Representing Any Uber Driver Injured Throughout Los Angeles
Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) or ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft have become a popular alternative to taxis and other forms of public transportation in California. Just like other motor vehicle drivers in the state, however, rideshare drivers and TNCs have a duty of care not to cause injuries to other drivers. When rideshare drivers are involved in accidents with other motorists, the driver and the TNC company can be held liable.
J&Y Law, a premier personal injury law firm serving all of Northern and Southern California, knows how to help victims of rideshare accidents. If you were injured in a collision with an Uber or Lyft driver, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Our attorneys understand the complicated insurance rules applicable to rideshare companies and will work diligently to protect your rights.
How Do Ridesharing Apps Work?
Rideshare services utilize smartphone apps and satellite technology to connect passengers and rideshare drivers. The process is simple and convenient: consumers request a ride through an app on their mobile device, the driver is notified through the app, the driver locates the passenger through GPS navigation, picks up the passenger and uses GPS to map the destination. Uber and Lyft passengers pay in advance either with a credit card or through their smartphone so there is no need to carry cash. Finally, drivers and passengers also have the opportunity to rate each other at the end of the ride.
Factors Involved in Ridesharing Accidents
Because Uber and Lyft drivers have been customarily been considered independent contractors, TNCs often seek to deny any liability for the actions of drivers. Moreover, rideshare drivers use their own vehicles and don’t have commercial licenses. Because they often work long hours, rideshare drivers are at risk of becoming fatigued, which puts other motorists at risk of injury. Rideshare drivers may also become distracted by their reliance on smartphones and GPS systems.
Nonetheless, rideshare companies and their drivers have a duty of care to ensure the safety of other motorists and both parties can be held liable for injuries that arise from car accidents. While the state insurance laws apply to rideshare accidents, the amount of coverage depends on factors such as whether:
- The driver was logged into the app and being connected to a rider
- A trip been accepted and the driver was en route to pick up the passenger
- The rideshare driver was taking the passenger to his or her destination
Given these complexities, if you are injured in a collision with a rideshare vehicle, it is crucial to have proper legal representation. Our experienced attorneys can help to determine which party was responsible for the accident and your alternatives for obtaining compensation. We have the skills and resources to pursue claims against multiple parties, including the rideshare driver’s insurance carrier, the TNC’s insurer, or other responsible drivers and their insurance carriers.
Above all, we will fight for your right to just compensation, which includes economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover lost wages, medical expenses, property damage, and other monetary losses. Noneconomic damages, on the other hand, compensate you for pain and suffering, physical disability, loss of enjoyment of life, and similar intangible harm.
It is important to note that the state’s law of comparative negligence applies to rideshare accident cases. This means that if you are deemed to be partially at fault for the collision, the amount of your recovery will be reduced by the percentage of blame assigned to you. As an example, if an Uber driver runs a red light and is found to be 80 percent liable, but you made an improper turn and are 20 percent at fault, the amount of damages awarded to you will be reduced by 20 percent.
Contact Our Los Angeles Uber Driver and Ridesharing Accident Attorney Today
At J&Y, we know that being injured in a ridesharing accident is an overwhelming experience. In addition to lingering injuries and pain and suffering, many accident victims face mounting medical expenses. That’s the bad news. The good news is that our experienced rideshare accident attorneys can help. We understand how the state’s insurance and negligence laws apply to rideshare accidents.
Our legal team will thoroughly investigate the circumstances that led to your accident and identify and interview potential witnesses, including the rideshare driver, TNC representatives and any other party involved in the accident. We will work to show how the Uber or Lyft driver was at fault for the collision. To obtain the full value of your claim, we will engage in intricate and detailed negotiations with the insurance company. If the insurer refuses to make a fair and reasonable settlement offer, we are prepared to litigate the matter in court.
J&Y Law has a well-deserved reputation for holding negligent rideshare drivers and TNCs accountable and delivering an exceptional client experience. While we believe that technology provides numerous benefits to society, flaws in the rideshare model put other motorists at risk unnecessarily. That’s why our team is dedicated to protecting the rights of rideshare accident victims. Call our office today or complete the convenient online contact form to set up a free consultation.