Los Angeles Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer
Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Attorney
Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft provide a valuable service to the public in the form of accessible alternative transportation. Uber and Lyft have grown incredibly popular in Los Angeles and throughout the United States over the last several years, and thousands of people use these services every day. While most are able to take advantage of rideshare services to reach their destinations safely, it is important for everyone who uses these services to acknowledge that they face the same risks that they do in any other vehicle. However, when rideshare accidents happen, they tend to generate more complex legal issues for those involved than a standard motor vehicle accident.
Helping Victims of Rideshare Accidents Recover in Los Angeles, CA
If you or a family member is suffering from injuries from a rideshare accident in Los Angeles, you need to know your rights and your options for legal recourse. A Los Angeles rideshare accident attorney is the ideal resource to consult in this situation. When you have legal counsel you can trust, it is easier to approach the recovery process with confidence and peace of mind.
Easton & Easton has an experienced team of attorneys who have helped many clients recover from car accidents in Los Angeles, including those involving rideshare drivers. We know that your recovery process may entail more than one insurance claim, and even if you maximize the compensation available from insurance, it may not be enough to fully compensate your damages. When you select our firm as your legal counsel, we will do everything in our power to secure the maximum amount of compensation possible for your claim.
Proving Liability for Your Rideshare Accident in Los Angeles
Just like any other vehicle accident, recovering from a rideshare accident personal injury in Los Angeles will require proving how the accident occurred and identifying the party or parties responsible. The state enforces the fault rule for motor vehicle crashes, so the party responsible for causing a crash absorbs liability for all resulting damages. Some commonly reported causes of rideshare accidents include:
- Inattentive and distracted driving. All drivers are required to pay attention behind the wheel so they can respond to any changes in traffic patterns or sudden road hazards. Driver cell phone records, traffic camera data, and witness statements can all be used to prove that an at-fault driver was distracted at the time of the accident in question.
- All drivers are required to abide by posted speed limits. Whenever any driver speeds, they greatly increase their risk of an accident, and collisions that happen at higher speeds are more likely to result in catastrophic or fatal injuries.
- Driving under the influence (DUI). It is not legal for any driver to drive a vehicle while intoxicated, and the penalties for DUI conviction typically include fines, incarceration, and a suspended driver’s license. If a DUI driver causes a crash resulting in bodily harm or death, their penalties automatically increase significantly.
- Moving violations or anything that disrupts the flow of traffic. Whenever drivers fail to heed posted traffic signals or road signs, they endanger themselves as well as others around them. Failure to yield the right-of-way, illegal turning, and running red lights or stop signs are just a few examples of behaviors that may result in collisions.
Ultimately, rideshare accidents happen in the same way that all other vehicle accidents happen. When you experience this type of accident, a Los Angeles rideshare accident attorney can assist you with gathering the evidence you will need to prove fault for the incident and establish the full scope of your damages. Once you have determined who is responsible for the accident, you can proceed with filing a claim against their auto insurance. Depending on the timing of the accident and who caused it, a rideshare company’s insurance may also come into play in your recovery effort.
Understanding Auto Insurance Claims for Rideshare Accidents in Los Angeles
Every driver must have auto insurance that meets specific coverage requirements for bodily injury liability coverage and liability coverage for property damage. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft require their drivers to have personal auto insurance, but these companies also have additional insurance that can come into play and compensate an injured rideshare passenger or the occupants of another vehicle hit by their driver.
Once you and your Los Angeles rideshare accident attorney have proven fault for your recent accident, you can proceed with filing your insurance claim against the driver responsible for the accident. If a rideshare driver is responsible for the crash, their personal auto insurance policy will apply first, and then the rideshare company’s insurance may also factor into your recovery process depending on whether you were their passenger or riding in your own vehicle and the rideshare driver hit you.
Rideshare company insurance operates in two different ways depending on the timing of an accident. If a rideshare driver is not logged into their driver app, their own auto insurance applies if they cause an accident. Once they are logged in and marked as available for a ride request, the first tier of coverage comes into play. This level of coverage provides up to $50,000 in liability coverage for one person’s bodily injury, up to $100,000 in liability coverage for bodily injury for all persons injured in the same accident, and up to $25,000 for liability coverage for property damage.
