You can recover compensation after an Uber or Lyft accident by filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. This can help you seek compensation for your property damage, medical expenses, and lost wages, among other losses.
California’s Car Insurance Laws
California is an at-fault state for car accidents, meaning that the at-fault party is responsible for paying for the damages that they caused. As California Civil Code Section 1714 states, “Everyone is responsible, not only for the result of their willful acts but also for an injury occasioned to another by their want of ordinary care or skill in the management of their property or person.” This basic rule applies whether the at-fault driver is a rideshare driver or an ordinary driver.
All drivers are required to maintain minimum liability limits that help pay for the damages they cause in the following amounts:
- $30,000 for bodily injury or death to one person
- $60,000 for bodily injury or death to more than one person
- $15,000 for property damage
Drivers may have more than these amounts; they are just the minimum amounts required by law.
Insurance Coverage During the Uber or Lyft Transaction
The insurance coverage that applies depends on when the accident occurred during the rideshare transaction, as follows:
When the Driver Is Off the App
Rideshare drivers who are not actively on the rideshare app are treated as regular drivers. Their personal auto insurance applies. You would make a claim with their liability insurance for the damages you suffered.
When the Driver Is On the App
Uber and Lyft maintain insurance policies for their drivers. When the driver is on the app and waiting for a ride request, rideshare companies maintain liability coverage in the following amounts:
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death to one person
- $100,000 for bodily injury or death to more than one person
- $25,000 for property damage
When the Driver Is on a Trip
Once the driver has accepted a ride request and until they have dropped off the passenger, the rideshare company provides $1 million in third-party liability coverage. This policy covers passengers, other motorists hit by the rideshare driver, and other road users, such as pedestrians or cyclists.
Financial Compensation You Can Pursue After an Uber or Lyft Accident
Whether you file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver, you can pursue compensation for the following damages:
- Medical bills you incurred due to the accident
- Ongoing medical treatment
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages, loss of future earnings, and inability to pursue a career
- Damage to your vehicle or personal property
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Reduced quality of life
Contact the Miller & Steele Law Firm for a Free Consultation
Even if you have the right to pursue compensation for your accident-related injuries and losses, this does not mean it will be easy to collect it. The rideshare driver is protected by a conglomerate and an insurance company that wants to minimize how much money it pays for a claim. Contact the Miller & Steele Law Firm today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help throughout the legal process.