If you’ve ever been involved in an Uber accident, the expertise of a seasoned Bakersfield Uber accident lawyer can assist you in navigating California’s complex legal regulations. Our team can aid you in obtaining the highest possible compensation for damages and ensure that justice is served in cases involving negligent drivers.
As the largest city in Kern County, California, and as a hub for both energy production and agriculture, Bakersfield’s urban area is prone to traffic problems and accidents. The city’s extensive highway network, including three freeways and a two-lane expressway, along with its grid system of streets, has seen an increase in traffic in recent years. There are 18 bus routes in the city, seeing many people turning to Uber and other ridesharing apps as a key form of transport.
In the US in 2020, there were 42 Uber-related fatalities, down from 59 the year before, with the pandemic measures likely playing a role there. In California last year, there were 165,978 injuries caused by traffic accidents. Uber and app-related accidents, however, can have specific legal implications.
Uber Accidents: Do You Have a Case?
Uber trips involve sharing a vehicle with someone that you don’t know. The driver could be responsible and experienced, or they may have had a few drinks or could just have a momentary lapse of judgment.
If you are injured in a car crash that involves an Uber driver, who should be held responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering? The driver is using their own car and is effectively responsible, and passengers are typically covered by Uber’s liability insurance. If you were the passenger in an Uber car that was involved in an accident, you have certain rights. However, so does the Uber driver, who was working at the time. A passenger can sue Uber, but the driver may also have insurance that comes into play, as could any other vehicles involved in the accident.
Some common injuries sustained in an Uber accident include head injuries, knee damage, spinal cord damage, shoulder injuries, facial disfigurement, and cracked or broken ribs.
The monetary value of your case will depend on several factors, including the types of injuries sustained and corresponding medical bills, as well as any time taken off from work. The Bakersfield auto accident attorneys at Kuzyk Law can determine the exact figure.
What to Do If There Is an Uber Accident in Bakersfield
The first steps you should take after being involved in an Uber accident in Bakersfield are to contact law enforcement. Provide officers with a comprehensive report of what happened. Check yourself and others for injuries, and if necessary, seek medical assistance.
If you are able, take documenting photos of the crash and your injuries. Then, it is important to file an accident report with Uber via the app’s help section or the company website.
Do not wait to go to the hospital. Even if your injuries are not life-threatening, prompt medical care and the specifics of injuries will be important when being considered for benefits. Keep all your medical bills.
Finally, file an insurance claim with Uber. Uber provides liability insurance of up to $1 million, but before settling, contact Kuzyk Law in Bakersfield first to be sure you are aware of all your rights.
What Is the Role of a Bakersfield Uber Accident Lawyer?
Your Bakersfield Uber accident lawyer is crucial for providing specialized support in navigating the complex legal landscape in California and ensuring fair and maximum compensation. Bakersfield’s roads can be tricky, especially with the added risks posed by distracted rideshare drivers and heavy traffic. Promptly contacting an Uber accident attorney is vital for protecting your rights and gathering all necessary evidence before it disappears.
The lawyer will conduct thorough interviews to understand the case and explore legal options. They will investigate the accident’s circumstances, contact experts and witnesses, and issue demand letters for damages the defendant has to pay on behalf of the victim.
Rideshare accident cases involve multiple parties and ever-changing laws. Professional attorneys have the expertise to handle these intricacies and access vital information, such as Uber driving monitoring information, that is not available to the public.
The role of a Bakersfield Uber accident lawyer is to deal with insurance companies that want to pay as little as possible. We ensure that our clients get what they need to cover their medical expenses and lost wages. We also provide support in getting immediate medical attention and assisting family members with managing medical costs.
Hiring a rideshare accident attorney straight away can help to ensure that your case is handled quickly.
Why Choose Kuzyk Law for Your Uber Accident Case?
It is worth hiring an Uber accident lawyer like Kuzyk Law because we have decades of experience in recovering compensation after accidents. The best rideshare accident lawyers are adept at advocating for their clients and have proven results demonstrating their commitment to helping victims rebuild their lives after accidents.
At Kuzyk Law, our team has successfully recovered millions in compensation, enabling clients to effectively address medical bills and other expenses arising from collisions.
We understand the challenges that follow injury accidents, both for you and your family. The pain, and possibly adjusting to permanent injuries, can be overwhelming. That’s why we are fully committed to providing personalized service and doing whatever it takes to help you attain justice.
We believe that everyone deserves top-notch legal representation after a rideshare accident, and concerns about costs shouldn’t hinder your pursuit of justice. That’s why we offer affordable representation, with no upfront fees for our services. You don’t pay us anything until we secure the compensation you rightfully deserve.
An Uber Hit Me, What Should I Do?
Whether you’re a pedestrian or driving your own vehicle, if you’re involved in an accident with an Uber car, rest assured that you have the same rights as an injured Uber passenger.