Once a rideshare driver picks up a passenger, the next level of coverage applies until they drop the passenger off at their destination, providing up to $1 million as third-party liability coverage. If you were a rideshare passenger when your accident occurred, the at-fault driver’s personal insurance would first come into play to compensate your losses before the rideshare company’s insurance. If you cannot recover fully through insurance alone, then you can make a personal injury claim against whoever caused the accident.
Your Los Angeles rideshare accident attorney will be a crucial asset for navigating these complex insurance-related issues after your accident. Your attorney can help file your insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s policy, and if you must also file a claim against the rideshare company’s insurance, they can help with this as well. Most insurance companies do everything they can to reduce settlement offers or deny claims outright, but they are less inclined to try any bad-faith handling of a claim if the claimant has legal representation.
Filing a Personal Injury Suit for a Rideshare Accident in Los Angeles
Regardless of whether the rideshare company’s insurance comes into play in your recovery efforts, once you exhaust all the available insurance coverage after your accident, you may need to build a personal injury case against the driver who injured you. Once you have proven that another driver’s negligence or illegal misconduct resulted in your injuries and other losses, you can hold them accountable for the full scope of the damages they have inflicted.
Your Los Angeles rideshare accident attorney can help construct your claim, starting by identifying the party or parties responsible for the damages. Fault is most likely to fall to the driver who caused your accident, but if a rideshare driver is to blame and the rideshare company was in any way negligent in their hiring of the driver, you may have grounds for a civil action against the rideshare company as well. Ultimately, any rideshare accident is likely to generate a very complex series of legal proceedings that you must navigate if you want to recover as much as possible.
Under California’s personal injury laws, you may discover that you are entitled to claim more compensation than you initially expected when you have the right attorney advising you. Economic damages you can seek from the defendant include:
- The cost of repairing your vehicle, or the actual cash value if it was damaged beyond repair and insurance cannot cover the loss completely. You can also claim the loss of any personal belongings.
- Medical expenses. If you suffered physical injuries in your rideshare accident, the driver who caused the accident is liable for all the medical treatment you need to achieve maximum recovery. This includes hospital bills and other immediate healthcare expenses in the aftermath of the accident as well as long-term rehabilitative care and associated ongoing medical treatment costs.
- Lost income. Many people hurt in rideshare accidents and other vehicle accidents are unable to work for extended periods due to their injuries. If this applies to your situation and you are unable to earn income because of the defendant’s actions, you can hold them accountable for the income you cannot earn while you recover.
- Lost future earnings. Unfortunately, some accidents cause permanently disabling injuries. If the victim of a rideshare accident is unable to return to their job due to the severity of the injuries they suffered, the defendant who caused the accident is responsible for the income they can no longer earn.
Easton & Easton can assist you in accurately calculating the full range of economic damages you can seek from the defendant who caused your rideshare accident. However, that is not all you can recover. State law also allows a personal injury plaintiff to seek compensation for the pain and suffering they experienced.
Calculating Pain and Suffering in a Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Claim
Under the state’s personal injury laws, the defendant responsible for the rideshare accident is not only liable for the direct financial impact of their actions but also for the intangible losses that you suffered in the incident. When it comes to calculating appropriate pain and suffering compensation for a personal injury, your attorney can advise you as to what would be the ideal method to accurately reflect the severity of your condition.
When a plaintiff’s injuries are expected to heal completely in the near future, their attorney will be more inclined to seek a pain and suffering settlement based on the number of days it takes them to recover. This per diem method involves a set amount of compensation daily multiplied by the number of days it takes the plaintiff to reach maximum recovery. Alternatively, if the plaintiff suffered catastrophic and permanently damaging injuries, their attorney would likely use the multiplier method. This entails multiplying the full amount of their economic damages by a factor that reflects the severity of their condition, usually one to five.
