Irvine Uber Accident Lawyers

Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing companies have slowly become a household name in Irvine, California. These popular rideshare services give both residents and visitors plenty of options when it comes to getting from place to place.

Accidents involving Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing companies are an unfortunate reality today. If you or a loved one was involved in a ridesharing accident, contact the Irvine Uber accident lawyers at Crockett Law Group today to learn about being compensated for your injuries.

Call us today at (888) 965-3827 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our Uber accident lawyers!

Uber and Lyft Accident Statistics

According to a report by The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Uber vehicles were involved in 97 fatal crashes between 2017 and 2018. Those crashes led to 107 total deaths.

What Are the Most Common Types of Uber and Lyft Accidents?

Ridesharing accidents involving Uber or Lyft vehicles can happen in a variety of ways. Here are some of the most common types of Uber and Lyft accidents in Irvine, California:

• Uber or Lyft driver injury due to their own negligence
• Uber or Lyft driver injury due to another driver’s negligence
• Passenger injury due to an Uber or Lyft driver’s negligence
• Passenger injury due to the negligence of another Uber or Lyft driver
• Third-party injury due to the liability of an Uber or Lyft driver
• Uber or Lyft passenger and/or driver injury due to a malfunctioning or defective vehicle part
• Property damage due to an Uber or Lyft driver’s negligence

Who Are the Parties That Can Be Found Liable in a Ridesharing Accident?

If you are involved in an accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, it doesn’t automatically imply that the driver is responsible for the accident. It is important to understand that several parties may be found liable in an Uber accident, including:

Uber or Lyft Driver

Uber or Lyft drivers in California are required to have car insurance. If you are injured by a negligent Uber or Lyft driver who isn’t engaged in a commercial purpose, you may recover compensation from their personal insurance policy.

If the Uber or Lyft driver was engaged in commercial activity, however, the insurance company may deny your claim. Personal policies often exclude certain types of coverage, which includes driving a motor vehicle for hire. If that’s the case, you would have to consider filing your claim with Uber’s insurance.

Rideshare Companies (Uber, Lyft, etc.)

Rideshare companies such as Uber or Lyft are required to ensure that their vehicles are covered by insurance. Consequently, if a negligent Uber or Lyft driver hits you or you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft at the time of the accident, you may file a claim for recovering benefits from Uber’s insurance policy.

At-Fault Third-Parties

A third-party may be liable for the crash in some accidents. If a pedestrian, bicyclist, or another driver caused the accident, you would have the right to fail a claim with the third-party’s insurance company.

It is advisable to consult with the Irvine Uber accident lawyers at Crockett Law Group before proceeding with any legal action, regardless of who is liable for the accident. The settlement process when it comes to rideshare accidents is can be not only lengthy but also frustrating without our expert guidance. So, call us today at [phone] to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

How Are Uber Accident Cases Different from Regular Car Accident Cases?

Uber accident cases and regular car accident cases share many similarities, but they are very different from a legal standpoint. Here are some of the ways in which Uber and Lyft accident cases differ from regular car accident cases.

A Third-Party Is Involved

Uber accident cases indirectly involve the rideshare company. This has the potential to change the legal outcome of the case because you may have to file a claim for compensation with Uber as opposed to the at-fault driver.

Rideshare Company Negligence

The rideshare company could bear responsibility for the accident if it contributed to the crash through improper driver training, hiring, or retention practices, or if it broke the safety inspection rules.

Self-Driving Vehicles

If a malfunction of the software or technology in a self-driving Uber vehicle causes an accident, the ridesharing company could bear financial responsibility for the accident and related injuries.

Does Uber Have a $1 Million Insurance Policy for Accidents?

Yes, but it is only applicable in specific circumstances. If an Uber driver has accepted a request and is on the way to pick up a rider or is actively transporting a rider, he/she has $1 million of third-party liability coverage.

What Types of Compensation Can I Seek in an Uber Accident?

If you have been injured in an Irvine Uber accident, you could recover certain types of damages for your injuries and losses. The most common types of damages that Uber accident victims can pursue include the following:

Economic Damages

Economic damages refer to the actual monetary losses resulting from the Uber accident and include:

• Current and future medical expenses and costs
• Current and future lost wages for the time lost from work due to injuries resulting from the accident
• Rehabilitative services, including physical therapy
• Personal property damages
• Various other out-of-pocket expenses

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are the losses resulting from the Uber accident that are hard-to-quantify in monetary terms and include:

• Loss of consortium
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring
• Disfigurement
• Mental anguish
• Pain and suffering

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are the specific damages awarded only when the court finds the actions of the defendant so egregious that they want to punish and prevent them from committing a similar act again in the future.

Should I Just Accept a Settlement Offer?

No. Whether you are an Uber passenger or another driver involved in the accident, you must never accept a settlement offer without first speaking to our Uber accident lawyers at Crockett Law Group. Without adequate legal counsel, you could be agreeing to a payout that’s significantly lower than what you deserve.

How Much Will an Irvine Uber Accident Lawyer Cost?

If you hire the experienced Uber accident lawyers at Crockett Law Group, you won’t have to pay us anything upfront. All our Uber accident cases are on a contingency fee basis, which means that you aren’t obligated to pay us any legal fees until we win your case.

Are there Time Limits When It Comes to Filing an Uber Accident Claim?

Yes. The statute of limitations refers to the time limit on the right to file an injury claim. In California, the statute of limitations on all auto accident cases, including rideshare accidents, is 2 years from the date of the accident.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer?

The unfortunate reality is that many people decide to represent themselves because they assume that they will save money doing so. However, that simply isn’t true. If you hire our Uber accident lawyers, you can expect to receive more compensation. Here are 3 other reasons why you need a lawyer:

Case Preparation/Filing a Lawsuit

It can be difficult to determine with whom to file a claim following an Irvine Ube accident. Depending on the specifics in your case, you may be required to file multiple claims against various parties. Our skilled Irvine Uber accident lawyers can help you determine with whom you should file the claim and actually file the claim on time to ensure that you are fairly compensated.

Settlement Negotiations

Our experienced Uber accident attorneys know how to handle negotiations with insurance companies to recover the maximum possible compensation. They know the insurance laws likely to impact your Uber accident case and can interpret the provisions of an insurance policy with the aim of increasing your odds of receiving maximum compensation for the injuries sustained in an Uber accident.

Trial Preparation and Representation

If the out-of-court negotiations don’t work out as planned, our lawyers will take your fight for justice and compensation to the courts. It may turn out to be a more expensive and time-consuming affair. If you attempt to do it on your own, the at-fault party’s insurance company may try stopping you from suing them. With our knowledgeable and seasoned Uber accident lawyers on your side, however, you won’t need to succumb to such pressure or let go of the claim.

Hurt in an Uber Accident in Irvine? We Can Help

Uber accidents can lead to devastating or catastrophic injuries. If you have sustained injuries due to the negligent actions of an Uber or Lyft driver, you have the legal right to hold the guilty party responsible for your injuries and losses.

At Crockett Law Group, our Irvine Uber accident lawyers are always available to help you with your case. Call us today at (888) 965-3827 or using the contact form provided to schedule your free consultation with our caring, compassionate, and experienced legal team.