Rideshare apps, like Uber and Lyft, make it convenient for passengers to get around the Hayward, California, area. They also provide a source of income for drivers. Yet, rideshare services have contributed to the number of auto accidents all over the world, and they happen all too often in Hayward.
If you were injured in a rideshare accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. A Hayward rideshare accident lawyer from Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers can help you file insurance claims, negotiate a settlement, and pursue justice.
Who Is Liable for My Rideshare Accident?
Rideshare drivers are just regular drivers; they’re not specially trained and can make mistakes. What’s more, rideshare drivers want to make good tips and maintain a positive reputation on the app, so they may get distracted by customer service duties, too. Not to mention, other motorists who share the road may also make poor choices, like driving while distracted, intoxicated, or fatigued.
Maybe you were a passenger on a rideshare trip. Perhaps you were the rideshare driver on duty. Or, maybe you were another motorist, bicyclist, or pedestrian struck by a rideshare car. You can hold any of the following at-fault parties accountable for their negligence:
- A rideshare driver
- Another motorist
- The rideshare company
- A municipal agency
Whose Insurance Covers My Rideshare Accident?
Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft cover their drivers with a comprehensive auto insurance policy that covers all incidents while the app is on. But when the app is off, the driver’s auto insurance is responsible. Here are some situations detailing which insurance coverage applies:
- If the app was off, the rideshare driver’s personal auto insurance coverage kicks in. This also applies even if the driver has an Uber or Lyft sticker on their vehicle or another indicator that they’re a rideshare driver.
- If the app was on and the rideshare driver was waiting for a ride, rideshare insurance kicks in if their personal auto insurance coverage does not.
- If the driver was waiting to pick up riders or in the middle of a trip, the rideshare company’s insurance would apply.
Now, if the at-fault party is another driver or motorcyclist, that motorist’s auto insurance coverage could yield compensation.
A rideshare accident attorney from our firm serving Hayward can determine if you have a viable claim and which insurance companies should pay for your losses.
Types of Recoverable Damages After a Rideshare Accident
Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers
(510) 342-5780
Like other auto accidents, rideshare accidents can result in serious injuries and property damage. Health care insurance covers some of your medical costs, but you may be stuck with thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. You may struggle to pay these and your regular bills if you’re out of work while you recover.
Pursuing compensation can shield yourself and your family from financial struggles. Here are some economic damages you can recover:
- Current medical bills
- Projected medical costs for future treatments
- Lost wages and benefits
- Reduced earning potential due to disability
- Property damage
- Funeral and burial costs, lost household income, and accident-related medical expenses (if you lost a loved one in a rideshare accident)
Rideshare accident injuries can leave with long-lasting pain, affect your ability to work or enjoy hobbies, and negatively alter other aspects of your life. Here are some of the non-economic damages we can help you recover:
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
- Disability
- Scarring
- Trauma
- Loss of parental or spousal support (if you lost a loved one in a rideshare accident)
When you meet with one of our rideshare accident lawyers serving the Hayward area, we can calculate your damages and determine a settlement figure that reflects your losses.
How to Recover Compensation for a Hayward Rideshare Accident
Our team can advise you on your legal options for seeking compensation.
We can file insurance claims with the rideshare company’s insurance policy, the rideshare driver’s personal auto insurance policy, or the other at-fault driver’s car insurance policy. Yet, the insurance company’s first offer may not account for your damages. If not, we can negotiate a settlement on your behalf.
We can also file a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit, depending on the insurer’s willingness to settle. This requires us to act within California’s statute of limitations, which limits how long you have to file your case.
Can I Sue the Rideshare Company for My Accident?
You could file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against the rideshare company if you can prove the company acted negligently, and that negligence led to your accident.
For instance, a rideshare company may hire or retain a driver who has a history of reckless driving. It may do this to increase the number of drivers in an area. Another case may involve the rideshare company failing to complete an adequate background check that would have revealed disqualifying information about a motorist.
There Are Many Benefits to Partnering With a Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Pursuing compensation after a rideshare accident can get complicated. The liable insurer may refuse to take your claim seriously, and it may repeatedly offer less than you need. A rideshare accident lawyer from our team can protect your rights and demand a settlement that reflects what you’ve gone through.
Determining the liable party, dealing with the involved parties, and handling case-related calls and emails can be stressful. You can focus on healing while an attorney takes care of your case-related obligations.
Choose Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers for Your Rideshare Accident Case
Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. We’re proud to represent victims of all types of auto accidents, including rideshare accidents in the Hayward area – and we do it all at no upfront cost to you. You only pay us if we successfully recover compensation.
Contact us today for your free consultation to explore your legal options.
