Fresno Lyft and Uber Accident Lawyer

Have you sustained minor or severe injuries in a Lyft or Uber accident in Fresno, CA? Have you lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence? Daniel Kim and his team will fight tirelessly to defend your rights and recover the compensation you are rightfully owed.

The insurance claims process is much more complicated for Uber/Lyft drivers and their passengers, but our law firm is well-prepared to take on any opponent. Our Fresno Lyft and Uber accident lawyers know how to handle each insurance company and their misleading tactics. We maintain a 99% success rate and have recovered over $90 million in settlements and verdicts. Schedule a free consultation with our Fresno personal injury lawyer.

At The Law Offices of Daniel Kim, we are familiar with the greater Fresno area, California traffic laws, and personal injury law. We exclusively handle auto accident cases and help our clients navigate the complex claims process. Our legal team is dedicated to helping rideshare accident victims recover just compensation for their losses.

If you have been involved in a Fresno rideshare accident, you may be eligible to pursue compensation. Call us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Uber and Lyft attorney in Fresno, CA.

Other Practice Areas We Specialize In

Were You Injured in a Lyft or Uber Accident in Fresno, CA?

Car Accident Lawyer Daniel Kim specializes in rideshare accidents and knows how to win these types of cases. Our aggressive Lyft/Uber accident attorneys will fight tirelessly to get you the maximum compensation available. Our priority is your health and recovery. This includes your physical, financial, mental, and emotional well-being. Our law firm has connections with some of the best medical institutions across Fresno County.

Don’t delay getting help after a Lyft or Uber crash. Daniel Kim’s award-winning personal injury law firm offers free consultations. During your free case evaluation, we will discuss your legal options and the value of your case. More reasons to call our personal injury lawyers:

• We have helped hundreds of Lyft/Uber accident victims win verdicts and settlements
• 99% success rate
• Free 1-on-1 case evaluation
• We can connect you with top medical professionals in Fresno, CA
• You can reach us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

How Can a Lyft or Uber Accident Lawyer Help Me?

At The Law Offices of Daniel Kim, our team of Fresno personal injury lawyers is here to help. We understand how stressful and complex the process can be when filing a claim with Uber or Lyft. If your claim goes to court, our experienced trial lawyers will provide aggressive and strategic legal advocacy throughout your entire rideshare lawsuit and fight to recover the maximum compensation available.

After a rideshare accident, you should be able to focus on healing, not dealing with financial hardship or negotiating with the insurance company. It’s stressful and time-consuming to deal with medical bills, property damage, and insurance companies alone. Insurance adjusters are well-equipped to find reasons to deny your insurance claim or offer a low settlement. Our rideshare accident attorneys will protect your rights and facilitate all communication with the insurance company on your behalf. We have our clients’ best interests in mind and ensure we recover a fair settlement.

Additionally, our Lyft and Uber accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing until we win your claim. If we don’t win your rideshare case, you won’t be billed for our services.

If you have been in a Fresno Uber/Lyft accident, it’s vital to hire legal representation quickly. According to California law, the statute of limitations to file the claim is two years from the date of the car accident. Car Accident Lawyer Daniel Kim and his legal team are committed to securing the best possible results for your case and resolving it in a timely manner.

Can I Recover Compensation for a Rideshare Accident?

Accident cases involving rideshare vehicles are not your typical car accident claims. The value of an Uber/Lyft accident claim depends on several factors like the extent of your personal injuries, medical treatment, future medical bills, property damage expenses, liability, and the legal representation you have. Daniel Kim and his legal team will fight to get maximum compensation for your damages. Common types of compensation available to rideshare accident victims include:

• Medical Bills – This includes medical bills incurred from the date of the accident and future medical expenses for ongoing treatment.
• Lost Income – If you had to miss work and you lost wages as a result you can recover these damages.
• Lost Earning Capacity – This relates to the victim’s ability to earn money in the future. A personal injury lawyer can help you prove and calculate lost earning potential.
• Disabilities or Disfigurement – If you were injured in a car collision you may be eligible for short or long-term disability insurance. Damages can also be recovered for victims who sustained scarring or disfigurement of any part of the body. We can help you fill out the claims needed and get you on the road to recovery.
• Pain and Suffering – This can include physical pain as well as mental distress and emotional damage the victim experiences because of the Uber/Lyft accident.
• Personal Property Damage – To continue your vehicle’s comprehensive coverage, an insurance company will require it to be repaired. We will help you recover the car repair costs.
• Wrongful Death – If you lost a loved one in a rideshare accident because of another person’s negligence, you have the right to pursue compensation.

