Visalia Uber Accident Lawyers CA

Which Party is Liable in an Uber Accident?

Uber auto accident claims involved more complicated factors than a regular car accident claim. Uber passengers involved in a crash may face the following situations:

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

But as the injured party in an Uber accident, you are in a win-win situation.

• If your ridesharing driver is at-fault for the accident, then the ridesharing service’s insurance coverage will pay for your accident injuries and property damage.
• If your rideshare driver is not the at-fault party and another driver is responsible for the accident, the third party’s car insurance is responsible for your compensatory damages.
• If an Uninsured or Underinsured motorist causes the accident, then you are also covered by the ridesharing service’s liability insurance.

Insurance Requirement for Uber in California

For transportation network companies (TNCs) in California, the California Public Utilities Commission sets rules that protect passengers and everyone else the service touches. In short, these regulations aim to keep every person around a rideshare vehicle safe.

Because Uber’s coverage shifts with the driver’s app status, it spans three distinct periods.

Uber’s Three Insurance Coverage Periods

• Period 1: The app is open, but the driver is still waiting for a match.

During Period 1, Uber provides the following coverage:

• $50,000 for injuries or death per person
• $100,000 for injuries or death per accident
• $30,000 for property damage

In addition, TNCs must carry excess liability coverage of at least $200,000 per occurrence.

• Period 2: The driver accepts the match and heads to pick up the passenger.

During Period 2, Uber provides primary commercial liability coverage of up to $1 million per accident.

• Period 3: The passenger rides in the vehicle until they exit.

Likewise, during Period 3 Uber provides primary commercial liability coverage of up to $1 million per accident. Meanwhile, Uber also adds uninsured and underinsured motorist protection for the same amount.

By contrast, if a driver has not logged into the app or was on a personal ride, their own personal insurance strictly limits any available compensation.

How AB 5 Affects Uber Accident Claims

Notably, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) now treats TNC drivers as employees under the state’s Assembly Bill 5. Consequently, this shift carries major consequences for both these workers and transportation companies across California.

This move not only improves conditions for Uber drivers, but it may also change how the company answers for a driver’s negligence. Therefore, it can help passengers and other victims who suffer injuries while using one of these ride-sharing apps.

Because these cases carry so many moving parts, you should hire an accident attorney who regularly handles Uber accident claims.

Most Common Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries

Like most automobile accidents, an Uber crash often causes serious bodily injury. Oftentimes, these accident-related injuries lead to mounting expenses and prolonged medical care.

Specifically, some of the most common injuries a victim might suffer in an Uber accident include:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Bone fractures
• Whiplash
• Back injury
• Loss of limbs

What Compensation Can an Accident Victim Recover in an Uber Accident Claim?

As the injured party, you can generally pursue monetary compensation for your injuries and damages. Depending on your case, you may recover the following:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical bills
• Loss of income
• Physical therapy
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment
• And more

Furthermore, if the crash causes the wrongful death of a loved one, you may file a wrongful death claim to recover related damages. Although no amount of money can replace a loved one, these compensatory damages still help ease the financial burden a family carries, subject to the facts of each case.

Meanwhile, an experienced lawyer can manage the legal process of your personal injury claim from start to finish. In situations such as these, strong legal representation matters, because insurance companies may use a difficult moment to take advantage of your vulnerability.

Therefore, you should avoid speaking to an insurance adjuster before your personal injury attorney joins the conversation.

Steps to Take if You Are Injured in a Ridesharing Accident

1. Contact the police – You must contact the police immediately after the incident. The police need to be at the accident scene and file a police report. This may be used as proof to help strengthen your claim.
2. Seek medical care – Even if you believe your injuries are only minor, it is pertinent that you have yourself checked by a medical professional to ensure that you have no internal injuries. Some injuries may not present themselves outwardly.
3. Document the incident and your injuries – Take as many pictures as you can of the accident scene. Photograph the accident from different angles and capture details you think may be important to your case. Document your injuries immediately after the incident and as they heal as well.
4. Write down the details of the accident – Note down as many details of the accident as you can. Recall how the incident occurred and what happened immediately after.
5. Contact a Visalia Uber accident lawyer – Contact an accident attorney immediately after an Uber accident. An experienced attorney will support you through the whole process and recover the maximum compensation you need and deserve.

Contact Experienced Visalia Uber Accident Lawyers

At Farahi Law Firm, our Visalia Uber accident lawyers have helped many crash victims pursue compensation for their injuries and damages. So if a rideshare crash has left you hurt, contact an Uber accident lawyer as soon as possible.

First, we work to protect your rights from insurance carriers who may try to lowball you. In addition, we help you get the medical care you need and pursue the fair compensation you deserve, though results always depend on the specifics of each case.

Moreover, we manage the complex paperwork of your case, so you can focus solely on your recovery. Call us today at (559) 315-4111 for a free case consultation. Because we work on a contingency basis, you never pay us a single cent unless we win your case. Your justice is our cause!