Have you been hurt in a ridesharing accident? If so, an Anaheim ridesharing accident lawyer could provide you with legal guidance. The laws around ridesharing drivers and insurance claims recently changed, so you may be interested in securing legal support if you plan to pursue legal action with a personal injury lawsuit.
California Voters Approve Proposition 22
In November 2020, California voters approved Proposition 22, which gives rideshare and delivery companies like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and others the right to classify workers as contract workers and not full-time employees. The passing of the proposition also lowers insurance costs to the companies in case of an accident. These companies can offer occupational accident insurance to its drivers to cover the costs of medical expenses and any lost income from injuries that the driver suffered while on the job.
For example, in vehicle accidents involving two consumer cars, the normal course of action would be for each driver to file a claim against the other driver’s insurance company. But if one of the cars is being used as a rideshare vehicle, the issues around that type of claim can get confusing and complicated.
If the party driving a car for money as part of a ridesharing service only has $20,000 in bodily insurance or occupational insurance coverage, then it likely will not be enough to cover the costs of your car’s damages or emergency hospital care costs.
In the first instance, you can contact Ben Crump, PLLC, at (844) 730-0233 to seek advice on filing a personal injury claim against an at-fault rideshare driver. Our team can review the circumstances of your situation and assess whether you can seek compensation in a lawsuit. Call today to speak to a team member during a free consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a ridesharing accidents lawyer serving Anaheim, call (844) 730-0233
Insurance for Rideshare Drivers
There may be varying circumstances in an accident with a rideshare driver. Rideshare insurance covers different instances when a rideshare driver may be operating with the rideshare app on or off.
There is minimal coverage provided in rideshare insurance when the driver has the app on and is waiting for a ride request. Once a driver has accepted a ride with one or more passengers, a stronger insurance policy goes into effect.
When the driver is in their personal car and the work app is off, the driver is covered by only the driver’s personal insurance policy.
When the driver turns on the rideshare app and starts to wait for a passenger request, the driver is protected only by liability coverage in the rideshare employer’s policy.
The insurance policy of the rideshare company (Uber, Lyft, or other) is in full effect when the driver accepts the ride request and goes to pick up the passenger. The driver is essentially now fully on the clock. The insurance coverage is also in full mode when the rideshare driver has passengers in the car.
For example, say the rideshare driver has the app on but has not yet accepted a ride request. If they get into an accident, this could be bad for the rideshare driver, as the company’s liability coverage does not fully protect them.
Maybe the car that hit the rideshare driver does not have any bodily injury liability coverage or enough of this type of coverage. A rideshare driver may be able to file a claim against another vehicle that hit their car, depending on the available amount of bodily injury liability coverage. This coverage would go toward paying the rideshare driver’s out-of-pocket medical costs, lost income due to not working because of their injuries, and costs related to their pain and suffering.
As you can imagine, getting into an accident with a rideshare driver who has the app on but has not yet picked up a ride can get complicated. An Anaheim ridesharing accident lawyer may be able to help you navigate the legal process in situations like these. If you are interested in seeking legal counsel, call Ben Crump, PLLC, for a free consultation.
Anaheim Ridesharing Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Liability in a Rideshare Accident
In common car accidents, getting hit by an at-fault driver would give you the opportunity to file a personal injury lawsuit for damages. In this instance, you would need to show that the accident caused your injuries and that the fault lies with the driver.
It gets a little tricky in accidents with rideshare drivers. For Uber drivers, specifically, the American Bar Association (ABA) notes that liability coverage can go up to $1 million if the driver is liable in an accident. There would also be uninsured motorist /bodily injury coverage involved and collision deductible coverage.
If you were in an accident with a rideshare driver, it likely would be a better outcome for you if the driver were on the clock and driving passengers somewhere. Then the full company policy for liability coverage would likely be in effect.
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Pursuing a Personal Injury Case
With shifting state laws, changing insurance coverages, and new technology guiding the laws, it can get confusing trying to understand how you might be covered in case of an accident involving a rideshare vehicle.
Any kind of accident is a stressful situation, but one with an underinsured rideshare driver can add to that stress. When the rideshare driver is at-fault in an accident, their negligence can be proven in a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
Ben Crump, PLLC, can help support you in this time of need. We know that the emergence of on-demand delivery services and rideshare technology has changed how liability is covered in vehicle accidents.
You may be able to seek compensation for your damages after an accident with a rideshare driver. For legal help, reach out to Ben Crump, PLLC, at (844) 730-0233 today to learn more about how an Anaheim ridesharing accident lawyer could assist your case. We will review your accident and advise you of your legal options and next steps. Call and speak to a team member during a free consultation.
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