Karlin & Karlin
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Ridesharing services provide those without immediate transportation the ability to get around the local area. However, when you get into an Uber or a Lyft, you expect that the driver will operate their vehicle in a manner that is not only safe for their occupants but other drivers and pedestrians as well. Sadly, this is not always the case and injuries can be sustained as a result.
If you have been hurt in an accident while riding in an Uber/Lyft or were involved in a collision with a driver working for either company, be sure to speak with a knowledgeable attorney about your options. A Moreno Valley Uber/Lyft car accident lawyer could sit with you to review the details of your accident and provide you with insight on how to prove liability against the at-fault party. Call today to schedule a free consultation.
Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies provide passengers with one-time transportation for a fee using the vehicles belonging to the hired drivers. California Public Utilities Code § 5431(c) refers to these businesses as Transportation Network Companies (TNC). While all auto accidents share certain elements, such as the nature of auto injuries and damages sought, the ridesharing sector’s unique features complicate claims for compensation.
The range of potential auto accident injuries remains the same regardless of whether the injured party rode in a commercial or personal vehicle (e.g., bruises, lacerations, broken bones, internal organ damage, head injuries, etc.), and the corollary reimbursements sought are also the same.
Uber/Lyft accident claimants fall into one of the following categories:
As passengers do not control the cars they travel in, they rarely contribute to the accident, leaving all the blame to the drivers. Liability in TNC crashes, however, does not end with the vehicle operators. Uber and Lyft collisions involve another player – the TNC.
The complicated nature of these cases and the sophisticated lawyers of big businesses, like Uber, Lyft, and their insurance companies, do not intimidate accident lawyers versed in the rideshare world. Their focus remains on securing a just recovery for injured victims, through settlement or court award, whichever avenue the case requires.
Considering how relatively new TNC’s are to everyday life, this may lead to many unanswered questions that California continually strives to address, particularly regarding auto insurance. Rideshare companies and their drivers must possess commercial auto insurance, specifically Transportation Network Company Insurance, that kicks-in depending on the driver’s status at the time of the incident.
The law segments an Uber/Lyft driver’s insurance needs into four periods based on the driver’s activity:
A driver’s personal auto insurance covers any mishaps, and the minimum insurance standards for all drivers apply because no commercial activity occurs. The act of accessing the rideshare platform triggers commercial insurance coverage, and as the transaction progresses from periods one through three, the mandated amount of commercial auto coverage increases. Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies must also contract for $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for accidents occurring in period three.
Rideshare accidents have a lot of moving parts with multiple defendants. Moreno Valley Uber/Lyft car accident lawyers operate in this world regularly. Our skilled team of auto wreck attorneys knows the system, applicable laws, and insurance requirements. If you contact us today, we will utilize this arsenal of knowledge to secure a compensation award worthy of your injuries. Get in touch to schedule your free consultation.
Karlin & Karlin
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