Whether you are a rideshare passenger, a motorist sharing the road with such a vehicle, or even a pedestrian, and you are harmed by the actions of a rideshare driver, a Fresno ride share accident lawyer from Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers can help you seek justice.
Our team has decades of experience helping California residents recover full compensation after devastating car accidents, including rideshare claims. We are here to guide you through the claims process from start to finish.
Popular, But Could Be Fatal
Rideshare services offer incredible convenience, but alongside that benefit also comes a number of inherent risks. According to the Uber U.S. Safety Report, traffic fatalities involving Uber vehicles have become a major concern. The service provides thousands of safe rides every day, but make no mistake, crashes still happen, and they do so far too often.
If you’ve been hurt in a rideshare accident, it’s best to begin searching for a “rideshare accident lawyer near me” as soon as possible, as these cases can often involve multiple parties and overlapping insurance policies, rendering them difficult to navigate alone.
When to Hire a Fresno Rideshare Accident Lawyer
After any rideshare accident, timing is of the utmost importance. You should immediately consult a rideshare car accident lawyer if any of the following statements are true:
- You sustained injuries while in a rideshare vehicle
- Another driver caused the collision while your driver’s rideshare app was active
- You were hit by a rideshare driver while walking or biking
- Your loved one suffered serious or fatal injuries in a rideshare-related crash
Quickly hiring a ridesharing accident lawyer ensures that critical evidence, such as surveillance footage, dashcam footage, photos of the accident, and witness statements, can all be preserved before it disappears.
Furthermore, at Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, our Fresno rideshare accident lawyers will diligently handle every part of your claim to ensure that you can focus solely on healing.
The Various Different Types of Rideshare Apps People Commonly Use
One aspect that many people are not typically aware of is that delivery drivers also fall under the rideshare umbrella. Whether you’re using a ride service or waiting on a food delivery, accidents involving these companies are on the rise.
Some of the most common Fresno rideshare and delivery accidents are listed below:
Uber Accidents
Uber remains Fresno’s most popular rideshare app, but its sheer volume of rides means crashes are virtually inevitable. Uber does provide its drivers with insurance coverage, but whether it applies after a crash depends largely on whether a driver was carrying a passenger or waiting for a request.
If you’re injured in an Uber accident, a qualified Uber accident attorney can help determine which insurance policy applies and fight for maximum compensation.
Lyft Accidents
Lyft also operates heavily in Fresno and offers similar services to Uber; of course, that also means it poses similar risks. Whether you are a passenger, pedestrian, or another driver injured in a Lyft-related collision, a Lyft accident attorney from our team can assist in sorting out liability and pursuing fair damages.
Grubhub Delivery Accidents
Food delivery drivers, like those working for Grubhub, are often pressured to complete their orders as quickly as possible. That can lead to reckless driving, making Grubhub accidents another growing issue. Even though these drivers are not transporting passengers, they still operate under company policies that may include additional insurance.
DoorDash Delivery Accidents
DoorDash is yet another food delivery service, and much like Grubhub, its drivers add to Fresno’s road congestion. When these drivers cause crashes, identifying the correct insurance coverage is essential. Our rideshare accident law firm has handled many cases like these and is ready to assist.
Instacart Delivery Accidents
Similar to food delivery services, Instacart drivers transport groceries. Their frequent stops, however, can create unexpected hazards for other motorists. Whether you are rear-ended or sideswiped by an Instacart vehicle, our rideshare accident lawyers can help you explore your legal options.
Amazon Flex Delivery Accidents
Amazon Flex uses gig workers on tight schedules, and that kind of urgency, as seen with services like Grubhub, can result in risky driving. If you’ve been injured in a collision involving an Amazon Flex truck driver, consulting a rideshare accident lawyer is a critical step toward securing compensation.
Shocking Rideshare Accident Statistics
A detailed study in Injury Prevention found that every additional 100 rideshare trips in a given area increased the odds of an injury crash by 4.6%. That includes crashes involving drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Such findings demonstrate how quickly busy pick-up and drop-off points, like those around Fresno State and Downtown Fresno, can become accident hotspots.
Must-Know Rideshare Driver Requirements in California
California enforces strict requirements for rideshare drivers to help ensure passenger safety. Let’s break down what’s required for both Uber and Lyft drivers in Fresno:
Uber Driver Requirements
Uber’s driver requirements apply across the entire country, and they state that any prospective drivers must:
- Be at least 23 years of age
- Have at least one year of driving experience in the U.S. (three years if under 25)
- Possess a valid in-state driver’s license
- Drive an eligible four-door vehicle
- Provide proof of residency and insurance
Uber also conducts background checks and requires drivers to complete a vehicle inspection. An Uber accident lawyer can clarify any questions you may have about these requirements.
Lyft Driver Requirements
Lyft’s California-specific driver requirements are as follows:
- A minimum age of 25 years
- Vehicles must be 2009 models or newer, with four doors and between five and eight seats
- Valid California driver’s license and personal auto insurance
- Vehicle inspections are required every 12 months or 50,000 miles
- Business licenses may also be required, depending on city regulations
Generally speaking, Lyft also mandates that drivers undergo background checks, display Lyft emblems on their vehicles, and follow strict safety regulations.
