Chico Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Chico Rideshare Accident Attorney

Navigating the unexpected costs, stress, and sometimes substantial injuries in the aftermath of an accident with an Uber or Lyft can be even more complex than other kinds of traffic accidents. There is often confusion about whether the driver or the rideshare service is responsible for paying for repairs, medical bills, and other costs. If you were injured in such an accident, a Chico rideshare accident lawyer at Barr and Mudford can guide you through the situation. If your injuries extend beyond a rideshare crash, a local Chico personal injury lawyer can help you understand your options for seeking compensation.

The skilled and compassionate legal team at Barr and Mudford has been advocating for injured people in California since 1967. We know how challenging it can be to navigate the pain and stress of serious injuries while dealing with insurance companies and bill collectors. Our focus is on devoting the time, attention, and legal strategy to each client’s needs and helping them get the compensation they deserve.

Rideshare Accidents Are Complicated

Many people don’t know that an accident caused by a rideshare driver can have additional complications that other accidents don’t have to deal with. But there are laws in place about who is required to have liability insurance, how much, and how to determine who is liable to pay damages in an accident involving a rideshare.

Car Insurance for Rideshares

California requires that all drivers carry minimum amounts of liability insurance on their vehicles in case of accidents. The minimums include:

• $30,000 to cover one person’s injuries
• $60,000 to cover the injuries of everyone in the accident
• $15,000 to cover property damage, such as car repairs

Personal auto insurance policies don’t usually cover accidents that happen when a vehicle is used for business purposes, and so commercial vehicles generally require commercial auto insurance policies. For example, a food truck may need a commercial policy. But this policy isn’t as clear for rideshare vehicles, which are generally personal vehicles owned by the driver, who may use them for personal reasons as well as rideshare/business reasons.

Since the rideshare vehicle is the driver’s personal vehicle, they are required to carry the state minimums. However, most personal policies don’t cover business-related accidents. California requires rideshare companies to provide insurance for their drivers’ vehicles while they are in use. The coverage minimums are:

• $50,000 to cover one person’s injuries
• $100,000 to cover the injuries of everyone in the accident
• $30,000 to cover property damage
• $1 million per accident
• $1 million in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage

Determining Liability

In general, California uses the pure comparative negligence rule to determine liability in car accidents. This means a percentage of fault is assigned to each driver, and each driver is responsible for paying for that percentage of the damages. So, when you’re in an accident that involves a rideshare driver, they may be assigned all fault, some fault, or no fault. In addition, there may be more than one driver at fault.

To further complicate matters for rideshare accidents, whether the driver or the rideshare company’s insurance is responsible depends on whether the driver was actively working or not. If the driver is logged into the app at the time of the accident and has a passenger or has accepted a ride and is on the way to pick up the passenger, the rideshare company is responsible. If the driver is not actively working, the driver’s personal insurance is responsible.

How a Lawyer Can Help

A qualified rideshare accident lawyer can evaluate the details of your case and determine which party or parties are liable. Your attorney can also calculate the amount of your claim, based on factors like how serious your injuries are and how much work you missed. A lawyer can handle communications with the insurance companies, rideshare company, other drivers, law enforcement, and other parties so you can focus on your recovery.

FAQs About Chico,CA Rideshare Accident Law

How Much Does a Rideshare Accident Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a rideshare accident lawyer can differ significantly for each case and depends on several elements. Some elements that influence the cost of a lawyer include the complexity of the case, the reputation and experience of the lawyer, the geographical location, and whether the case goes to court. Be sure to ask your attorney about fees and payments when you have your initial consultation.

What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident in California?

Because each car accident settlement in California is unique, it’s difficult to state a definitive average amount, and even if you could, that doesn’t account for the differences in expenses such as medical bills, professional witness fees, and deposition costs. The most reliable way to get an estimate of how much your case might be worth is to speak with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney.

How Long Does an Uber Accident Settlement Take?

How long an Uber accident settlement takes varies greatly from one case to the next and depends on several factors. These include how many liable parties are involved, if parties are willing to negotiate, and whether the insurance companies offer fair settlement amounts. The biggest indicator of how long a settlement takes is often whether the case is settled out of court or has to go to trial.

Does Uber Pay the Rider Damages in an Accident?

Uber does pay rider damages in many cases. If the Uber driver is found to be at fault in a car accident when they have a rider, Uber has insurance that will pay up to $1 million in damages per accident. However, if the Uber driver is off duty or not assigned any fault in the accident, Uber will likely not be responsible for rider damages. Rather, the driver or drivers who caused the accident would be.

Rideshare Accident Attorneys in Chico – Call Today

What all this means in practical terms is that one rideshare accident can have multiple liable parties, which may include the rideshare driver, the rideshare company, and other drivers involved in the accident. Contact Barr and Mudford today to discuss how our experienced lawyers can help you maximize compensation due to injuries from a Chico rideshare accident.