Many other factors may potentially come into play and influence your final recovery. For example, if your accident happened because of another party’s illegal misconduct, you could receive punitive damages or restitution alongside your other claimed damages. If you are found partially at fault for the accident, it will diminish your recovery under the state’s pure comparative negligence rule. However, if you were hurt while riding as a passenger in a rideshare driver’s vehicle, this is unlikely to apply to your case. Your Los Angeles rideshare accident attorney can identify any and all variables that could potentially influence your final case award.
What to Expect From Your Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Attorney
Every personal injury plaintiff faces unique challenges when it comes to securing compensation for their damages. When you have an experienced attorney representing you, it is easier to approach your recovery efforts with confidence. The attorneys at Easton & Easton have a long track record of successful civil claims we’ve handled on behalf of our clients in Los Angeles and surrounding communities. We take time to learn as much as possible about each client’s unique needs and concerns when it comes to recovering from these damaging experiences.
If you choose our firm as your legal representative, you will have instant access to a dedicated legal advocate ready to address your worries and answer any questions you may have throughout your case proceedings. We take a client-focused approach to personal injury counsel and can help you navigate your insurance claims and subsequent civil case if necessary to ensure the fullest recovery possible.
Lyft & Uber Accident Attorney FAQs
Q: Can You Sue Uber or Lyft for a Rideshare Accident in Los Angeles?
A: Recovery from a rideshare accident typically begins with an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver, and then the rideshare company’s insurance comes into play in different ways under certain conditions. If insurance cannot fully cover your losses, you would have the right to pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver, but you would only have grounds to sue a rideshare company if they were negligent in their hiring of the driver responsible for the collision.
Q: How Much Will I Get From a Rideshare Accident Settlement?
A: Your Los Angeles rideshare accident attorney can provide an estimate of your claim’s total potential value. If you can prove another party is liable for your damages, you can hold them accountable for your medical costs, property damage, and lost income that result from the accident. You can also seek compensation for your pain and suffering. Other variables may also influence the final outcome of your case, and ultimately the way to maximize your recovery is to have legal counsel you can trust on your side.
Q: How Do I Prove Fault for a Rideshare Accident?
A: It is possible for one or more parties to share liability for your recent rideshare accident, and it can be difficult to determine liability in the immediate aftermath of such an accident in Los Angeles. Proving fault could require physical evidence from the location of the accident, testimony from witnesses who saw the accident happen firsthand, and digital evidence like cell phone records and video footage from nearby traffic cameras.
Q: How Much Time Do I Have to Start a Personal Injury Claim for a Rideshare Accident?
A: If you exhaust available insurance coverage after a rideshare accident and still have outstanding damages, you can make a personal injury claim against the driver responsible for the accident. However, you must do so within the statute of limitations, which is two years from the date the incident occurred. This might seem like more than enough time, but it is always advisable to start your claim filing process as soon as possible after an accident occurs.
Q: How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Attorney?
A: The attorneys at Easton & Easton make legal counsel accessible and affordable when you need it most with a contingency fee policy. Instead of expensive upfront and ongoing attorneys’ fees, you only part with a percentage of your final case award as our fee, and only if we win your case. If our team cannot secure a recovery on your behalf for any reason, there is no charge for our representation. We aim to help every client maximize their recovery without charging exorbitant legal fees.
The attorneys at Easton & Easton have years of experience providing comprehensive legal counsel in a wide range of complex civil claims, including those pertaining to rideshare accidents. Navigating the aftermath of this type of accident can be very challenging, especially when you consider the scope of the legal issues you and your family will need to overcome to recover as much as possible. If you are ready to learn how a seasoned Los Angeles rideshare accident attorney can empower your recovery effort, contact Easton & Easton today to schedule your consultation with our team.
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The superior client service Easton & Easton provides has earned the firm an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen anew each year since 2014 by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as one of the "Best Law Firms" for the Southern California Metro Area.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen by the LA Times Reader's Choice Poll as "The Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" for 2018.
Doug and Brian Easton have been selected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers for California each year since 2014 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.
