Siskiyou County Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Siskiyou County Rideshare Accident Attorney

Ridesharing is an important part of many communities. Unfortunately, more rideshare vehicles on the road means more of them are involved in traffic accidents. Many people don’t realize that rideshare accidents can have unique challenges when it comes to recovering damages. If you’re dealing with the aftermath of a collision involving a Lyft or Uber, you may need to consult with a Siskiyou County rideshare accident lawyer. For broader personal injury claims, an experienced Siskiyou personal injury lawyer can provide the legal support you need.

In a rideshare accident, fault could lie with the rideshare driver if they were negligent, distracted, or violated traffic laws. Alternatively, another driver or party on the road might be responsible if their actions, like speeding, running a red light, or reckless behavior, caused the collision. Additionally, the rideshare company may bear financial responsibility depending on the circumstances. The knowledgeable lawyers from Barr and Mudford can assist you in handling the legalities.

Complexities of Rideshare Accidents

Traffic accidents caused by rideshare drivers can often be more complicated than the average car accident. After an accident, it is necessary to determine fault and establish who is responsible for paying medical bills, car repairs, and other expenses related to damages caused by the collision. But when a rideshare driver is at fault, it can be challenging to figure out who is liable for damages.

California Rideshare Insurance

Every driver in California is obligated to maintain minimum auto insurance on their personal vehicles in case they are in a traffic accident. Each state’s requirements are a little different, and in California, the minimums are:

• $30,000 bodily injury for one person
• $60,000 bodily injury per accident
• $15,000 property damage, like vehicle repairs

Personal car insurance doesn’t usually cover business activity, so a vehicle used for business generally needs a commercial auto insurance policy. For example, a delivery truck would likely need commercial insurance. But rideshare vehicles are in a sort of gray area. They are usually owned by the driver, who has to maintain personal insurance, but also used for business purposes.

To make sure there is no gap in coverage, California requires companies like Uber and Lyft to provide commercial insurance for their drivers. There are separate minimum limits set for rideshare vehicles, which are:

• $50,000 bodily harm for one person
• $100,000 bodily harm per accident
• $30,000 property damage
• $1 million per accident
• $1 million in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage

Fault in California

To determine who is liable for damages in a car accident, California uses the pure comparative negligence model, where a percentage of fault is assigned to each driver. This means each driver, or their insurance company, is responsible for paying the portion of the damages for which they are at fault. So, in any accident, a driver may be assigned no fault, partial fault, or all fault, and more than one driver can be assigned some fault.

With a rideshare accident, this gets even trickier. If the rideshare driver is on the clock, meaning they are logged in on the app at the time of an accident and either have a passenger in their vehicle or have accepted a ride and are on their way to get the passenger, the rideshare company’s insurance is liable. But if the driver is off the clock, with no rider involved, the driver’s personal car insurance is liable.

If you are a passenger in an accident that involves a rideshare, you may know that your driver is on the clock. However, if you are the driver of another vehicle in an accident with a rideshare, it may not be as clear. In addition, insurance companies want to limit their liability and so may deny claims or shift responsibility to another party.

FAQs About Rideshare Accident Law in Siskiyou County,CA

How Much Is a Whiplash Claim Worth in California?

How much a whiplash claim is worth in California can vary significantly case to case and depends on several factors. Some factors that influence settlement amounts include the severity of the injuries, whether there are any long-term or permanent consequences, how much fault is assigned to each party, and whether pain and suffering claims are present. The most dependable way to know how much your case might be worth is to consult a lawyer.

Is It Worth It to Hire an Accident Attorney?

Yes, it is worth it to hire an accident attorney in many cases, especially if there is some question about who is at fault or if there are significant injuries or other damages caused by the accident. Insurance companies often try to pay as little as possible and may take advantage of people who are not familiar with the system. A skilled attorney can act as an advocate and make sure their client’s interests and rights are protected.

Do You Have to Go to Court for a Rideshare Accident?

Many rideshare accident victims do not have to go to court to get a settlement. It all depends on the specific circumstances of the case. Many minor car accidents are handled without going to court when the liable driver’s insurance company offers a fair settlement. When people need to file legal claims to get the full compensation they need, personal injury attorneys can often settle cases out of court.

What Is the Difference Between Carsharing and Ridesharing?

The difference between carsharing and ridesharing is that, in carsharing, the person uses the vehicle and drives it themselves, while in ridesharing, the person rides in another driver’s car. Both carsharing and ridesharing can be done between friends, family members, coworkers, or other people who know each other. There are also paid carshare services and rideshare services.

Protect Your Rights

At Barr and Mudford, our sole focus is helping clients who’ve suffered a personal injury, and we’ve been representing North California residents since 1967. Our legal team has the extensive knowledge and resources to help you get the compensation you deserve after someone else’s negligence caused you harm. Contact our office right away to set up an initial consultation and take steps toward recovery.