Long Beach Uber & Lyft Accidents Lawyer

Assisting Clients with Claims Against Rideshare Companies

Car accidents happen every day, some causing simple property damage and others causing serious injuries and even death. While resolving these expenses with insurance companies and negligent drivers can be challenging, matters become even more complex when taxi or rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft are involved.

Car accidents, especially those involving Uber drivers, can result in:

• Thousands of dollars in property damage
• Extensive medical costs and lost wages
• Severe pain and suffering
• Disputes over liability

At McGee Lerer Ogrin, our husband and wife team of accident attorneys are equipped with decades of collective experience and are passionate about representing injury victims. We know this can be a very overwhelming time, both physically and financially, which is why we never charge a single fee unless we win your case.

Do not wait another moment to discuss your case with our Long Beach car accident attorneys!

Were you injured in a rideshare accident? Call McGee Lerer Ogrin today at (310) 231-9717 or contact us online to find out if you're eligible for compensation.

How Much Insurance Coverage Do Uber Drivers Have?

The insurance available to cover an injury victim's claim depends on whether the accident happens when the Uber driver is on a trip, or while the Uber driver is signed onto the Uber app but not on a trip. If the car accident happens after the Uber driver accepts a trip and carries passengers or is en route to pick up passengers, Uber has $1 million in liability coverage and $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Click here for a copy of Uber's insurance declarations page with James River Insurance.

That means that if the Uber driver was at fault for the accident: there is up to $1 million in liability coverage to pay for your injury claim. If you were a passenger in an Uber car and another driver was at fault. Up to $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage will apply if the at-fault driver has no insurance or does not have enough insurance.

If the car accident happens while the Uber driver is not on a trip: Uber has $50,000 per person in liability coverage per person and $100,000 per accident (i.e., if there is more than one injury victim in the accident, there is a policy limit of $100,000 to pay all injury claims. Though Uber has made a name for itself for being innovative and the "cheapest ride in town," it often sacrifices safety for passengers and other drivers on the road.

Uber and other rideshare services are very dangerous because:

• They have minimal regulations on driver experience and background
• They do not require vehicles to be routinely inspected
• They do not have any actual safety standards
• They claim drivers are not under their insurance if a passenger isn't in their vehicle
• Their system creates a serious driver distraction

Uber App Distracts its Drivers

Uber drivers must use an Uber smartphone app that connects private drivers with paying passengers. The app arguably violates California state law that prohibits distracted driving because it is not hands-free and requires driver interaction. Uber drivers constantly check their mobile devices, which creates a serious risk to Uber passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians on the road.

Liability in Dooring Accidents Caused by Ridesharing Vehicles

When passengers in an Uber, Lyft, or any other ridesharing vehicle open their door to exit, they should take precautions to ensure they do not strike any passing cyclists or pedestrians. However, the liability for any harm caused to someone hurt in such a dooring accident can also be placed on the ridesharing driver. This is because ridesharing vehicles and taxis are expected to drop off passengers only when it is safe.

If you are an Uber or Lyft driver who wants to reduce your liability for dooring accidents caused by your passengers, be sure to contact our law firm today. We can send you free warning stickers to affix to the inside of your vehicle's rear doors. These stickers instruct passengers to always look for cyclists and close passersby before exiting a vehicle.

Uber or Lyft Lost Income Claim

If you are an Uber or Lyft driver who is losing income while your car is out of commission, you can claim lost income or “downtime.” You will have to provide documentation of your ridesharing income. We know that the other driver’s insurance company will fight your claim, contending you had a duty to “mitigate your losses.” However, Uber and Lyft will not allow you to drive a rental car on their platform. Therefore, you can't mitigate your losses.

As long there is no delay attributable to you, you are entitled to demand compensation for lost income from the accident date when your car is repaired, or you are paid on your total loss.

You may be entitled to get paid right away on your Uber/Lyft downtime claim. After an accident, if you couldn’t drive for Uber or Lyft because your car was in the shop being repaired or you were waiting for payment on the total loss, then insurance companies generally categorize your downtime claim as a “property damage loss.” The insurance company will pay the claim based on their insured’s property damage policy limit, not the bodily injury policy limit. They will pay it immediately; they won’t make you wait until you settle your bodily injury claim. If you are driving for Uber or Lyft, you probably need this money now! At McGee Lerer Ogrin, we aggressively move to immediately get our clients paid on their ride-sharing loss of earnings claims.

Contact Our Long Beach Uber & Lyft Accidents Attorney Today

Whether you were a passenger in an Uber car or were hit by an "Uber partner", or driver, you will face a challenging battle to get the compensation you deserve. That is why we at McGee Lerer Ogrin encourage you to contact us immediately. We have the resources and experience to handle these types of cases.

Don't navigate the complexities of a rideshare accident alone. Contact a Long Beach Uber & Lyft accident lawyer at McGee Lerer Ogrin to start your claim today!