Orange County Rideshare Accident Lawyer
With Offices in Huntington Beach
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Orange County Rideshare Accident Lawyer
After an accident during an Uber ride, you may be wondering how you can get compensated for your injuries. It can be confusing because Uber drivers weren’t technically employees in the past, which means that their personal car insurance providers were the ones covering any bodily damage to passengers. However, in recent years rideshare drivers have now become protected employees of Uber, allowing them some coverage through the company’s insurance policy. This insurance may not cover all damages, and you will need an Uber accident lawyer from Timothy J. Ryan to help you recover the full amount of your compensation.
Timothy J. Ryan also helps residents of California with Personal Injury Matters in: Anaheim, Buena Park, Dana Point, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, San Diego and Santa Ana.
Source: https://visual.ly/community/infographic/transportation/how-safe-are-uber-drivers
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What Steps Do I Take After An Rideshare Accident?
When you’ve been in a car accident while in an Uber, you should start to work on building your case so that your attorney has enough information to initiate a settlement claim.
Call 911
If your rideshare driver didn’t contact the police, then you should call 911 as soon as possible. The police on the scene will check if anyone is injured, write citations, and record the details of the accident. This will provide information for your attorney to retrieve at a later date and use in your case. Police reports provide lots of details about the crash.
Take Pictures
After your accident, if you are able to move and aren’t critically injured, take pictures of the crash, including the damage to each vehicle and the accident scene. Even though you don’t have to be concerned about property damage, the vehicle damage can provide proof of the accident’s severity.
Collect Contact Information
Make sure you have the correct contact information from your Uber driver because you will be unable to contact them through the Uber app after your ride is over. You can also gather contact information from any witnesses nearby who may have seen the accident firsthand. Their testimony can help you later on.
See A Doctor
Even if you don’t think you’re injured or only suffered a few bruises, it is a good idea to see a doctor once you’ve been in an Uber accident. The doctor can discover any injuries that didn’t immediately manifest after the accident. Delaying treatment can result in injuries and weaken your case since the at-fault party might claim that your injuries were not that serious since you didn’t get them treated as soon as possible.
Consult With an Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Your next step is to speak to a dedicated attorney from Timothy J. Ryan . We can help you uncover additional evidence, point out unique circumstances about your case, and calculate your damages. We will investigate your case to see if we can find more evidence to strengthen your claim. Our dedicated attorneys will use traffic camera footage, driver background history, and other information to bolster your claim. We can also negotiate on your behalf and make sure you receive the right amount of compensation for your injuries.
How Much Am I Covered Under the Rideshare Insurance Policy?
Uber considers their rideshare drivers employees, which means they can be insured for car accidents while providing rideshare services. When Uber drivers are on duty, they are covered by Uber’s $1 million insurance policy, which includes coverage for uninsured and underinsured motorists. If that doesn’t cover your damages, you can seek a settlement from the Uber driver’s personal insurance coverage as well.
Uber drivers also receive $1 million in coverage through third-party liability when they are en route to pick up riders, which means that if an Uber driver hits you while they are on call, you can receive coverage. When an Uber driver has the app turned off, they are only covered by their personal auto insurance, but when the app is on, the Uber insurance coverage is activated.
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Learn More Information From An Rideshare Accident Lawyer
If you have additional questions, you can find them out from a knowledgeable Uber accident lawyer from Timothy J. Ryan who can guide you through the process. You may be curious to know what kind of damages you can claim, the amount they are worth, and how to get the process started. Your attorney can find this out for you by reviewing the case details and applying their thorough knowledge of rideshare insurance policies. Get started today by reaching out to an Uber accident lawyer from Timothy J. Ryan .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Orange County Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Determining liability in a rideshare accident is more complex than a standard car accident due to the various insurance policies at play. Liability depends on the status of the rideshare driver at the time of the accident, which is categorized into different ‘periods.’ Your attorney will investigate whether the driver was offline, logged into the app, en route to a passenger, or had a passenger in the car, as each period activates a different level of insurance coverage from the rideshare company or the driver’s personal policy.
The four rideshare periods are crucial for determining which insurance policy applies. Period 0 is when the driver’s app is off, and only their personal insurance is active. Period 1 is when the driver is logged into the app and waiting for a ride request, activating limited contingent liability coverage from the rideshare company. Period 2 is when the driver has accepted a ride and is en route to pick up the passenger, activating a $1 million primary commercial policy. Period 3 is when the passenger is in the vehicle, and the $1 million policy remains active until the ride is complete.
Victims of rideshare accidents can seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include tangible losses like past and future medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses such as physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. A skilled attorney can ensure all potential damages are properly calculated and sought.
Rideshare accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, depending on the severity of the crash. Common injuries include whiplash and other soft tissue injuries, bone fractures, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from striking the vehicle’s interior. Internal injuries and emotional trauma, such as PTSD, are also common. It is vital to seek immediate medical attention for all injuries, even if they seem minor.
In many cases, your claim will be filed against the rideshare company’s insurance policy, not the company itself. This is due to the legal classification of rideshare drivers as independent contractors under California’s Proposition 22. However, a claim can still be brought against Uber or Lyft if their negligence directly contributed to the accident, such as in cases of negligent hiring or if a vehicle defect was a known issue. Your attorney can advise on the best legal strategy for your specific case.
The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including a rideshare accident, is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, there are exceptions. If the case involves a government vehicle or a fatality, the timeline can be different. It’s crucial to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that all deadlines are met and your right to seek compensation is protected.
After a rideshare accident, your safety and health are the top priorities. Seek medical attention immediately. Then, call the police to file a report. If you are able, take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries. Collect the contact information of the driver, any other involved parties, and witnesses. Do not accept a settlement offer or give a recorded statement to any insurance company without first speaking with an experienced rideshare accident lawyer.
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