Car accidents can quickly become complex legal claims, particularly when one of the vehicles involved was an Uber or Lyft. When an on-duty rideshare vehicle is part of a collision, you have to carefully look at who caused the accident, who is liable for compensating you for your injuries, and whether there is more than one insurance policy that covers your property damage and bodily injuries. Our Oceanside Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers are highly experienced in handling complicated and contentious rideshare accident claims. We are not afraid to go after full and fair payouts from these rideshare company’s insurers when their drivers cause accidents. If you are wondering whether we are the right Uber and Lyft accident attorneys for you, consider our track record of success. Our personal injury and wrongful death legal team has helped more than 5,000 clients obtain more than $300 million in settlements and court rulings. To talk with us about the potential value of your claim and how to pursue compensation after a rideshare crash, contact us at 1-800-GO-HARRIS. Or, you can submit your information through our online form to request a free consultation.

Causes of Lyft and Uber Accidents in Oceanside

Our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers in Oceanside have found that some of the most common causes of rideshare collisions involve:

• Distraction—Rideshare and other drivers are often on their phones, eating, drinking, reaching for objects, or paying too much attention to their passengers.
• Speeding—Drivers are often in a hurry, particularly Uber and Lyft drivers who want to end one rides so they can accept another request.
• Fatigue—Many drivers get behind the wheel despite being too tired to drive safely. This is a particular issue for Uber and Lyft drivers who attempt to drive as much as they can during the day and night.
• Recklessness—Drivers can become too aggressive on the road and take to following other vehicles too closely, driving at excessive speeds, weaving among traffic, failing to yield, running stoplights and stop signs, and performing other dangerous maneuvers.
• Intoxication—Drivers who get behind the wheel after imbibing too much alcohol or taking illegal drugs significantly increase the risk of causing an accident.

Compensation for an Uber or Lyft Crash

If you were injured in a crash caused by a Lyft or Uber driver, or you were a rideshare passenger injured in a collision caused by anyone else, then you should speak with our Lyft and Uber accident lawyers in Oceanside about pursuing car accident compensation. Through a personal injury claim, you can seek compensation for your:

• Medical Bills
• Lost Wages
• Pain and Suffering
• Emotional Distress
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Reduced Earning Capacity
• Loss of Normal Life

Who May Be Liable For Your Rideshare Accident Injuries and Compensation

Many Uber and Lyft accident victims call us expecting to hold the rideshare platform responsible for the accident. However, it is rare that you can directly sue Uber or Lyft for a car crash. Both rideshare companies employ drivers as independent contractors and not employees. This means that Uber and Lyft are typically not directly responsible for the drivers’ conduct. If you are in a crash with an Uber or Lyft, and you believe the rideshare vehicle’s driver is to blame, we recommend calling our Oceanside Uber and Lyft accident lawyers as soon as possible. We will thoroughly investigate the crash and get to the bottom of who caused it. If the driver in the rideshare vehicle was at fault, we will investigate whether they were signed into the Uber or Lyft app at the time and whether they had accepted a ride request or not. These factors will determine which insurance policies apply to your injuries.

• If the driver was not working at the time, in other words not signed into the app, then their personal auto insurance applies to your case. Uber and Lyft’s insurance policies do not cover drivers who are not signed into the app at the time of the crash.
• If the driver was working but had not accepted a ride request at the time they caused the accident, then Uber and Lyft both provide a third-party liability policy with a $25,000 limit on property damage and a $50,000 limit per person and $100,000 limit per accident for bodily injuries. Your lawyer will help you first pursue compensation from the at-fault driver’s personal policy and then from Uber or Lyft’s contingent policy.
• If the driver had accepted a ride request or had a passenger in the vehicle, then Lyft and Uber both offer insurance policies with a $1 million limit. Our Oceanside Uber and Lyft accident lawyers will help you pursue the maximum compensation possible under the driver and the rideshare company’s insurance policies.

Have Questions? Call 1-800-GO-HARRS

If you were injured in a crash involving a Lyft or Uber, or your loved one passed away from a fatal rideshare accident in Oceanside, you should talk with a knowledgeable, experienced, and successful Uber and Lyft accident attorney at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers. You can reach us 24/7 by calling 1-800-GO-HARRIS. You can also submit your information through our online form and we will reach out as soon as we can to schedule your free, no-risk consultation.