Brian and Matt Easton were recently honored for their efforts in securing a $1,850,000 verdict for a client in 2016, which was selected as one of the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California by TopVerdict.com.
Doug and Brian have each been selected by Super Lawyers, an honor given to less than 5% of attorneys. Matt Easton has been selected among Super Lawyers' Up-and-Coming Top 25 in Orange County and Top 100 in Southern Califonia, an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys under 40 years old.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen as one of the "10 Best Personal Injury Law Firms” in all of Southern California" each year Since 2015 based on client satisfaction — one of the highest honors we could ever hope to achieve.
Easton & Easton received the “People Love Us On Yelp” award in 2016 due to the exceptional client satisfaction reviews given by our clients over the years.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been featured as Premier 100 Trial Attorneys for California since 2015 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Brian and Matt Easton have each earned lifetime appointment to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum — The Top Trial Lawyers in AmericaTM through the results achieved for their clients. This is an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys in the United States.
Doug Easton has held the “AV Preeminent” Rating for over 30 years and Matt Easton received this prestigious distinction in 2015. The "AV Preeminent" rating is the highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards, and is based on the legal profession’s oldest peer review rating system, dating back to 1887.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been chosen as one of the "10 Best" Personal Injury Attorneys in Southern California each year since 2015 based on client satisfaction, an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys - and Easton & Easton houses three of them.
Brian Easton was selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2015. ABOTA is one of the most premier associations of trial attorneys and judges, requiring a certain number of jury trials as lead counsel and approval by a majority vote of the ABOTA board.
Matt Easton has been selected each year since 2014 as one of the Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40 for California by The National Trial Lawyers — an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.
Both Doug and Matt Easton have been selected as Top Personal Injury Attorneys by Avvo with scores of 10 out of 10 based on their skill, experience, results, peer evaluations, and client reviews.
Matt Easton has been selected as one of the Top 10 Personal Injury Attorneys Under 40 in California for 2015 by the National Association of Personal Injury Attorneys — an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys under the age of 40.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been selected by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel among the Nation's Top One Percent of Attorneys each year since 2017.
“We look for the human story behind every injury or wrongful death. We prepare our cases for trial; reaching out to the jury with the most compelling evidence possible for the best verdict possible. Insurance companies know this and come to the table prepared to negotiate in good faith. Call us to see how we can turn your story into fair compensation.”
Partner W. Douglas Easton
What Our Clients Say
Coming out of my first auto accident as an adult, a very difficult and scary time to navigate and understand, I was so incredibly thankful to have been put in contact with Easton & Easton. I honestly was lost with how to handle paperwork, doctors, medical costs and what next steps were, and from the moment I spoke with Travis Easton and my case manager Katie, my mind was put at ease. They have made the entire process stress free for me as I recovered, and I am so grateful for them and their genuine care for my case. Communication from the start has been fantastic, especially making clear what my expectations for the entire process would look like, and I truly believe they have my best interest at heart. 100% I would recommend their firm for anyone that is needing representation! Read more…
My experience with Easton & Easton has been amazing! Gabriel Mendoza and my case manager Katie have been so helpful and taken so much stress off my plate. They’ve been super informative and honest and given me very clear expectations. They’ve taken such a terrible experience (my accident) and eased my mind about the outcome. I can’t thank them enough!! Read more…
Ive used them twice and never been disappointed. Read more…
The Easton & Easton Law Firm is amazing! The entire team is very helpful and caring. They were always there to answer all my questions. They directed me through the entire process and stayed with me every step of the way. This team is outstanding and were wonderful to work with. Because of the tremendous effort they put on my case they were able to win my difficult personal injury case. I couldn’t have asked for a better law firm to handle my case. They are the Best! Thank you for your patience, professionalism, & guidance! I definitely recommend this firm to handle your case. They go out of their way to fight for your rights. THANK YOU… Read more…
