The experienced Uber accident attorneys at Compass Law Group, LLP in Los Angeles know your rights as an Uber passenger. Our sharp team has been involved with defending Uber accident victims from the advent of ridesharing. Not only are we eager to help you in your time of trouble; we have a strong track record of winning substantial damages for victims of Uber accident cases. If you have been seriously harmed in an Uber accident, contacting one of our offices to speak with an uber passengers rights lawyer is an excellent first step.
Do California Uber passengers have any responsibility for their own safety?
California law, like the law of most other states, does expect passengers to assume reasonable responsibility for their own safety. This is quite limited, however, in most situations restricted to the need for passengers to fasten their own seat belts, not engage in risk-taking behavior, and not enter a vehicle with an obviously impaired driver. Passengers are certainly not expected to be backseat drivers.
What are your rights as an Uber passenger?
Because the process surrounding Uber accidents is more complex than the one involving ordinary car accidents, it is essential to have a knowledgeable attorney to guide you through. At Compass Law Group, we are well-versed in federal and California law and know the intricacies of insurance policies as they relate to Uber accidents. We can explain all of the ins and outs of your rights as an Uber passenger, including your right to expect:
Safe, sober, dependable drivers
Though Uber applicants undergo some basic background checks relative to their driving record as well as any criminal record, such checks do not uncover all potential problems. It is all too possible to be transported by an Uber driver who speeds, ignores traffic signals, or appears to be inebriated, even though these actions are all against Uber, as well as government, regulations.
Safe, well-maintained vehicles
Uber drivers are driving their own cars, and are required to keep them in proper working condition. If you find that your seatbelt doesn’t work or the car brakes too sharply or is making a disturbing noise, such defects should be reported in your review. More than that, if a car defect leads to an accident, it is possible that the manufacturer, as well as Uber, may be responsible for your injury.
Coverage by Uber’s insurance policy
Although the company provides insurance that covers Uber drivers in the event of an accident, that insurance only applies when an Uber driver is traveling to pick you up, is in the process of picking you up, or is transporting you to your destination. If you are a passenger in the Uber car, you are, by definition, riding under the auspices of the company, meaning that Uber has $1,000,000 in liability coverage to tap into if you are injured.
This coverage is only a potential resource for your medical and other costs if the Uber driver is at fault for the accident. Nonetheless, the company also has a $1,000,000 uninsured/underinsured policy for any passenger injured by an uninsured third-party driver.
The right to file a lawsuit
As our legal team will help you discover, you also have the same rights as a passenger in any other vehicle to pursue a legal remedy if you feel that you are being treated unfairly by the Uber company. For example, if your Uber driver was at fault for the accident, we can assist you by filing a lawsuit against both the driver and the company, and proving the driver’s liability at trial. We may also sue Uber if their insurance company lowballs their settlement offer, refusing to pay the full amount you are entitled to by law.
Our team is also ready to sue the driver of the other car if that individual is responsible for the accident. If, as is often the case, both drivers (or even more than two drivers) share liability, Compass Law Group will help you to file lawsuits against all responsible parties. In such cases, the court will determine what percentage of damages is owed to you by each.
It should also be remembered that an accident may also be the result of a large pothole or debris on the road service. In such cases, the town, county or state responsible for road maintenance may be liable for your injuries.
How We Can Help if You Are Seriously Injured While an Uber Passenger
At Compass Law Group, our Uber passengers rights lawyer is well-prepared to take all necessary steps to provide you with efficient legal representation tailored to your specific needs, including:
- Investigating the facts of the case in police reports, medical data, and witness accounts
- Handling all communications with insurance companies and opposing attorneys
- Checking out the accident site
- Scrutinizing the Uber driver’s safety record
- Examining Uber’s response to similar claims
- Consulting medical, automotive, or other experts who may testify on your behalf
Most importantly, we will use well-proven strategies to win you every dollar of compensation you deserve.
Damages We Will Fight to Win for You and Your Family
In many cases, especially in those in which liability is clearcut, insurance companies may settle out of court to save time and money. Whether we can settle through negotiations or have to litigate, we will be fighting to win you the damages you need, including:
- Medical, surgical, hospitalization costs
- Physical and psychological therapy expenses
- Lost income, present and future
- Permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent scarring or other disfigurements
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Contact Our Experienced Los Angeles Uber Passengers Rights Lawyer
While Uber drivers are now considered employees in California, there is still complexity involved in determining liability in Uber accidents. For this reason, you need a strong Compass Law Group attorney at your side. During this challenging period when you are dealing with physical and emotional trauma, and most likely financial stress as well, we are eager to take over your external logistical problems while you rest and recover. We will not charge you any attorneys’ fees until we win your case, so call us soon for a free consultation.
Contact our skilled Los Angeles Uber passenger rights attorney today to schedule a free, initial consultation.
This list isn’t all-inclusive many personal injury suits have been raised based on different factors that aren’t included above. Our team of Los Angeles car accident attorneys can work on cases without anything out of pocket.
We’re old enough to have the necessary experience, yet young enough to use the most cutting-edge technology and tactics, and are determined enough to fight and outsmart the other side, every time.
