Uber Accident Lawyer Bakersfield

Were You Injured in a Rideshare Accident in Bakersfield?

Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have become some of the most popular modes of transportation in the past ten years. As of 2022, Uber has 93 million active users, while Lyft has around 20 million users. These two apps, along with many others, have revolutionized the way we get around. They are easy, convenient, and eco-friendly.

Yet they don’t come without their own risks. An Uber or Lyft driver is prone to the same issues that other drivers face – fatigue, distraction, speeding, and intoxication. If a rideshare driver was negligent and caused your accident, you have options. Our car accident lawyer in Bakersfield can help you obtain compensation from the driver, the rideshare company, or both. Contact us today to learn more about your case.

No Win. No Fee. Guaranteed.

Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee rather than a fixed or hourly fee. This pay arrangement allows clients to obtain legal representation at no upfront cost. Additionally, if our firm does not win a settlement for you, you do not pay anything. Call us to schedule your free consultation with our Bakersfield rideshare accident lawyer.

Were You Injured in a Lyft or Uber Accident in Bakersfield?

If you were involved in a Lyft or Uber accident in Bakersfield, you may be suffering from painful injuries and financial strain. When the accident was the fault of the Lyft or Uber driver or a third-party driver, you deserve to be compensated.

However, obtaining financial compensation on your own is extremely difficult without the right legal representation. The personal injury lawyers at The Law Offices of Daniel Kim know how to fight the insurance company and the rideshare companies to seek the maximum compensation for injured victims.

The Law Offices of Daniel Kim is an experienced personal injury law firm with a 99% success rate and over $300 million recovered for clients. Our award-winning legal team has been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and Best Attorneys of America. Our law firm is always available to chat in a free consultation. Call us today at (661) 846-8116.

How Can a Lyft or Uber Accident Lawyer Help Me?

Dealing with mounting hospital bills and insurance adjusters calling you day and night can be a lot for injured victims to handle. Additionally, filing a rideshare accident claim with Uber and other rideshare services can lead to months of unanswered calls and emails. Our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers know how to expedite the claims process and win these types of cases.

Here are more reasons why to hire our Bakersfield law firm:

• Fully knowledgeable in Uber and Lyft ridesharing laws
• Effectively negotiate with the insurance company
• Conduct a thorough investigation to help prove your case
• Access to the best medical treatment
• Litigate in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached
• Maximize the value of your case and final settlement

Statute of Limitations

There are time limits when it comes to filing an accident claim. Therefore, do not delay. All personal injury victims are bound by California’s statute of limitations. You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Once this deadline passes, you will be unable to pursue compensation.

Can I Recover Compensation for an Uber or Lyft Accident?

If you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. However, getting the money you deserve is not easy. You may be dealing with multiple parties, such as Uber or Lyft, the other driver, and their insurance companies. You may also be facing your own injuries and financial hardship.

In a typical car accident claim, injured victims may recover two types of damages: economic and non-economic damages. These may include:

• Lost wages: Past or future lost income due to an inability to work
• Property damage: Any repair or replacement costs for your vehicle
• Medical expenses: Costs related to your treatment, such as medical bills, emergency room visit, or surgery
• Pain and suffering: Physical or emotional pain caused by the Uber accident, such as anxiety, stress, PTSD, or fear
• Permanent physical injuries: Physical therapy or ongoing medical treatment if permanent injuries, disfigurement, or disability results from the Lyft accident
• Wrongful death: If your loved one was killed, the surviving family members may sure to recover compensation such as funeral expenses and loss of companionship

The sooner you contact a Bakersfield Uber accident attorney, the faster you will receive a settlement.

What Are Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents?

As with any other driver, Uber and Lyft drivers can act negligent, become distracted, and engage in reckless behavior that results in a crash. However, rideshare accidents are not always the fault of the rideshare driver. Other drivers may cause an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle.

Below are some of the top causes of Bakersfield Uber accidents:

Distracted Driving

Uber and Lyft drivers have more distractions than the typical driver. They may be focused on the app, which allows them to pick up and drop off passengers, or on the navigation. Rideshare drivers who engage in conversation may also become distracted. Distractions directly increase the possibility of a car accident.

Speeding or Reckless Driving

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), 1 in 3 roadway deaths involves speeding. The greater the speed of the vehicle, the more dangerous the impact and the injuries. Drivers who speed over the limit, tailgate, or weave in and out of traffic pose a greater risk of a crash. In the Uber and Lyft apps, if riders report dangerous driving, it can result in the driver losing access to the Driver app.

Fatigue

In California, Uber and Lyft drivers are legally allowed to drive up to 10 consecutive hours in a 24-hour period. However, it is not uncommon for drivers to exceed this time limit, endangering themselves and others on the road. Fatigue can be just as dangerous as drunk driving.

Impaired Driving

Uber and Lyft maintain a zero tolerance policy when it comes to impaired driving. Despite strict laws surrounding DUIs in California, drunk driving is still the cause of many fatal accidents per year. If a passenger suspects a driver is under the influence, both rideshare companies recommend dialing 911 and ending the trip immediately.

