If you were injured in a rideshare crash, it’s not always clear who is responsible or how to pursue compensation. These cases often involve multiple parties and are shaped by changing laws and rideshare company policies designed to reduce liability. A Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyer can help identify the responsible parties and pursue full financial recovery.
At Arias Sanguinetti, our Los Angeles car accident lawyers bring over 300 years of combined experience to even the most challenging cases. With powerful investigative tools and a history of winning in court, we’ve recovered over $2 billion in damages for our clients.
We’re here to help you take the next step toward justice and recovery. Schedule your free consultation today.
Determining Liability After a Rideshare Accident Caused by Negligence in Los Angeles
Rideshare collision cases differ significantly from standard car accident cases. Determining who is liable after a rideshare accident caused by negligence can pose significant challenges, as rideshare companies go to great lengths to protect themselves from liability.
One way they do this is by classifying their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. This designation both minimizes these companies’ legal exposure in the event of a crash and helps them avoid providing certain benefits and protections to their drivers.
Despite these efforts to limit their liability, rideshare companies may still be responsible if you are involved in a collision. Additionally, many other parties could share a level of liability, including:
- The rideshare driver
- Another driver involved in the crash, either directly or indirectly
- The manufacturer of an involved vehicle or part
- A maintenance company that worked on one of the involved vehicles
- The government agency responsible for maintaining the roads where the crash occurred
A Los Angeles personal injury lawyer can help you determine who is to blame so you can pursue the compensation you need and deserve.
Reasons to Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer Serving Los Angeles
When attempting to recover compensation after a rideshare accident resulting from negligence, working with a knowledgeable rideshare accident lawyer helps ensure no detail is missed in your case.
When you hire us to help with your case, we can conduct a thorough investigation into your case, which will include:
- Reviewing the official accident report from law enforcement
- Interviewing eyewitnesses
- Examining the involved vehicles for physical evidence
- Extracting data from the rideshare app
- Reviewing surveillance or dashcam footage
After we have finished our initial investigation, we can file the paperwork for your insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. We will continue to collect evidence supporting your claim as we prepare your case for a potential trial. Throughout the process, we will be actively engaged in settlement negotiations with the liable party’s insurer or legal representative.
If we are unable to resolve your claim through negotiation, our experienced legal team is prepared to represent you in court.
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How Rideshare Insurance Coverage May Affect Your Case
One of the most significant factors that may impact your ability to recover compensation after a rideshare collision where the driver of the rideshare vehicle caused the crash is the driver’s status at the time of the collision.
Rideshare companies generally offer tiered insurance coverage that activates at different levels depending on the driver’s working status.
Rideshare Driver Is Not Signed Into the App
If the driver was not signed into the rideshare app at the time of the crash, the only insurance coverage that applies will be the driver’s personal insurance. In this situation, the rideshare company has no legal responsibility.
Rideshare Driver Is Signed Into the App, but Has Not Accepted a Ride
When the rideshare driver is connected to the rideshare app and is waiting for a ride request, the insurance policies of these companies typically provide contingent liability coverage that can be accessed if the driver’s personal auto insurance does not cover the crash because the vehicle was being used for rideshare purposes.
Due to state requirements under California SB 371, these policies typically provide:
- $50,000 in bodily injury per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
- $30,000 in property damage
- $200,000 in excess liability
If your damages exceed the limits of the driver’s private insurance and the rideshare company’s contingent liability coverage, you will need to pursue a lawsuit to recover the full value of your claim.
Rideshare Driver Has Accepted a Ride or Has a Passenger in the Vehicle
As soon as the rideshare driver accepts a ride, the company’s full insurance coverage goes into effect. It doesn’t matter whether the driver has picked up the passenger yet. These policies typically provide up to $1 million in compensation for injured parties.
When this coverage is active, the rideshare company’s policy serves as the primary insurance, meaning injured parties can file a claim directly against it without first going through the driver’s personal insurer. However, if another driver is at fault, the company’s uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is limited to $60,000 per person and $300,000 per accident.
A knowledgeable rideshare accident attorney serving Los Angeles can help ensure you fully understand your coverage options.
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Damages That May Be Available Following a Rideshare Collision in Los Angeles
After a rideshare accident resulting from negligence, there will likely be several types of damages you are eligible to pursue. An experienced Los Angeles rideshare accident attorney can help you determine all the compensatory damages that apply to your case so you can recover the full value of your losses.
Some of the economic and non-economic damages most frequently recovered include:
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering, including emotional distress and mental anguish
- Medical costs
- Future medical bills
- Permanent disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of companionship
- Decreased quality of life
Several factors will impact the types of damages that apply and the amount of compensation you can recover, including the severity of your injuries, whether they affect your ability to work, and how they interfere with your daily life.
Under California law, you typically have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury claim. Failing to act within this timeframe may limit your ability to recover compensation.
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Choosing the Right Rideshare Accident Attorney in Los Angeles
At Arias Sanguinetti, we are here to help you get back on your feet after a serious accident resulting from another party’s negligence. Over the last four decades, we have been helping injured parties throughout Los Angeles and beyond recover the compensation they are entitled to.
Give us a call or complete our online contact form today to schedule a free case evaluation with a member of our legal team. We’ll explain all your options and help you determine the best path forward.
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