Rideshare Safety Guide
Some common rideshare accident scenarios seen throughout Fresno are as follows:
- Rear-End Collisions: Occur when rideshare drivers make sudden stops to pick up passengers
- Sideswipe Accidents: Typically happen during lane changes and merges
- T-Bone Crashes: Common results of rushing through yellow lights or misjudging traffic gaps
- Pedestrian Accidents: Often transpire in areas with heavy foot traffic
- Dooring Incidents: Cyclists get hit by doors opening into traffic
- Multi-Vehicle Pileups: Chain-reaction crashes commonly caused by distracted drivers
Even when you take every precaution, rideshare accidents can happen unexpectedly and potentially result in death. Knowing your legal options after a crash is important, but staying aware of these scenarios helps reduce your risk of injury altogether.
What Are Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Fresno?
Understanding what causes rideshare accidents can shed light on why these cases are often complicated. To that end, common factors include the following:
- Irregular vehicle maintenance
- Ignorance regarding hazardous weather, road, and traffic conditions
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe pick-up and drop-off locations
- Failure to obey traffic signals and signs
- Inexperienced or unqualified drivers
- Fatigued driving (which leads to slower reaction times and impaired judgment)
- Micro-naps
- Aggressive driving
Each of these factors can contribute to an accident, and your Fresno rideshare accident lawyer will thoroughly investigate your specific circumstances to identify every potential source of fault.
Easy Steps to Follow After a Rideshare Accident in Fresno
The moments following a rideshare accident can be overwhelming. Here’s a quick checklist to help protect your legal rights:
- Check for injuries and call 911 if needed
- Document the scene with photos and videos of the involved vehicles, your injuries, and your general surroundings
- Collect contact information from drivers, passengers, and witnesses
- Get medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor
- Report the accident to the rideshare company via their app or website
- Contact the best rideshare accident lawyer to discuss your legal options
These steps are crucial for preserving evidence and strengthening your claim. Searching for an “Uber accident lawyer near me” will ensure you partner with someone who will help you gather the strongest evidence.
Liability in Rideshare Accidents
There are often multiple liable parties in rideshare accident cases, such as the rideshare driver, their company, other motorists on the road, and even vehicle manufacturers. A skilled Uber crash attorney will help determine exactly who should be held accountable.
Filing an Insurance Claim After a Rideshare Accident
As alluded to earlier, insurance coverage in rideshare cases depends on the driver’s status at the time of the accident.
There are three main circumstances a driver can be in:
- En Route or Transporting a Fare: Uber and Lyft will provide up to $1 million in liability coverage
- App On, Waiting for Request: Limited coverage applies ($50,000/person for bodily injuries, $100,000/accident, and $25,000 for property damage)
- App Turned Off: The driver’s personal insurance will be the only option
Rideshare lawyers are experienced in handling these complex claims and can work with you to ensure you navigate the process as smoothly as possible.
Contact a Fresno Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today! Free Consultations!
At Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we understand just how stressful a rideshare accident can be. From dealing with your injuries, insurance headaches, and lost income, all while trying to heal, the process can be overwhelming, to say the least.
Our legal team is here to help. Call us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced rideshare accident attorney. We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Rideshare Accident FAQs in Fresno, California
How Long Do I Have to File a Rideshare Accident Claim in Fresno?
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in California is typically two years from the date the incident occurred, but there are exceptions to that rule. For instance, if your accident involved a government vehicle or a public rideshare partnership, different (i.e., shorter) deadlines may apply.
As such, it’s important to act quickly. Evidence such as rideshare app data, driver logs, and witness statements can become harder to obtain as time passes.
Can I Sue Uber or Lyft Directly After an Accident?
In most instances, accident victims will file a claim through Uber or Lyft’s insurance policies instead of suing the company outright. These companies are typically shielded from direct lawsuits because their drivers are classified as independent contractors, not employees.
However, there are situations where direct legal action against Uber or Lyft may be possible. If either company knowingly allowed an unsafe driver to continue accepting rides, or if their apps contributed to unsafe conditions, a lawsuit could move forward. Working with a Fresno rideshare accident attorney is best to clarify your legal options and identify the best path forward.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Rideshare Accident?
Victims of rideshare accidents may be entitled to a wide range of compensation, depending on the facts of the case. These are generally split into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include things like your current and future medical expenses (your hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and physical therapy, for example), as well as lost wages/earnings and any expenses related to repairing property damage. Non-economic damages primarily compensate victims for their pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
Understanding the full range of your potential compensation is critical to ensuring you aren’t left paying out of pocket for expenses that could have otherwise been covered.
Do Rideshare Drivers Need Special Insurance?
Yes, but it works a little differently than a standard personal auto policy. California requires rideshare companies to provide tiered coverage based on the driver’s status in the app at the time of the crash.
That can make it tricky to determine which insurance company is responsible for paying out after a rideshare crash, and it’s one reason why rideshare accident claims often take longer to resolve than typical car accident cases.
