California legalized the use of ridesharing companies in 2013, becoming the first state to do so. Since that time, many people have taken an Uber or Lyft in West Sacramento, CA. There have also been dozens of rideshare crashes reported over the years — if you get hurt in an Uber or Lyft collision, hire a West Sacramento car accident lawyer to help you out.
The personal injury team at West Sacramento has plenty of experience with ridesharing accident lawsuits. Our West Sacramento rideshare accident lawyer is available to review your case. To get started, contact us today.
How Rideshare Accidents Happen
According to research, more than 99% of Uber and Lyft trips end without a safety incident. However, rideshare accidents are reported every day. They happen for many reasons, such as:
- Distracted driving
- Intoxicated driving
- Speeding
- Poor road or weather conditions
If you are involved in an Uber or Lyft crash, call 911, and emergency responders will come to the accident scene. Use your smartphone to take photos and videos of any property damage and injuries. Also, get the contact information of all parties, including the at-fault driver’s full name, driver’s license number, auto insurance information, and the name of their ridesharing company.
Along with these things, report the accident to the ridesharing company. Both Uber and Lyft have insurance coverage for their drivers. How much money you will get to cover the cost of your collision depends on the severity of your injuries and other factors.
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(916) 500-0000Ridesharing Company Insurance Requirements
It is mandatory to have auto insurance in California. If you drive a car in the state, you must have a minimum of $15,000 of coverage for an injury or death of one person and $30,000 of coverage for an injury or death of two or more people. In addition, you must have at least $5,000 in protection for property damage.
If you drive for Uber, the company maintains automotive liability insurance for its workers. This coverage goes into effect when a driver is logged into the Uber app. The motorist must maintain insurance protection that meets their state’s minimum requirements.
Lyft has similar insurance requirements to Uber’s. To drive for Lyft, you must comply with your state’s minimum insurance mandates. The ride-sharing company also offers coverage to drivers when their Lyft app is active.
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Who to Hold Responsible for a Ridesharing Crash
A West Sacramento rideshare accident attorney can help you determine who is at fault in your Uber or Lyft crash. In some cases, the driver who caused your collision is responsible. At other times, both the motorist and their ridesharing company are accountable.
If a Lyft or Uber driver gets into an accident while their app is on, the ridesharing company can be held responsible. In this scenario, file a claim with the business, and their insurance company may cover your accident costs. If the ridesharing provider does not pay for the full cost of your claim, you may be able to move forward with a personal injury lawsuit.
On the other hand, a ridesharing driver may have their app on and cause an accident. In this situation, the driver and the rideshare company may be at fault. If necessary, a rideshare accident lawyer in West Sacramento can help you file a lawsuit against one or both of these parties.
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When to File a Rideshare Accident Lawsuit
It is not a given that a ridesharing company or its driver will cover 100% of the cost of your accident. An insurance company wants to protect its clients — not you. As such, an insurer may do everything within its power to avoid paying the entire cost of your incident.
When you hire a rideshare accident attorney in Sacramento, you can get the help you need to deal with insurance companies. Your lawyer can negotiate with an insurer and work to secure the compensation you want for your crash. They can submit a personal injury lawsuit before the window to do so expires.
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in California is two years. If you do not find out about an injury right away, this window opens the date you discover it and lasts for one year. File your rideshare crash lawsuit as soon as you can — by doing so, you can boost your chances of getting the damages to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other crash-related costs.
How Much a Rideshare Accident Lawsuit Is Worth
As you search for a personal injury lawyer in West Sacramento, look for one who has achieved outstanding case results in rideshare accident lawsuits. This attorney understands how economic and non-economic damages work. They can learn about your collision, calculate your losses, and help you request a fair amount of compensation.
Economic damages are awarded for quantifiable losses such as medical expenses and property damage. Comparatively, non-economic compensation is provided based on pain, suffering, and other subjective losses. In some instances, a court also awards exemplary damages, which are used to deter an at-fault party from future acts of negligence.
If you are unsure about economic and non-economic damages and how much to ask for in your rideshare crash lawsuit, Triumph Law, P.C. can help. We can answer frequently asked questions and many others about damages and similar legal topics. For more information, get in touch with us.
What It Takes to Get Compensation in a Ridesharing Accident Lawsuit
Evidence plays an important role in a rideshare crash lawsuit. You can use traffic camera footage and other pieces of at-the-scene evidence to show what happened during your collision. Witness statements, police reports, medical records, and other documents can also support your claim.
You are responsible for the burden of proof in your lawsuit. If you cannot prove that the defendant in your case was negligent, you are unlikely to get damages. Conversely, if you have an experienced attorney at your side, you are well-positioned to present a compelling argument.
To prove negligence, you must show that a defendant had a duty of care, i.e., a legal obligation to act in a reasonable manner. Furthermore, you must verify that this at-fault party violated their duty, which led to your accident and injuries. You must confirm that the party caused you to suffer damages as well.
Hire a West Sacramento Ridesharing Accident Lawyer
At Triumph Law, P.C., we understand the challenges that can come up in ridesharing accident cases. We address these challenges and help you maximize your compensation. To schedule a confidential case consultation, contact us today.
