurement resulting from the accident or medical treatment.
- Out-of-pocket expenses: You can seek reimbursement for any expenses incurred as a direct result of the accident, such as transportation costs to and from medical appointments, home modifications, or medical equipment.
What Are the Requirements for Rideshare Drivers in Stockton?
Rideshare drivers in California must meet certain criteria before they can drive for customers:
- Be at least 21 (Uber) or 25 (Lyft) years old
- Have a valid California driver’s license
- Pass a criminal background check
- Have a clean driving record
- Have a smartphone that can download and run the rideshare app
- Provide proof of California automobile insurance
What Type of Insurance Must Stockton Rideshare Drivers Have?
California is a fault auto insurance state, which means that when a car accident occurs, the at-fault driver is responsible for covering the damages and injuries resulting from the accident.
All drivers in California are required to have liability insurance coverage. This insurance pays for the damages and injuries suffered by the innocent party (the one who was not at fault) up to the policy limits of the at-fault driver’s insurance.
The minimum coverage required under California law is listed as 15/30/5, which provides:
- $15,000 for bodily injury per person
- $30,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $5,000 for property damage per accident
Uber and Lyft also provide additional coverage in the event one of their drivers is involved in an accident. Here’s a closer look of the coverage they provide:
When the Uber or Lyft Driver App is Offline or Turned Off
The rideshare driver’s personal auto insurance coverage applies.
When the Uber or Lyft Driver is Available or Waiting for a Ride Request
The rideshare company provides the following coverage for third-party liability if its rideshare driver’s personal auto insurance doesn’t apply:
- $50,000 in bodily injury per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 in property damage per accident
When the Uber or Lyft Driver is In Route to Pick Up Riders and During Trips
Rideshare companies provide the following auto insurance on behalf of their drivers for an accident:
- $1 million third-party liability
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury and/or first-party injury insurance
- Contingent comprehensive and collision up to the actual cash value of the car with a $2,500 deductible
What if I Partly Caused the Rideshare Accident?
In California, the comparative negligence rule applies to rideshare accidents, just as it applies to other accidents. Comparative negligence determines how to allocate damages when more than one party causes an accident. If multiple parties share responsibility for an accident, they pay the victim based on their respective degrees of fault.
Here’s how the comparative negligence rule works in a rideshare accident in California: After a rideshare accident occurs, insurance companies and, if necessary, the courts will investigate the accident to determine the degree of fault for each party involved. This includes assessing the actions or negligence of the rideshare driver, the other driver(s) involved, and any other relevant factors.
California uses a pure comparative negligence system, which means that even if you partially cause the accident, you can still recover damages, but your percentage of fault will reduce the amount you can recover.
When filing an insurance claim following a rideshare accident, the insurance companies will consider the comparative negligence rule when determining how much each party’s insurance should pay. This can include the rideshare company’s insurance (if the driver was actively using the app at the time of the accident) and the insurance of any other involved parties.
If a fair settlement cannot be reached through insurance claims, the comparative negligence rule will also apply in court if the case goes to trial. The court will assess the evidence and arguments presented by both sides to determine the appropriate allocation of damages based on the percentages of fault.
How Can a Stockton Uber or Lyft Lawyer Help Me with My Rideshare Accident Claim?
A Stockton Uber or Lyft lawyer from Roberts Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers can play a crucial role in helping you with a rideshare accident claim.
Here are several ways we can assist you:
- Legal guidance and evaluation: A rideshare lawyer from our firm can provide you with legal advice and evaluate the merits of your case. They can explain your rights, potential liability, and the strength of your claim.
- Investigation: Our attorneys can conduct a thorough investigation of the accident. This may involve gathering evidence, talking to witnesses, obtaining accident reports, and working with accident reconstruction experts to determine liability.
- Insurance negotiations: Dealing with insurance companies, including those of Uber or Lyft, can be complex. Your attorney can handle negotiations with these insurance companies to recover fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
- Identifying all liable parties: In some cases, multiple parties in a rideshare accident, such as the rideshare driver, the other driver(s), and possibly the rideshare company itself can make your case complicated. Our lawyers can identify all potentially liable parties and pursue claims against them as necessary.
- Calculating damages: Determining the full extent of your damages is essential for a fair settlement. A rideshare accident lawyer can assess your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages so you seek appropriate compensation.
- Negotiating settlements: Rideshare and insurance companies often try settling claims quickly and for as little as possible. A lawyer from our firm can negotiate on your behalf to maximize your settlement and protect your interests.
- Filing a lawsuit: If we cannot reach a fair settlement through negotiations, we can file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in court. We will build a strong case, present evidence, and argue your case before a judge and jury.
- Ensuring compliance: Rideshare accidents may involve complex legal and regulatory issues. Our attorneys will follow all relevant laws and regulations, especially when it comes to rideshare-specific insurance policies and liability.
- Peace of mind: Having an attorney handle the legal aspects of your case can provide you with peace of mind and allow you to focus on your recovery during this stressful time.
- Contingency fee arrangement: The lawyers at Roberts Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay our attorney fees upfront. Instead, our attorneys receive a percentage of the settlement or award you receive, making legal representation accessible to those who may not have the means to pay hourly fees.
Contact the Stockton Rideshare Accident Lawyers at Roberts Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Today
If you suffered injuries in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver — either as a passenger of a rideshare vehicle, a passenger or driver of another vehicle, or as a pedestrian or cyclist — you may recover compensation for your medical bills and other damages.
An experienced rideshare accident attorney can navigate these cases’ legal complexities and protect your rights.
Contact the Stockton personal injury attorney at Roberts Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers today at (209) 488-5327 or through our online form for your free consultation and case evaluation.
Our Office in Stockton, California
Roberts Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers
11 S San Joaquin St, Ste 610,
Stockton, CA, 95202
(209) 488-5327
