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Who is Liable for a Ridesharing Accident in Los Angeles?

January 12, 2023 
by LA Injury Group

Skilled Los Angeles rideshare accident attorneys: Accountability for most vehicle accidents in Los Angeles is generally based on negligence. It includes car accidents involving ridesharing services such as Lyft and Uber. If one driver was disregardful in causing the accident, that person is responsible for the other injured drivers or passengers for damages. 

Whether you’re a passenger of a rideshare service, a passenger from the other vehicle, or a driver of the other vehicle, who suffered injuries you can file a claim against the rideshare service driver. LA Injury Group can help you with the process and will ensure that your rights are protected. 

Work with our skilled Los Angeles rideshare accident attorneys and we’ll help you fight the insurance company if they offered you an unfair settlement or denied your claim. Call us at (818) 240-1800 for a FREE case evaluation.

Car crash wheels accident on the street

What Happens if the Rideshare Driver is Responsible for the Accident?

When the passenger or driver of another vehicle sustained injuries to the rideshare driver’s negligence, they can file a claim against the at-fault party. However, responsibility will rely on whether the rideshare driver:

  • Has a passenger or going to pick up a passenger
  • Has turned on the app and just waiting for a passenger
  • Doesn’t have a passenger and hasn’t turned on the app 

The above analysis may be significant according to the involved injuries. If the rideshare driver hasn’t turned on the app, then the accident will be considered as any car accident. This makes the insurance limited to the driver’s personal insurance coverage.

If in case the app is turned on and the rideshare driver is waiting for a ride, the contingent coverage may apply, with higher limits of $50,000/$100,000. If he has a passenger in the vehicle or has accepted a rider and is picking it up, the $1 million commercial coverage will get underway.      

Skilled Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Attorneys: What is the Liability of the Rideshare Company?

The rideshare company still shares some of the responsibility for the accident. If they acted carelessly about how they hired screen drivers or utilize their apps, the company might be directly liable for the victim’s injuries. 

They are directly liable if they failed to appropriately screen, train, or manage drivers. If you’re the other driver or passenger who suffered injuries because of the accident, you could file a lawsuit against the rideshare company based on their negligence of hiring, training, and supervision. 

Most Common Reasons Why Rideshare Accidents Happen in Los Angeles 

When a driver infringes the vehicle code that’s designated to forfend injuries or accidents, the driver may be believed to be negligent per se, also known as presumed negligence. This makes a rebuttable presumption that a driver was reckless according to the violation of a law or statute. 

Some factors of negligence per se in a rideshare accident may involve getting into a collision or causing a wreck while:

  • Beating the red light 
  • Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs
  • Speeding
  • Using the phone (texting, talking, or navigating an app)
  • Distracted driving

What Damages Can You Recover Following a Los Angeles Rideshare Accident?  

The damages you can recover after a rideshare accident is generally the same as with any car accident. You may recover:

  • Medical bills 
  • ED treatment
  • Lost salaries
  • Lost earning capacity 
  • Emotional harm
  • Loss of consortium
  • Compensation for disfigurement or amputation of a body part
  • Pain and suffering

There are some instances when a jury awards punitive damages to the injured victims because of the defendant’s outrageous behavior, such as reckless driving. Another is when the rideshare company tried to mask its involvement, as an injured victim you might be able awarded punitive or exemplary damages. 

In case of a fatal car accident that caused the death of the victim, the surviving family may be able to recover compensation for their loved one’s death. These are:

  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Pecuniary losses
  • Loss of support and companionship

It’s difficult when you’re involved in a rideshare accident and it would be best to speak with an expert Los Angeles rideshare accident about how to get compensation to cover your damages.  

What Do You Need to Prove to Recover Damages?

Like any other accident, you need to prove the negligence of the liable party (defendant) to recover damages. You need to prove that:

  • The defendant owed you a duty of care
  • The defendant breached such duty through negligence 
  • That negligence was a significant aspect in causing you harm 

Fundamentally, the “duty of care” stipulates drivers exercise reasonable care when driving a vehicle. They need to always keep their eyes peeled and focus their attention on the road for crossing pedestrians, obstacles, and other vehicles. 

Moreover, they should observe the speed limit and movement of their vehicles because failing to use reasonable care while driving is negligence. Working with an experienced LA rideshare accident lawyer can help you prove the other party’s negligence and recover damages.

Why Hire a Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Attorney?

Hiring a well-equipped Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyer is significant to your case. He will serve as your personal intermediary when communicating or negotiating with the insurance company regarding the compensation you’re requesting. If you need to prove the negligence of the rideshare driver that caused your injuries, he can gather pieces of evidence. Moreover, he has the knowledge and expertise to navigate the process of filing a claim, especially when the case is brought to court. 

Suffered Injuries in a Rideshare Accident in Los Angeles? Call LA Injury Group for Help.

After suffering injuries in a rideshare accident, you might be confused about who to sue or who to turn to for help. If there are things you don’t understand, you can ask the LA Injury Group. You can discuss your case with our compassionate and hardworking Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyers. 

You may reach us at (818) 240-1800. Don’t wait long before you keep in touch with us because waiting can hurt your case. You can count on us to provide you with the legal coverage you need. We’ll be with you through the case from start to finish. Call us now and book a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis.

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