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$14,500,000

Truck Accident

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$13,000,000

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$9,875,000

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$5,000,000

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$1,500,000

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$14,500,000

Truck Accident

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$13,000,000

Trial Verdict

Settlement

$9,875,000

Bike Accident

Settlement

$5,000,000

Car Accident

Settlement

$2,500,000

Car Accident

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$2,250,000

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$2,250,000

Slip and Fall

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$1,500,000

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What Happens After an Out-of-State Uber or Lyft Accident?

What Happens After an Out-of-State Uber or Lyft Accident?

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What to Do Immediately After the Accident

If you’re in an out-of-state Lyft accident, take a deep breath. Getting in a car accident can feel overwhelming and scary, but keeping calm will help you take the proper steps to keep yourself and others safe. Know what you need to do and try to keep a level head. Here are the basic steps you should take immediately after a rideshare accident:

  1. Make Sure You’re Safe: The most important thing is to make sure you’re okay. Check if you have any injuries and make sure you’re in a safe area.
  2. Contact the Proper Authorities: Get in touch with local police and report the accident. If you are seriously injured, dial 911 and seek emergency medical care.
  3. Document the Scene of the Accident: Collect as much evidence as you can of the accident, such as photos and videos. Take pictures of the cars involved, your injuries, the scene of the accident, and anything else you can think of that may be helpful later.
  4. Exchange Contact Information: Talk to the other drivers involved and exchange contact information and insurance details. Also, get the contact information of any eyewitnesses who saw the accident.
  5. Seek Urgent Medical Attention: Regardless of the severity of your injuries, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Get medical records of your injuries right after the accident.
  6. Contact a Rideshare Accident Attorney: Once you’re safe and have all the documentation you need, get in touch with a personal injury lawyer. They’ll help you file a claim and earn the compensation you deserve.

What to Do Immediately After the Accident

How Insurance Coverage Works in Out-of-State Uber/Lyft Accidents

Insurance can get tricky when it comes to rideshare accident compensation. Uber and Lyft consider their drivers as independent contractors, meaning they aren’t official employees of the company. This makes insurance coverage and your compensation more complicated.

Uber or Lyft’s insurance policies cover drivers in specific stages or “periods” of the rideshare process. If the accident occurs in a period where the company’s insurance won’t cover it, then the driver needs to use their personal auto insurance policy. Coverage periods for Uber and Lyft drivers include:

  • Period 0: The driver isn’t logged into the app or working, so they’ll use personal insurance.
  • Period 1: The driver gets partial coverage when waiting for a ride request.
  • Period 2: The driver gets more coverage when en route to pick up a passenger.
  • Period 3: The driver gets full coverage during the ride.
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Understanding Statute of Limitations in the State Where the Accident Occurred

Every state has a statute of limitations for Uber accidents. This is a deadline to file your claim and receive compensation. It’s important to know the statute of limitations for the state in which the accident took place, as that’s the deadline that needs to be met. Not the state you live in, but the state where the accident happened.

If you don’t file your claim before the deadline, a judge will dismiss your case. This means you won’t receive any financial compensation for the damages. The sooner you file your claim, the sooner you’ll receive compensation.

The Brand New Law for Uber Workers in California

As of August 11, 2020, Uber drivers in the state of California are now considered employees of the company. Instead of independent contractors, drivers now have access to minimum wage, healthcare, unemployment benefits, and paid leave. This is only for Uber drivers in California.

What does this mean for car accident claims? Uber’s liability for rideshare accidents in Los Angeles has gone up, and the specific changes have yet to be seen. Regardless, reliable Uber accident lawyers in California will fight for your right to maximum compensation.

How Uber Liability Has Worked Until the Present

Up until this point, Uber’s $1 million liability coverage and $1 million uninsured or underinsured coverage policies could only apply in specific circumstances. More specifically, the Uber driver needed to be logged into the app. This means they had to either be waiting for a passenger, en route to pick them up, or driving with the passenger in the car.

If the following requirements were met, then Uber would cover part of your financial compensation.

