Ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft remain as popular as ever. Their convenience and price allow these companies to make major inroads into major cities across the country.
However, there are downsides to the increased traffic congestion that rideshare operators bring. According to the University of Chicago, traffic fatalities across the country increased by 3 percent annually since ridesharing became popular.
These collisions also have a financial cost. According to the university’s research, ridesharing accidents account for about $10 billion in economic losses every year.
If you are a victim of a ridesharing accident, you have the right to seek compensation for those losses. Whether you were a rideshare passenger, a motorist going about your day, or a pedestrian struck by the negligent rideshare operator, Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can help.
Call a member of our team at (844) 730-0233 to schedule a free consultation and learn how a Fresno ridesharing accident lawyer might be able to help you.
Insurance Requirements for Fresno Rideshare Drivers
Rideshare drivers use their personal vehicles when transporting riders. However, these drivers often lack the coverage level needed to pay for an accident’s full cost. For that reason, rideshare companies provide their drivers with additional coverage.
However, the maximum amount of coverage available under these policies varies. The policies can be divided into three stages, with different insurance coverage levels available in each stage:
- The driver is transporting a passenger. Rideshare companies offer the most insurance coverage when a driver has a passenger on board at the time of the accident. In this situation, companies provide up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage.
- The driver is seeking a passenger. If the driver is actively looking for a passenger but does not have one in the vehicle, rideshare companies will only provide limited insurance coverage. These policies include $50,000 for bodily injuries per person, $100,000 for bodily injuries per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per collision.
- The driver is not using the mobile rideshare app. When a rideshare driver is not actively transporting a passenger or seeking one on a mobile app, they will not have the protection of the rideshare company’s insurance policy. You must rely on the driver’s liability coverage to pursue a claim or lawsuit in this situation.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC, is ready to learn more about your Fresno ridesharing accident and help you as you consider your next steps. Give us a call to schedule a free consultation with a team member today.
For a free legal consultation with a ridesharing lawyer serving Fresno, call (844) 730-0233
Steps to Take After a Ridesharing Accident
The steps you take in the moments and days following a ridesharing accident can shape the outcome of your personal injury case. Carefully preserving the evidence related to your claim could improve your chances of success. Alternatively, the failure to report your claim or preserve evidence could prove costly during the claims process.
Some important steps to take following a rideshare accident are:
Reporting the Accident
If you are injured in a ridesharing accident, you should contact law enforcement immediately after it occurs. This is true whether you were in another vehicle or a passenger of the rideshare driver. In fact, the law requires you to remain at the scene until the police arrive unless you are facing a medical emergency.
When the police arrive, they will take a report. You have the right to request a copy of the report, which your attorney can review with you for accuracy. It is important to ensure that the report accurately reflects what happened, including the fact that a rideshare driver was involved.
You should also report the accident to the ridesharing company. If you were a customer at the time of the crash, you should be able to report the accident using the mobile app. Even if you were not a customer, rideshare companies allow for reporting these accidents through online forms. This report creates a record that could be useful in establishing your claim.
Seek Medical Attention
If you have suffered injuries in a rideshare accident, seek medical treatment right away. It is never in your best interest to delay medical care, as waiting can worsen your condition. This is true even if your injuries initially seem minor.
Seeking immediate medical care is also helpful for your personal injury case. By seeking immediate medical attention, you create a record of your injuries and your efforts to treat them. This documentation can corroborate your injury claims and provide a basis for the compensation you will ultimately seek.
Document the Accident
Immediately after the accident, you might feel like specific details of it will be burned into your memory forever. The reality is your memory of the event is likely to fade. This fact makes it important to document every aspect of the crash. This starts with taking photographs of the accident scene and the vehicles involved in the accident.
You should also speak to any accident witnesses. The testimony of an independent witness can help you prove your case, so it is important that you obtain their contact information promptly. If you fail to obtain the contact information of the witness right away, you may not have another opportunity to find them.
Consider Contacting an Attorney
You do not have to take on the legal challenges of a ridesharing accident on your own. If you do not act, you could lose your opportunity to recover compensation for your injuries. Ben Crump Law, PLLC, is ready to help you with your case. Call us to schedule a free consultation to learn more about how a Fresno ridesharing accident lawyer could manage your case and negotiate on your behalf.
Fresno Ridesharing Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
You Could Be Entitled to Financial Awards After a Ridesharing Accident
You have the right to pursue legal action following your accident, and a Fresno ridesharing accident lawyer can guide you through the process. If the rideshare operator was at fault for the accident, you could pursue an insurance claim on multiple policies. You also could file a lawsuit to recover financial awards if you do not receive a fair settlement offer from an insurance company.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can help you file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. If you are thinking of the latter, keep in mind that you have only two years from the accident date to file a civil action, per the California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) § 335.1.
The sooner you call us, the sooner we can start reviewing the details of your accident and advise you of your legal options. Call (844) 730-0233 to schedule a free consultation with us today.
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