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Determining Liability after an Uber Accident in California

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In some cases, liability in a car accident is easy to assign, like when one driver causes an accident by breaking the rules of the road. In other cases, like those involving multiple cars and drivers, assigning liability can be more difficult.

When it comes to cases involving a ridesharing service like Uber, the situation can become even more complex. If an Uber driver is involved in an accident, insurance providers may try to assign liability to the Uber driver, the company, the passenger, or other drivers involved. This can get messy without the assistance of an experienced attorney who knows the laws in your state.

What can you do if you’re in an accident while riding in an Uber? How can you protect yourself against liability and what can you do to ensure fair compensation for your injuries? Here’s what you need to know.

The Case for Assigning Liability

When you visit Los Angeles, it’s natural to hire a driver to navigate the maze of freeways and neighborhoods in the urban sprawl. Uber makes it easy with a user-friendly app that lets you track your driver, rate your ride, and pay by phone.

While most Uber rides are scheduled and completed without incident, allowing you to get to your destination on time and intact, busy freeways are hotspots for auto accidents.

When an accident occurs, there could be any number of people at fault, including one or more drivers or passengers. Why is this important? Assigning liability determines who will pay for injuries and damages resulting from the accident. As a passenger in the Uber, it’s unlikely, but not impossible, that you could be at fault for an accident. If, for example, you open a car door into traffic or drunkenly assault your driver, causing an accident, you could be held liable.

In most cases, one or more drivers will be at fault. It’s important to determine liability to ensure that any injuries you suffer will be covered by insurance. Further complicating the matter, however, is that Uber’s insurance covers employees while they’re driving for the company (as opposed to the driver’s personal auto insurance policy), so you may have to deal with Uber in the course of seeking compensation.

Common Causes of Accidents

Proving that one driver or another is at fault for an accident isn’t always easy. As a passenger, you may be called upon to recount details that prove that your driver was at fault. You may be asked if your Uber driver was violating traffic laws, leading to the accident, or if he or she was driving impaired, fatigued, or distracted. While some of these observations could be subjective, they may help to assign liability.

Alternately, you might have to recount details of an accident that prove that another driver was at fault. More than one driver may have been to blame. After an accident, it’s important to either write down what you remember or speak with authorities at the scene before you forget important details that could help to assign liability.

Understanding Fault-Based Liability

Why is it so important to determine who is at fault in an Uber accident? California is a fault-based state, which means that the person or persons deemed to be at fault for an auto accident will be assigned liability and required to pay for damages and medical costs that result.

According to the pure comparative negligence standard, fault can be shared, in which case each liable party will be assigned a percentage of costs. Additionally, California law states that anyone found to be breaking the law when an accident occurred is presumptively at fault.

Who Determines Liability?

In California, liability for auto accidents is typically determined by the insurance companies. To do this, they will use accident reports and witness statements. If there are conflicting statements, assigning liability can become a complex and lengthy task, which could impact your ability to receive coverage for medical costs or a settlement in a timely manner.

Fighting for Compensation

Because there are many insurance providers involved when settling an accidents that included Uber drivers, your best bet to receive fair compensation in a timely manner is to hire a qualified and experienced Los Angeles lawyer. This professional can deal with insurance companies on your behalf, and an expert law firm will not be bullied into accepting a nominal settlement.

The Law Brothers® has the experience needed to help determine liability following injury in an Uber accident. We ensure that you receive the compensation that you’re due. Our friendly team and no-fee policy (if you don’t get compensation, neither do we) will put you at ease, and our proven track record of results paves the way for positive outcomes.

When you’re looking for a Los Angeles law firm that you can trust to handle your Uber accident, contact the experts at Law Brothers at (800) 222-2222 or online to request a free consultation. We Fight. You Win. They Pay.

What Our Clients Say

Honestly can't say enough positive things about the Law Brothers! I got into a severe car accident at the end of 2016 and they've been with me every step of the way ever since. Almost 4 years! I want to thank everyone there especially Caitlyn, Shawn, and Yasmeen. They have been responsive, helpful, and reassuring and I don't know what I would've done if I didn't have the legal support that I was able to get along the years. They are super professional and really helped me get through this hardship in my life. I would definitely recommend!!!

Ivonne K.

Last year I contacted your law firm when I got into a car accident. the gentleman that handled my case, his name was Cesar. Cesar was very helpful and compassionate about my situation. He helped me get my car fixed very quickly and was super patient with me. He answered all of my questions and ensured me that everything will be taken care of. Once my case was settled I ended up getting more than I was expecting, which was amazing. I highly recommended Cesar and this law firm to anyone that needs help.