Prioritizing your safety is paramount. Make sure any drivers – Ubers, yourself, or of other cars – pull over to the shoulder of the road, if possible. Call 911 and get an ambulance if necessary, and police in order to file a report. Get medical attention, even if you feel okay. Because of adrenaline or for other reasons, not all injuries are immediately obvious. Any pedestrian who has been hit by a vehicle is likely to suffer serious injuries, even if it was just a bump.
Next, gather evidence, including taking photos and getting the names and contact details of people involved in some way in the accident, including witnesses. Then reach out to an accident lawyer to discuss the details of what happened and get the immediate support you will need.
I Was in an Uber Accident While Driving for Uber, What Should I do?
Around 2 million independent drivers in the US make use of ridesharing apps to earn an income. Unfortunately, sometimes drivers omit to inform their insurance providers about their gig work. This oversight can lead to problems if an accident occurs while they are on the job.
Uber’s third-party liability policy only covers certain situations. It acts as a secondary source of insurance and may not fully cover all damages and injuries if your personal insurance falls short.
The availability of coverage under this policy varies depending on your app status at the time of an accident. In short, if your app was off, your personal liability insurance applies, but if it was being used, Uber’s insurance may apply.
However, certain conditions may void the coverage, such as not having your own personal comprehensive and collision coverage.
Rideshare drivers miss out on certain benefits provided by personal auto policies, such as roadside assistance and safe driver discounts. Since rideshare drivers spend more time on the road, the risk of accidents increases, and that impacts the application of insurance.
If you are an Uber driver and you are at fault in an accident, others involved in the accident can file claims against the driver’s policy. A claims adjuster is then assigned to assess the claim, but their primary goal is to minimize the payout for the insurance company.
Regarding the distraction posed by the app, the responsibility of Uber is a topic of debate. Rideshare companies often argue that they bear limited liability for their drivers’ actions due to classifying them as independent contractors rather than employees.
Ultimately, if you are involved in an accident while driving for Uber or any other ridesharing app, it’s essential to seek the guidance of an experienced rideshare accident attorney for a free case evaluation.
Compensation in a Bakersfield, CA, Rideshare Accident Case
Before providing an estimate of potential compensation following an accident involving Uber in Bakersfield, an attorney must thoroughly investigate your case.
However, compensation may encompass the following:
- Medical expenses: The costs of emergency care, follow-up treatments, physical therapy, prescription drugs, and other medical costs can add up to thousands of dollars.
- Physical pain: While quantifying the pain from Uber-related accident injuries can be challenging, pain does impact quality of life and can make it difficult to participate in some activities.
- Lost income: If you miss days or weeks of work, you may miss out on vital income.
- Reduced future earnings: Long-term disabilities resulting from the accident could prevent you from returning to your previous job, and future alternative employment may pay less.
- Emotional distress: Vehicle accidents can also lead to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and even suicidal thoughts. Such distress can also impact your quality of life.
- Damaged personal property: If your own car or other personal property is damaged in an accident, substantial costs can be involved in fixing or replacing them, while some personal items are irreplaceable.
Experienced Uber Accident Attorney Bakersfield, CA
Ultimately, dealing with the legal and financial repercussions of a rideshare accident can be stressful and complicated. Kuzyk Law is specifically dedicated to advocating for victims of road accidents. Our personal injury lawyers have many decades of experience in personal injury law and have consistently achieved outstanding outcomes for our many clients.
Our law firm was started in 1971 by Volodar “Walt” Kuzyk, who then served over 100,000 clients for over four decades. We would be honored to protect your rights and welfare as well.
Uber Accident FAQs
How is an Uber accident different?
Uber drivers aren’t considered professional drivers and are instead just private citizens. They don’t undergo training or have special licenses. They also drive their own cars, which may or may not be covered by personal insurance. The laws around gig work and company responsibility are constantly evolving, but Uber does have a history of trying to avoid paying accident claims. It helps to have a lawyer on your side fighting the tough battle to get them to pay out.
How does Uber insurance work?
Under California law, Uber is required to maintain $1 million in insurance coverage for accident injuries. Through Uber’s insurance partner program, drivers may receive coverage with some of the country’s largest insurance providers. If covered, a passenger can often seek compensation via Uber’s insurance, depending on the situation. That insurance is subject to three different periods:
- The first is when the driver is offline or the app is off, so only their personal insurance coverage applies.
- The second is when the driver was available or waiting for a ride but wasn’t actively transporting a passenger. Here, Uber’s third-party liability coverage is applicable if the driver’s personal auto insurance isn’t.
- Finally, the third period is when the driver is actively on their way to a passenger or transporting them. In this instance, Uber’s insurance covers up to $1 million in third-party liabilities and injuries.
Should I handle my claim directly with Uber?
We recommend reporting your details to the Uber hotline, but we advise against speaking with their insurance company. Uber’s representatives are well-trained to minimize your claim or manipulate you into providing a statement that could hinder your ability to make a claim.
Contact the Bakersfield Uber Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation!
Our team of over 30 talented people is made up of some of the best rideshare accident lawyers, ready to fight for you. We know that accidents can happen at the most inconvenient times, and we answer calls 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call or contact us any time for questions or a consultation, without obligation, and get the outcome that you deserve.
