Semi Truck Accident Lawyer in Tulare

The actions you take after an Uber or Lyft accident can significantly affect your ability to recover from your injuries and secure appropriate compensation for your losses. Here’s what you should do:

• Seek prompt medical attention so a doctor can diagnose, treat, and document your injuries.
• Report the accident to the rideshare company through their app or customer service line.
• Notify your own insurance company about the accident, if relevant.
• Collect and organize any photos or videos you or witnesses captured at the scene.
• Request a copy of the accident report from your local authorities.
• Obtain any medical records related to your injuries from your treating physician.
• Keep a diary detailing your recovery progress, pain levels, and any limitations you experience.
• Save all medical bills, receipts, and any other evidence of expenses related to the accident.
• Keep track of lost wages or other financial losses that occurred as a result of the accident.
• Avoid discussing the incident with anyone but your lawyer before you settle your case.
• Refrain from posting public photos or comments on social media while your case is ongoing.
• Contact an experienced Tulare rideshare car accident lawyer for advice as soon as possible.

The cornerstone of personal injury law is that anyone who contributes to an accident can be held liable for its consequences. In most car accidents, one or more of the involved drivers are typically to blame.

However, because rideshare drivers are not operating their vehicles solely for their own benefit, liability is not always straightforward in Uber and Lyft crash cases. It can extend beyond the rideshare driver to include other drivers, the rideshare company, vehicle manufacturers, and even governmental entities responsible for road conditions.

Here is a breakdown of the various parties that could be liable for a rideshare accident:

• Rideshare Drivers – The driver of the Uber or Lyft vehicle is often most immediately to blame for a rideshare accident. Any mistake or error in judgment they make leading to a crash could make them liable for the injuries it causes.
• Other Motorists – Alternatively, if another driver hit the Uber or Lyft in which you were riding, this person might be the party who owes you compensation for your injuries.
• The Rideshare Company – Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors, but they operate for the benefit of the rideshare company. As such, California requires that these companies provide seven-figure insurance policies covering drivers from the moment they accept a fare until they drop them off. The rideshare company could also be directly liable if it hired someone with known safety issues who should not have passed its basic background check.
• Passengers – While it’s rare, there are some instances where rideshare passengers’ actions directly contribute to the accident. For example, if a passenger physically interferes with the driver’s ability to operate safely, they might share liability.
• Vehicle Manufacturers or Maintenance Providers – A vehicle manufacturer or maintenance provider could be responsible if the accident resulted from a vehicle malfunction, such as brake failure or airbag defects.
• Government Entities – In cases where poor road conditions, lack of signage, or faulty traffic lights contributed to the accident, local or state governmental entities could be liable. However, taking action against governmental entities involves specific procedures and limitations, so legal representation is essential if you believe you have this type of case.

California law requires rideshare companies to maintain certain levels of insurance coverage for accidents involving their drivers. The compensation available to a victim of an Uber and Lyft accident varies depending on the circumstances of the accident.

In this phase, the rideshare driver is essentially a regular driver, as the app is off, and they have no active rideshare duties. If an accident occurs during this period, only the driver’s personal auto insurance policy will cover them. Therefore, compensation would be determined by the individual driver’s personal insurance policy limits. Under California law, all drivers without self-insurance must carry at least:

• $15,000 per person in bodily injury liability coverage
• $30,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage
• $5,000 per accident in property damage liability coverage

During this period, California requires rideshare companies to provide $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury and $30,000 per accident for property damage. These figures serve as a floor, not a ceiling, for the compensation available if you get hurt in an accident involving a rideshare driver in this phase of operation, as the companies must also carry $200,000 in excess insurance for this period.

In this period, the available coverage increases substantially. California rideshare companies must provide at least $1 million in liability insurance coverage the moment a driver accepts a ride request through the company’s app.

The $1 million liability insurance coverage remains in effect during period three, up to the point when the passenger exits the rideshare driver’s vehicle. This $1 million policy also extends to underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage, protecting both the rideshare driver and passenger in case another party is at fault and lacks sufficient insurance.

If you were hurt in a rideshare accident, the person to blame could owe you compensation for the following losses:

• Medical expenses resulting from your crash injuries
• The projected costs of any medical care you might need in the future
• Lost income from time away from work during your recovery
• Estimated losses in your earning potential due to permanent impairments
• Subjective losses, like pain, suffering, and reduced enjoyment of life

In California, you have two years from the date of an Uber or Lyft accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you fail to file your lawsuit within this two-year window, the court will likely dismiss your case. This would prevent you from obtaining compensation for your injuries, no matter how strong your underlying legal case might be.

Working with a knowledgeable local attorney is the best way to meet this critical deadline. An experienced attorney can work diligently to prepare and file your claim promptly and accurately, improving your chances of a successful outcome.

Don’t try to go up against the insurance companies alone, especially while you should be focused on your health. Instead, let a Tulare Uber and Lyft accident attorney pursue your case on your behalf. Sean Shamsi can help you by:

• Investigating the rideshare accident to recover evidence and identify liable parties
• Communicating with other parties and their insurance companies and lawyers on your behalf
• Filing legal documents within appropriate deadlines
• Calculating the full extent of your losses, including future medical expenses and lost wages
• Consulting accident reconstruction experts to better understand the dynamics of the crash
• Representing you in mediation or settlement negotiations with insurance companies
• Advising you on whether to accept a settlement offer or proceed to trial
• Taking your case to court if necessary
• It costs you nothing upfront and nothing out-of-pocket to hire Sean to handle your case. The Shamsi Law Firm, APC is paid only when you get your full and fair compensation. Then, Sean is paid as a percentage of the recovery.

Were you hurt in a rideshare accident in Tulare? Then let Sean Shamsi be the voice you need to recover the money you deserve. Contact The Shamsi Law Firm, APC today for a free consultation with an Uber and Lyft accident lawyer in Los Angeles.