Uber/Lyft/Rideshare Accidents in El Centro
When using an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare service to travel through El Centro, the hope is that you do so without getting into costly and potentially life-threatening collisions; however, sometimes drivers are not paying enough attention to their surroundings, are drunk, or make mistakes for other reasons that lead to a crash. When you are in this situation and someone else—such as a fatigued motorist or distracted Lyft driver—is to blame, California’s personal injury laws may provide you with a way to hold them accountable.
At Walter Clark Legal Group, we understand the immense damage that Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents in El Centro cause to individuals, families, and communities. We dedicate our time, resources, and knowledge to fight for those who are hurt in crashes caused by others and who need help seeking financial support to cover their bills, treatments, and repairs while they are healing. Dozens of injured individuals have placed their trust in our seasoned car accident attorneys to guide them through legal matters after a wreck, and we welcome the opportunity to help you in this way, too.
What Should a Person Do After Getting Into a Wreck While Using a Rideshare Service?
When the Uber or Lyft car a person is in collides with another person or motorist on the road, the first step to take is to follow California Vehicle Code §§ 20003 and 20008 by reporting the incident to the police. Ideally, the drivers should take care of this. Still, it may be a good idea for the passenger to contact law enforcement to ensure this happens and that any information they think is important is passed on to the authorities. The victim should also see a physician right away to identify and treat any urgent or underlying injuries, such as:
- Whiplash
- A concussion
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue damage
Because the victim is in a rideshare vehicle, they must also notify the transportation network company—e.g., Lyft or Uber—so they are aware of the incident and any damages they sustained. If the injured passenger uses a web or phone app, there may be a portal they can access or a phone number they can call to tell the service what happened and when. An El Centro attorney could provide critical legal recommendations to someone injured in an accident while using Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare company’s services.
What Are the Rules for Receiving Compensation for a Crash Involving Uber or Lyft?
Requesting a settlement to address the cascading costs—such as for healthcare and missed income—that come up after a rideshare collision can be more involved than in other situations. The main reason for this is because the insurance company responsible for covering these losses—e.g., the transportation network company’s or the individual Uber driver’s policy—depends on what the worker was doing. For example, if they had the app turned on and were transporting a passenger, one type of coverage may apply; however, if the person had the app turned off and was not working at the time, their own liability insurance may cover the situation.
When an injured person is unable to secure a fair deal from the insurance company to adequately address their losses, they may use the court system to give them access to a wider range of possible damages. If the injured party decides to go this route, California has two different deadlines for bringing claims because of a car accident.
The first—found in California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1—gives the injured individual two years to request compensation for their personal injuries, such as broken bones, lost wages, and discomfort. For a claim based on property damage—such as a broken phone and totaled vehicle—California Code of Civil Procedure § 338 allows three years to sue. A knowledgeable rideshare accident lawyer in El Centro could help an injured person by identifying the specific deadlines they must meet and any special limitations they may have on recouping compensation—such as under California Civil Code § 3333.4.
Reach Out to an El Centro Attorney for Guidance After an Uber, Lyft, or Rideshare Collision
Obtaining a comprehensive and timely relief package is essential when you are hurt in a crash involving an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare service. However, you may find it challenging to try to single-handedly handle a legal case while also managing your daily obligations and recovering physically from the incident. Because of this, you may benefit from partnering with an experienced law firm that can help counsel and fight for you.
Walter Clark Legal Group has been fighting for casualties of Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents in El Centro for decades. Reach out to our team today to schedule a no-obligation consultation to discuss your options.