What Are the Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents?

Like other auto accidents, Uber and Lyft accidents can occur when a Lyft or Uber driver is distracted, driving aggressively, speeding, or experiencing driver fatigue. Some of the main causes of rideshare accidents include:

Distracted Driving

Driving distracted is a top cause of rideshare accidents due to the nature of their job. Whether they are using their GPS navigation, talking to customers, or getting notifications on their rideshare app, Uber and Lyft drivers are regularly juggling multiple distractions. Additionally, with UberX Share, users can share a ride with a co-rider on the way to their destination. This adds to the Uber driver’s distractions because they must locate other users and pick them up along the route.

Drowsy Driving

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving resulted in 697 crashes in 2019. Uber and Lyft drivers oftentimes utilize ridesharing as a side gig, in addition to their primary job, which can lead to working extensive hours. Ridesharing is typically available at all hours of the day but is most popular early in the morning or in the evening. Consequently, Lyft and Uber drivers are at a high risk of experiencing driver fatigue, which can put them and their passengers at a greater risk of a severe crash.

Speeding

In 2020, speeding accounted for 29% of all traffic fatalities. Rideshare drivers rely on good ratings and are especially encouraged to get to a user’s destination as quickly as possible. Lyft and Uber drivers may also have daily quotas they want to meet or exceed, increasing their driving speed as a result. Speeding puts the Uber or Lyft driver, their passengers, and others around them at great risk. When a driver speeds it limits the time required to slow down and react to other motorists and can cause a serious accident.

Driving Under the Influence

Alcohol and drug impairment significantly alters a driver’s cognition and ability to make decisions on the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that in 2019 there were 10,142 traffic fatalities due to drunk driving. Half of all fatalities that occur at night involve drunk drivers. Uber and Lyft drivers may take on most of their rides during peak hours at nighttime when the risk of crossing paths with a drunk driver is high.

Failure to Obey Traffic Laws

Drivers on the road are required to obey traffic signs and signals as well as drive appropriately during poor weather conditions. When drivers fail to follow traffic laws and drive recklessly, they can cause a car crash. The negligent driver can be liable for the injuries and damages they caused due to their reckless actions.

Does Lyft or Uber Compensate for Accidents?

Lyft and Uber drivers are considered independent contractors and are required to have an active auto insurance policy. Additionally, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft offer a third-party liability policy that covers their drivers during specific periods of the driver’s route. Both Uber and Lyft have a $1 million insurance policy to either help cover damages or compensate their drivers after a car collision. Uber and Lyft also provide $1 million dollars of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

If you have been injured in a Lyft or Uber accident, you have the right to pursue fair compensation. It’s important to refer to the third-party liability policy to find out how you may be compensated for damages caused by the car crash.

If you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft accident, you may also be covered under a million-dollar insurance policy. Third-party Uber and Lyft insurance coverage for passengers means you could be compensated up to $1 million dollars for your injuries and losses. Oftentimes, the rideshare liability policy will cover your claim, however, there are instances when Uber or Lyft may deny your claim.

Is Lyft or Uber Liable For Their Drivers’ Negligence?

Rideshare drivers are not employees of Uber/Lyft, but independent contractors. This means that the rideshare drivers are responsible for carrying their own auto insurance coverage. When the driver’s rideshare app is off, he/she can only utilize their auto insurance policy after an accident to recover damages. However, when the driver turns on the app and is available to riders, they are covered under Uber/Lyft’s insurance policy.

