Fresno Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer

Fresno Rideshare Accident Attorney

Rideshare services, including Uber and Lyft, are incredibly popular in Fresno and throughout California, providing app users with accessible transportation alternatives to taxis and public transit. Although most people have no problems with their rideshare services, it is important to remember that you face the same risk of an accident when you are in a rideshare driver’s vehicle as you would in any vehicle. However, the result of a rideshare accident is likely to impose more challenging legal issues.

Experienced Legal Representation for Rideshare Accident Cases in Fresno, CA

If you were injured recently in an Uber or Lyft rideshare driver’s vehicle, or you were in your own car when a rideshare driver hit and injured you, it is important to know your rights when it comes to proving fault for the incident and recovering compensation for your damages. Your recovery may require one or more insurance claims followed by a personal injury suit. You could be entitled to more compensation than you might immediately expect, and the right attorney can be essential for unlocking the full potential of your civil claim.

The attorneys at the Law Offices of David Davidi, APLC, have years of professional experience representing personal injury cases in Fresno, including those related to rideshare accidents. We know you are likely to have many pressing legal questions in terms of proving fault for the incident and establishing the extent of your claimable damages, and we are ready to provide the comprehensive legal guidance you need for this challenging situation.

Navigating the Insurance Claim Process After a Rideshare Accident in Fresno

Rideshare firms require drivers to carry auto insurance; additionally, these firms must have, by law, insurance coverage, the function of which is based on the timing of an accident. If a rideshare driver is at fault in an accident and injures you or a loved one, the insurance coverage that comes into play depends on when the accident happened and if you were in their vehicle:

• If a rideshare driver is driving their vehicle for individual reasons and they are not signed into their driver app, their auto insurance applies if they cause an accident. This situation will unfold similarly to any other car accident. The injured party can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s personal auto insurance, and if their insurance cannot fully cover the victim’s damages, the victim has the right to proceed with a personal injury suit.
• Once a rideshare driver logs into their app and is marked available to accept a passenger request, the rideshare company’s first level of insurance applies if they cause an accident. At this level, the insurance pays up to $50,000 for bodily injuries to a single person, up to $100,000 for injuries to more than one person, and up to $25,000 for property damage.
• As soon as a rideshare driver picks up a passenger, the rideshare company’s second level of insurance comes into play until the passenger arrives at their destination. This level of coverage offers third-party liability coverage of up to $1 million. If you were riding as a passenger in a rideshare driver’s vehicle and they caused an accident, this insurance will likely apply to your damages, but you typically need to make a claim against the at-fault driver’s personal policy first before the rideshare company’s insurance applies to your damages.

Dealing with any auto insurance carrier can be difficult, and rideshare companies’ insurance carriers are no exceptions. Having an experienced attorney help file your claim will encourage the insurance carrier to handle the claim in good faith and process it efficiently. A Fresno rideshare accident attorney can help their client navigate the insurance claim process and can address any disputes the insurance company raises against their client’s claim. Once you have recovered as much compensation as possible through insurance, you can recover any outstanding damages through a personal injury claim against the party responsible for your accident.

Recovering With a Personal Injury Suit in Fresno

The state’s personal injury laws allow the plaintiff to hold the defendant accountable for all the financial losses the defendant inflicted. Once the plaintiff has proven that the defendant is directly responsible for their damages, any compensation they cannot claim through auto insurance can be recovered with a personal injury suit. Your Fresno rideshare accident attorney can potentially help you recover compensation for the following:

• Medical expenses, including the cost of rehabilitative care that you need to fully recover from your injuries.
• Lost income, if the accident causes you to miss work. You can also claim recompense for the future income you can no longer earn if the accident leaves you disabled.
• Property damage, such as the cost of your vehicle repairs if you were driving your own vehicle or the cost of replacing any personal belongings lost in the accident.

Beyond your economic damages, you also have the right to seek compensation for your pain and suffering. The right attorney can be essential for maximizing the compensation you win from the defendant, and the sooner you connect with legal counsel you can trust, the more likely you are to recover as fully as state law allows.

The attorneys at the Law Offices of David Davidi, APLC, approach every rideshare accident case we accept with the goal of maximizing our client’s recovery. Whether you expect to recover fully through auto insurance or anticipate filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver, we can help you understand what to expect from your recovery efforts and provide ongoing guidance through all stages of your case.

FAQs About Fresno, CA Uber and Lyft Accident Law

Is a Rideshare Company Liable for an Accident Their Driver Caused?

It is possible for a rideshare company to face vicarious liability for the actions of their driver if the rideshare company was negligent in the hiring and onboarding process. Rideshare companies are legally required to ensure that their drivers have the necessary experience and proper background to handle their job safely. Drivers must also have personal auto insurance and are required to maintain their coverage. If you believe a rideshare company shares fault for the accident you recently experienced, your Fresno rideshare accident attorney can help determine liability for the damages you suffered.

How Do I Prove Fault for a Rideshare Accident in Fresno?

Proving liability for a rideshare accident follows the same structure as proving fault for any other vehicle accident. You must identify the party responsible for the accident, prove they directly caused the damages, and then prove that your damages did not result from any other cause. Your Fresno rideshare accident attorney can be very helpful in gathering the evidence needed to establish liability for the damages you suffered.

What Happens if I’m Partially Liable for My Rideshare Accident in Fresno?

It is possible to bear partial liability for your recent accident and still recover compensation for your damages. The state enforces the pure comparative negligence rule, which comes into play whenever multiple parties bear liability for damages cited in a civil suit. If a plaintiff is found partially liable for a rideshare accident in Fresno, they can still recover compensation, but their percentage of fault in causing the accident is subtracted from their case award to reflect their shared liability. For example, 10% plaintiff fault means the plaintiff loses 10% of their total case award to account for their comparative negligence.

How Much Is My Rideshare Accident Claim Worth in Fresno?

The total potential value of your rideshare accident claim hinges on the scope and severity of the damages you suffered. You have the right to seek full repayment of any economic damages you suffered, along with compensation for pain and suffering. Your Fresno rideshare accident attorney can help assess the extent of your damages and maximize the compensation you win from the defendant. Once they assess future economic damages and pain and suffering, you could discover that your case is worth much more than you initially expected.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Fresno Rideshare Accident Attorney?

The Law Offices of David Davidi, APLC, will not add to your financial concerns after a rideshare accident that has already caused significant losses. We take personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that when you select our firm to represent your case, you will only pay a fee to our firm if and when we win your case. Your fee is a portion of the total amount of compensation we recover for you, and you owe nothing if we are unsuccessful with your claim for any reason.

Contact Our Legal Team

The right attorney can be a tremendous asset in your recovery efforts following a rideshare accident in Fresno, and you are more likely to maximize your total compensation with their assistance. When you select the Law Offices of David Davidi, APLC, to represent your case, you will have access to a responsive legal advocate who can provide ongoing support through every stage of the case. If you are set to learn more about how an experienced Fresno rideshare accident attorney can help you recover, contact us today and schedule your free consultation with our team.