Corona Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Uber, Lyft & Rideshare Accident Attorney in Corona, CA

App-based rideshare services have become the go-to transportation option for people who do not drive or prefer not to drive on a particular occasion. Ridesharing offers a convenient alternative to taxis and buses.

However, when a rideshare service driver is involved in a vehicle accident, determining liability and who compensates the victim’s losses could get complicated. The answer depends on who the at-fault driver was and whether the rideshare driver had accepted a ride at the time of the crash.

If you were injured in an Uber/Lyft/rideshare car accident in Corona, do not try to navigate the compensation process alone. A trustworthy Corona car accident attorney could protect your rights and help ensure that you receive adequate compensation for your losses.

Fault Determines Liability

By law, all drivers must have liability insurance to cover losses resulting from an accident. The insurance company of the driver at fault for the accident is responsible for paying the losses of other involved parties up to the policy’s coverage limits.

Rideshare drivers are independent contractors who own their own vehicles and have their own insurance. When a driver who works for a rideshare service such as Lyft or Uber is at-fault for a car accident in Corona, the coverage depends on the driver’s status at the time the incident occurred. If it happened when the driver was not working, a plaintiff must turn to the driver’s personal insurance.

Some drivers might have only the minimum coverage the law requires, which is $15,000 for personal injury to a single person, $30,000 aggregate for injuries to more than one person, and $5,000 for property damage. A Corona attorney could investigate to determine what legal recourse an injured person might have in these circumstances.

Rideshare Companies Must Provide High-Limit Coverage

California Public Utilities Code § 5433 sets forth the insurance requirements for rideshare companies. They must carry commercial policies with high limits to cover passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and occupants of other vehicles who sustain losses in an accident for which the rideshare driver is to blame.

Driver is Not Logged In

If a driver has not logged in to the rideshare company’s app, the company has no legal responsibility for losses resulting from any accidents the driver causes.

Driver is Logged In

If a driver is logged into the app and waiting to accept a ride, the ridesharing service’s insurance policies are in effect. In this circumstance, anyone who suffers losses in the accident could claim against the company’s insurance policy with limits of $50,000 for bodily injury of one person, $100,000 aggregate for bodily injury of more than one person, and $25,000 for property damage.

Driver Has Accepted a Ride

When a driver accepts a ride, the insurance coverage increases to $1,000,000 for death, injury, and property damage for passengers and others who suffer damages in an accident. This higher limit applies from the time a driver accepts a ride request on the app until the passenger is discharged at their destination or the ride is complete on the app, whichever happens last. If necessary, a Corona attorney could subpoena the rideshare company records to determine whether the driver had accepted a ride when the car accident occurred.

Trust a Corona Attorney to Steer Your Rideshare/Uber/Lyft Accident Claim in the Right Direction

Accidents involving rideshare companies can present complicated legal issues. If you were injured in such an accident, seek competent legal representation immediately. You need an attorney who handles Uber/Lyft/rideshare car accidents in Corona, CA to help you get the compensation you deserve. Make an appointment for a case review today.