Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft make it so much easier to get around San Luis Obispo and other areas in California. Traffic is always hectic, but not having to drive your own car takes a lot of the stress off of you. Unfortunately, rideshare drivers generally aren’t trained professionals. Rideshare accidents are far too common in California.
When rideshare accidents happen, it can be difficult to know who is at fault. Without knowing who is at fault, it can be difficult to get the compensation you deserve. The good news is, our attorneys understand the complexity of these cases. We have helped victims of rideshare accidents all over California get the money they need after a wreck.
If you have been injured in this type of wreck, a San Luis Obispo car accident lawyer at Ernst Law Group can help. Give us a call at (805) 541-0300 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation today.
Your Rights After a Rideshare Accident in California
In some ways, rideshare accidents are similar to other car accidents. One driver may be held completely liable, or drivers may share fault. The big difference in rideshare accidents is who will pay for your injuries and other losses you suffered. It all comes down to who was liable for the accident, and your role in the accident: as a passenger, as a rideshare driver, or as a driver of the other car.
As a Passenger
If you are a rideshare passenger, and you are injured in a wreck, the party responsible for covering your losses solely depends on who is at fault. If the other driver is at fault, their insurance will cover you. However, if the other driver doesn’t have adequate insurance or they flee the scene, the rideshare company’s insurance policy will cover you.
However, if your rideshare driver is at fault for the accident, the rideshare company’s insurance policy will generally cover you. In some cases, however, the driver’s own insurance policy will be responsible for your losses. Insurance companies often require rideshare drivers to have additional coverage. If the driver doesn’t carry this required insurance, their provider may not cover losses in a rideshare accident. In these instances, you will have to rely on the rideshare company to cover your losses.
As a Rideshare Driver
As we mentioned before, insurers may require rideshare drivers to carry additional coverage, since driving your car to make money is an additional risk. If you are the cause of the accident, your own insurance policy will be responsible for covering your losses. But they may not cover your injuries and other losses if you’re at fault. The rideshare company may cover some of your losses as well.
If the other driver is at fault, the party responsible for providing compensation depends on whether you’re actively using the app or not. If you’re offline, or the rideshare app is off, your own insurance policy will cover you. If you are active in the app and waiting for a ride request, rideshare insurance will provide compensation if your own insurance company won’t cover your losses. In total, they will provide up to:
- $50,000 in bodily injury per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 in property damage per accident
If you do have a passenger or you’re in route to pick someone up, rideshare companies will cover up to $1 million in losses. This includes uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in the instance that the other driver doesn’t have adequate insurance or they flee the scene of the wreck. It also includes contingent collision and comprehensive insurance in some cases.
As Another Driver Involved in a Wreck with a Rideshare Driver
If you are involved in a wreck with a rideshare driver, and they are at fault, their personal insurance policy may cover your losses. But if the driver doesn’t have adequate coverage, the rideshare company’s insurance policy may cover your losses instead, up to $1 million.
If you were at fault for the accident, you may be required to cover your own losses. In addition, your insurance company may cover the losses of the rideshare driver, which will likely result in an increase in your premiums.
Get the Compensation You Deserve After a Rideshare Accident
While rideshare companies and insurance companies are supposed to provide compensation after a wreck, they really don’t like parting with their money. That means they will look for just about any excuse to reduce the amount of money they will payout. In fact, they may send a settlement offer that is a lot less than what you actually need or deserve.
Once you accept this settlement offer, you forfeit your right to seek greater compensation. So before you accept any kind of settlement offer, give us a call to learn about all of your legal options. A San Luis Obispo rideshare accident lawyer from Ernst Law Group can review the full details of your case and determine if the insurance company is short-changing you.
Give us a call at (805) 541-0300 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation today.
