Since the founding of Uber (2009) and Lyft (2012), accidents involving rideshare vehicles have become increasingly common. Rideshare accidents present their own unique legal challenges, which we at Tafreshi Law Group have experience navigating.
In some ways, rideshare accidents resemble typical car accidents involving private individuals. Rideshare drivers typically use their own personal vehicles. And rideshare drivers are not required to carry Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) like professional truck drivers do. Yet rideshare accident cases can be much more complicated, especially when the rideshare driver may be at fault and where the damages are catastrophic.
In California, common rideshare accident injuries can range from minor to severe, depending on the circumstances of the crash. Passengers and drivers often suffer from whiplash, which is a neck injury caused by sudden jerking movements.
Other frequent injuries include broken bones, particularly in the arms, legs, and ribs, due to the impact of the collision. Head injuries, such as concussions or traumatic brain injuries, can occur if a passenger hits their head against a window or seat. Additionally, back injuries, including herniated discs, are common due to the force exerted on the spine during an accident. Soft tissue injuries, such as bruises and sprains, also frequently happen. It’s important for anyone involved in a rideshare accident to seek medical attention immediately, as some injuries might not be immediately apparent. Contact us now for a free consultation.
A rideshare claim often involves several insurance policies: the Uber or Lyft policy, the rideshare driver’s personal policy, the other driver’s policy, and sometimes your own. We can:
We cannot promise a result, but we will explain your options in plain language.
Understanding Uber and Lyft accidents involves recognizing the unique circumstances surrounding rideshare services. These accidents differ from typical car accidents due to various factors, including insurance coverage complexities, legal considerations, and the involvement of multiple parties. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have specific insurance policies that apply depending on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. Additionally, the claims process may be more intricate, requiring coordination between the rideshare company’s insurance and the driver’s personal insurance.
California law (Public Utilities Code §5433) requires rideshare companies to carry $1 million in liability coverage from the moment a driver accepts a ride until the passenger gets out. Lower coverage applies when the driver is logged in but waiting for a request. If the app was off, the driver’s personal policy usually applies. That status is often the key question in a rideshare claim.
California law (Public Utilities Code 5433) requires coverage for transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft that changes depending on what the driver was doing:
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on the rideshare policy may also apply if an uninsured driver hit the rideshare vehicle. That is why the app status at the moment of the crash is one of the first facts we pin down.
Take screenshots of the trip in your app — the receipt, the driver’s name, the vehicle, and the route. Note the time of the crash, get the police report number, and photograph the vehicles and your injuries. Report the crash in the app as well. Uber and Lyft keep trip data, GPS and timestamps; a preservation letter helps make sure it is kept.
We help passengers, people in other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists hit by a rideshare driver, and rideshare drivers hurt by another motorist. A driver who is hurt while working may also have questions about workers’ compensation or occupational accident coverage; we will tell you if part of your situation is outside what we handle. Most lawsuits must be filed within two years (CCP 335.1). Claims involving a public entity often require a written claim within six months (Government Code 911.2). California’s pure comparative fault rule applies.
If a ride was in progress, the rideshare company’s $1,000,000 liability policy is usually available, along with the other driver’s policy if someone else caused the crash.
Drivers are usually classified as independent contractors, so the claim is generally against the insurance the company must carry rather than the company itself. Each case is different.
Then the driver’s personal auto policy usually applies, and your own UM/UIM or MedPay coverage may help.
Nothing. The consultation is free, and we work on contingency.
Orange County: call (949) 989-2511. Riverside, the Inland Empire and the Coachella Valley: call (951) 583-1900. Text (949) 776-8964 any time — we answer 24/7 and the first consultation is free. Our office staff speaks Spanish and Farsi. We work on contingency, so you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you. Related: car accidents, pedestrian accidents, case results, en español.
Attorney Advertising. General information only, not legal advice; contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact us for a free consultation about an Uber or Lyft crash in Orange County, the Inland Empire or Riverside. Our office staff speaks Spanish and Farsi.
We have offices in Fountain Valley (18837 Brookhurst St, Ste 207), Lake Forest (22600 Lambert St, Ste 1501) and Riverside (4121 Brockton Ave, Ste 101). Call (949) 989-2511 in Orange County or (951) 583-1900 in the Inland Empire, or text (949) 776-8964.
Related reading: legal issues that can arise in a rideshare accident.