Steps to Take for Filing a Claim

After a rideshare accident, make sure you’re safe. If you’ve been injured, seek immediate medical attention. Once you know you’re stable, follow these steps to file a claim:

  1. Gather Evidence: Take photos and videos of the scene, the cars involved, your injuries, and anything else related to the accident.
  2. Report the Crash to the Authorities: Contact local authorities and report the accident. They’ll make a formal report and bring emergency medical services if needed.
  3. Start the Claim Process in the App: Both Uber and Lyft have options to report an issue with your trip. Open the app and find the ‘help’ section, from there you can report what happened. Don’t try to assign blame, report the facts of what happened.
  4. Contact a Rideshare Attorney: Get in touch with a personal injury lawyer who has experience with Lyft and Uber crash cases. They’ll help you build a case and receive maximum compensation.

Common Challenges Faced by Out-of-State Passengers

Out-of-state Uber and Lyft passengers face unique challenges that come with using these rideshare services. These challenges make the rideshare process more difficult and frustrating. Some of these challenges include:

  • Passenger Safety
  • Uber and Lyft Service Regulations
  • Frustration with Surge Pricing
  • Environmental Impacts Such as Carbon Emissions

What Happens If the Uber or Lyft Driver is at Fault?

Determining Uber or Lyft driver accident liability impacts your compensation amount and who covers it. If the Uber or Lyft driver is found at fault for the accident, then the company’s contingency policies will cover part of the accident. This only applies if the driver’s auto insurance is not enough to cover the damages.

These contingency policies cover up to $50,000 per person who was injured in the accident, $100,000 for the total bodily injuries in the accident, and $25,000 for any damage to personal property.

How an Experienced Lawyer Can Help

As an out-of-state Uber accident victim, filing a personal injury claim can be confusing and frustrating. You may not know your Uber passenger rights or how the claim process works in California. You need a team of Uber or Lyft crash attorneys in LA to help.

Compass Law Group, LLP will help you every step of the way. We’ll work with you to make the process as smooth as possible, even when you return to your home state. Our team values open communication and superior service so you stay informed as we work on your case.

Damages You Can Seek in an Out-of-State Uber/Lyft Accident

Economic Damages:

  • Medical Expenses
  • Rehabilitation
  • Loss of Income
  • Property Damages
  • Replacement
  • Household Services

Non-Economic Damages:

  • Pain and Suffering
  • Permanent Disfigurement
  • Disability
  • Loss of Quality of Life
  • Emotional Distress
  • Loss of Consortium or Companionship

Our California Rideshare Accident Attorney Can Help You Recover—Contact Us Today

Looking for a rideshare accident attorney in Los Angeles? Compass Law Group, LLP is ready to take on your case. We have experience working cases involving Uber and Lyft, and we’ll use our expertise to get you the compensation you deserve. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case.

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California's Gold Standard Injury Law Firm

With Joseph Shirazi and Simon Esfandi at the helm, our firm is a trusted name in accident law in California.

Countless Real Client Reviews Verified by Google

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Jerry

After 10 accidents and 9 attorneys, the client met Simon, who stood out for his honesty and clear communication. Years later, after another accident, the client called Simon and was impressed by his professionalism and follow-through. Simon explained everything, connected him with top doctors, and kept every promise. It was the first time the client felt truly supported—highly recommending Simon and Joseph for their integrity and dedication.

Jacob

Jacob was rear-ended by a big rig and left nearly paralyzed for a year. He found Cooper Law Group, and Joseph and Simon personally helped him through the legal process. Over two years, they ensured he got the medical care and surgeries he needed, helped repair his car, and secured the compensation he deserved. He highly recommends them for truly fighting for their clients.

Blandine

During the early days of COVID, Blandine was hit by a car while biking to work. Alone and unsure of what to do, they found Compass Law Group. Joseph was the first to respond with care and clarity. Throughout the case, the team—Joseph, Simon, and Julie—provided support, regular check-ins, and made the client feel safe and cared for. They now consider the firm like family and highly recommend them for their compassion and competence.

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