Uber Accident Lawyer Woodland Hills, CA
Safety Tips For the Uber Passenger
As a Woodland, CA Uber accident lawyer can attest, ridesharing services are all the rage in areas of California and the U.S., and it appears that they will continue to be on the rise. In fact, for many people who choose to live a car-less life, Uber is the primary way that they get around their city or town and it is their most preferred means of transportation.
Like many other ridesharing services, you set your location, input the address of your destination, and you are usually quickly paired with an Uber driver who is in your nearby location. While you trust your Uber driver to get you from your current location to your destination safely, accidents happen, and they can even happen before your Uber ever picks you up. Below, you will find useful tips for ensuring you are safe before and during your Uber trip. If you do find yourself injured in a crash involving an Uber, contact a Woodland Hills, CA Uber accident lawyer from Barry P. Goldberg, A Law Corporation.
Tip #1. Wait For Your Uber Indoors. Even before you ever step foot into the car, you can get into some serious trouble. When you wait for your Uber, try and wait indoors, if possible. If there are no cafes or shelters nearby, wait in a well-lit public area. Even standing on the curb waiting for your Uber can make you the target of fake drivers or put you at risk for getting hit by another car.
Tip #2. Verify Your Driver’s Details. The Uber app is set up in a way that gives you a good amount of information regarding your Uber driver and their vehicle. It will give you their name (sometimes they have a picture uploaded), the make and model of the car, the license plate number, the size, and the color. If you pay attention to these details, you will be all set when your car arrives. However, failing to look at these details could make you the victim of a fake pickup. Always double check the details. The driver of the car will also typically identify you by the name you have on the Uber app as well.
Tip #3. Practice Good Passenger Etiquette And Safety. It is typically customary to sit in the back seat (giving you and the driver personal space). Additionally, practicing good passenger etiquette can ensure your driver gives the road his undivided attention and you know your surroundings. Do not make loud or abrupt noises, be polite, always keep your seatbelt buckled while the car is moving, and do not attempt to distract your driver. If an accident occurs, you do not want to be found sharing in the liability, especially when this can hurt your claim.
Tip #4. Report Bad Driving. If your driver is driving in a way that is unsafe and you believe it could lead to an accident, or if your driver is driving in a way that is threatening, report it. Never hesitate to contact the authorities. You can share your trip details with friends and families if they need to report an incident, and you should try to get to safety as soon as possible.
Contact an Uber Accident Lawyer in Woodland Hills, CA
It is imperative that you remember these safety tips when you utilize ridesharing services. These will keep you safe before and during your Uber ride and can ensure that any accidents that happen while you are on the road are not your fault. If you were the victim of an Uber accident, reach out to an Uber accident lawyer Woodland Hills, CA clients recommend at Barry P. Goldberg, A Law Corporation now.
Woodland Hills Uber Accident Infographic
Uber Accident FAQ
If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident, you should contact a Woodland Hills, CA Uber accident lawyer as soon as possible. Read on to get the answers to a few frequently asked questions, and get in touch with Barry P. Goldberg to get started on your case.
What Should I Do If I’ve Been Involved In An Uber Accident?
If you’ve just been involved in an accident – either with an Uber or as a passenger in an Uber – get to a safe place as soon as you can and call 911 to report the accident. Make sure you report any injuries, and stand by for the police and other first responders to arrive.
As a general rule of thumb, treat an Uber accident like any other car accident. It’s best to document everything you can, and it’s important to take pictures of injuries, the damaged vehicles, and the surrounding area. Make sure you get your driver’s contact information, and the contact information of everyone else involved (including witnesses). Once you’re away from the accident, you should contact a lawyer for your next steps.
What Makes A Rideshare Accident So Complicated?
As a Woodland Hills Uber accident lawyer can tell you, rideshare accidents are challenging to navigate. Because drivers are using their own vehicles, they don’t need a commercial license to operate. However, this also means they don’t need a commercial insurance plan. Unfortunately, their personal insurance won’t cover them if they’re using their car for a commercial purpose, such as driving passengers for Uber or Lyft.
Whose Insurance Pays For My Injuries?
Every car accident is different, and the same applies for every rideshare accident. Figuring out who is at fault and whose insurance pays up can be pretty complicated. However, if you experienced an accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft, you may have a shot at a hefty insurance payout.
Both Uber and Lyft provide insurance for their drivers – and the coverage can be up to $1,000,000. You may be able to collect some of this money, but your Uber or Lyft accident will have to satisfy certain requirements.
What Are The Requirements For Uber’s Insurance Payout?
Don’t get too excited: That $1,000,000 isn’t quite free money. In some cases, you may have to settle for much less. There are certain requirements you need to satisfy in order to collect on that insurance money.
- Your rideshare driver needs to be logged on to the app.
- Your rideshare driver needs to be on the job – i.e. actively transporting you to your destination, or on the way to pick up other passengers.
If you were involved in an accident with a rideshare driver who wasn’t even logged on to his or her app, you’ll probably have to deal with his or her personal insurance. But if you were a passenger in an Uber and you were being taken to your destination when an accident happened, you may have a shot at the largest payout.
