San Diego Rideshare Accident Attorney

Ride share companies have become increasingly popular over the past few years, both for passengers and drivers alike. While they can provide a convenient form of transportation and a way to earn some extra income, ride share vehicles fall into a unique legal ground. Drivers use their own personal vehicles, but the fact that they’re driving for work means that commercial vehicle laws apply.

What are my options if my driver crashes?

Whether you’re passenger, driver, or someone in the other vehicle, an auto accident claim can become more complicated when a ride share vehicle is involved. The car accident attorneys at Liljegren Law Group can help you with your California ride share accident claim by:

• Conducting a thorough investigation to determine the fault for the accident
• Navigating the complex legal matters of ride share insurance claims
• Keeping you up to date on all progress made in your case
• Negotiating with insurance companies and going to court if necessary

Our goal is to make sure you maximize your recovery, and we do everything in our power to help you earn your rightful compensation. We always put your needs first – and it starts with a free consultation.

Do I Need an Attorney?

As with any other case, you do have the option to represent yourself in court. However, due to the additional legal complexities involved when handling ride share cases, it can be in your best interest to hire an attorney. While not all car insurance companies will cover drivers while working, companies like Uber and Lyft do have insurance policies that cover their contractors on the job. You don’t want to head into court and face off against an insurance attorney without legal support.

Additionally, car accidents can potentially have lifelong consequences. While it may be easy to determine how much your existing damages are, calculating fair compensation for future medical bills or pain and suffering can be difficult. The lawyers at Liljegren Law Group can help.

Can I Sue Uber or Lyft?

If you are in an accident with a ride share vehicle, you may wonder if you can sue the company. However, most ride share companies (like Uber and Lyft) consider their drivers as independent contractors. While this means several things for their drivers, in terms of filing a personal injury claim, it means that you’re more likely to be suing the driver than the company itself.

Even so, Lyft and Uber both have insurance policies that cover their drivers while working, which means that you’ll still be able to recover compensation. In addition, the California Supreme Court has made a recent decision that may impact how ride share companies can classify independent contractors, which may make it possible to sue companies directly for their employees’ negligence.

Who Is Liable?

The liable party will depend on the circumstances of the accident. If you are a passenger injured in an accident that is the ride share driver’s fault, then the ride share driver will be liable. Likewise, if the other vehicle caused the accident, then its driver would be the liable party. If you are driving another vehicle and have a collision with a ride share vehicle, then the liability would depend on whether you or the ride share driver contributed to the accident.

What Damages Can I Collect?

Like any other automobile accident, you will be able to collect a variety of damages based on the extent of your incident, such as:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage (if you are driving the non-ride share vehicle)

Determining the appropriate damages in a ride share accident can be a complex process. Having an attorney on your side can help you understand liability, give you an idea of appropriate compensation for your damages, and help you through all aspects of the claims process. At Liljegren Law Group, our personal injury attorneys will do this for you, letting you focus on recovery. Contact us for a free consultation of your case.