I could not be more pleased with the services provided by the Law Offices of W. Douglas Easton. The senior partner Mr. Easton took the time to meet with me and my wife while I was still in the hospital, where he gave my family hope that there was light at the end of a very long, and very dark tunnel. Matt Easton then worked my case, and because of his dedication, experience and expertise I received a settlement that was larger than I EVER thought possible. It was truly astounding! Matt and the entire team at Easton & Easton looked out for me throughout my recovery, and in the end they gave me my life back. Five stars is not enough. Thanks Matt! Thanks Easton & Easton! Read more…
Brian and everyone at Easton and Easton are simply the BEST at what they do. Brian is thorough, easy to talk to, and truly cares about his clients. If you want a family of attorneys with perseverance and determination to fight for you, give Easton and Easton a call. I am glad I did. Read more…
What an amazing law firm, talk about going above and beyond to make such a painful experience go so well. I have referred a co-worker and a family member to them as well and everyone had such a great experience as I had. Read more…
I can’t say enough amazing things about my experience with Travis Easton at Easton & Easton. Travis and his entire team (Katie, Amy, Dee, Michelle, & Araceli) are phenomenal. It provided me a lot of comfort to know I was being so well taken care of. I was especially impressed that every document for the case was perfectly written and specific to me. Nothing was generic, which shows the level of care and attention they put into each individual case. I had such a great experience and would highly recommend Travis Easton and his firm to anyone going through a personal injury. Travis took a bad situation and made the best of it for me. Thank you again, I’m forever grateful!!
-Allee
Retaining Easton and Easton was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! From the initial consultation to our final meeting, they were nothing short of exceptional. I was forced to retain their services after firing my previous attorney for not handling the case properly. I dealt with Gabriel and Brian (partner) exclusively throughout the case. They did as promised and were great communicators throughout the entire process. I will recommend them to anyone I know going through a personal injury case. They were ultimately able to untangle the mess caused by my previous lawyer and get a result that I was extremely happy with. Their staff is exceptional as well and provided top notch customer service. Amera was also extremely helpful and easy to deal with as well.
I was in a pretty bad car accident and decided to have Easton & Easton represent me, Travis Easton to be specific. Travis Easton and his paralegal made the whole process effortless. They were so understanding and helpful! The entire thing was a gigantic mess, yet Travis managed to make it run like clockwork. I would HIGHLY recommend Easton & Easton! If you are ever in need of a personal defense attorney Easton & Easton is the firm to represent you!
They are the best law firm in Orange County period. Choosing them to represent me was the best decision of my life.
My life changed in a matter of seconds after a catastrophic spinal cord injury that left me disabled. Brian Easton and his team worked on my case non stop for 3 years and provided me the justice I deserved. I couldn’t have been more content.
I was treated with utmost respect and I felt like I was being represented by a close family member. The responses to my questions were quick and clear. What E & E has done for me is phenomenal.
My sincere thanks to Brian, Matt, Travis, Doug, Gabriel and Amera. They are what they are because of their dedication to provide high quality and professional service to their clients.
Brian Easton and his team, Gabe Mendoza and Amera Hajali, helped me during a very difficult time in my life. I had a significant injury from a car accident, and wound up seeking out Easton & Easton when I was having difficulties getting help from my doctors. The Easton team took a lot of stress off of me while acting as my advocates to help me get the care I needed, and saw my case all the way through to a healthy settlement.
They are the BEST!
I have nothing but good things to say about Easton and Easton. Brian handled my case professionally and communicated with me effectively throughout the process. He made sure that the process was effortless and as hands free as possible. This was super important for my busy schedule. I highly recommend Easton and Easton if you are ever found in a situation that you need an attorney.
I would highly recommend Easton & Easton.
I was rear ended on my home and pushed into a semi-truck. I was not sure how to go about even using an attorney.
Brian, Gab and Amera were so good about helping me thru the process and representing me.
I was able to concentrate on getting myself better knowing they had my back, taking care of the details and keeping me informed along the way
The best Law firm by far. I would highly recommend Easton & Easton, LLP and ask for Gabriel Mendoza and staff. He and his colleagues did and exceptional service. Thank you for everything. Job well done!
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