Table of Contents
Sacramento Uber and Lyft Accidents
The Golden State’s capital city of Sacramento, with a population of over 500,000 and growing, is the state’s 6th largest city. Many residents and non-residents alike are among the 36% of the Unites States population who take advantage of ridesharing apps. Though most commonly used for going to or coming back from dinner or a party, Uber and Lyft have become known as safe, reliable methods of transportation for commuting, travel to the airport, and every day activities – however just as these services have grown so have Uber and Lyft accidents. These ridesharing services will only continue to grow in popularity as Sacramento and other cities’ public transportation declines due to the growth and availability of ridesharing.
Common Causes of Sacramento Uber and Lyft Accidents
Uber and Lyft have taken some precautions regarding their drivers to try and ensure rider safety, such as requiring including clean driving records and limiting the number of traffic citations and at-fault accidents they may receive in a given time period. However, these mandatory screenings are not foolproof and not every driver abides by their rules – or traffic rules, for that matter! As a result, a recent study found Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing services are responsible for 1 percent increase in traffic deaths nationwide – the number of Uber and Lyft accidents has grown to 1,100 each year and contributes to the California Office of Traffic Safety’s reported 3057 injuries and fatalities from motor vehicle accidents in Sacramento in 2017. Despite the precautions taken, accidents do occur. Common causes for Sacramento Uber and Lyft accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Unsafe turns
- Failure to yield
- Speeding
Driving recklessly or negligently way can cause car accidents and result in serious or even deadly injuries. It’s common to see injuries such as whiplash, broken and fractured bones, neck and back injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Victims lucky enough to survive can face a lifetime of recovery, lost wages, physical pain, and astronomical medical bills; a moment of negligence can change the rest of someone’s physical and financial future for a lifetime.
Winning Your Sacramento Uber or Lyft Accident Case
After a Sacramento Uber or Lyft accident, you deserve compensation for your injuries. Victims commonly bring a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company for your injuries; a skilled California car accident attorney can negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company and conduct an independent investigation if needed to get the best possible offer on your behalf. However, if a fair settlement isn’t reached it may be necessary to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in court against the wrongdoer and see damages.
In a personal injury lawsuit where you were injured in the accident, you may be awarded damages for harms including:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Lost earning income capacity
- Pain and suffering
If the Sacramento Uber or Lyft accident caused your loved one’s death, you may be entitled to damages in a wrongful death action. Though nothing can bring back your deceased loved one, courts may award you damages to compensate for financial harms you’ve suffered as a result of the death as well as the value of lost companionship, love, and support in the household.
Who Is Liable in a Sacramento Uber of Lyft Accident?
Because Uber and Lyft rideshare vehicles are owned and driven by individuals and not corporations, it often gets confusing when determining liability, who pays damages, and whose insurance is involved when an accident takes place. The answer depends whether a rideshare driver was on duty at the time of the accident or currently picking up, transporting, or depositing a paying passenger for Uber or Lyft.
If A Driver was Not on Duty
If the Uber or Lyft driver was not on duty, their personal car insurance – mandated by law – should step in to cover claims.
If a Driver was on Duty but Without a Paying Passenger
In this situation, both Uber and Lyft have insurance policies that apply to cover injuries and property damage in the following amounts:
- $50,000 bodily injury coverage per person;
- $100,000 total bodily injury coverage for an accident; and
- $25,000 property damage coverage per accident.
If an Accident Happened Between Accepting a Ride Request and Hadn’t Dropped Them Off
In these situations, Uber and Lyft cover the rideshare driver with a $1 million liability policy and underinsured/uninsured motorist policy.
What to Do After a Sacramento Uber or Lyft Accident
Any accident is traumatic, so it’s understandable you may not know what steps you need to take to protect your health and your rights. However, taking a few simple actions can greatly benefit you in the short term as well as the long run.
- Notify law enforcement
- Gather eyewitness information and take photographs of the accident scene
- Get immediate medical attention even if you believe you weren’t injured
- Don’t admit fault, apologize, or downplay your injuries
- Keep records of medical bills, lost wages, and other damages from the accident
- Contact an experienced Sacramento Uber or Lyft accident attorney
Get Help from a Sacramento Uber or Lyft Accident Attorney
If you’re injured or lose a loved one as a result of a rideshare accident, it is important to take steps quickly to get the compensation you deserve. To get the help you need and maximum possible recovery, contact Sacramento Uber and Lyft accident attorney Alan Daneshrad. Alan and his team have spent years of experience representing victims like you and making sure you’re not receiving less compensation than your case is worth. Rideshare accidents can be complex because of the different parties involved and different levels of mandatory insurance coverage, but we know how to manage complicated cases and secure favorable results on your behalf.
The skilled team at Daneshrad Law has the knowledge and resources to thoroughly investigate your case and aggressively litigate your claim, but also the compassion to communicate with you and give you peace of mind during your Sacramento personal injury or wrongful death case. To learn how we can help we offer a free, no risk, no obligation consultation to talk about your case. Call us at (310) 858-8239, toll free at (888) 881-3529, or complete our online form to schedule your free case evaluation. Let us answer your questions and give you peace of mind to focus on your recovery while we work diligently to get the best possible result for you from an unfortunate situation.