Rideshare Accidents

San Diego Rideshare Accident Attorneys

Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers Dedicated to Serving Clients Injured in Rideshare Car Accidents and Incidents of Sexual Assault Across San Diego County

Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have transformed the way we commute. While they offer convenience, they also come with risks. Accidents involving Uber and Lyft vehicles can result in complex legal challenges. Our experienced ride-share accident lawyer team is here to guide you through the process.

Uber and Lyft accident cases can be far more complex legal matters than most auto accident cases because, in part, of the number of potential negligent parties that could be held liable. Additionally, both Uber and Lyft have intricate insurance rules and may not always be responsible for personal injury claims, depending on the status of the Lyft or Uber driver. When you pursue compensation after a serious accident involving a rideshare vehicle, you must seek the legal representation of an experienced attorney who is well-versed in these sorts of personal injury cases.

Our law office proudly serves clients in Orange County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, and San Diego County, CA. We like to think of ourselves as members of the community, providing more compassionate and personalized legal services than some other law firms would ever attempt to do. Please contact our attorneys today for assistance proving negligence, negotiating with the insurance companies, and recovering maximum compensation for your injuries and other losses.

Are Rideshare Accident Claims More Complex Than Most Car Accident Cases?

If you are a passenger, driver, or even a pedestrian involved in an accident with a ride-sharing vehicle, understanding how Uber/Lyft injury claims work is essential.

Those injured in a motor vehicle accident involving a rideshare vehicle may be entitled to seek financial recovery from various sources, including the at-fault party’s insurance, the rideshare company’s insurance, and potentially other avenues as well. However, what you stand to recover and from whom will depend upon several factors unique to your case.

Uber and Lyft treat their drivers as independent contractors as opposed to employees. As such, independent drivers can be in an accident while operating their rideshare vehicle, and the rideshare company may not have any liability or vulnerability in the personal injury lawsuit.

One of the key determining factors for which insurance companies will get involved in covering expenses after a rideshare accident is the status of the Lyft or Uber driver. Different levels of insurance policy coverage will kick in depending on whether the rideshare driver has their app on or off, whether they are en route to pick up a passenger, and whether they are currently transporting a passenger to their drop-off location. In many ways, this is too much to ask any accident victim to remember or fully comprehend. For this and other reasons, we encourage you to contact our lawyers to discuss your case in San Diego, CA.

Do not assume that just because you understand the basics of personal injury law and filing an insurance claim after a car crash, you have the legal knowledge and experience necessary to navigate the claims process of an Uber or Lyft accident case. These are entirely different legal matters, requiring experienced representation to help victims achieve the most favorable outcomes possible in their cases.

Who is the Liable Party in a San Diego Lyft or Uber Car Accident?

Determining liability can be complex in ride-sharing accidents. Is the driver, the ride-sharing company, or another third party responsible? Our legal team will investigate to determine ride-share driver liability and more.

There may be several potential liable parties in your rideshare accident case, including the following: 

  • The Uber or Lyft driver, if they were negligent behind the wheel of their motor vehicle
  • The rideshare company, if you can prove negligence on their part
  • Vehicle repair and maintenance companies, if defects led to the cause of the crash
  • Government entities, if road defects or disrepair caused the accident
  • Third parties, including other drivers, if they were the cause of the crash

Under California’s pure comparative negligence rule, several parties can hold some level of responsibility for causing a personal injury accident. Under the law, it is even possible for injured victims to be held partially responsible for the accidents that injured them. In such cases, if the accident victim were deemed to be a certain percentage responsible for the crash, they would see that percentage reflected in their total compensation.

It is common for insurance companies and the insurance adjusters they send to accident scenes to look for ways to devalue personal injury claims and save money. When an insurance adjuster approaches you to speak about your case, instead, direct them to talk to your personal injury attorneys. Remember, anything you say to the at-fault driver, the rideshare company, or the insurance company could potentially be used against your case if you’re not careful.

What Are Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents in San Diego?

Rideshare accidents have some of the same common causes as most other motor vehicle accidents, but there may be some unique causes exclusive to Uber and Lyft accidents as well.

Some of the common causes of rideshare crashes in San Diego, California, include the following:

  • Speeding, especially driving at excessive speeds, considering the road conditions and traffic
  • Reckless or aggressive driving, including instances of road rage
  • Drowsy driving or driver fatigue, which is common for rideshare drivers who do their job at all hours of the day
  • Distracted driving, which can include texting while driving, talking on a cell phone while driving, or looking at the dashboard display for directions
  • Drunk driving and driving under the influence of drugs
  • Slick roads caused by adverse weather conditions
  • Road hazards, including construction zones
  • Debris in the road
  • Inadequate vehicle maintenance
  • Rideshare drivers operating in unfamiliar neighborhoods
  • Failure to yield to the right of way
  • Taking dangerous shortcuts
  • Unsafe lane changes
  • The failure to properly signal a turn
  • Running red lights and stop signs
  • Improper stops and braking errors
  • Vehicle defects
  • Tailgating
  • Inadequate driver background checks for driver training

Sexual assault and violent actions are also tragic occurrences that sometimes befall rideshare passengers in San Diego, California. If your rideshare driver assaulted you, contact our law office for legal assistance in holding them accountable and seeking justice for the unforgivable acts that were done to you.

