Legal Rights Following an Uber Accident

Any person who uses a ride-share service like Lyft or Uber -- and that is thousands of people in Los Angeles -- has the potential to be injured during that ride. While using these apps is undoubtedly a better choice than driving while intoxicated, accidents can still happen. And because the ride-sharing concept is still relatively new, the laws surrounding it are still changing and adjusting. In fact, a new California law regarding 'independent drivers' (the type of workers these drivers are currently classified as) will likely affect how Uber and Lyft operate in California, and therefore how you may recover monetary compensation from these companies.

If you are injured during your ride-share travels, do you have legal rights? What are those rights, and how do you exercise them? Can the law help you even if it may be unclear in areas? These are all common questions for anyone who uses Uber and Lyft, and it may be necessary to work with an experienced Los Angeles accident attorney in order to determine your rights and responsibilities if you have been injured in an Uber accident or Lyft accident.

‍

What You Should Know About Ride-Share

Many people who use ride-share services are not overly familiar with how the Uber/Lyft business works. All you have to do is pull up the app on your phone, push a few buttons, and next thing you know, a driver with the app’s company arrives and takes you to your destination. It seems easy, and often costs less than a taxi would. It is important to note though, that these services do not operate the same way as a taxi service, are not under the same rules and regulations, and do not have the same requirements for their drivers, which has been known to make them riskier to use in some cases.

While California law may change this, currently, drivers who work for companies like Uber and Lyft are contractors, and are not considered employees of the company they drive for. This affects how the drivers are paid and the benefits they receive, but it also affects the type of insurance coverage they are required to have. They are not driving a company vehicle, and they are not professional drivers. For example, if you are injured in an auto accident caused by a professional driver operating a company truck, you may be able to sue the driver's employer for financial damages.

‍

With Uber and Lyft drivers, they are simply normal people who are using their personal vehicles for their own needs as well as the ride-share service. Because insurance requirements for these drivers are very different from what would be required of actual employees, care must be taken to protect your interests.

In many Los Angeles Uber accident cases, if you are injured in a ride-share accident you would want to speak with a skilled accident lawyer who regularly handles these types of cases, understands the laws surrounding them, and is able to help you recover maximum compensation for your injuries.

For a free, no obligation consultation, contact the experienced attorneys at Ghozland Law Firm today.