Guidance Through The Complex Field Of Rideshare Accidents
Rideshares like Uber and Lyft are now commonplace, as are the accidents that they cause. Some rideshare drivers are in such a rush to pick up their next passenger that they do not obey the laws of traffic. Others may be distracted by looking at the maps on their phones. In some other cases, the rideshare company may share a portion of the fault.
Because of the complexity of rideshare accident cases, you need to work with an experienced California law firm. You can rely on us at Rencher Law Group, P.C., where our lead attorney has more than 20 years of legal experience. Our team of lawyers in San Diego and San Francisco considers the unique aspects of your crash to create a strategy tailored to your needs.
Liability And Rideshares: What To Know
Determining the at-fault parties in a motor vehicle accident involving rideshare vehicles is very complex. Although the driver often shares at least a fraction of the fault, the rideshare company may also have played a role. However, companies like Uber and Lyft do everything in their power to avoid vicarious liability. For instance, they require any injury lawsuits to go through arbitration instead of a trial, and they ban passengers from bringing class-action lawsuits against them.
Even though rideshare companies and their insurers are hellbent on preventing you from holding them liable for an accident, RLG can still help you. We are not afraid to take on powerful corporations like Uber and Lyft, and we have done so – successfully.
What Is Considered A Rideshare Company?
Ridesharing is a business model that allows regular drivers to make money by providing rides to paying passengers in their personal vehicles. All rides and payments are coordinated through a third-party platform (usually an app or website) used by both passengers and drivers. Unlike traditional taxis, rideshare drivers cannot be “hailed” (flagged down) by would-be passengers who see them driving down the street. All transactions need to go through the third party, which is the rideshare company.
In the United States, Uber and Lyft are the two most popular ridesharing services by a wide margin. There are dozens of lesser-known and lesser-used services, most of which utilize the business model described above.
What To Do After Being Involved In A Rideshare Accident
After being involved in any type of motor vehicle accident, your two biggest priorities are seeking emergency medical attention for anyone who needs it and collecting information from the scene and from the parties involved in the accident. This could include:
- Pictures of the crash and the site (such as tire marks on the road)
- Pictures of license plates
- Contact and insurance information from the drivers involved
- Contact information for any witnesses to the crash
- Copies of the police report
If you don’t receive medical treatment immediately, you should be examined by a physician shortly after the crash to fully assess your injuries. After that, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney (like those at our firm) to discuss your rights and legal options. Rideshare companies (especially Uber and Lyft) have a history of trying to deny liability and rejecting or minimizing claims. Being represented by a lawyer is perhaps the best way to show these companies that you are serious about claiming the compensation you are entitled to.
What Evidence Is Needed To Prove Negligence In A Rideshare Accident?
Our attorneys will fully investigate your accident to determine what happened and who was at fault. The specific evidence we present will depend on the details of the crash. Some examples might include:
- The accident scene information mentioned above
- App data showing the work status of the driver at the precise moment of the crash
- Your medical records following the crash
- The driving and accident record of the rideshare driver
- App data and phone/text records that could demonstrate driver distraction
- Information obtained from the event data recorder in the rideshare vehicle
The rideshare driver may be personally liable for the crash, but the rideshare company may also share liability. We conduct a thorough investigation to maximize your legal options and potential compensation.
Let Us Simplify Your Complex Case
We streamline the processes of filing an insurance claim, filing a lawsuit and the many other details of your accident. Contact us for a free initial consultation; we do not charge you any fees unless we recover compensation. Call us at 877-RENCHER or send us an email today.