Bakersfield Uber Accident Lawyers

A car accident involving Uber vehicles is different from a regular auto mishap. If you or your loved one suffered injuries in a car crash involving a passenger vehicle, you need qualified Uber car accident attorneys on your side. 

The top-rated Bakersfield personal injury attorneys specializing in passenger rideshare vehicles at Farahi Law Firm can offer you effective legal services and guide you through your personal injury claim. 

Ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft are thriving across the country. Thousands of commuters rely on rideshare services to travel through the city’s busy streets on a daily basis. Considering the exponential growth of Uber and Lyft users in recent years, it’s no surprise that there’s an increase in the number of motor vehicle accidents involving these vehicles.

In this fairly new field of transportation, knowing who is the at-fault party and what your legal options are as the injured party is challenging. If you have been injured while using rideshare services like Uber or Lyft, there are important facts you should know about laws, insurance policies, and whom to sue when dealing with this industry.

Insurance Requirement for Uber in California

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has established rules and regulations for transportation network companies (TNCs). These rules are made to ensure passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians are protected when ridesharing drivers are on the road. Uber’s insurance coverage is dependent on its service app and is defined by three periods.

Period 1: App open – waiting for a match.

Uber provides the following insurance coverage:

• $50,000 for personal injuries and death per person
• $100,000 for personal injuries and death per accident
• $30,000 for property damages

TNCs are also expected to have excess liability insurance coverage of at least $200,000 per occurrence.

Period 2: Match accepted driver is on their way to pick up the passenger.

• Uber provides primary commercial liability insurance coverage for up to $1 million per accident.

Period 3: The passenger is inside the vehicle and until the passenger exits the vehicle.

• Uber provides primary commercial liability insurance coverage for up to $1 million per accident. During this period Uber shall also provide Uninsured and Underinsured motorist coverage for $1 million.

If a situation involves an Uber driver who has not logged into the app or was on a personal ride, recovery of damages is strictly limited to that Uber driver’s personal insurance coverage. 

Under the latest revisions, the California Public Utilities Commission CPUC announced TNC drivers are now considered employees under California’s Assembly Bill 5 or AB5. This move not only improves conditions for Uber drivers, but it can also impact Uber’s accountability for their negligent drivers and may benefit passengers or other drivers who have been involved in accidents with these passenger service vehicles.

If you have been involved in an incident with an Uber car, be it as a passenger or as an affected party in a collision, and are uncertain of your rights, you should seek legal advice for your claim. Contact our Bakersfield Uber accident lawyers to help you explore your options and protect your legal rights.

What Damages Can I Recover in an Uber Car Accident Claim?

Available compensation for damages in an Uber accident is usually the same as that of a regular car incident. Economic and non-economic damages may include:

• Medical care
• Hospital bills
• Physical therapy expenses
• Loss of income & loss of future earnings
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of Consortium
• Wrongful death
• and many more

If Uber was aware of its negligence and still made attempts to cover up its involvement, punitive damages may also be awarded against the company to deter them from similar behavior in the future.

Even though Uber provides a $1 million insurance coverage for personal injury victims, it is not uncommon for their insurance provider to deny an insurance claim. 

That’s why you should refrain from speaking to Uber’s insurance adjusters directly and remember you are not under any obligation to do so. These insurance carriers’ only motivation is to save the company monetary expenses you are rightfully entitled to as the injured person.

It is in your best interest to have an experienced personal injury lawyer by your side and let them deal with Uber’s insurance company on your behalf. Our Bakersfield Uber accident lawyers have your best interest in mind and will ensure that you receive the maximum compensation for your damages and injuries.

Liability in a Car Crash Involving Uber

An Uber crash may involve complex issues that aren’t present in other car accidents. The two situations that Uber passengers involved in a crash face include:

• The Uber driver was at fault.
• The Uber driver was not at fault.

Nevertheless, being injured as a passenger of an Uber car puts you in a win-win situation.

• If your car driver is liable for the accident, then the ridesharing service’s liability insurance provides coverage for your physical injuries.
• If your Uber driver is not the driver responsible and the other vehicle driver is liable for the accident, then a third party’s car insurance (the at-fault driver’s) will pay for your financial compensation.
• If an Uninsured or Underinsured motorist causes the accident, then you are also covered by the ridesharing service’s liability insurance.

Bakersfield Uber Accident Lawyers: What To Do 

What should you immediately do when you find yourself in a rideshare crash situation?

1. Call the police: Call the police and make sure that a police report is filed.
2. Call an Ambulance: If a passenger sustains severe injuries, call an ambulance immediately.
3. Seek Medical Attention: Some types of injuries may not be immediately apparent. Even if you feel fine, you must seek medical attention to rule out any delayed-onset or internal injuries. Whiplash, for example, is a common injury that may appear a few hours or days after a rear-end accident.
4. Collect Evidence: Document the accident details, take pictures, write down your Uber driver details or any third-party car details, and collect any witness contact information. 
5. Contact an attorney specializing in Uber, Lyft and other Rideshare Accidents: Contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. An experienced attorney will support you through the whole claims process and help you get the maximum compensation you deserve.

Our Bakersfield Uber accident lawyers have helped many ridesharing accident victims receive fair compensation for their injuries and damages. We understand the emotional distress that personal injury victims experience due to mounting medical expenses and bodily injuries. But rest assured that our personal injury attorneys are here for you during this difficult time.

Our experienced and qualified Uber car accident attorneys are committed to holding Uber drivers and Uber’s insurance company accountable for their negligence. It is our goal to win you justice and help you make a full recovery. Contact us or call us at (661) 669-7239 to schedule a free consultation of your case.

Bakersfield Uber Accident Lawyers: FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about rideshare accident claims in Bakersfield CA:

Who will pay for my medical treatment if I am injured in an Uber accident?

The parties that will be responsible for your medical expenses depend on the circumstances of your case. If you were a passenger in an Uber car and the driver was at fault, then you may file a claim against the driver’s liability insurance policy. If another driver caused the accident, then you can file a claim against that driver’s liability insurance. If your Uber driver was not at fault for the accident, then you may make a claim against their ridesharing service provider’s liability insurance.

Will I get paid for my lost wages from work?

Typically, the at-fault party in the accident will be responsible for paying your lost wages from work. However, if a ridesharing service or another at-fault party does not have sufficient insurance coverage to meet your medical expenses and wage loss claim, you may also file a claim against your own Uninsured/Underinsurance Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM).

What if my Uber driver was at fault for the accident?

If your Uber driver caused the accident, then you may file a claim against their insurance policy. However, if they do not have sufficient insurance coverage to meet your financial losses and damages arising from an Uber car crash, then you can make a claim against your own UM/UIM policy.

How much will it cost me to hire an Uber accident lawyer?

Farahi Law Firm works on a no fee unless we win basis, which means that you will not have to pay any upfront costs or attorney’s fees. We only get paid if we are successful in recovering compensation for your injuries and damages.

What are the deadlines for filing an Uber accident claim?

The statute of limitations is the deadline for filing a personal injury claim. In California, the statute of limitations is capped at 2 years from the date of the accident.

It is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your Uber accident to ensure that you do not miss this critical deadline. So for more information about filing a successful claim and getting fair compensation, contact us today.