Orange County Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer
Orange County Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer
Rideshare services such as Uber & Lyft have changed the landscape of how Californians and Americans travel. However, they have also made the roads more dangerous. Research published by The University of Chicago found that the number of motor vehicle fatalities increased by roughly 3% since rideshare services became widely available.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a Uber or Lyft accident, call us at (949) 771-4188 for a free consultation. Rideshare cases are far more complicated than traditional motor vehicle accidents – it is therefore imperative that you have legal representation for your claim.
Insurance Policy Limits
In 2014, the California legislature passed Assembly Bill 2293, which requires Uber, Lyft and other rideshare services to carry certain levels of insurance coverage. Importantly, the insurance coverage required for rideshare companies is greater than what is required for individual motorists.
There are different levels of coverage rideshare companies must hold depending on the stage of the trip. The 3 stages are:
- App is open – waiting for a match
- Match accepted – passenger not yet picked up
- Passenger transported in the vehicle until they exit the vehicle
In stages 2 and 3 (from when the driver accepts a match on the app, until the driver drops off the passenger), there is a higher level of coverage.
Below is a comparison of the required minimum coverage for rideshare companies versus individual motorists:
| Covered Party | Bodily Injury | Property Damage |
| Rideshare Service (pre-match, stage 1 ONLY) | $50,000 per person
$100,000 per incident (Plus $200,000 excess insurance) |
$30,000 per incident |
| Rideshare Service (match accepted, stage 2 ONLY) | $1,000,000 in general liability coverage | |
| Rideshare Service (passenger in vehicle, stage 3 ONLY) | $1,000,000 in general liability coverage
Plus $1,000,000 in uninsured & underinsured motorist coverage |
|
| Individual Motorist | $30,000 per person
$60,000 per incident |
$15,000 per incident |
It’s important to note that just because a person drives for a rideshare company, it does not mean that the rideshare company’s insurance is liable. The app must be open and active on the driver’s phone for the rideshare’s insurance to apply.
What Should I Do If I Am In An Uber Or Lyft Accident?
- Dial 911 and request medical assistance if necessary.
- Provide an accurate and complete statement to the police and other authorities responding to the call. It’s important to communicate any injuries and property damage sustained, and to recall what transpired leading up to the accident.
- Take photos and videos of everything. This includes damage to the vehicles, drivers licenses, insurance, and registration.
- File a police report. If officers are called to the scene, they can assist. Under California law, one must file a police report within 24 hours of a car accident.
- Speak to witnesses and get their contact information. This will greatly assist in supporting your claim. Send a confirmation text to the witnesses to ensure you have their correct phone number.
- Visit a doctor immediately.
- Call us at (949) 771-4188 – we will evaluate your claim for free and can direct you to the proper medical providers for treatment.
- After you consult with an attorney, we can assist in formally reporting the accident to Uber or Lyft via the app and legal correspondence.