Long Beach Lyft & Uber Accident Lawyer

The popularity of ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft has exploded within the last ten years. Rideshares offer a convenient way for people to get around, especially in big cities like Long Beach. Ridesharing companies and the entire gig industry have brought work to millions of people all across America. While the presence of rideshares has had many positive effects, rideshare accidents are inevitable. If you have been involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, you need a competent accident attorney to protect your rights and fight for fair compensation.

Both Uber and Lyft have complex insurance coverage policies that most people are not familiar with. In addition, you may have to go against large insurance companies who will use various tactics to avoid a large settlement. As a result, Lyft and Uber car accidents are more difficult to deal with compared to other types of auto accidents.

Hiring a Long Beach personal injury lawyer is a crucial step if you have been involved in a rideshare accident. The Law Offices of Daniel Kim has extensive knowledge of these types of accidents in Long Beach, CA. We offer a free consultation to all potential clients, and we never make clients pay until their case is successful.

Were You Injured in a Lyft or Uber Accident in Long Beach?

The Law Offices of Daniel Kim is a leading Southern California personal injury firm specializing in auto-related accidents. We exclusively defend victims of Long Beach car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and rideshare accidents. We have successfully recovered over $250 million in claims and we maintain a 99% success rate. When someone comes to us in need, we do our very best to help them secure maximum compensation. That is a promise we make to all of our clients.

Daniel Kim has won numerous awards since he opened his own practice. Named a Top 40 Under 40 Attorney, he has been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers, as well as countless other associations in law. Giving clients their peace of mind back is his top priority.

Our firm operates on a 100% contingency-fee basis. We will never charge any legal fees until we win your case and you are compensated. We are available 24/7 for a free consultation to begin discussing your case.

How Can an Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer Help Me?

There are an estimated 2 million Uber and Lyft drivers in the US. Not to mention countless others who participate in the gig economy, worth an approximate $455 billion. With all of these drivers on the road picking up and dropping off customers, the question is “what is the likelihood of an accident?” While many rideshare drivers are experienced and safe, the fact is that accidents do occur, even when they take all of the necessary precautions.

If you were injured as a passenger or got into an accident with a rideshare driver, you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit just like any car accident. Filing a claim against a Lyft or Uber driver can be a complex legal process involving many parties, especially if your case is taken to court. Hiring an accident lawyer will not only make the process easier, but will ease your mind and lower your stress knowing someone is fighting on your behalf.

Can I Recover Compensation for a Rideshare Accident?

Rideshare accident victims can recover damages from the rideshare driver, the other at-fault driver, or – but a lot less likely – the rideshare company itself. As with all car accident claims, you have to prove the driver was at fault before you can get compensation.

Estimating the amount of your case is difficult, as each accident is different. The amount of compensation you receive depends on the extent of your injuries, medical bills related to your injuries, as well as time missed from work and emotional trauma.

Our law firm will work diligently to make sure you get every dollar that you deserve for the injuries you suffered. We will seek compensation on your behalf for:

• Lost wages: Severe injuries such as broken bones or a concussion could put you out of work for months. A claim can include damages for lost earnings and benefits.
• Current and future medical bills: Medical expenses can tally into the thousands when you factor in emergency care, prescription medication, and doctor visits. Your compensation can include the costs of your medical bills, both current and future if your injuries require ongoing treatment.
• Pain and suffering: Aside from physical injuries, victims can seek compensation for emotional and mental distress.
• Wrongful death: If you lost a loved one in an Uber or Lyft accident, you can recover compensation to cover funeral and burial costs, lost income, and pain and suffering in a wrongful death case.

What Are Common Types of Rideshare Accidents?

Rideshare companies often subsidize drivers to stay on the road to maintain an adequate supply of cars. This means there are a lot of more drivers on the road than normal, which in turn has led to an uptick in accidents, injuries, and fatalities.

