Rideshare Accident Attorney in El Segundo

California lawyer pursues compensation for victims of negligent Uber and Lyft drivers

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are popular means of transportation in California. However, the increased traffic resulting from widescale usage also means a higher propensity for auto accidents. Passengers and others who are injured may seek financial compensation from the insurance coverage that rideshare companies must carry. If you were hurt in such an accident, the Law Offices of Sanford Jossen in El Segundo has the experience and skill to guide you through the claims process and if necessary to bring a legal action in your behalf. 

Liability in a rideshare accident?

When a vehicle operated by a driver working for a rideshare company like Uber and Lyft gets into a collision, injuries may be suffered by the passengers in the rideshare vehicle and/or the driver or passengers of another vehicle involved.

Determining who is liable in a rideshare accident is essential for recovering compensation. Depending on the circumstances, fault may lie with the rideshare driver, another driver or both. When there is an issue as to shared causation, California’s comparative negligence rule rules in each injured party’s potential recovery of compensation being reduced by their percentage of fault. If a rideshare driver is liable, in whole or in part, for your injuries, both the driver’s personal auto insurance policy and the rideshare company’s insurance policy might cover your damages.

Uber and Lyft insurance coverage

Although drivers for Uber and Lyft are independent contractors, not employees, state law requires rideshare companies to carry liability insurance policies covering their drivers. That coverage is based on a driver’s level of activity, defined by “periods” as follows: 

• Period 1 — Rideshare app on, but no passenger
• Period 2 — On the way to pick up a passenger 
• Period 3 — Transporting a passenger

For Period 1, the liability policy must provide minimum bodily injury coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. For Periods 2 and 3, and the policy must provide at least $1 million per accident. Rideshare insurance only comes into play when the driver’s personal auto insurance coverage is exhausted. But very often, a driver’s personal policy excludes coverage when an accident occurs while the vehicle is being used for commercial purposes.

Common challenges you may face in a rideshare accident claim

Rideshare insurance carriers may dispute that their driver caused an accident or may seek to shift some of the blame to another party. Even when the rideshare driver’s fault is clear, you may face difficulties in pursuing an insurance claim, such as delays and low settlement offers. The process can become more complicated when multiple parties are involved. Accident victims will have to compete for their shares of the per accident limits, and if other drivers are potentially liable, it will affect whether and how soon the rideshare company is willing to settle. In some cases, a personal injury lawsuit may be necessary.

Contact a dedicated Los Angeles County rideshare accident law firm 

The Law Offices of Sanford Jossen in El Segundo, California provides effective representation for people injured in rideshare accidents. We accept cases on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay legal fees if you receive compensation. To schedule a free consultation, call 888-671-3718 or contact us online.