Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Bakersfield

If you have been in an accident with a rideshare driver, you may not be sure what to do next. You might be hurt, unable to work, and have debts that are adding up fast. If the accident wasn’t your fault, you have the right to seek compensation for your damages. 

But who is liable in rideshare accidents: the company or the driver? The answer is often complicated. Our rideshare accident lawyers in Bakersfield can help you determine who is at fault and seek restitution for your losses. 

At J&Y Law, our Bakersfield personal injury lawyers  have recovered tens of millions of dollars in awards and settlements for injured victims in California. Call today to schedule a free consultation and tell us your story. 

What is a Rideshare Accident?

A rideshare accident is one involving a rideshare company such as Uber or Lyft. These businesses use contracted drivers to transport passengers for a fee, similar to a private car service. Passengers schedule rides via a rideshare app on their phones. 

These services have revolutionized the way people move around, as it is no longer necessary to find or pay for a cab or take public transportation. However, because of the increase in the number of rideshare drivers on the roadways, the number of accidents has risen as well. 

If you have been in an accident with a rideshare driver, our Bakersfield car accident lawyers can explain your options and help you recover damages. 

Do You Need an Attorney for a Rideshare Accident?

It is always smart to consult with an attorney whenever you are injured in an accident. It is even more important when you are dealing with a situation such as a rideshare accident, where it is hard to know who is responsible for your damages. 

In some cases, the rideshare company is fully responsible for covering your losses. In others, the driver is on their own, and you’ll be dealing with their auto insurance provider. Which party is liable often depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash. 

It’s tough enough recovering from your injuries without the added burden of planning your legal strategy. With a skilled attorney on your side, you’ll know your case is taken care of, your rights are protected, and you have an ally in the fight against powerful insurance companies. 

When is a Rideshare Company Liable?

Lyft and Uber have similar policies for determining when their liability insurance applies to an accident. In general, their driver must be signed into the app and on the clock. They could be waiting for a customer, transporting a customer, or on the way to pick up a customer. 

Other situations where the rideshare company may be liable include:

• They fail to conduct background checks on new drivers.
• They disregard complaints from customers about a driver’s behavior.
• They fail to train and educate new drivers properly.

Both Uber and Lyft have robust liability policies that cover their drivers while they are on duty and conducting company business. Your rideshare accident attorneys in Bakersfield will investigate your accident to determine if the rideshare company was liable. 

When is a Rideshare Driver Liable?

Rideshare drivers are usually not employees. They are contractors who supply their own vehicles. If your accident occurred while the driver was not signed in to their app or executing duties on behalf of the company, you will most likely be dealing with the driver’s auto insurance policy. 

In essence, it becomes like any other car accident at that point. The good news is that, in order to contract with rideshare companies, rideshare drivers must carry auto insurance with liability that meets or exceeds the state minimum requirements. In California, that’s:

• $30,000 for an incident that causes injury or death to one person
• $60,000 for an incident that causes injury or death to more than one person
• $15,000 for property damage

How Much is a Rideshare Accident Case Worth?

The extent of your damages determines the value of your rideshare accident case. Your Bakersfield rideshare accident lawyers will calculate the expenses you’ve incurred due to your accident and injuries. This may include the costs associated with economic damages, such as:

• Emergency treatment in the ER 
• The ambulance ride to the hospital
• Hospital admissions
• Prescription medications
• Doctor and specialist appointments
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Lost wages during the time you can’t work
• Future medical needs
• Property damage and the expense of repairing your vehicle

Your attorney can advise you if it is possible to recover non–economic damages for the emotional and psychological harm you’ve suffered after the accident, such as pain and suffering or emotional distress. These are tough to prove and not always available. 

What Does a Rideshare Accident Case Cost?

We bill our services based on a contingency fee agreement. We take our fees from your final award of settlement. You don’t pay anything up front, and you only pay if we get results. 

This makes our services available to almost anyone. When you go up against rideshare companies and their insurance providers, you’ll be facing skilled attorneys who get paid to win. It’s only fair that you have the same kind of support in your corner.

Your right to seek compensation should not depend on the depth of your pockets. We believe everyone deserves quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. 

Get Help from a Rideshare Accident Attorney in Bakersfield

A car accident can leave you injured, unable to work, and deeper in debt with every passing day. You’re unable to care for your family or handle many of the tasks you used to take for granted, all because of one negligent driver. 

You can seek compensation for your damages, but when that driver is a rideshare operator, it is difficult to know where to start. Our Rideshare accident attorneys in Bakersfield will find out who is liable and help you get the money you need to reclaim your life. 

Our team at J&Y Law has served tens of thousands of clients over the years. We’ll fight to get you full compensation in your case. Contact us to schedule a free consultation and find out how we can help.