As ridesharing services like Lyft and Uber continue to grow in popularity, so do accidents involving ridesharing drivers and passengers. Rideshare drivers have a duty to transport their passengers safely, as well as driving safely for the benefit of other drivers, vehicle occupants, bicyclists, and pedestrians. If these drivers violate traffic laws or otherwise harm others through poor driving, these drivers and the ridesharing services may face liability for any resulting accidents, property damage, and injuries. A
Long Beach ridesharing accident lawyer can look at your situation and determine whether you have a valid legal claim.
The aftermath of a severe accident can be overwhelming, stressful, and financially draining. You might be unable to work and steadily accruing medical bills to treat your injuries. When you have suffered injuries in a ridesharing accident that another has caused, you may have the right to seek compensation for your losses. Call (844) 730-0233 to reach the offices of Ben Crump Law, PLLC and get started on the process of holding negligent parties accountable for their actions.
Ridesharing Accidents Are on the Rise
In a study that the Stigler Center for the Study of the Economy and the State released in 2018, researchers found that increased usage of ridesharing services over the past few years have increased the fatal traffic accident rates in many urban areas by two to three percent. This fatality rate applies both to vehicle occupants and pedestrians located in the area of the accident. Although fatal accident rates have been steadily decreasing in most major metropolitan areas, these rates now have ceased decreasing and reversed course upwards in conjunction with the advent of ridesharing services.
Almost no evidence exists regarding the rates of non-fatal accidents that involve ridesharing services. However, rideshare drivers likely commit traffic violations or drive while distracted at rates that are similar to those of non-rideshare drivers.
For a free legal consultation with a ridesharing accidents lawyer serving Long Beach, call (844) 730-0233
Parties Facing Liability in Ridesharing Accident Claims
Liability or financial responsibility for ridesharing accidents may exist in various parties. Determining who may be responsible for a ridesharing crash is not always easy to accomplish. A Long Beach ridesharing accident lawyer can help you identify the appropriate parties to pursue for compensation following this type of crash.
Ridesharing Driver Liability
Many car accidents resulting in injuries and property damage are the fault of one or more drivers. In a ridesharing accident, the party responsible for the accident may be the rideshare driver in some cases. Just as you can pursue any driver who causes an accident that results in your injuries, you can work to hold rideshare drivers responsible for their careless or reckless actions in causing your accident. You may be able to pursue compensation from the personal insurance policy of these drivers or from the drivers themselves. However, the ridesharing service also may be liable, even if it claims that the driver is the person at fault.
Ridesharing Service Liability
California Public Utilities Code (PUC) §5433 requires transportation network companies or ridesharing services to maintain a minimum $1,000,000 insurance policy to cover death, personal injury, and property damages resulting from ridesharing accidents. This law also requires that the insurance policy act as the primary source of compensation in accidents involving ridesharing services. Once drivers go on the clock to accept a ride request, the insurance for the ridesharing service goes into effect. This coverage does not end until the driver delivers the passenger to the appropriate destinations and ends the ride on the ridesharing app.
Liability of Third-Party Drivers
In some cases, the Lyft or Uber driver is not at fault for the accident that resulted in your injuries. Another driver could be responsible for the accident for a number of reasons. All drivers, whether they are working for a ridesharing service or not, have a duty to drive safely for the benefit of others. This duty includes obeying traffic rules and laws. If a driver commits a traffic violation or otherwise drives in a careless or reckless manner, then that driver could face liability for the costs of any injuries that you suffered in the accident.
Long Beach Ridesharing Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Seeking Compensation in Ridesharing Accidents
Injured parties can seek the same types of compensation in ridesharing accidents that they can seek following injuries in regular traffic accidents. Some of these forms of compensation or damages may be purely economic and easily translated into dollars and cents. These damages may include compensation for medical bills related to your injuries, lost income if your injuries made you unable to work, and the costs of repairs to your vehicles.
Other forms of compensation are more intangible. Some examples of these damages include payment for physical pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and permanent impairments. Placing a value on your claim for compensation following a ridesharing accident is not always a simple task, so you are likely to need legal guidance in ensuring that you collect all available forms of compensation.
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We Understand and We Are Here for You
Involvement in a ridesharing accident in which you or a loved one suffer injuries can be confusing and complex. You may need to consult a Long Beach ridesharing accident lawyer about your legal rights in this situation. State law does impose time limits on legal claims arising from car accidents, so getting legal advice sooner rather than later can help ensure that you meet all relevant filing deadlines.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC handles ridesharing and other car accident claims on a routine basis. We know that financial pressures may be great following a severe accident and paying upfront for legal assistance may be impossible. We take these claims on a contingency-fee-basis, so you do not have to worry about paying legal fees upfront. Instead, we can get started on your claim right away and you can pay your legal fees when you receive compensation for your injuries. Call (844) 730-0233 and take the first step necessary to get compensation from those who caused your injuries.
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