What You Need To Know After an Uber or Lyft Accident in California

Car accidents can happen anywhere and anytime. They can happen while riding your own car, riding as a passenger in a friend or family member’s car, or even while riding as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft car. You can get into an accident with another car, motorcycle, truck or taxi or Uber or Lyft. Regardless of how your accident occurred, you may be entitled to compensation if it can be proven that another party was the cause of the accident.

Although you may be entitled to compensation, you may need to take different steps in order to obtain the compensation depending on how the accident occurred and what type of parties were involved. This article specifically discuses accidents involving transportation network companies (TNC), such as Uber and Lyft.

What Is Uber and Lyft?

Uber and Lyft are known as transportation network companies that connect independent drivers with passengers who need rides to various destinations. These services have become increasingly popular in metropolitan cities, such as Los Angeles. Uber was the first of its kind to offer a mobile app to connect riders with drivers. Lyft soon offered competition.

The introduction of these two companies was not very welcome with taxi cabs. After years of legal disputes, it was clear that the TNC’s were here to stay. In California specifically, the California Public Utilities Commission, known as the CPUC), legitimized Uber and Lyft by establishing the TNC category. In making this decision, the CPUC in essence established that there is a major difference between TNC’s and taxis since the TNC rides are pre-arranged instead of permitting the drivers to pick up hailing passengers.

What To Do If You Are Injured As an Uber or Lyft Passenger?

Since Uber and Lyft are here to stay and have increased in popularity on the roads, accidents have also become a common occurrence. As such, it is important that passengers know what to do in the event of an accident. Generally, if your Uber or Lyft driver causes an accident, you will have a personal injury claim against that driver. If your injuries go beyond the driver’s policy, you can tap into your own UM/UIM coverage.

Below are some important steps you should follow in the event of such an accident:

• Call 911 if you or anyone else is seriously injured and requires emergency care
• Call the police to come to the scene and prepare a report
• Obtain all pertinent information from your driver, as well as any other parties involved in the accident
• Obtain pertinent information from any eye witnesses
• Seek medical attention, even if you think you have suffered any serious injuries
• Consult with an experienced personal injury attorney

Consult with an Uber Accident Attorney in Los Angeles

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident while riding as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. For more information or to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Uber accident attorney, call the Law Offices of Samer Habbas today at 888.848.5084.