Aggressive Advocacy for Victims of Rideshare Collisions in Orange County
Uber & Lyft accident is becoming increasingly common throughout Orange County as more people rely on ridesharing as a means of transportation. Over the past decade, rideshare companies Uber & Lyft accident have exploded in popularity. While rideshare companies offer convenience to riders, their services are not without risks. For a variety of reasons, these accidents can be quite complex. At Krolikowski Law, Orange County rideshare accident lawyer Adam Krolikowski represents individuals who have sustained serious injuries in car crashes. With over 20 years of experience, Attorney Krolikowski has helped thousands of injured clients pursue the compensation that they deserve through his diligent, attentive, and aggressive style of representation.
Types of Uber & Lyft Accident
Anyone who has been involved in an Uber & Lyft accident can pursue a claim for compensation against the at-fault parties. Often, but not always, the at-fault party is the rideshare driver. However, rideshare accident cases can be much more complex than other car accident cases for several reasons.
One of these reasons is that rideshare accidents can happen in four different situations: while the driver is not using the app, while the driver is waiting to be paired with a passenger, while the driver is on the way to pick up a passenger, or while the driver is transporting a passenger. Each type of accident will likely implicate different considerations and complex insurance issues. A victim should consult a uber & lyft accident lawyer in Orange County to determine the best way to proceed in their case.
The primary means of recovery for an Uber & Lyft accident victim is the driver’s insurance policy, the rideshare company’s insurance policy, or a combination of both. Under California law, rideshare drivers must have a certain amount of insurance. This insurance is provided in part by the rideshare company and in part by the individual driver.
Periods of Coverage for Rideshare Accidents
The level of insurance available to an accident victim depends on whether an accident occurs in Period Zero, One, Two, or Three. These roughly correspond to the four situations discussed above. In Period Zero, a rideshare driver is not using their Uber or Lyft app, or is otherwise not accepting rides. During this period, the driver is covered by their own insurance policy. California requires individuals to maintain bodily injury coverage of at least $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. The responsibility to obtain this insurance rests with the rideshare driver, as it does with any other driver. An Orange County rideshare accident attorney can help a victim bring a claim against the individual driver.
In Period One, a rideshare driver is waiting for the app to match them with a rider. During this period, the driver’s personal insurance policy will be the primary policy under which an accident victim can recover compensation. However, both Uber and Lyft provide additional bodily injury coverage in the amount of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in the event that coverage is unavailable or insufficient. California law also requires rideshare companies to maintain an additional $200,000 in coverage on top of these amounts.
In Period Two, the Lyft or Uber app has paired the driver with a rider, and the driver is en route to pick them up. During this period, Lyft and Uber each provide a $1 million insurance policy, including uninsured/underinsured motorist protection in the event that another motorist without sufficient insurance coverage causes an accident.
In Period Three, the rideshare driver has picked up a passenger and is on the way to their destination. The coverage during this period is identical to the coverage in Period Two.
Contact an Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer in Orange County to Discuss Your Case
If you or someone in your family has recently been injured in an Uber & Lyft accident, contact Krolikowski Law. For more than 20 years, Adam Krolikowski has represented thousands of clients in many types of car accident cases. He takes a practical yet compassionate approach to his representation, providing honest advice and sound guidance at every step of the legal process. To learn more, contact Krolikowski Law or call (949) 274-9915 to schedule a free consultation today.