Ever since the formation of Uber in 2009, the ridesharing platform has become a popular and inexpensive form of transportation for lots of Americans. Today, many people prefer using Uber and Lyft to get around cities. Using your smartphone, you can request a ride from Santa Ana to any part of California.
Regrettably, the emergence of ridesharing platforms has also led to a surge in auto accidents. If you or someone you care about has been involved in an Uber accident, contact a Santa Ana Uber accident lawyer to discuss your legal options. An experienced lawyer can help you recover damages such as lost wages, medical bills, and lost earning capacity.
Call (800) 900-9393 today to schedule your free case review. Our Santa Ana auto accident lawyers are prepared to answer all your questions while offering you the best legal counsel. Get started now before it’s too late.
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Uber and Lyft Accident Statistics
According to research from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, the emergence of ride-hailing platforms led to a 3% increase in fatal auto accidents and fatalities. This translates to roughly 987 people every year. Uber published a U.S. Safety Report for the year 2017 – 2018 that detailed 107 total fatalities across 97 fatal crashes relating to the Uber app. Approximately 90% of these fatal crashes occurred in urban areas. Roughly 65% of the Uber-related crashes involved other motor vehicles, while 31% involved pedestrians. Uber’s U.S. Safety Report also indicated that 67% of the deceased parties were Uber occupants and 33% were non-occupants. According to Lyft’s Community Safety Report, the ride-hailing company claims that there were 22, 34, and 49 reports of motor vehicle fatalities in 2017, 2018, and 2019 respectively. Lyft notes that over 99% percent of trips within the same period didn’t elicit any safety incident reports.What Are the Most Common Types of Uber and Lyft Accidents?
When you request an Uber to get you to work or back home, you hope for a smooth ride. However, anything may happen while you are on Santa Ana roads. You may end up in a catastrophic Uber accident, leaving you with severe injuries. Here are some of the most common types of ridesharing accidents in Santa Ana, CA.- Passenger injury caused by the Uber or Lyft driver’s negligence. For example, speeding at an intersection can cause an Uber accident.
- Third-party injury as a result of an Uber or Lyft driver’s liability. For example, a driver who runs a red light may end up hitting a passenger car, leaving the occupants of the other vehicle with severe injuries.
- Passenger injury caused by another Uber driver’s recklessness
- Property damage brought about by the recklessness of an Uber and Lyft driver
- Uber or Lyft driver injuries due to their own negligence
- Uber or Lyft driver injuries due to another driver’s negligence
- Passenger and driver injuries caused by defective or malfunctioning vehicle parts, such as brakes
Who Can Be Found Liable in an Uber Accident?
After an Uber accident, you should consider hiring a Santa Ana Uber accident lawyer to establish who is to blame for your accident. Here are some of the parties that may be liable for your crash.Uber or Lyft Driver
All drivers operating their vehicles in California must follow traffic rules. Federal and state laws require motorists to exercise caution while driving their vehicles on California roads. A driver who chooses to disregard traffic rules may be held responsible in the event of an accident. Actions such as distracted driving, speeding, and drunk driving can cause accidents.Rideshare Companies
An experienced Santa Ana Uber accident lawyer can help you determine if Uber or Lyft are to blame for your accident. For example, if a ridesharing company allows a driver with a history of drugged driving to use their application, they may be vicariously liable for your injuries.Any Related Third Parties
In some instances, third parties may be liable for your Uber accident. This implies that neither the Uber driver nor Uber shares any blame for your accident. For example, if a drunk driver hits your Uber, they may be liable for your injuries and damages.How Are Uber Accident Cases Different From Regular Car Accident Cases?
Uber accident cases are different from regular car accident cases when it comes to insurance coverage. Typically, regular auto insurance coverage is around $15,000. With Uber, there are three policies that drivers have:- Passenger auto insurance
- A commercial insurance policy
- The Uber driver’s personal policy
Does Uber Have a $1 Million Insurance Policy for Accidents?
Uber maintains a $1 million auto insurance for third-party liability. This policy only applies when an Uber is involved in a car crash with a passenger inside the vehicle. If damages exceed the driver’s personal insurance policy, this insurance policy takes effect. Uber also offers first-party injury insurance and uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury during accidents.What Type of Compensation Can I Seek in an Uber Accident?
An experienced Uber accident lawyer from Santa Ana can help you determine the value of your claim and push for the best compensation for damages. After an Uber accident, you may be entitled to various types of damages.Economic Damages
These are calculable damages that signify monetary losses. They include:- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
Non-Economic Damages
These are subjective damages that are harder to quantify. They include:- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Disability
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of reputation