As ride-hailing services continue to grow in popularity, so do the risks of accidents involving Uber drivers. Whether you or a loved one was injured in a collision, it’s important to understand your legal rights and options after such an incident.
At Omega Law Group, our Beverly Hills rideshare accident lawyers have extensive experience representing victims of Uber and Lyft crashes. We know that obtaining fair compensation can be an uphill battle against insurance companies looking to limit payouts.
Our Uber accident lawyers in Beverly Hills understand how important it is for you to recover full and fair compensation so you can move forward. We are not intimidated by big businesses or their insurance companies. Let us fight for the maximum recovery you deserve.
Understanding the Insurance Complexities
Evaluating liability in a rideshare accident first requires a thorough understanding of the insurance policies and coverage layers involved. Uber has multilayered systems that trigger different levels of protection based on the driver’s active app status at the time of collision.
Our car accident lawyers in Beverly Hills can help you understand how rideshare accident insurance works and how it can apply to your claim.
Ride Not Yet Requested
If a driver simply has not logged in to the app and is not physically transporting a passenger, only their personal auto policy would apply up to the state minimum limits. This can leave victims seriously undercompensated for medical bills and injuries resulting from an at-fault driver.
Ride Request
However, once a rideshare driver accepts a ride request, Uber’s $1 million commercial liability policy kicks in to provide additional coverage. Even then, the upper limits may not fully cover extensive victim damages, especially in cases involving catastrophic injuries.
Logged in and Waiting
Perhaps the most complicated is determining coverage for incidents that occur between ride requests when a driver is logged into the app but not actively transporting. Here, insurance responsibilities can overlap between the driver’s personal policy and the rideshare company’s supplemental coverage.
Untangling these intricate coverage layers requires exhaustive legal analysis of the precise circumstances surrounding an accident.
Experienced Uber accident attorneys in Beverly Hills can accurately map out which policies apply and the extent of available compensation through each potential source.
Our firm has the resources to dissect even the most complex insurance scenarios.
Challenges You May Face When Pursuing Compensation After an Uber Accident
Settling an accident claim with a rideshare company is not easy. These are for-profit businesses with high financial stakes, so they are likely to fight tooth and nail to push liability onto an Uber driver without the financial resources to pay for all of your losses. Some common challenges our personal injury lawyers in Beverly Hills see include:
Complex Insurance Policies
As discussed, rideshare insurance can involve multiple layers and limited coverage depending on circumstances. This makes determining liability difficult. You may end up in an endless game of paperwork, phone calls, and finger-pointing without legal counsel to sort it all out.
Disputed Fault
Insurance companies will often argue the driver was not at fault, downplaying responsibility to avoid payouts. This requires investigations and possibly litigation. A rideshare accident lawyer can protect your rights and gather evidence to prove liability.
Accepting Settlements Too Quickly
In some instances, an insurer will approach you within days of the crash to make a settlement offer. The instant gratification of taking the check can be tempting. However, this can be risky.
Some injuries may not be fully diagnosed until later, or your injuries may require more treatment than you think. This can leave you with hefty medical expenses.
If you settle before you are aware of the full spectrum of your injuries, you are barred from taking any legal action or pursuing further compensation.
Lowball Settlement Offers
Insurers often severely undervalue pain/suffering and make “take it or leave it” settlement offers to pressure acceptance. The insurance adjusters are highly skilled and may attempt to manipulate you into taking a settlement that is far below your claim value. Without legal counsel from a skilled rideshare accident attorney, your claim and your compensation will be at risk.
(310) 526-8383What Damages Are Recoverable in an Uber Accident Claim in California?
Here are some of the major types of damages that may be recoverable in an Uber accident claim in California:
- Medical expenses: This includes all past and future costs for medical treatment, prescriptions, therapy, surgeries, hospital stays, etc., related to injuries from the accident.
- Lost wages: For time missed from work due to injuries, as well as potential long-term lost earning capacity. Independent contractor drivers can claim lost income.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical and emotional pain, as well as loss of enjoyment of life. Factors like the severity and longevity of injuries are considered.
- Property damage: Covers repairs or replacement of personal property damaged in the crash, such as a totaled vehicle.
- Disfigurement/scarring: Damages for permanent disfigurement or scarring from injuries.
- Loss of consortium: For spouses or family members who must provide care, a claim can be made for loss of companionship due to the injured person’s condition.
The full compensation owed will depend on the specific accident details and evidence presented in each unique case. An experienced lawyer can maximize recovery of all applicable damages categories.
Contact an Uber Accident Lawyer in Beverly Hills for a Free Case Evaluation
The laws that govern companies like Uber are constantly evolving, making it difficult for the average person to understand their rights and responsibilities in the event of an accident.
By working with the experienced Beverly Hills Uber accident attorneys of Omega Law Group, you can have peace of mind knowing that your case is in good hands. Let us take on the task of understanding the law and will use that knowledge to craft a strong case on your behalf.
Contact us today for a free consultation with no obligation. Let’s talk about how we can help you so you can focus on healing.
