Ridesharing services operated by Uber and Lyft have taken San Jose and the state of California by storm, disrupting the pay for transportation business model. Along the way, more and more Uber and Lyft vehicles are on the road, which inevitably means more ridesharing accidents. Nonetheless, rideshare drivers and companies have a mutual duty to ensure the safety of their passengers, other motorists and pedestrians. If you or a loved one has been injured in a ridesharing accident, it is crucial to know your rights.
J&Y Law, a premier personal injury firm serving clients in San Jose and throughout the state, knows the ins and outs of ridesharing accident claims. We are well-versed in the applicable insurance laws and the California Vehicle Code and have a proven history of helping car accident victims obtain meaningful compensation. When you consult us, we will provide you with powerful representation, and caring, personal service, making sure your rights are fully protected.
How Do Ridesharing Services Operate?
Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare services utilize smartphone apps and satellite technology to bring rideshare drivers and passengers together. Consumers must download the app, enter their credit card information, and then request a ride through the app. The driver is subsequently notified through the app and then uses GPS navigation to locate and retrieve the passenger as well as to navigate the route to the destination.
It is important to note that Uber and Lyft consider their drivers to be independent contractors, unlike professional, licensed taxi and limousine drivers. Rideshare drivers typically do not have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), use their own vehicles, work part-time, and create their own work schedules, often as a means of supplementing their income. Rideshare drivers also tend to work long hours, while utilizing their smartphones and GPS devices, which leads to distraction and fatigue, a deadly combination that underpins many rideshare accidents.
Who is Liable in a San Jose Ridesharing Accident?
Nonetheless, rideshare companies and their drivers have a duty of care to ensure the safety of others — passengers, other motorists, and pedestrians — and both can be held liable for injuries that arise from accidents. While Uber and Lyft have customarily attempted to deny liability for accidents caused by their drivers, current insurance laws provide coverage based on a complicated scheme concerning the rideshare driver’s status at the time of the crash.
Was the driver logged into the app and being connected to a rider? Had a trip been accepted and was the driver going to pick up the passenger? Was the rideshare driver taking the passenger to his or her destination?
Whether you are injured as a rideshare passenger or involved in a collision with an Uber or Lyft vehicle in San Jose, it is crucial to have proper legal representation. Ultimately, rideshare accident claims may involve multiple parties — the rideshare driver’s insurance carrier, Uber or Lyft’s insurer, other drivers and their insurance carriers.
When you work with the aggressive rideshare accident attorneys at J&Y, you may be able to obtain compensation that includes economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages will compensate you for lost wages, medical expenses, and other monetary losses. Noneconomic damages are designed to cover pain and suffering, permanent disabilities, loss of enjoyment of life, and similar harm.
Contact Our San Jose Ride Sharing Accident Attorney
Knowing that being injured in an Uber or Lyft accident is an overwhelming experience, J&Y will stand by you every step of the way, fighting for the compensation you deserve. Our rideshare accident attorneys will personally handle your case, which will give you confidence that your rideshare accident claim is in good hands. We will conduct a thorough investigation of your ridesharing accident by obtaining and reviewing the police report and medical records, as well as identifying and interviewing witnesses, including the rideshare driver, and representatives of the ridesharing service.
Our commitment is to fight to obtain the full value of your claim that considers all of your future medical and financial needs. We will engage in a detailed and intricate negotiation with the insurance companies to obtain a fair and reasonable settlement. If an agreement cannot be reached, our tenacious litigators have a proven track record of achieving successful outcomes in court. Above all, we know how to hold negligent rideshare drivers and companies accountable.
At J&Y, all rideshare accident cases are taken on a contingency basis which means that you will not pay any attorney’s fees until we win you compensation. Please contact our office today to speak with our ridesharing accident attorneys.