Additionally, when the driver is matched with a rider, and when a rider is in the driver’s vehicle, Uber/Lyft’s $1 million dollar insurance policy is also active. Even though Uber and Lyft’s $1 million dollar insurance policy protects drivers and riders, a driver’s or rider’s insurance company may encounter challenges when filing a claim.

If the Uber/Lyft driver was negligent and breached their duty of care, that individual is liable to the other drivers or riders for the injuries and damages caused by the crash. In this situation, both the driver’s auto insurance and the rideshare company’s liability coverage can be utilized to cover property damage and injuries sustained in the accident. Therefore, the injured rider must prove:

• The rideshare driver owed them a duty of care.
• The rideshare driver was negligent and breached their duty of care.
• The rideshare driver’s negligence caused a crash and resulted in the rider sustaining injuries.

Different factors, like if the rideshare driver was negligent, can complicate the claims process. As a passenger, your insurance company may need to make a claim against the driver’s auto insurance policy, the rideshare company’s insurance policy, or both. A Fresno car accident lawyer can help you hold the at-fault parties accountable and recover just compensation.

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

After a rideshare accident, it’s important to stay calm and move out of harm’s way if it is safe to do so. Your driver should pull over to a safe, well-lit area. As a passenger, some proactive steps you can take after an Uber/Lyft accident include:

1. Get to Safety – After a car crash, it is best to get out of the road and rest in a safe place if you’re able to. If you are seriously injured or others around you have serious injuries, call an ambulance.
2. Call the Police – It is vital to get the police on the scene of the Uber/Lyft accident. Responding officers will document the rideshare accident and fill out a police report which will be an important piece of evidence in your claim.
3. Get the Drivers’ Information – Ensure you collect information including name, address, license, registration, and insurance information from both your Uber/Lyft driver and the other party involved. Also, take note of the make and model of the vehicles involved in the crash.
4. Take Pictures – It’s crucial to take pictures of your injuries, the accident scene, damage to the vehicles, skid marks, vehicle parts, and shattered glass.
5. Talk to Witnesses – If there are witnesses present, be sure to get their contact information.
6. Seek Medical Attention – Even if your injuries seem minor, you should still seek medical attention. Symptoms of severe injuries may not develop until days or even a week after the accident. Neglecting symptoms and not seeing a medical professional can significantly impact your rideshare claim.
7. Get a Fresno Rideshare Accident Lawyer – After a rideshare accident, it’s important to have the incident investigated as soon as possible. An Uber/Lyft accident attorney can help the accident victim gather evidence and hold the at-fault party responsible for damages caused by the collision.

Lyft and Uber Rideshare Accident Statistics

Ridesharing has increased in popularity across the United States over the past few years. It offers a convenient means of transportation for tourists and residents alike. Ridesharing allows users to travel without the added stresses of driving, parking, and figuring out how to get home after enjoying alcoholic beverages.

However, there are still risks of getting into a Lyft or Uber accident. In a recent study, researchers determined that upon the arrival of ridesharing there was a 2-3% increase in the number of traffic fatalities after 2010. Uber’s U.S. Safety Report identified there were 107 motor vehicle accident fatalities between 2017 and 2018. At least one Uber accident victim lost their life in 93% of Uber-related fatal collisions.

Dangerous Roads and Intersections

The roads in Fresno are constantly busy with cars, trucks, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. Fresno, CA attracts over one million travelers every year and it’s no surprise that the risk of a rideshare accident is high. Highway 99 was named the most dangerous highway in the United States. The stretch of freeway that runs through Fresno is known as the deadliest part and accounted for 34 traffic fatalities alone. Some of Fresno’s most dangerous intersections include:

• Shaw Avenue and Valentine Avenue
• First Street and Angus Avenue
• Ashlan Avenue and Blackstone Avenue
• First Street and Tulare Avenue

Driving Directions to Our Fresno Office

Car Accident Lawyer Daniel Kim in Fresno, CA
Address: 1221 Van Ness Ave Ste 406, Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: (559) 552-7711
 
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