How Long Does a Lyft and Uber Accident Settlement Take?

Uber accident settlement

Taking an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare service is a great way to get around San Jose if you don’t want to drive. The flexibility to choose your pick-up location, size of the vehicle, and even the driver has made this mode of transportation very popular.

But according to the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, rideshare services like Uber and Lyft resulted in a 3% increase in overall car accident fatalities. The correlation between an increase in rideshare vehicles and car accident deaths is clear. The more cars there are on the roads, the more likely accidents will take place.

Ride-hailing has put more cars on the road, and that has meant more accidents, injuries and deaths involving drivers, passengers, bikers, and pedestrians, according to the study. Even if an accident involving a rideshare driver isn’t fatal, it can still significantly impact your life.

The study also noted that the increase in rideshare app usage directly correlates to an increased number of cars on the roads and an increase in accidents of all types, affecting drivers, passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

Ridesharing services have intensified traffic congestion across the U.S. since their inception. Thousands of rideshare accidents have been reported. If you’ve been injured or hurt as a passenger of an Uber or Lyft driver, you may have a personal injury claim against the party responsible. You may be able to recover compensation if you were badly hurt in a car crash involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle. Here are some important factors to know about a Lyft and Uber accident claim.

 

The Need for Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers for Your Personal Injury Case

While you may be entitled to compensation for injuries, missed work, or property damage due to an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, you still need an experienced accident lawyer in San Jose to handle your case and help you determine how much an Uber and Lyft accident settlement is worth.

In California, these cases can take months to a year to arrive at a settlement. The laws surrounding responsibility for these accidents can be tricky. These cases sometimes take longer because Lyft and Uber vehicles aren't considered commercial vehicles and are therefore not subject to the same government oversight as taxis, buses, or other forms of public transportation.

When your Uber and Lyft accident lawyer files a claim in San Jose, there will be a lot of negotiation back and forth between the other driver’s insurance company and yours, plus that of the rideshare company that the driver works for.

 

You May Be Eligible for COMPENSATION

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Average Lyft Accident Settlement Amount

Uber and Lyft accident settlements often depend on the level of injuries sustained. If you've only sustained minor injuries, it is safe to assume your settlement value to be under $20,000. However, should you have sustained serious injuries, you may be eligible for a generous amount of compensation. Below are some of the areas our personal injury attorneys have been able to recover compensation in:

  • Medical expenses: Any pain and suffering associated with your Uber or Lyft accident can be used as leverage to increase your settlement value. For example, you may be able to get compensation for any medical treatment required for your injuries, as well as for any future rehabilitation fees.
  • Lost wages: If you've had to rest from work due to your injuries from your Uber and Lyft car accident, our lawyers may be able to recover the lost money. As long as your employer has a record of your missed work days, we'll fight hard to recover your missed income.
  • Emotional pain and suffering: We will make sure to recover as much compensation as possible, and that includes your mental suffering. For example, if a doctor prescribed you medicine for your mental health for 2 months, you may be able to recover compensation for those 2 months.

Our personal injury attorneys are experienced and have successfully dealt with many personal injury claims throughout the years. We are your go-to for Uber or Lyft accidents. Whether your Uber or Lyft driver was at fault or not, we'll fight hard for maximum compensation.

 

Why Do Rideshare Accidents Take So Long to Settle?

Rideshare drivers are considered contracted employees, so a typical employer-employee relationship doesn't exactly apply after an accident. This is a complex employment arrangement, and the extent of the rideshare company’s responsibility depends on whether the driver was logged into the app at the time of the accident. 

The rideshare driver’s liability depends on whether they were logged into the app but waiting for a fare or were logged into the app and in the process of transporting a fare. In those two cases, both the driver and the rideshare company may be liable for your damages. Should an uninsured or underinsured motorist cause the accident, both Uber and Lyft provide drivers with liability insurance of up to a million dollars.

However, if the driver wasn’t logged into the app at the time of the accident, then the case is simply a two-party accident, and the rideshare company is not liable. Should the liable party not have valid car insurance, the situation can get even more complicated.

Sorting the liability out is tricky. Most rideshare companies will try to minimize their responsibility, reducing how much – if any – they will have to pay back to victims in damages. That’s why you need an experienced Uber accident lawyer in San Jose.

 

How Can I Settle My Uber Accident Case Quicker?

Settling cases where injuries were minor or there wasn’t much damage to personal property may take as little as a few months. Oftentimes, the rideshare driver’s insurance company will present your Uber and Lyft accident lawyer with a fair settlement.

However, if your car was totaled or had significant damage, or if your injuries were debilitating or disfiguring, then the accident claim takes longer to process. This is because you may need ongoing medical care. Future medical bills may come out of your pocket if you settle too early.

On the other hand, the rideshare company will still try to settle as quickly as possible for as little as possible. Without a good Uber accident lawyer to negotiate on your behalf, you may not get the compensation you deserve.

 

An Uber Accident Lawyer in San Jose Can Help

If you’ve been injured in an accident with a rideshare driver, whether you were a passenger, another driver, bicyclist, or pedestrian, a rideshare accident attorney can help. They’ll negotiate with the other driver's insurance company and that of the rideshare company on your behalf, allowing you to heal in peace.

Reputable personal injury lawyers in San Jose also know how to prepare a case by gathering police reports, information about the other driver’s app usage, and your medical records to establish your claim. They’re your advocates, representing your interests in mediation and even in court.

Valley Accident Attorneys can help you with rideshare accidents. Our law firm deals with all kinds of personal injury accidents including Uber and Lyft accidents. We have the experience and expertise to recover fair compensation for accident victims in San Jose. Call us today for a free case evaluation.

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