Poor Vehicle Maintenance

Lyft and Uber drivers may easily drive more than 1,000 miles a week. This is putting significantly more mileage on their vehicle than the average driver. Significant wear and tear on the vehicle can lead to brake failure, tire blowouts, and engine problems.

Running Red Lights or Stop Signs

Rideshare drivers are bound by the same traffic laws as other drivers. If they fail to respect traffic signs or stop signs, they increase the risk of colliding with another vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian. These accidents are especially dangerous at intersections.

Navigating Unfamiliar Roads

Rideshare drivers are constantly navigating unfamiliar roads while on the job. Unfamiliarity can lead to confusion, sudden movements, or unexpected stops.

Who Is Responsible for My Injuries in a Rideshare Accident?

After a rideshare accident, the financial responsibility falls on who was at fault, the status of the driver, and the extent of the damages. Rideshare drivers are required to have their own personal auto insurance, which may cover some of the damages if they are at fault or partially at fault. Rideshare companies also provide additional insurance coverage for their drivers and passengers while they are using the Lyft or Uber app.

However, this coverage varies depending on the status of the driver. If the driver is offline, then only the driver’s personal auto insurance will apply. If the driver is logged on but has not yet accepted a ride request, Uber and Lyft’s third-party liability insurance kicks in, up to the following amounts:

• $25,000 in property damage per accident
• $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries

When the driver is en route or on a trip, Uber maintains up to $1 million in third-party liability insurance for personal injuries and property damage caused by the at-fault driver.

Is Lyft or Uber Liable for Their Drivers’ Negligence?

One of the main challenges in a rideshare accident case is proving negligence, which is the failure to exercise reasonable care that causes harm to another. To prove negligence, the plaintiff must show that the defendant owed them a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused the plaintiff’s injuries and losses as a result.

In a rideshare accident, the plaintiff may be a passenger, another driver, a pedestrian, or a cyclist who was injured by the rideshare driver or the other driver. The plaintiff may sue either or both drivers, depending on who was at fault, and may also sue the rideshare company under certain conditions, such as when the rideshare company failed to properly screen the driver.

However, proving negligence may not be enough to recover full compensation, as California follows the law of pure comparative negligence. This means that the plaintiff’s damages may be reduced by their own percentage of fault, if any, for the accident. For example, if the plaintiff was 20% at fault and suffered $100,000 in damages, they would only receive $80,000.

What if the Rideshare Driver Was Not At Fault for the Accident?

If you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft and another driver causes your accident, then you would follow the same protocol as any other car accident. You would file a personal injury claim against the third-party driver’s auto insurance for damages.

What Should I Do as a Passenger in a Rideshare Accident?

Whenever you are involved in an accident, you should get medical attention right away. Your injuries might be more severe than you realize, and they could lead to further problems.

If you were injured as a passenger in a rideshare accident, then you deserve to be compensated. After an Uber or Lyft car accident, stay calm and follow certain steps to ensure your overall safety.

Below is just a shortlist of what you need to do after being involved in an Uber crash:

1. If it is a serious accident, call the police. The responding officer will document the crash and create an official police report.
2. Collect insurance company information, drivers license, and contact information from the Uber or Lyft driver.
3. Take video and photos of the accident scene, the vehicle, and your injuries.
4. Talk with any witnesses and exchange information.
5. Seek treatment from your doctor immediately.
6. Contact a qualified Bakersfield Uber accident attorney.

Lyft and Uber Rideshare Accident Statistics

While most Uber and Lyft rides are completed without incident, Lyft and Uber accidents can happen. According to a study conducted by the University of Chicago, ridesharing services have contributed to a 3% increase in overall car accident fatalities in the U.S. since 2011.

When Uber released its first ever safety report in 2018, itt reported that 58 people were killed in crashes. Lyft’s first ever safety report, which was released in 2021, reported that about 50 people were killed in accidents in 2019.

Dangerous Roads and Intersections

According to data from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the following streets/intersections in Bakersfield are the most dangerous for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists:

• California Ave. and Baker St.
• Union Ave. and California Ave.
• 4th St. and Union Ave.
• Gosford Rd. and Ming Ave.
• H St. and Ming Ave.
• H St. and Wilson Rd.
• H St. and Planz Rd.
• Hageman Rd. and Riverlakes Dr.
• Ming Ave. and New Stine Rd.
• Oak St. and California Ave.
• Baker St. and Niles St.
• Union Ave. and 17th St.
• Union Ave. and 18th St.

Contact Our Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer in Bakersfield

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is stressful enough. If the accident involved a rideshare driver from Uber or Lyft, it can make the process of obtaining compensation much more complicated. Luckily, our rideshare accident attorney in Bakersfield knows how to fight against these billion-dollar companies to get what injured victims deserve.

Schedule a free consultation with our legal team today. We proudly serve the community of Bakersfield and the surrounding cities of Kern County, including: Delano, Ridgecrest, Wasco, and Shafter.

Other Practice Areas We Specialize In

Directions to Our Bakersfield Office

Our law office is located in downtown Bakersfield near the Kern County Superior Court.

Car Accident Lawyer Daniel Kim — Bakersfield, CA
Address: 930 Truxtun Ave., Suite 210, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: (661) 846-8116