When Should I Contact A Lawyer?
It’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible if you’ve been involved in an Uber or Lyft accident. The right legal team can walk you through your case and help you get the compensation you deserve. Get in touch with Barry P. Goldberg today, and see what a Woodland Hills Uber accident lawyer from our office can do for you.
How Do I File An Uber Claim?
Getting into an accident while using Uber can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. However, filing an accident claim with Uber doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow the steps below if you wish to file an Uber accident claim.
Make sure everyone is safe and call for help if needed.
Ensure that everyone involved in the accident is safe. If anyone is injured, call for medical assistance right away. Also, make sure to call the police to report the accident, regardless of the severity of the damage.
Gather information.
Exchange contact and insurance information with any other drivers involved in the accident. Be sure to take extensive photos of the damage to your vehicle and the accident scene.
Report the accident in the Uber app.
If you were a passenger in an Uber ride when the accident happened, report it through the Uber app. Go to “Trips,” select the trip in question, and then select “I was in an accident.” File a detailed report of the accident and submit it.
Contact Uber support.
You can also contact Uber support to report the accident by going to the “Help” section of the app. Provide a thorough explanation of how the accident occurred.
File a claim with Uber’s insurance.
Uber has an insurance company that applies to drivers and passengers. To file a claim, provide as much information as possible, including pictures, witness statements, and any relevant medical bills or other expenses.
Cooperate with the insurance company.
After filing a claim, an adjuster from Uber’s insurance company will likely contact you for more information. As a qualified Uber accident lawyer like one from Barry P. Goldberg can explain, be as detailed as possible and be sure to cooperate with them.
Seek legal advice if necessary.
If the accident resulted in significant damage or injuries, or if you have difficulty getting compensation from Uber’s insurance, it may be worth seeking legal advice. You can rely on a lawyer to help you navigate the claim’s process and advocate for you to obtain the highest possible compensation.
If you find yourself in an accident while using Uber, it’s important to prioritize everyone’s safety first and foremost. After that, follow these steps to file an Uber accident claim and ensure that you receive the compensation you’re entitled to. For more information about how to obtain legal services, request a consultation with a trusted lawyer now.
Uber Accident Glossary
Rideshare transportation continues to grow across California, and with it comes a specific set of terms and processes that passengers should understand—especially if an accident occurs. When you’ve been injured while using a service like Uber, knowing the terminology can help you better follow what’s happening with your claim or case. As a Woodland Hills, CA Uber accident lawyer, we help our clients navigate these cases with a clear understanding of their legal options. Below, we’ve compiled a glossary of common terms related to Uber accidents and rideshare claims, with straightforward explanations.
App-On Period
The “App-On Period” refers to the time when a rideshare driver is logged into the Uber app and available to accept ride requests but has not yet accepted a trip. This timeframe matters because it affects which insurance policy is active. During this period, Uber typically provides limited liability coverage, which only becomes relevant if the driver causes an accident while waiting for a ride request. If you were involved in an incident during this period, it’s critical to clarify whether the driver was logged into the app, as that status could influence coverage details and claim procedures.
Active Trip Coverage
Active trip coverage applies once an Uber driver accepts a ride request and continues through the pickup, transportation, and drop-off of a passenger. During this time, Uber’s highest level of insurance is generally in effect. This coverage can include up to $1 million in third-party liability insurance, which may apply to injured passengers or other drivers involved. If you were a passenger during a crash, confirming that the driver was on an active trip can be a key step toward gaining access to full policy benefits.
Uber Safety Reporting
This term refers to the process of alerting Uber about unsafe driving or incidents that occur during a ride. Passengers can report driving behavior directly through the Uber app by selecting the trip and providing details under the safety options. Uber reviews these reports internally and may take action against drivers who violate the company’s policies. Timely reporting can help document a situation for future legal or insurance claims. It’s especially useful in cases where law enforcement wasn’t involved but safety was clearly compromised.
Third-Party Insurance Coordination
This refers to the communication and claims management between Uber’s insurance provider and the insurance carriers for any other parties involved in the accident. When multiple insurance policies are in play—such as personal policies from another driver, Uber’s policy for its rideshare driver, and your own policy—it’s important to understand who handles what portion of the costs. Coordinating among these providers can be time-consuming, but it’s a necessary part of resolving medical and property claims.
Passenger Statement Documentation
After a crash, providing a clear and timely statement about what happened is important for both insurance and legal purposes. Passenger statement documentation usually includes details like where you were seated, what you observed, when you noticed danger, and whether you suffered any physical symptoms at the time or shortly after. These statements help validate your version of events and support your claim, especially when submitted alongside photos, trip records, or messages from the Uber app.
If you’ve been injured while riding with a rideshare service, it’s important to understand these specific terms as you pursue a claim. Our legal team is here to explain your rights and help protect your interests. At Pacific Legal Group, we are committed to helping injured rideshare passengers throughout Woodland Hills and surrounding areas.
Contact our office today if you were involved in an Uber-related accident. We’re here to help you take the right legal steps and determine what insurance coverage may apply to your situation.