Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Sacramento

A car accident can mean extensive injuries and long periods of recovery. If you are hurt badly enough, you may be unable to perform essential tasks like driving a car or caring for your family. You might not even be able to go to work and earn the money you need to pay your bills. 

When another party is at fault for your accident and injuries, you have the right to seek compensation for your damages. But if that other driver is a rideshare operator, it can be hard to understand who is liable. Our rideshare accident lawyers in Sacramento can help you sort it out.

At J&Y Law, our team of Sacramento personal injury lawyer has helped to recover tens of millions of dollars in awards and settlements for injured clients.  Call today to schedule a free consultation and tell us about your rideshare accident. 

Who is Liable in a Rideshare Accident?

Rideshare companies and their drivers have a duty of care to both their passengers and other drivers. When they fail in that duty, through negligence, recklessness, or otherwise, they can be held liable. However, whether the company or its driver is liable depends on the circumstances..

Determining liability in your rideshare accident case is one of the most important tasks your Sacramento car accident lawyers will perform. We’ll investigate your crash to find out what happened so we can file your claim with the right parties. 

When Rideshare Companies Are Liable

Uber and Lyft are two of the most prominent companies in the rideshare space. Their drivers are not employees; they are contractors who use and maintain their personal vehicles. Both Uber and Lyft have similar policies that determine when they are liable for their drivers’ actions. 

Essentially, if the driver is engaged in company business, the company can be held liable. What that typically means is the driver must be on duty and signed into their rideshare app. They may be waiting for an assignment, transporting a passenger, or en route to meet with a passenger. 

Other situations where the rideshare company could be fully or partially liable include when they:

• Fail to screen or perform a background check for new drivers.
• Offer inadequate training or explanation of policies.
• Disregard customer complaints about negligent or dangerous drivers. 

When the Rideshare Driver Is Liable

If the driver isn’t signed in, the rideshare company may not be liable. That means any accident must be handled as if the rideshare operator were any other driver. You’ll need to file a claim with their personal auto insurance company. 

Both Lyft and Uber require their drivers to carry liability insurance that meets minimum state requirements in order to work with the company. In California, that means:

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

If your damages exceed those amounts, your rideshare accident attorney in Sacramento can advise you on your best course of action. 

Important Steps After Your Accident

Making smart choices in the days and weeks after your accident can help you tremendously when it comes to your legal situation. Some important things to think about include the following”

Seek Medical Attention

The most important thing after your accident is to get medical attention. If you were not taken to the hospital after your crash, see a doctor as soon as possible, even if you feel okay.  Some serious injuries have delayed symptoms. 

Then, make sure you follow up on your treatments and comply with your doctor’s orders. Doing so gets you on the right track with your health so you can recover from your injuries as quickly and completely as possible. 

It also shows you are serious about your medical situation, and it creates a record of your condition. This can be important when legal action is necessary. 

Contact an Attorney

When you are able, call our Sacramento rideshare accident lawyers for a free consultation. A skilled attorney can advise you on the right course of action and prevent you from making major errors that could damage your legal standing. 

For example, insurance companies may offer a settlement soon after your accident, but it is often much lower than what your damages are actually worth. Accept it, and you lose your right to future compensation while letting the insurance company off the hook for a bargain.

We can deal with insurance companies on your behalf, file your claims, and make sure you meet deadlines. You don’t have to deal with them at all if you don’t want to, and we won’t let them take advantage of you. 

Keep Track of Your Expenses

Your attorney will consider your damages when filing your claim and negotiating for compensation. It helps if you keep records of all of your expenses that resulted from the accident. You should also hang on to receipts and invoices. This includes costs related to:

• Your medical care, such as hospital stays, doctors’ visits, and prescription medications
• Lost wages and other income you miss while you are unable to work
• Future medical costs like ongoing therapy, treatments,  or prescriptions
• Property damage, like destroyed belongings or the cost of repairs to your vehicle
• Future job-related issues, such as the need for retraining after an injury

In some cases, you may be able to recover compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, or other non-economic damages. These are hard to prove, and your attorney can advise you if they are applicable in your case. 

Contact a Rideshare Accident Attorney in Sacramento

A car accident can leave you with injuries you didn’t expect and expenses you can’t afford to pay. When an accident occurs because of the negligence of another person, you have the right to seek restitution from the liable party. 

When an accident involves a rideshare driver, the situation can get complicated. However, our rideshare accident lawyers in Sacramento will know how to file your claim and fight for compensation, so you can start getting your life back on track.

Our attorneys at J&Y Law have over 80 years of combined experience helping injured accident victims. We’re here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.