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AVAILABLE 24/7 (866) 236-5474 Motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common causes of injury or death worldwide, and rideshare drivers and passengers using services like Uber and Lyft are not immune from the perils of the road. As rideshare services like Uber gain popularity within the United States for their innovation and convenience, the frequency of motor vehicle accidents involving individuals driving on behalf of a ridesharing service has increased, as well.
Since rideshare drivers are operating commercially and the passengers are paying for the service, both rideshare drivers and passengers have additional protections in the aftermath of an accident that other drivers and passengers may not have. If you or a family member suffers from injuries caused while driving for a rideshare platform, as a passenger of a rideshare service, or following a car accident with a rideshare vehicle, engaging an Los Angeles County Uber/Rideshare accident lawyer can help you evaluate your legal options. To begin discussing your case, contact a dedicated attorney today.
When an individual drives for a rideshare service, they usually operate their personal vehicle as an independent contractor for the on-demand transportation platform. Due to the commercial element involved, automobile insurance companies often make it difficult for rideshare drivers to seek affordable insurance policies.
There has also been confusion about when a rideshare service would be responsible for an accident and when the rideshare driver’s personal insurance would come into play. An Los Angeles County rideshare attorney could guide victims of accidents that involve vehicles operated through Uber or other platforms on their best course of action for recovery.
California has implemented strict insurance requirements for ridesharing drivers and operators. These rules clarify the circumstances under which the driver’s personal insurance would cover any accident damages and when the ridesharing company’s insurance coverage would be responsible for incidents.
Under California Assembly Bill No. 2239, the time an individual drives for a rideshare service is broken down into three periods. Period 1 begins immediately when the driver accesses the relevant app but has not yet booked a passenger for pickup. Period 2 begins when the driver accepts a passenger but has not yet picked them up. Period 3 begins when the passenger enters the vehicle and ends when the passenger exits.
In Period 1, a rideshare service is required to provide the following levels of insurance coverage to protect third parties:
Period 1 insurance coverage does not provide any protection for accident damages that Uber or other rideshare service drivers incur to their vehicles or for the driver’s personal injuries. For Period 2 and Period 3, the rideshare service’s $1 million commercial liability insurance applies.
In sum, a rideshare driver’s personal automobile insurance does not apply when they are logged into the on-demand platform for which they drive unless the driver has purchased their own ridesharing insurance coverage. A rideshare/Uber accident attorney in Los Angeles County can help accident victims determine how to best seek compensation for damages they suffer following a rideshare accident.
If you or a loved one continues to suffer from injuries caused by a motor vehicle accident involving a rideshare platform, an Los Angeles County Uber/Rideshare accident lawyer can help. A personal injury attorney who is well-versed in accidents involving on-demand transportation platforms may be able to improve your chances of financial recovery. Schedule a consultation today to discuss the legal options for your specific case.
Benji Personal Injury – Accident Attorneys, A.P.C.