William Charlton

I was a client to the Law Brothers firm for about a year, the staff is really nice and professional. I would get updates on the case status and when I did call I would usually get a call back within 24 hours. I really appreciate the work that was done for me. I got the most out of my settlement and when I called to have a break down of the costs, Genesis was very patient and gave me a break down on all of it. I will definitely recommend this law firm to friends and family, as well as call them in the future if needed (hopefully not soon).

Erendira Landa

I had gotten into an accident and had no idea what to do. Friends and family recommended I get a lawyer since I was not at fault. I found this firm and I was beyond impressed. They handled everything for me from car insurance questions to finding doctors for me to visit. After my accident all I had to do was make appointments with various doctors to help with my pain. I give five stars because this firm went above and beyond and continued to follow up with me. I highly recommend if you are in need of a lawyer to use them.

Jacqueline D.

The team at the Law Brothers we’re amazing! I am not the kind of person to seek legal counsel, but I was hit by a car while riding a motorcycle and the driver’s insurance was avoiding my attempts to get reimbursed. They were able to not only get a settlement that replaced my motorcycle, but they found me physical therapy which was close to my work. Now I am back to where I was physically before the accident and I am able to ride a motorcycle again. They were always responsive to my texts, calls, and emails. They even would systematically check to see how I was healing and if the support they linked me to was satisfactory.

Charles Mortensen

This law firm is a team of miracle workers! The Law Brothers Law Firm saved me from suffering at another law firm from Century City. My case manager Jonathan was able to gather all the details from my accident ( literally within a week! ) and keeping me updated consistenty to keep me at ease. They work diligently and keep at it until your case is completed. I went through a car accident that almost took my life away but thanks to the higher power and the Law Brothers, you won't even hesitate to choose them because I felt trust and integrity throughout my case and I feel happier in my life, which in my opinion, matters the most at the end of the day.

Jason Avelar

What Our Clients Say

Honestly can't say enough positive things about the Law Brothers! I got into a severe car accident at the end of 2016 and they've been with me every step of the way ever since. Almost 4 years! I want to thank everyone there especially Caitlyn, Shawn, and Yasmeen. They have been responsive, helpful, and reassuring and I don't know what I would've done if I didn't have the legal support that I was able to get along the years. They are super professional and really helped me get through this hardship in my life. I would definitely recommend!!!

Ivonne K.

Last year I contacted your law firm when I got into a car accident. the gentleman that handled my case, his name was Cesar. Cesar was very helpful and compassionate about my situation. He helped me get my car fixed very quickly and was super patient with me. He answered all of my questions and ensured me that everything will be taken care of. Once my case was settled I ended up getting more than I was expecting, which was amazing. I highly recommended Cesar and this law firm to anyone that needs help.

William Charlton

I was a client to the Law Brothers firm for about a year, the staff is really nice and professional. I would get updates on the case status and when I did call I would usually get a call back within 24 hours. I really appreciate the work that was done for me. I got the most out of my settlement and when I called to have a break down of the costs, Genesis was very patient and gave me a break down on all of it. I will definitely recommend this law firm to friends and family, as well as call them in the future if needed (hopefully not soon).

Erendira Landa

I had gotten into an accident and had no idea what to do. Friends and family recommended I get a lawyer since I was not at fault. I found this firm and I was beyond impressed. They handled everything for me from car insurance questions to finding doctors for me to visit. After my accident all I had to do was make appointments with various doctors to help with my pain. I give five stars because this firm went above and beyond and continued to follow up with me. I highly recommend if you are in need of a lawyer to use them.

Jacqueline D.

The team at the Law Brothers we’re amazing! I am not the kind of person to seek legal counsel, but I was hit by a car while riding a motorcycle and the driver’s insurance was avoiding my attempts to get reimbursed. They were able to not only get a settlement that replaced my motorcycle, but they found me physical therapy which was close to my work. Now I am back to where I was physically before the accident and I am able to ride a motorcycle again. They were always responsive to my texts, calls, and emails. They even would systematically check to see how I was healing and if the support they linked me to was satisfactory.

Charles Mortensen

This law firm is a team of miracle workers! The Law Brothers Law Firm saved me from suffering at another law firm from Century City. My case manager Jonathan was able to gather all the details from my accident ( literally within a week! ) and keeping me updated consistenty to keep me at ease. They work diligently and keep at it until your case is completed. I went through a car accident that almost took my life away but thanks to the higher power and the Law Brothers, you won't even hesitate to choose them because I felt trust and integrity throughout my case and I feel happier in my life, which in my opinion, matters the most at the end of the day.

Jason Avelar

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