Injured in Accident While Driving for Uber or Lyft
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become incredibly popular, replacing taxis for many Los Angeles and California residents across the state.
For drivers, rideshare services offer flexible employment opportunities as well as an important service – providing transportation for riders who may not have other options, and even keeping drunk drivers off the roads. But driving for Uber or Lyft comes with its own risks and challenges.
To start with, the more you’re on the road, the more likely you are to get caught in an accident or traffic incident. No matter how careful you are, other drivers often break traffic rules and cause collisions that you couldn’t have avoided even if you’d tried. If you get injured in a crash or if your car needs repairs, you may find yourself in the middle between your own car insurance policy and the insurance coverage provided by the rideshare service.
In California, you have the right to seek compensation for injuries and damages caused by someone else – this includes rideshare accidents where you are not at fault or only partly at fault. As a rideshare driver, your next steps after a crash depend on whether you were picking up or dropping off a passenger at the time, taking a break, or between rides.
Injured rideshare passengers also have rights in California.
What to Do if You’re Injured While Driving as a Gig Worker
As a Lyft or Uber driver in California, you’re considered to be an independent contractor, not an employee. Still, according to California state law, these rideshare companies must provide insurance coverage in case one of their drivers gets in an accident. These laws are similar for food delivery drivers who work for UberEats, Grubhub, Instacart, and DoorDash.
The complexity of your insurance claim can vary based on whether you were actively transporting a rider, on the way to pick up a rider, or between rides.
Insurance Scenarios for Rideshare Drivers
- Rideshare Accident While Transporting a Rider – If you get into an accident while actively transporting a rider inside your car, then Lyft or Uber insurance should kick in. These policies have higher limits than most personal insurance policies.
- Rideshare Accident While on the Way to Pick up a Rider – Similar to the first scenario above, you could be covered by the rideshare company’s insurance.
- Rideshare Accident Between Rides – If you get into an accident in the time between dropping off a passenger but before starting the process of picking up another driver, you might have to rely on your personal insurance or the other driver’s insurance coverage.
Insurance liability can get complicated when rideshare services get involved. In order to protect yourself, it’s important to reach out to a lawyer who has experience handling rideshare accident cases. With the multiple insurance policies involved, your attorney can make sure that you get the maximum possible compensation for your injuries and damages, even if that means fighting for full coverage under multiple insurance policies.
What to Do After an Accident While Driving for a Rideshare
It’s natural to feel shaken after a rideshare accident. If you or any of your passengers have severe injuries, call 911 and seek medical attention immediately. Afterwards:
- Document the Accident – In as much detail as possible, as soon as possible after your accident so that your memory is fresh, write down everything you remember. Take photos and videos of the scene and gather any contact information from witnesses.
- Do Not Admit Fault – As the rideshare driver, avoid making any statements or admitting fault. Even if you think you were at fault, you may not have the full picture. For example, you may not be aware that another driver broke a traffic law and caused the accident instead. Focus instead on ensuring safety and gathering information.
- Avoid Discussing the Accident – Do not talk to the other drivers or witnesses about the incident, as this may affect their understanding of the events. A good lawyer can help you get any necessary testimony without risking the outcome of your case.
- File a Police Report – In many cases, you can file a police report if an officer shows up at the scene of your accident. You can also file a report at the police station later.
It’s important not to make any statements or sign any documents from insurance companies without first talking to a lawyer about your case. Insurance companies use a number of tricks to try to minimize or outright deny your claims – any statement you make could be used against you in your case. If you sign a settlement agreement without consulting an attorney first, you may be settling for significantly less compensation than you’re actually entitled to get.
Always check with a California rideshare accident first to make sure any settlement offer you receive is a fair and accurate representation of your losses.
Types of Compensation for Drivers in Rideshare Accidents
If you were injured while driving for Uber or Lyft, a skilled lawyer can help you recover for:
- Medical bills, prescription medications, and rehabilitation needed for your recovery
- Any lost wages or loss of future income if you become unable to work for any time
- Any pain or suffering you experienced as a result of the accident
In addition, you can recover damages to repair or replace your car. If you were partly at fault for the crash, your total recovery could be reduced by the proportion of your fault.
For example, imagine that you’ve pulled over to pick up or drop off a passenger in a red zone, where stopping is forbidden. Then you get rear-ended by a speeding driver. The driver who rear-ended you is mostly at fault because they were speeding far over the limit and it’s their responsibility to stop for cars ahead of them. However, you may be considered 10% at fault for stopping in a red zone. As a result, with California’s comparative fault system, you can recover up to 90% of your total damages.
At Sepulveda Sanchez Law, our experienced team is exceptionally knowledgeable about the complexities of rideshare accident lawsuits in California. Because rideshare accidents often involve more variables than regular car accidents, you need a lawyer familiar with handling these types of cases so that they can fight for the maximum possible compensation.Contact our California rideshare accident attorneys now to schedule your free consultation and focus on your recovery while we fight for the compensation you deserve.