Bakersfield Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys

There’s no doubt that Uber and Lyft have transformed the transportation industry, with billions of rides fared out each year. Like many other innovations, though, the impact of rideshare services has rippled through a multitude of disciplines, including tort law. When these vehicles are involved in accidents, there is often an added layer of complexity when it comes to imposing liability. Our Bakersfield Uber and Lyft accident attorneys have an in-depth knowledge of such cases, and we are proud to help those injured in these accidents pursue the highest compensation possible. We don’t shy away from a fight when a defendant refuses to settle. Insurance companies are resourceful and strategic when it comes to challenging claims. Specific criteria must be met in order to recover damages from Uber or Lyft’s commercial insurance policy, and even if your claim seems valid, there’s no guarantee that the adjuster will pay a fair settlement without dispute. Our lawyers will do what is necessary to ensure you are treated fairly, which could very well mean taking your case all the way to trial. You won’t have to pay anything to speak with a member of our team about your case. Call 1-800-GO-HARRIS to schedule a free consultation.

What If Someone Other Than the Rideshare Driver Caused My Accident?

When a person is injured in a crash that involves a rideshare vehicle, one of their first questions may be, “Can I sue Uber or Lyft?” This is a perfectly rational question since large corporations tend to have larger insurance policies and greater assets backing them, but this question is, unfortunately, tied to the presumption that Uber and Lyft can be sued for the negligence of their drivers. This is simply not the case since rideshare drivers are classified as independent contractors rather than employees, so the doctrine of respondeat superior (i.e. vicarious liability) does not apply. There are, however, some circumstances when those involved in these accidents can bring a claim against Uber or Lyft’s commercial insurance policy, which does have relatively high coverage limits for bodily injury. The best way to find out if such a claim has merit given the facts of your case is to speak with an Uber and Lyft accident lawyer in Bakersfield. It may be the case that a party other than the rideshare driver is liable—or shares liability—for the crash. That party would, therefore, be named as a defendant in your claim. Below are a few examples of parties who may be liable for a rideshare accident other than a rideshare driver:

• Another Driver: If two vehicles were involved in the crash and the rideshare driver was not at fault, chances are the other driver is the liable party. This, of course, is not an uncommon occurrence. If another motorist caused the accident, you would bring your claim against that party’s liability insurance policy.

• Another Driver’s Employer: If the other driver was acting in an employment capacity—for example, if he or she was a commercial trucker—you might be able to hold his or her employer vicariously liable for your healthcare costs and other damages. This, again, would depend on whether that driver was classified as an employee or independent contractor at the time of the accident.

• A Government Entity: There are some circumstances when a car accident claim can be brought against a government entity. This might apply to your case if the vehicle that hit you was being driven by a government employee who was performing work-related duties at the time. In a more rare scenario, you might be able to bring a claim against the entity responsible for maintaining the roads if unreasonably poor road conditions were a proximate cause of the collision.

• An Auto Part Manufacturer: Automotive parts malfunction far more often than many people realize. A small defect could result in a devastating crash. If the defect can be traced back to the manufacturer, you may be able to hold the manufacturer strictly liable for your damages.

• Other Potentially Liable Parties: There are countless parties who might be liable for a rideshare crash: a mechanic who performed negligent maintenance, a drunk pedestrian who darted into the street, and many others. Our Lyft and Uber accident attorneys in Bakersfield can help you identify all potentially liable parties and pursue the settlement you need to move on with life.

Talk with an Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer in Bakersfield Today

If you need legal guidance after a serious crash involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle, contact Harris Personal Injury Lawyers. During your free consultation, we will listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you develop a strategic plan for pursuing a fair settlement. Call 1-800-GO-HARRIS or send us a message to set up a case evaluation.