What Compensation Can I Receive From a Rideshare Accident?
Injured in a rideshare accident? As much as Californians depend on rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, there are times when accidents occur. In these situations, victims must have a way to receive compensation for their losses, including medical expenses, lost income, and even pain and suffering damages. Here, we want to review what types of compensation may be available as well as where this compensation will likely come from.
Types of Compensation Available
There may be various types of compensation available for individuals involved in rideshare accidents in California. The types of compensation will vary depending on the factors related to each specific situation. However, most commonly, rideshare accident victims will request the following damages after these incidents occur:
- Economic damages. These types of losses after a ride your accident represent the relatively calculable expenses the victim will endure. This can include:
- Emergency medical expenses
- Ongoing hospital or doctor costs
- Rehabilitation, physical therapy, or medications
- Lost wages or loss of future earning potential
- Out-of-pocket costs arising due to the incident
- Property damage expenses
- Non-economic damages. These kinds of losses are more challenging to quantify as they do not have directly calculable dollar figures attached. Rather, these damages seek to provide compensation for a rideshare accident victim’s physical or emotional pain and suffering as well as any scarring or permanent disfigurement they endure or loss of quality of life.
How Much Compensation Is Available?
Depending on the factors related to your particular rideshare incident, various amounts of compensation may be available. Both Uber and Lyft have specific policy limitations, using different “periods” to determine which particular insurance policy will pay after an incident occurs.
If a rideshare driver did not have a passenger and was on their personal time, then their own personal insurance carrier will be responsible for paying compensation if the driver caused the accident. However, in the event the rideshare driver was logged into their app to work but did not yet have a passenger or was not on the way to pick one up, the driver’s personal carrier will still be primarily responsible for coverage, but both major rideshare companies have supplemental coverage to kick in to assist as well.
Finally, if a rideshare driver has a passenger or is on the way to get a fare, then both Uber and Lyft have $1 million policies designed to cover every party involved in the incident.
Are Rideshare Accident Claims Challenging?
The answer is yes, vehicle accident claims involving rideshare services are more challenging than regular accident claims. The reality is that rideshare companies do a good job of shielding themselves from liability, primarily by placing the liability on the independent contractor (the rideshare driver.
If you or somebody you care about has been harmed due to the actions of a rideshare driver in California, reach out to a rideshare attorney with experience handling these particular cases. Your attorney can help investigate the claim and deal with any negotiations in an effort to recover the compensation you are entitled to.