Los Angeles Uber Accident Lawyers

Ridesharing companies such as Uber are thriving in Los Angeles. Thousands of Los Angeles commuters rely on rideshare services to travel through the city’s busy streets daily. Considering the exponential growth of Uber users in recent years, it’s no surprise that there’s an increase in the number of Uber crash cases. 

In this fairly new field of transportation, identifying the at-fault party and knowing what your legal rights are as a personal injury victim is challenging. If you have been injured while using a rideshare app like Uber, there are important facts you should know about rideshare laws and insurance claims.

An Uber accident is different from a regular automobile accident. If you or your loved one was injured in a Uber car crash, you need a qualified Los Angeles Uber car accident lawyers on your side. 

With Farahi Law Firm’s top-rated Los Angeles accident lawyers, one can expect effective legal representation for their personal injury claim. Our expert Uber car accident lawyers in Los Angeles know all the unique rights applicable to drivers and passengers in the event of an Uber crash.

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 that passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians are protected when ride-sharing vehicles 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 still in the vehicle until the passenger exits the vehicle.

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

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

Under the latest development, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced that TNC drivers will now be considered employees under California’s Assembly Bill 5 or AB5.

This move not only improves conditions for Uber drivers but can also impact Uber’s accountability for the negligence of its drivers. It may benefit passengers or other drivers who have been involved in Uber accidents.

If you have been involved in an Uber accident and are uncertain of your rights or are unsure whether you should file an accident claim, you must seek legal representation.

Contact an expert Uber car accident lawyer in Los Angeles to help you explore your legal rights.

Who Is Liable in an Uber Accident?

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

• The Uber driver was at fault for the accident.
• The Uber driver was not at fault for the accident.

But, being an injured Uber passenger in a motor vehicle accident, you’re 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 accident injuries.
• If your car driver is not at-fault and another vehicle driver is liable for the motor vehicle accident, then the third party’s car insurance will pay for your injuries and damages.
• If an Uninsured or Underinsured motorist causes the accident, then you are also covered by the ridesharing service’s liability insurance.

Most Common Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries

As with any car accident, bodily injuries are a common result of these. Knowing the kind of injuries you sustained due to a car accident will help you determine the kind of medical care you need. This will also help your personal injury attorney establish what steps to take in your injury claim. 

Some of the most common car accident injuries are:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Fractures
• Whiplash
• Back injury
• Loss of limbs

What Damages Can Victims Recover in an Uber Accident Claim?

The financial damages one may recover from an Uber accident are typically similar to that of a regular car accident. Economic and non-economic compensatory damages may include:

• Medical expenses
• Physical therapy costs
• Lost wages & loss of future earnings
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of Consortium
• Lost enjoyment
• Wrongful death

The immediate family members of a wrongful death victim may file a wrongful death claim on behalf of their deceased loved one and recover financial compensation for their damages and injuries.

If Uber was aware of its incompetence and still made attempts to cover up its involvement in an accident, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the company. Even though Uber provides $1 million in insurance coverage to injured victims, it is not uncommon for their insurers to deny claims. 

Thus, one should refrain from speaking to an insurance adjuster and remember they are not obligated to do so. These insurance companies have only one motive, to deny or lower the value of your claim to avoid offering a fair settlement. 

Therefore, it is in your best interest to have skilled Los Angeles personal injury lawyers by your side and let them deal with Uber’s insurance company on your behalf. Your Uber accident attorney has your best interest in mind and will fight to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation possible for your injuries and damages.

Steps to Take if You are Injured in a Ridesharing Accident

1. Call the police: Call the police and file a police report for the incident.
2. Call Ambulance: If injuries are serious, ask somebody to call an ambulance.
3. Seek Medical Treatment: Some accident injuries may not be initially apparent. Even if you suspect you only sustained a minor injury, you must seek medical treatment to rule out any delayed-onset or internal injuries.
4. Collect Evidence: Document the accident details, take pictures, write Uber driver details or any third party car details, and collect any witness contact information.
5. Contact Uber Accident Attorney: Contact an Uber accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. An experienced attorney will support you through the whole process and help you get your deserved compensation.

Farahi Law Firm, APC has helped many Uber car accident victims in Los Angeles receive fair compensation for their accident injuries and damages. Our experienced and qualified rideshare accident lawyers in Los Angeles are committed to holding Uber drivers and Uber insurance companies accountable for their negligence and recover the monetary compensation you deserve.

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we won’t collect any fees unless we win! Contact us, or call us at (310) 601-4925 to schedule a free consultation.

Los Angeles Uber Accident Lawyers FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about lawyers specializing in Uber accident cases: