You can hire a rideshare accident lawyer in Riverside after a collision with a vehicle operated by an Uber or Lyft driver. Founded in 2016, our team at the Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys has spent nearly a decade helping accident victims secure compensation for their losses.
Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for funds to cover your medical bills, pain, mental and emotional suffering, and lost pay. A Riverside car accident lawyer can investigate to determine if someone else caused your crash.
Do You Qualify to File a Rideshare Accident Claim?
California allows anyone injured by an accident caused by someone else’s negligence to file a claim for compensation. Your Riverside personal injury lawyer will investigate the events leading up to your collision to determine if you have a valid injury claim.
We recommend that you contact a lawyer quickly after a crash to give your attorney a chance to collect evidence before it disappears.
Getting help fast means the law firm can interview witnesses, obtain medical records, and potentially collect video surveillance footage before someone erases it.
Our legal team may also:
- Check the status of the rideshare driver at the time of the collision
- Get a copy of your police accident report
- Work with rideshare accident experts
Don’t wait; start building your rideshare crash claim today with our personal injury lawyers now.
Steps to Take After a Rideshare Accident
Taking the right actions immediately after a rideshare accident is essential. These steps will help protect your health, preserve critical evidence, and support your injury claim:
- Call 911: A crucial step in the car accident lawsuit process is to report the crash and request emergency responders. This ensures there’s an official record and prompt medical treatment.
- Seek medical treatment: Even if your injuries seem minor, visit a medical provider as soon as possible. Injuries like traumatic brain injuries or internal damage may not be immediately obvious.
- Document the scene: Take photos or videos of all vehicles involved, visible injuries, road conditions, license plates, and the rideshare app confirming the trip.
- Gather information: Get contact details from all drivers (including the Uber or Lyft driver), insurance information, and witness names.
- Avoid statements to insurers: Do not provide a recorded statement to any insurance company without consulting a lawyer.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer: The sooner you involve a lawyer, the sooner they can begin protecting your legal rights and preserving evidence.
Hiring an experienced attorney immediately helps protect your interests against powerful rideshare companies and their insurance carriers.
Who Is Liable in a Rideshare Accident?
Liability in rideshare accidents can be challenging. One or more parties may be responsible, and determining fault is critical to securing compensation. Here are some parties who may hold liability for your accident:
The Rideshare Driver
If an Uber or Lyft driver acted negligently—such as texting while driving, speeding, or running a red light—they may be held directly responsible for the collision.
Rideshare drivers are considered independent contractors, but their actions can still trigger insurance coverage depending on when the accident occurred.
The Rideshare Company
Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft often try to avoid direct liability. However, if the driver was logged into the app and actively engaged in a ride (or en route to pick up a passenger), the company may be responsible under its liability insurance policy.
California requires these companies to provide up to $1 million in liability coverage during active rides.
Other Drivers or Parties
Other motorists may cause or contribute to rideshare accidents, especially in multi-vehicle collisions. Our legal team of rideshare accident lawyers in Riverside investigates thoroughly to identify every potentially liable party.
What Insurance Coverage Applies in Rideshare Accidents?
Insurance coverage in Uber and Lyft accidents varies based on the driver’s status at the time of the crash. California requires rideshare companies to maintain different levels of insurance coverage:
- Offline or app off: Only the driver’s personal insurance policy applies.
- App on, no ride accepted: Uber and Lyft provide contingent liability coverage of $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
- Ride accepted or in progress: Both companies must provide up to $1 million in liability coverage, plus underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage.
If your accident occurred during an active trip, our accident lawyers will pursue compensation through the rideshare company’s full insurance policy.
What Funds Do You Get After a Rideshare Collision?
A Riverside rideshare accident lawyer can help you secure funds to cover all the expenses associated with your collision. In many cases, we pursue damages for a client’s:
Medical Bills
Rideshare accidents can result in traumatic brain injuries, fractures, burns, or other catastrophic injuries. We pursue compensation for all medical expenses, including emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy, and ongoing medical treatment.
Lost Wages and Earning Potential
Injury victims often miss work and suffer long-term financial setbacks as a result of the car accident. We calculate both current lost wages and future lost earning capacity if you suffer a permanent disability.
Property Repairs
Your car accident lawyer may track the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle or any damaged property, including electronics or mobility aids.
Non-Economic Damages
Can you sue Uber for emotional distress? Yes, we can pursue compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, and reduced quality of life. These non-economic damages often reflect the deepest losses injury victims endure.
Punitive Damages
If a rideshare driver’s conduct was particularly reckless or malicious—such as driving under the influence—you may be entitled to punitive damages.
Rideshare Accident Statistics in California
California, particularly Southern California cities like Los Angeles and Riverside, has seen a significant increase in rideshare-related motor vehicle accidents in recent years.
- Studies show rideshare services have contributed to an increase in traffic fatalities across major U.S. cities since their introduction.
- Rear-end collisions, side-impact collisions, and head-on collisions are the most commonly reported crash types involving Uber or Lyft drivers.
- In Riverside County, car accident reports show an increase in Uber accidents correlating with the growth of app-based transportation services.
- Distracted driving is a top cause of rideshare collisions, as drivers often toggle between multiple apps, GPS navigation, and incoming ride requests.
Reasons to Hire Us for a Rideshare Accident Claim
You don’t have to take on a powerful rideshare company on your own after a crash. Instead, you can turn to the Riverside rideshare accident attorneys at Omega Law Group for assistance backed by decades of combined experience.
We have the legal training and resources to level the playing field during claims involving companies like Uber and Lyft. We personalize the care we provide, listen to your concerns, and work diligently to always put our clients first.
Additionally, we have a reputation for success, bringing millions in compensation to clients like you. You can review our case results to see specific examples of our work. Our team includes trial lawyers who are not afraid to take your case to court if the insurance companies refuse to negotiate fairly.
How Long Do You Have to File a Rideshare Crash Case?
You need to begin your car accident claim for compensation before the statute of limitations expires in California. Generally, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Waiting too long can result in losing your legal right to compensation.
Filing early also strengthens your case. Evidence is preserved, witness memories are fresh, and your Lyft or Uber accident lawyer can begin negotiations with insurance companies without unnecessary delay.
Get a Free Consultation With Our Riverside Rideshare Accident Attorneys Today
You can take charge of your future and focus on building a robust legal claim with a rideshare accident lawyer in Riverside, CA. Omega Law Group can stand up for you, calculate a fair value for your losses, and assist you with your personal injury claim.
Our team of Lyft and Uber accident lawyers handles insurance claims, works directly with rideshare companies, and builds powerful cases for economic damages and non-economic damages. Whether you were a passenger, pedestrian, or another driver, we’re ready to fight for you.
Contact us today through our online contact form or by calling for a free, no–obligation consultation. Let our personal injury lawyers help you get the justice and compensation you need. For more information, visit our FAQ page.