Vista Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer

Did you recently get hurt in a car accident involving an Uber or Lyft in Vista, CA? If so, you might have the right to recover a substantial monetary award. Call (619) 344-0360 to contact the experienced Uber & Lyft accident lawyers at Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers to help you maximize your compensation.

Since 2014, we’ve been standing up and fighting on behalf of injured crash victims and their families throughout Southern California. Our legal team puts 20+ years of experience behind every case. We’ve won tens of millions in life-changing financial awards for clients like you.

Don’t let insurance companies or those responsible for your rideshare accident push you around. Level the playing field and get Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers on your side. Your first consultation is free, so contact our law office in Vista, California now.

How Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Uber or Lyft Accident

How Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Uber or Lyft Accident

Rideshare accidents are different from other types of motor vehicle wrecks. Several different parties could be involved – from the Uber or Lyft driver to other negligent parties and multiple insurance companies. In some instances, the rideshare services might have to get involved, too.

When you’re dealing with serious injuries, the last thing you need is the added stress of insurance claims and lawsuits.

That’s where our Vista injury lawyers can help.

At Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand how important it is for you to recover compensation after a rideshare accident. We also know that other parties won’t make things easy for you. Our award-winning attorneys are ready to roll up our sleeves and make sure that you’re awarded every cent you deserve.

While you focus on getting better, our law firm will:

  • Handle every aspect of your personal injury case from start to finish
  • Investigate the circumstances surrounding your Uber accident to determine why it happened
  • Determine the rideshare driver’s status at the time of the crash
  • Seek damages from all liable parties
  • Defend you against any efforts to victim-blame or say that you share fault
  • Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf
  • Take your case to a jury in San Diego County if you’re not offered a fair and reasonable settlement

Our Vista car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. There’s no cost to ask for our help. You only pay if we win your case. Get in touch to learn more and arrange your free consultation today.

Uber & Lyft Accident Statistics

It’s hard to pinpoint just how many car accidents involve rideshare accidents. However, there is research to suggest that motor vehicle accidents, in general, have happened with greater frequency since rideshare services like Uber & Lyft began to operate. 

According to researchers at the University of Chicago, fatal accidents nationwide have increased by at least three percent since Uber and Lyft vehicles first hit the road.

That’s about 1,000 additional deaths every single day. 

Specifically, the Chicago study found that Uber vehicles were involved in 97 fatal car accidents in 2017 and 2018. 

And it’s usually occupants of other vehicles who suffer the consequences. Uber passengers and Uber drivers each accounted for 21 percent of the deaths in these cases. The remaining 58 percent were occupants of other vehicles.

What Causes Most Uber & Lyft Accidents in Vista, CA?

There are a lot of different things that can contribute to rideshare accidents in Vista. These are some of the leading causes and contributing factors.

Unsafe Drivers and Driver Inexperience

Rideshare drivers aren’t professionals. There’s no requirement to get a special license endorsement or take any specific training course to drive an Uber or Lyft. So, there’s really no guarantee that an Uber or Lyft driver will be experienced or actually be good at their job. 

Distracted Uber Drivers

Rideshare drivers are, compared to other motorists on the road, more likely to be distracted. Their job is tied to the app on their phone. They have to monitor the app, communicate with passengers, and use it to navigate through Vista and throughout San Diego. 

Additionally, drivers divert their attention from the road while they’re trying to locate passengers and/or find a spot to drop off guests. Other times, drivers engage in conversations with passengers that take their focus from the task at hand: getting from one place to another safely. 

Speeding

Driving an Uber or Lyft is a numbers game. The more rides a driver can complete, the more money they’ll make. So there’s really no incentive for them to drive slowly. The faster they can get one passenger dropped off, the sooner they can accept another ride request and make more money. Speeding, especially when paired with driver distraction, is incredibly dangerous and causes thousands of accidents a year.

Driver Fatigue

Many Lyft and Uber drivers work at night when the demand for rideshare services is greatest. Some drive to earn a second source of income, which means they’ll have already worked a full day by the time they begin their stint for Uber. When drivers are tired, they’re more likely to experience reduced reaction times or fall asleep behind the wheel.

Other common causes of Uber and Lyft accidents include:

  • Unsafe turns
  • Stopping or standing at an intersection 
  • Road road
  • Vehicle defect or malfunction
  • Limited visibility
  • Weather
  • Drunk driving

It’s important to identify every potential cause of a rideshare accident in Vista, California. The more we understand why an accident happened, the clearer liability becomes.

Can I Sue Uber or Lyft After a Rideshare Accident in California?

No, probably not. Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies have gone to great lengths to make sure that their drivers are classified as independent contractors. Since drivers aren’t employees, Uber and Lyft aren’t vicariously responsible for accidents they cause. 

However, this doesn’t mean that the companies are entirely off the hook when accidents happen. Each service has million-dollar insurance policies to cover the costs of injuries related to Uber and Lyft accidents.

How Do I Get Money After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Vista, CA?

Ultimately, it depends on what the Lyft or Uber driver was doing at the time of the auto accident. Their status will influence liability and what type of insurance benefits might apply.

When the rideshare driver is off the clock and not using the app, they’re personally responsible for accidents. You’ll have to seek damages from them or, more likely, their insurance carrier.

When the rideshare driver is logged into the app and waiting for a ride request, the rideshare service’s limited insurance coverage will apply. Uber’s policy and Lyft’s policy both cover up to $100,000 in bodily injury per accident and $25,000 in property damage per accident. 

When the rideshare driver has accepted a ride request, Uber and Lyft both have $1 Million insurance policies that kick in. Insurance coverage begins the moment the ride request is accepted and terminates once the passenger is dropped off and the ride formally ends in the app.

You may also have the right to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against other parties, such as:

  • Negligent third-party drivers
  • Property owners
  • Vehicle manufacturers
  • Government agencies
  • Employers

Recovering the compensation you deserve after a Lyft or Uber accident in Vista can be complicated. The best way to ensure that your settlement reflects what your case is worth is by hiring an experienced personal injury attorney in Vista. Call Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers to discuss your rideshare accident case today.

What Compensation Can I Get After a Rideshare Accident?

You can recover compensation for your financial costs (economic damages) and the pain and suffering you experience (non-economic damages).

This can include money for:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Disability
  • Chronic pain
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Embarrassment
  • PTSD
  • Nursing care
  • Rehabilitation
  • Property damage
  • Other out-of-pocket costs

If there’s evidence that you were hurt because of someone else’s malicious or fraudulent conduct, a punitive award might be available, too.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After an Uber Accident in Vista?

You’ll typically have two years from the date of your rideshare accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Under California law, this statute of limitations applies to cases involving injuries and wrongful death. 

It’s important to act promptly and file your claim on time. If you miss the deadline that applies to your specific case, you’ll forfeit the opportunity to recover much-deserved compensation.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Vista Uber and Lyft Lawyer

Whether you’ve sustained a traumatic brain injury, broken bones, burns, or another serious injury in a Vista rideshare accident, Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Our Vista Uber and Lyft accident lawyers will fight to win your case and maximize your financial recovery.

We’re ready to put 20+ years of experience and a demonstrated ability to win tough cases behind you. Call our law offices serving Vista and the greater San Diego area to learn more. Your initial case assessment is free, so give us a call at (619) 344-0360 or contact us online to get started now.

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