What Serious Bodily Injuries Are Commonly Associated with Uber and Lyft Incidents?

Uber and Lyft accidents can result in various types of personal injuries, some ranging from the relatively minor to others far more catastrophic.

Common injuries suffered by Lyft and Uber accident victims include the following:

  • Broken bones and bone fractures
  • Deep cuts and lacerations
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Internal bleeding and organ damage
  • Burns and disfigurement
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Wrongful death
  • Concussions
  • Loss of limbs
  • Hearing loss, vision loss, and loss of speech
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Whiplash and other back and neck injuries

By using past and present medical records, our San Diego attorneys will attempt to prove the severity of your injuries so that you can recover the compensation you deserve and require in the aftermath of a rideshare accident.

If you do nothing in response to your rideshare incident, you could be on the hook for costly medical expenses and lost wages. That’s not right. As your legal representatives, we will attempt to hold the liable parties accountable so you can be financially whole again.

Can Our Law Firm Help You Seek Compensation After a Rideshare Vehicle Crash?

We work diligently to ensure you receive the rightful personal injury compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering, among other damages.

A settlement can be an efficient way to resolve a ride-share accident claim. Our attorneys are skilled in negotiating ride-sharing accident settlement agreements, always with your best interests in mind.

We have experience in Lyft accident victim assistance. Our law firm ensures that those injured in Lyft accidents receive the support and compensation they deserve.

If successful in your rideshare accident case, your lawsuit could secure both economic and non-economic damages.

Potential financial recovery could include the following damages:

  • Past medical bills, future medical expenses, and compensation for ambulance transportation, hospital stays, necessary surgeries, prescription meds, and long-term medical care
  • Diminished quality of life or enjoyment of life
  • Property damage
  • Lost wages if you missed time from work, and lost income-earning capacity if you are unable to return to your former place of employment
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation therapy expenses
  • Disfigurement, dismemberment, and disability compensation
  • Loss of companionship and consortium
  • Out-of-pocket expenses related to your rideshare car crash
  • Emotional distress, mental anguish, and psychological trauma
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Wrongful death damages, including lost income, loss of benefits, emotional stress, medical bills incurred before death, and compensation for funeral, burial, cremation, and memorial expenses

The value of your rideshare accident case will depend upon several factors, including the severity of your injuries, shared negligence, punitive damages, insurance policy limits, and more. Contact our San Diego law firm to discuss your case in more detail with our experienced legal team.

Do You Need the Legal Services of San Diego Rideshare Accident Lawyers?

When you need guidance navigating the complex landscape of ride-share accidents, having a skilled ride-share accident lawyer by your side can make a difference.

There are several benefits to retaining the legal services of experienced rideshare accident attorneys, including the following:

  • Gather all valuable evidence, including rideshare app data, black box data, statements from eyewitnesses, video surveillance, and more
  • We will ensure that you are evaluated by a trusted medical professional so that your serious injuries are properly treated
  • Use medical records and police reports to help your claims come to life
  • Seek the testimony of expert witnesses, including car crash reconstruction specialists, to help further illustrate what transpired
  • Navigate the complex insurance claims process and negotiate with insurance companies to help you get the maximum compensation you deserve
  • Assistance in calculating total losses in terms of both economic and non-economic damages
  • If necessary, your attorney will represent your interests in a courtroom trial in front of a judge and jury
  • And more

From the moment you engage our Uber accident legal representation, we take the time to understand your unique situation, develop a strong legal strategy, and fight for your rights.

Contact Our Law Office to Schedule Your Initial Consultation with Our San Diego Personal Injury Lawyers Today

Uber and Lyft accidents are inherently more complex than most other auto accident cases. There will inevitably be questions about whether you can sue the rideshare driver, the rideshare company, or other parties involved with your crash. Depending on the circumstances, there may be one or several different avenues for recovering financial compensation for your injuries and other losses. Ultimately, we would need to review your personal injury case details to determine your legal options for financial recovery.

Our San Diego law firm has extensive experience representing clients in various personal injury lawsuits after negligent or malicious parties have harmed them. We would proudly represent your interests and provide aggressive yet compassionate legal representation throughout the process, including taking your case to trial if necessary.

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’ve been involved in an Uber or Lyft accident and need legal guidance. Our team of experts is here to provide comprehensive legal solutions tailored to your situation.

Please contact us to schedule your initial consultation today by calling us at (619) 768-2865.