Corona Ridesharing Lawyer
Uber and Lyft are the top ridesharing firms in California, offering swift transport solutions.
While most people understand the ridesharing process, not all know what to do after a rideshare accident. Rideshare accidents are not subject to similar taxi companies’ rules and regulations. Therefore, an accident involving Uber or Lyft can be complicated, especially when pursuing compensation.
At Yarian Accident & Injury Lawyers, we have an experienced Corona ridesharing legal team readily available to help you with your claim. We have triumphed in numerous personal injury cases and recovered fair settlements for our clients. If a ridesharing accident injured you or your loved one, contact us for your free consultation today.
What Is Ridesharing?
Ridesharing services involve companies like Uber and Lyft that use computer applications to bring passengers and drivers together within their area. These Transportation Network Companies offer ridesharing services for people seeking a ride from point A to B. You can connect with an automobile driver and pay a certain fee based on your travel distance through an online app.
In California, many licensed companies offer ridesharing services. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Public Utilities Code regulate rideshare providers in California, also known as Transport Network Companies. Before operating in California, rideshare drivers must adhere to different codes.
Unfortunately, rideshare drivers can cause accidents resulting in severe injuries to passengers. Passengers who sustain injuries in a ridesharing accident have a right to file a claim for their damages.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accident in Corona
Calling an Uber or Lyft relieves the hassle of driving through traffic and parking, making ridesharing an increasingly popular means of transportation. However, this popularity also increases ridesharing accidents in Corona.
Some common causes of Corona rideshare accidents are:
- Distracted driving
- Navigating unfamiliar roads
- Unsafe parking and pickup locations
- Driver fatigue
- Speeding
- Inappropriate vehicle maintenance practices
- Poor road conditions
- Severe weather conditions
- Driving under the influence, such as drugs or alcohol
Based on the cause of the accident, the rideshare driver could be fully or partially responsible for the collision. Suppose the rideshare driver is only partially liable for the accident; in this case, other parties may be held liable for the accident.
Other parties might include:
- Another driver
- The government, if damaged roads led to the accident
- A parts manufacturer
- The driver’s rideshare company
Sometimes, you can hold both the driver and the rideshare company liable for the accident if the driver fails to maintain the vehicle.
Types of Rideshare Injuries in Corona
Rideshare accidents can severely injure anyone involved, including rideshare passengers, drivers, and third parties. If you have rideshare crash injuries, speak with an experienced Corona ridesharing lawyer.
Rideshare accidents can lead to:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Back and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Simple and compound fractures
- Head and shoulder injuries
- Nerve damage
- Scrapes, cuts, bruises, and bumps
- Death
Ridesharing vehicles can crash into other passenger cars, large commercial trucks, pedestrians, bicycles, and motorcycles. Based on the type of the accident and vehicle type, the nature and severity of the injuries may vary. In cases where death occurs due to the accident, the surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim.
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident in Corona
As a ridesharing passenger, you trust the driver’s skills and understanding of the road. However, depending on a rideshare driver exposes you to risks of getting into an accident. Your ridesharing driver could be negligent.
In some cases, you could be walking or cycling down Corona streets when an Uber or Lyft driver hits you.
After an accident, follow these steps:
- Call 9-1-1 for immediate medical attention
- Check on others
- Document the accident with the police
- Get the rideshare driver’s identification number, contact information, and other critical documentation.
- Acquire witness information
- Avoid speaking to other parties regarding the accident
- Take a photo of the driver’s license plate, damage to both vehicles involved in the crash, and your injuries.
- Contact a competent Corona ridesharing lawyer
Negotiating a fair settlement can be tricky due to the potential for multi-party involvement. You may not know which parties to file a claim against. If you suffer any injuries in a ridesharing accident, a lawyer at Yarian Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you pursue the liable party.
Our Corona ridesharing legal team has the skills and resources to fight for your rights and argue for a fair settlement. We understand how stingy insurance companies can be and know they often undervalue victim settlements. For this reason, we negotiate aggressively and take cases to trial if necessary. Reach out to our experienced Corona ridesharing legal team today.
Determining Liability in a Rideshare Accident
Rideshare accident claims often involve multiple insurance companies. These can include the driver’s private insurance company, the ridesharing company’s insurer, and any third-party driver’s insurer. The number of interested parties makes it challenging to seek a fair settlement, especially if you seek compensation on your own. If you hire a lawyer, they will negotiate with the involved insurance companies before settling.
If the ridesharing driver is liable for your injuries and has a commercial or personal auto insurance policy, the driver’s coverage will likely pay for your damages. Unfortunately, many ridesharing drivers lack this coverage. Policies also often have a business use exception that excludes coverage for rideshare accident injuries. In these scenarios, the driver probably has limited personal resources.
However, top ridesharing insurers have third-party liability insurance, paying set amounts for each collision for personal injuries and property damage caused by third parties. The policy might cover your damages if the other driver was at fault.
