Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft are very popular in California. Many Bakersfield residents rely on these services for a safe ride home or to travel from place to place. Unfortunately, rideshare drivers can still be involved in collisions—and if you are injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, you may be eligible for financial compensation. In these situations, the Bakersfield Uber/Lyft accident lawyers at Rodriguez & Associates can fight for your right to maximum recovery, contact us today.
Why Select Rodriguez & Associates?
- Our Bakersfield personal injury attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience in personal injury law, having achieved the highest verdict in Kern County history.
- We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of our clients and are dedicated to aggressively pursuing maximum compensation on your behalf.
- Our firm will handle all aspects of your rideshare claim on your behalf and advocate for your rights during each stage of your case—allowing you to focus on recovery, not complex litigation.
Who Is Liable for an Uber or Lyft Accident?
California is a fault-based accident state. This means that drivers who are responsible for collisions must pay for their victims’ damages, including other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
If the Uber or Lyft driver caused the accident, he or she would be liable for your damages, and you could file an insurance claim or lawsuit against him or her. You can file an insurance claim against the driver’s personal policy, but you may also be eligible for compensation through the driver’s Uber or Lyft policy. These policies typically offer compensation to drivers, passengers, and other victims injured by a rideshare driver while he or she was logged into his or her app and performing his or her rideshare duties.
If a third-party driver is responsible for the collision, you would have grounds to file a claim against him or her. You would be able to pursue an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. The rideshare driver would not be at fault and not be subject to liability in this situation.
You may wonder if you can file a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft directly after an accident. Since these companies consider their drivers to be independent contractors instead of employees, you are unable to file a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft directly. However, you could file a claim through the insurance policies that these companies offer to their drivers. Speak to a car accident attorney at Rodriguez & Associates to strategize your next steps.
Damages Available to California Rideshare Accident Victims
Rideshare collisions can lead to painful injuries and serious emotional, financial, and physical hardship. Through a rideshare insurance claim or lawsuit, you can recover compensation related to the economic and non-economic damages you sustained in the collision. Common damages available to Bakersfield rideshare accident victims include the following.
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Property damage
- Chronic pain
- Emotional distress
- Disability accommodations
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Depression and anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Schedule Your Free Consultation
If you have been injured by an Uber or Lyft driver in Bakersfield, the attorneys at Rodriguez & Associates can help. We can evaluate your case and identify your optimal path to maximum recovery. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your next steps with a Bakersfield Uber/Lyft accident lawyer.