With the tap of a smartphone app button, Uber is ready to pick you up wherever you are and take you where you want to go. What’s not as convenient is sorting through the legal maze that appears after a rideshare accident happens.
If you are recovering from a collision involving the popular ride-sharing service, a Sacramento rideshare accident lawyer from Omega Law Group can help you navigate filing an insurance claim or lawsuit. We know this task can be daunting, given the challenges of understanding insurance coverage and liability determination.
Our Sacramento Uber accident lawyer on your side will work through the complexities of your case and demand full compensation. Call us today or contact us online for a free consultation.
We Can Take Your Uber Accident Case to Court If Necessary
Our Sacramento car accident lawyers will use decades of legal experience to build a robust case proving liability and negligence and seek the maximum compensation for you. Insurance companies use various tactics to minimize claims and payouts, and in some cases, they will deny claims outright to avoid paying them.
Rideshare accident cases often involve complex insurance coverage challenges that our Uber accident attorneys in Sacramento can resolve. We will protect you from lowball settlements and unfair treatment while working for a favorable outcome.
Our team can negotiate with the insurer. However, we will not hesitate to fight for your recovery at trial if necessary. If we represent you, we will handle your whole case from beginning to end.
This means we will:
- Examine the accident to identify its cause and circumstances.
- Gather evidence to establish liability for the collision, including witness accounts, driver activity records, video footage, and police reports.
- Identify all responsible parties, including third-party entities like other motorists, pedestrians, or a municipality.
- Handle case communications and documentation with involved parties.
- Ensure compliance with legal deadlines for your injury case.
- Initiate legal proceedings within California’s statute of limitations unless exceptions apply.
- Provide ongoing updates on the case’s progress and offer thorough explanations of relevant legal statutes.
- Clarify applicable laws, address inquiries and uncertainties, and regularly communicate with you throughout the legal process.
Our Uber crash lawyers in Sacramento take our commitment to recovering our clients’ losses seriously. Call and get your questions answered today during a free consultation.
Our Sacramento Uber Collision Lawyers Will Untangle Complex Liability Claims
One of the challenging parts of Uber rideshare or delivery accident cases is determining if Uber owes you money or other liable parties. Liability can be difficult to determine because of the various phases of insurance coverage during a rideshare driver’s shift.
Understanding these phases is crucial in determining liability and ensuring appropriate compensation for injured parties. They are as follows:
Phase 1: Offline (The Driver Is Not Using the Uber Smartphone App)
During this phase, Uber drivers are not actively using the app. As a result, their auto insurance policy is in effect. This insurance coverage typically includes liability coverage, which the state requires in the following amounts:
- $15,000 for injury or death to one individual.
- $30,000 for injury or death to more than one individual.
- $5,000 for damage to property.
If an accident occurs during this phase, the driver’s auto insurance company will handle the insurance claim and provide coverage according to the policy’s terms.
Phase 2: The Driver Is Online and Waiting for a Ride Request
In this phase, the Uber driver is logged into the app and available to accept ride requests, but they haven’t been matched with a passenger. During this phase, Uber provides contingent liability coverage in the amounts of:
- Up to $50,000 per person for injuries.
- Up to 100,000 per accident for injuries.
- $25,000 in property damage per accident.
This coverage can be a backup if the driver’s auto insurance does not cover the crash or if the coverage limits are insufficient. Uber’s contingent liability coverage typically includes bodily injury and property damage liability, but coverage details can vary depending on the driver’s location and other factors.
Phase 3: The Uber Driver Is En Route to Pick Up or Transport a Passenger
Once the Uber driver accepts a ride request and is on the way to pick up or actively transport a passenger, Uber’s $1 million third-party liability insurance takes effect.
This insurance protects the driver and the passenger(s) in case an accident occurs during the ride. It provides coverage for bodily injury, property damage liability, and other coverage. The policy remains in effect until the passenger reaches their destination and exits the vehicle.
We Will Explain How Insurance Liability Means for Your Case
Our Sacramento personal injury lawyers can help you understand the insurance policy after a rideshare accident by explaining it in simpler terms and making sure you know what it means for your case.
We will review all the policy’s details, including what it covers and how it applies to your situation. For example, we can determine whether the rideshare company’s insurance will pay for your medical bills or if you must use your insurance.
State Law Governs Rideshare Company Insurance Requirements
All rideshare companies in California must provide a $1 million insurance policy that covers injury, death, and property damage, per California Public Utilities Code (PUC) § 5433(b)(1).
The state refers to rideshare companies as “transportation network companies,” and it requires them to clarify when drivers’ auto insurance is in effect versus when the company’s coverage applies.
Recoverable Damages in a Sacramento Uber Collision
Losses vary according to an accident’s facts and circumstances. Our team will review your damages and determine the dollar amount we can recover via an insurance settlement or lawsuit.
Typical damages in these cases include economic damages, such as:
- Medical expenses (emergency care, hospital treatment, and ongoing care)
- Rehabilitation therapy (e.g., physical therapy)
- Lost income (past and present) and benefits
- Lost income-earning ability
- Therapy, mental health counseling expenses
- Property damage
They also can include non-economic damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering (physical and mental)
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Disability, disfigurement
- Loss of consortium, loss of companionship
- Other related damages
Wrongful Death Damages in Fatal Sacramento Uber Accidents
If your loved one suffered fatal injuries from the collision, we are sorry for your loss. We can handle your case while you take care of your relative. Our Sacramento wrongful death lawyer will work to recover damages from the party who caused the crash.
This includes your loved one’s expenses for medical and rehabilitation therapy, funeral and burial expenses, and lost household income.
Have you been involved
in an accident?
(310) 526-8383 Call Us Today for Legal Help After a Sacramento Uber Crash
The Sacramento Uber accident lawyers at Omega Law Group are ready to work to recover your damages. We urge you to contact us soon after you have received medical treatment. California allows only two years from the date of the crash to sue for personal injury and wrongful death damages, as outlined in CCP § 335.1.
We can review your legal options and guide you through your next steps. Call or contact us online today for a free consultation. We can represent you at no upfront cost, and we will get paid only if you win your case.