To hold a particular party at fault with several different insurance companies involved requires the help of a Corona ridesharing lawyer who can determine liability in your case and where to file your claims.
Recoverable Damages in A Corona Rideshare Accident
If you are involved in a rideshare accident and suffer injuries, California law allows you to seek compensation. You may recover three types of compensation based on the circumstances of your rideshare accident.
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate victims for actual, calculable losses. They reduce financial stress by helping victims pay for damage caused by the rideshare accident.
Economic damages include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Future lost wages
- Replacement or repair of broken property
- Funeral and burial expenses if the victim dies in an accident
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages cover long-term injuries.
They are usually more difficult to calculate than economic damages and can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship and consortium
- Loss of use of body function or parts
- Inconvenience
- Disfigurement
- Mental anguish
If your injuries are long-term or life-changing, California law allows you to seek non-economic damages. Although there are different definitions of long-term injuries, injuries that a doctor expects to last for more than 12 months can qualify. Our Corona ridesharing legal team knows how to ensure that clients seek the total value of their claim by considering both short and long-term losses.
Rideshare Accidents Statute of Limitations
In California, rideshare accidents are considered auto accident cases that have a statute of limitations of two years from the date of the crash. Victims must file any claims for compensation within this period. After two years, failure to file a claim could make you ineligible for compensation.
Most people think that two years is a long time to file a rideshare accident claim, but it will pass quickly, especially when dealing with stubborn insurance companies. A Corona rideshare lawyer knows how to file a lawsuit within the deadline and meet all the legal requirements, with less stress and hassle for you.
How Our Corona Rideshare Legal Team Can Help
Our Corona rideshare lawyers understand the complexities of rideshare accident claims. Due to the number of parties involved, you must have the expertise and the right resources to file your claim. Working with our lawyers protects your rights and ensures you understand your legal options.
Our Corona rideshare lawyers can also help by:
- Gathering critical evidence to support your claim
- Analyzing and determining your claim’s value
- Helping identify the at-fault party
- Navigating the complex legal process to recover damages
- Bargaining with insurers on your behalf
- Taking your case to court if necessary
FAQs
What should I do after a rideshare accident in Corona?
After a ridesharing accident, you may feel disoriented and not know how to respond.
Following these steps when involved in a rideshare accident may help:
- Dial 911 to request immediate medical care if necessary.
- Call the police to report the accident, giving information about your injuries, damage to other vehicles, statements from witnesses, and more.
- Take photos of the crash and any other cars involved.
- Contact a Corona ridesharing lawyer.
Are rideshare drivers employees or independent contractors?
In California, the categorization of rideshare drivers has sparked major, complicated debates.
Currently, California law categorizes ridesharing drivers as independent contractors. That makes suing a ridesharing company difficult in most cases, but its substantial insurance policy may still cover you. You’ll need a ridesharing lawyer to pursue that claim and ensure the insurance company pays you what you deserve.
How do ridesharing services differ from taxi companies?
Transport network companies like Lyft and Uber differ significantly from standard taxi and limo companies.
Some differences include:
- Rideshare drivers set their work schedule
- Taxi and limo company drivers might need to accept rides or riders
- Rideshare drivers usually drive their cars and must pay for maintenance and fuel.
- Taxi and limo company drivers often have noticeable visual displays and signage.
Further, taxi drivers often must possess a commercial insurance policy that applies 24/7, irrespective of work status. Conversely, the ridesharing commercial insurance policy only applies when the car or driver logs into the app and searches for passengers. If the driver operates the car without launching the app, only their insurance policies apply.
Does insurance coverage change for rideshare drivers?
Ridesharing insurance policies may cover different aspects of a driver’s activity depending on whether or not the driver is working.
These periods are:
- No period: This is when the driver is not active, logged into the rideshare app, or carrying any passengers. The vehicle is considered a personal vehicle during No Period, covered by the driver’s personal insurance.
- Period 1: When the driver is logged into the app and waiting for a passenger, it is called Period 1. During Period 1, the driver or the TNC must maintain liability coverage. The TNC only has limited coverage during this period.
- Period 2: When the driver has approved a passenger and begins driving to pick the passenger up, they enter Period 2. During this period, the TNC must take on more liability.
- Period 3: This occurs when the rideshare driver has a passenger in the vehicle. The TNC must maintain coverage for accidents that occur during Period 3.
Contact an Experienced Corona Ridesharing Lawyer Today
If a ridesharing accident injured you or your loved one, hire an experienced rideshare lawyer to help with your claim. At Yarian Accident & Injury Lawyers, our team is passionate about helping people injured in rideshare accidents get compensated. Contact us today at (951) 523-0000 for your free consultation with our legal team in Corona.
Yarian Bedsore and Pressure Sore Lawyer Corona, CA Office Location
Corona, CA 92878
Phone: +1 951-523-0000
