Phillips Personal Injury. Chico Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers
AVVO Rated "10" Superb & "Clients' Choice" / Better Business Bureau A+ Rating
Lets be real, insurance companies are not on your side. The less money they hand you, the more money they make. If an adjuster betrays your trust, if they “low ball” a settlement offer to you, if they rub salt in your wounds, they don't get reprimanded. They get rewarded…
No matter what the commercials say, and no matter how friendly the adjuster on the phone may appear, it is their job to shortchange you. I've never met an adjuster or insurance defense lawyer who wears a white apron and a name tag. There is no such device as a "name your price tool." Their real tools are weapons: databases, delay tactics, distortions & confusion.
At the Phillips Personal Injury we’re on your side and we treat our clients like family, not claim numbers. We are experienced and knowledgeable in fighting for our clients injured in car crashes in helping them obtain full and fair compensation for their injury.
Chico Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer
Ride-sharing services, such as Lyft and Uber, have provided people with a convenient, economical way to get around. Technology makes it possible to easily connect with a ride-share driver through an app on your phone. Like other motorists, ride-share drivers can be involved in vehicle accidents as they are driving for longer hours and may be distracted by their phone.
After a ride-share accident, you may be tempted to accept any settlement offer available. But before you do, reach out to the Phillips Personal Injury. We offer free consultations and can fully explain to you what your rights and options are. Feel free to give us a call at 530-265-0186.
Contributing Factors in Chico Uber & Lyft Accidents
Often times the “technology” of the ride-share business is to blame for ride-share accidents, providing a new host of distractions. But it is just one factor in a ride-share accidents other factors include:
Driver distraction: Ride-share drivers have several different sources of distraction, including noisy passengers, app notifications, calls from angry clients, and often complicated GPS instructions.
Driver fatigue: The more people they transport to their destinations, the more money ride-share drivers make. This causes them to pack on multiple hours, often working late-nights as a “second job”. If they drift often, they put themselves, their passengers, and other drivers at danger.
Speeding: Rideshare drivers are in a hurry to pick up passengers and get them to their destinations, so they can accept more rides and earn more money. Despite common knowledge that speeding is a major factor in most accidents, drivers will still do it to pick-up a new client or as a result of passenger demands. Whatever the reason, they should always obey the speed limit.
Tailgating: Following too closely is dangerous driving behavior, but all too common, particularly in heavy traffic. A ride-share driver who is tailgating may not be able to stop in time to avoid a collision with the vehicle ahead.
Impaired driving: Alcohol and drug use can significantly impair reaction time and driving ability. Although impaired driving is illegal for Uber and Lyft drivers, as well as any other person operating a motor vehicle, major rideshare companies do not conduct random drug and alcohol testing to prevent it.
How Does Chico Ride-share Liability Insurance Work?
In addition to a driver’s personal auto insurance coverage, Lyft and Uber both provide liability coverage for rideshare accidents. However, the amount of coverage available varies based on whether or not the driver is “on the clock” or driving for personal reasons. For insurance purposes, driver activity is classified into different phases:
When driver mode is off: When the driver is not logged into the ridesharing app, the driver’s personal auto insurance policy applies. At this point, you would file a standard car accident claim.
When the app is in driver mode, but the driver has not yet accepted a ride request: Both Lyft and Uber provide liability coverage of up to $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage in this phase.
From when the driver accepts a ride request until the ride has ended: Uber and Lyfts’ primary liability insurance kicks in during this phase, with $1,000,000 in available coverage per incident. If the driver carries commercial auto insurance or personal auto insurance with specific coverage for ridesharing, Uber and Lyfts’ policy will cover damages in excess of the driver’s policy limits.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: Uber and Lyft both have uninsured/underinsured motorist liability coverage that covers injuries to you if you get into a covered accident and the other driver is at fault and is uninsured or underinsured.
These accident cases are complex due to the fact that insurance coverage issues become clouded due to the relationship between the Uber or Lyft driver and the company. These companies see themselves only as a connection point between driver and passenger. As there is no employer-employee relationship, liability for damages is considered to be an issue between driver and passenger.
At Phillips Personal Injury we’re on your side. We are experienced and knowledgeable with insurance coverage issues for our clients injured in car crashes and in helping them obtain full and fair compensation for their Uber or Lyft injury.
Phillips Personal Injury represents Lyft or Uber passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers who have suffered injuries such as:
Brain injuries
Traumatic amputation
Spinal cord injuries
Back and neck injuries
Catastrophic injuries
Broken bones
Internal injuries
Facial injuries
Soft tissue injuries
We will help you fight for full compensation for your injuries. Do not let an insurance company undervalue your claim; call our law firm today.
Is Hiring a Chico Uber & Lyft Car Accident Lawyer Necessary?
In a ride-share car accident, the accident is just the beginning of your problems. Navigating an insurance claim alone can be tricky, especially if the fault of the accident is disputed. In addition, insurance companies may try to settle your claim for less than it is actually worth. Hiring a Chico Uber & Lyft ride-share car accident attorney after an accident puts someone in your corner who knows your state’s laws and the tricks insurance companies may try to play.
We know you have a lot of choices in choosing your lawyer, but when it comes to choosing a law firm for your injury claim. Bigger is not always better. Why? Traditional law firms use a business model like a pyramid, with multiple levels of bureaucracy and inefficiency. Perhaps the most significant difference between a small personal injury law firm and a large one is the attention and communication that you are likely to experience. At “big law”, there is a good chance you may never even meet the attorney who is technically handling your case.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Lyft or Uber Car Accident in California?
If you are involved in a Lyft car accident in California, you may be eligible to recover various types of damages to compensate for your losses and injuries. The specific damages you can seek will depend on the circumstances of the accident and the extent of your injuries. Here are some common types of damages that can be pursued after a Lyft car accident:
Medical Expenses: You can seek compensation for your medical expenses related to the accident, including hospital bills, doctor visits, medication costs, rehabilitation, therapy, and any necessary ongoing medical treatments.
Lost Wages: If the injuries from the accident have caused you to miss work or resulted in a reduced earning capacity, you may be able to claim compensation for the income you have lost or will continue to lose due to the accident.
Pain and Suffering: You can pursue damages for the physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish you have experienced as a result of the Lyft car accident. This can include both the immediate impact of the accident and any long-term or chronic pain and suffering.
Property Damage: If your personal property, such as your vehicle or personal belongings, was damaged in the accident, you can seek compensation for the cost of repairs or the fair market value of the damaged property.
Loss of Consortium: If the injuries from the accident have significantly affected your relationship with your spouse or partner, they may be able to claim damages for the loss of companionship, affection, and support.
Punitive Damages: In some cases involving extreme negligence or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded. These damages are intended to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior in the future.
It's important to note that each case is unique, and the specific damages available and the amount of compensation can vary based on the facts of the case, the severity of the injuries, and other relevant factors. Consulting with a personal injury attorney experienced in Lyft or Uber car accident cases in California is advisable to assess your situation, understand your rights, and pursue the appropriate compensation for your damages. We do not charge for consultations, so give us a call with any question you may have.