While rideshare companies require several years’ driving experience, a criminal background check, and a copy of their motor vehicle report, Uber and Lyft drivers can still get into traffic accidents involving a car, bicycle, motorcycle, or pedestrian.

Some of the most common causes of Long Beach rideshare accidents are:

• Distracted driving: Using a smartphone while driving – whether texting, calling, or receiving notifications – can cause serious accidents on the road. Rideshare drivers use their phones to access the service and gain new passengers, which increases the risk of accidents like rear-end collisions or pedestrian crosswalk accidents.
• Reckless driving: Some drivers may want to get to their destination as soon as possible in order to get more riders. That could mean speeding or making unsafe lane changes, both of which are dangerous to everyone involved.
• Drowsiness: Uber and Lyft drivers can spend up to 12 hours per day on the road. Those operating vehicles on little sleep put everyone at risk. Unfortunately, when you hire an Uber or Lyft, you do not know how many hours the driver has been on the road.
• Poor weather: Certain drivers may not be accustomed to driving in bad weather conditions and may not take the necessary precautions.
• Faulty vehicle: Unlike taxis, rideshare drivers use their own personal vehicles for work. A driver who hasn’t maintained their car properly may encounter trouble, putting passengers at risk.
• Under the influence: In unlikely situations, a rideshare driver might get behind the wheel while intoxicated. Millions of traffic accident fatalities occur every year in the US due to DUI driving.
• Unfamiliar roads: Rideshare drivers drive on unfamiliar roads constantly, which could mean a higher risk of accident and serious injury like traumatic brain injuries.
• Self-driving cars: Both Uber and Lyft have introduced self-driving cars or “robotaxis.” While the technology is promising, previous serious and fatal accidents involving autonomous cars still raise concern.

As a general safety precaution, you should always check out the driver’s rating and reviews before hiring a car. Select a driver with a high rating who has completed many rides. Additionally, never get into a car without making sure the driver’s license plate number matches the one on your phone. If you suspect any odd or dangerous behavior from the driver, ask them to pull over and cancel the ride.

Does Lyft or Uber Compensate for Accidents?

Many people might assume if they get into a car accident with Uber or Lyft, they can sue the company directly. However, since rideshare companies classify their drivers as independent contractors and not employees, you would likely file the claim against the driver’s insurance company, not the rideshare company.

Both Uber and Lyft offer similar insurance coverage for drivers and passengers in the event of an accident. Their policies are broken into three phases or “periods.”

Period 1

If you are in an accident but the driver is offline or the Driver app is off, only the driver’s personal auto insurance coverage applies. 

Period 2

If you are driving and get into an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver who has not accepted a ride, both their private insurance and the rideshare company’s insurance would cover an injured third party if the victim’s insurance is insufficient. Uber and Lyft provide additional coverage up to:

• $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
• $50,000 in bodily injury per person
• $25,000 in property damage per accident

Period 3

Finally, if you get into an accident while the driver is en route to pick up a passenger or during a ride, Lyft and Uber offer $1 million in third-party liability insurance. They also provide uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage if the other driver is at fault and is uninsured or underinsured. Uber and Lyft offer comprehensive and collision insurance that will cover up to your car’s actual cash value. However, before any coverage kicks in, you will have to pay a deductible of $2,500.

Navigating these complexities requires attention to detail and knowledge of the local laws and insurance policies. This is why hiring an rideshare accident lawyer is very important when pursuing a claim.

Is Lyft or Uber Liable for Their Drivers’ Negligence?

It depends. Because Uber and Lyft hire drivers as independent contractors and not full-time employees, they are not subject to the same rules as other companies who employ people full-time, such as a trucking company. Most of the time, the Uber or Lyft driver responsible for the accident will be liable for damages, not the company. However, there are exceptions. For example, if the rideshare company did not properly screen or train their drivers and acted negligently, they could be held responsible.

As with any Long Beach car accident claim, the victim must prove the driver did not adhere to the “duty of care” and acted negligently. You must also prove the driver breached the duty of care, caused the accident resulting in injury, and caused the victim to suffer losses.

