October 29, 2020

Who is Responsible for my Injuries in a California Ridesharing Accident?

Here in California, we rely on rideshare vehicles for getting from point A to point B. And, for the most part, rideshare commuting is safe and convenient. But there are times when Uber and Lyft vehicles are involved in traffic accidents. Even in a simple rear-end collision, a ridesharing accident can bring a huge headache to file a claim.  There is a myriad of insurance issues and layers of liability.  Because these types of claims can be complicated, an auto accident victim should get the advice of a California ridesharing accident lawyer.

As in any car accident in California, liability will be determined by who is at fault for the accident. Unfortunately, many rideshare operators are maneuvering GPS and their rideshare apps while picking you up and getting you to your destination. Sometimes they are rushing to make a drop-off on time or to get a new pickup on time.  Other times drivers are simply fatigued from driving all night.  These factors can contribute to a motor vehicle accident.

As independent contractors, they are often trying to get in as many rides as possible and can often work long hours. This means that Lyft and Uber typically try to hide from their liability by arguing their drivers are not employees but independent agents.  This means that the actions of their driver would typically not great liability for the company.

As for financial liability when it comes to a rideshare accident, there are also other factors that must be considered in a settlement. Depending on whether the rideshare driver was in active transport of a passenger and was logged in as such, an insurance claim will either be filed with the rideshare company or against the driver’s individual insurance policy. The coverage difference between an individual’s policy and the rideshare company’s policy can be vastly different.

If you were involved in an accident with a rideshare driver, this may be difficult to maneuver on your own. You should get the advice of an experienced California ridesharing accident lawyer to understand your options. For more information and a FREE case review, contact us today at (888) 588-1777.  We are ready and willing to help.