Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers

Protect Your Rights After a Rideshare Accident

Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have changed the way many Americans travel and commute. While these services offer a convenient alternative to other forms of transportation, they are not immune from being involved in serious motor vehicle accidents, or from creating challenges in victims’ fight for compensation.

At Wisner Baum, our Los Angeles Uber and Lyft accident attorneys represent victims across California and the nation following serious personal injury or wrongful death.

We know that issues of driver classification, insurance coverage, and liability can make for significant challenges when litigating rideshare accident claims, but we are confident that we have the experience and resources to help clients navigate the legal process, and pursue the financial recovery they deserve.

Whether you were a passenger, a rideshare driver, or an occupant of a non-rideshare vehicle, you may be entitled to compensation after suffering harm in a Lyft of Uber accident. To discuss your rights and options with an attorney, contact us for a FREE consultation.

Will Lyft or Uber Insurance Cover My Injuries?

Like commercial trucking operators or taxi services, rideshare companies purchase commercial insurance coverage to protect customers and cover damages caused by their drivers. In commercial truck accidents, this type of coverage means victims’ damages are covered when they’re hurt by a company’s driver. In Uber and Lyft crashes, it is not that simple.

Whether Lyft or Uber insurance will cover your accident and losses depends on several factors. This includes:

• The driver’s status at the time of an accident. Although California courts have controversially ruled that Uber and Lyft drivers must be considered employees, they have long been (and still are in much the country) classified as independent contractors. This employment relationship allows rideshare companies to skirt liability for damages caused by drivers who are not “on the clock” at the time of an accident. Whether an Uber or Lyft driver was actively transporting a passenger or delivering essential goods, on their way to pick up a fare, or using their vehicle for personal purposes will largely determine whether you’re covered by a commercial policy.
• Whether you were a passenger. Uber any Lyft insurance policies cover injuries to passengers regardless of who was at fault. These policies typically contain $1 million in liability coverage and UM / UIM coverage. This means that even if a third party caused the wreck, and even if that third party was underinsured or had no insurance at all, passengers are still covered under commercial policies.
• Whether you were another motorist / bicyclist / pedestrian. If you were injured by an Uber or Lyft driver as an occupant in another vehicle, a bicyclist, or a pedestrian, you may be covered by a rideshare’s commercial policy if the rideshare driver was transporting a fare at the time of the crash. If the rideshare driver was in between fares but still had their app on, a lower limit policy may apply. If the rideshare driver was using the vehicle for personal reasons, you would need to seek compensation under their personal insurance.

In addition to determining the availability of coverage, there may other unique insurance issues in rideshare accident cases. This includes:

• Optional rideshare driver coverage, such as Uber’s Driver Injury Protection insurance, which can pay for medical bills up to a certain limit, disability benefits, and survivor benefits for eligible family members.
• Serious injuries and wrongful death, which can result in damages that exceed the policy limits of a rideshare company’s insurance coverage. When victims suffer extensive losses, exploring other avenues for compensation may be necessary. This may involve seeking compensation through a victim’s own UM/UIM coverage, or from a third party who caused or contributed to the crash, such as another negligent driver or the manufacturer of a defective product.

Though there are many challenges that can arise as victims seek compensation after rideshare accidents, the support of proven and experienced attorneys can make all the difference.

From conducting the necessary investigations and determining fault and liability to exploring all available options for coverage and working closely with experts to assess the scope of victims’ damages, Wisner Baum works diligently to help our clients pursue the maximum compensation possible.

To request a free review of your case, call (855) 948-5098 or contact us online.