California is a pure comparative negligence state (partial liability), meaning that all parties involved in an accident are held legally accountable. Unless one party is held 100% responsible, all parties involved will share some liability. If more than one party is responsible for the accident, both parties can pursue damages. Keep in mind that if a judge determines multiple parties were negligent, your claim can be reduced accordingly.

What Should I Do After a Rideshare Accident?

Accidents involving ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft can and do happen, causing harm to various victims, such as passengers and other drivers.

There are some important steps you can take in order to ensure your legal rights are protected. This is a shortlist of what to do immediately after being involved in an Uber or Lyft car accident.

1. Seek medical attention – It’s vital to seek medical attention immediately after a car accident, even if you think you are not injured. Certain injuries like whiplash do not appear immediately but can have long-term and serious side effects.
2. Call the police – If your driver hasn’t already done so, call 911 and wait until an officer arrives. The officer will need to speak with all parties involved to create a police report of the accident.
3. Exchange information with the driver – Exchange contact information, such as name, phone number, license plate number, and insurance company details.
4. Take photos or video – Collecting evidence of the accident scene, including property damage and injuries, is a crucial step after an accident. It is also helpful to write down what happened in detail.
5. Get eyewitness information – If there are witnesses to your accident, make sure to get their contact info and reach out as soon as you can.
6. Report the accident to Uber or Lyft – Report the accident to the appropriate rideshare company. Accident reports are available on Uber and Lyft’s websites.
7. Contact a qualified car accident attorney – Before speaking with anyone about the accident, contact an experienced accident attorney. They can provide legal advice and help you recover compensation from the correct party. 

Lyft and Uber Rideshare Accident Statistics

Multi-billion dollar companies like Uber and Lyft generally do not disclose information regarding accidents in order to maintain a good image. However, research conducted by the University of Chicago reveals that rideshare services have been linked to a 3% increase in fatal accidents since 2011, which is around the same time that rideshare services were gaining popularity. That’s about 987 fatalities per year.

In the same study, Uber vehicles were responsible for 97 fatal crashes between 2017 and 2018. 90% of Uber accidents occurred in urban areas, while an increasing number of accidents took place at drop-off and pick-up locations.

Dangerous Roads and Intersections

With a population that sits at almost half a million residents (making it the 7th most populated city in all of California), Long Beach has its fair share of traffic accidents. The most dangerous roads, intersections, and freeways include the following:

• Pacific Coast Hwy (PCH)
• Pacific Ave.
• I-710 (Long Beach Freeway)
• Long Beach Traffic Circle
• 8th St. and Termino Ave.
• East 7th St. and Redondo Ave.
• East Stearns St. and Palo Verde Ave.
• Bay Shore Ave. and East 2nd St.
• 54th Pl. and East Ocean Blvd.
• West 27th St. and Daisy Ave.
• East 4th St. and Redondo Ave.
• East Los Coyotes Diagonal and East Stearns St.
• Martin Luther King Ave. and 7th St.

Contact Our Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer in Long Beach

If you are one of the millions of Uber or Lyft users who has been involved in a car accident, you can take action. Pursuing a claim in an Uber or Lyft accident can feel like fighting against the current. Rideshare companies will do everything they can to avoid taking responsibility for an accident. But that doesn’t mean you should give up. We can help you navigate the complicated legal process of filing an insurance company claim while providing support for your care and recovery.

Let an experienced Long Beach rideshare accident attorney take care of the heavy lifting. Our dedicated law firm will fight for the compensation you deserve, not the compensation the tech giants think they owe you. We are located just minutes north of the Long Beach Medical Center. Let us take a look at your case in a free consultation. You never pay until you win.

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Directions to Our Long Beach Office

The Law Offices of Daniel Kim — Long Beach, CA
Address: 3646 Long Beach Blvd #201, Long Beach, CA 90807
Phone: (562) 512-5550