Long Beach Ridesharing Accident Lawyers

Long Beach Ridesharing (Uber/Lyft) Accident Attorneys

If you suffered severe injuries or your loved one was killed in an Uber, Lyft, or other ridesharing vehicle accident in Long Beach, you could face a very complicated road to recovery. You do not need to make the journey by yourself.

The May Firm can be by your side and help you recover all of the compensation you are entitled to. Our firm will provide a complete evaluation of your case as soon as you call (844) 629-3476 or contact us online to receive a free consultation.

Long Beach Ridesharing Accidents

In September 2018, a University of Chicago and Rice University study found that the arrival of ridesharing was associated with a 2 to 3 percent increase in the number of motor vehicle fatalities and fatal accidents.” A 3 percent annual increase would be the equivalent of 987 deaths annually.

The Signal Tribune reported in March 2017 that Long Beach Airport (LGB) would begin a pilot program to allow operation of transportation network companies (TNCs), or ridesharing companies, at the airport. Uber, Lyft, Wingz and See Jane Go were allowed to pick up at the airport whereas they were previously permitted only to drop people off.

Causes of Long Beach Ridesharing Accidents

The actual cause of an Uber, Lyft, or other ridesharing vehicle accident can vary depending on the situation. People may be injured while they are passengers in ridesharing vehicles, but victims could also be occupants of other vehicles involved in crashes or pedestrians or bicyclists outside of vehicles.

In general, common causes of accidents include, but are not limited to:

• Inclement Weather
• Speeding
• Reckless Driving
• Construction Zone Violations
• Driver Fatigue
• Improper or Illegal Turns
• Failure to Obey Traffic Signs or Lights
• Distracted Driving
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of Alcohol or Drugs
• Other Traffic Violations

In drunk driving cases, it is important to remember that California Vehicle Code § 23152(e) establishes that is unlawful for a person who has 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a motor vehicle when a passenger for hire is a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the offense. In other words, ridesharing drivers may be charged with DUI when they have a blood or breath alcohol concentration (BAC) that is only half the legal limit for other drivers.

Not all ridesharing injuries are necessarily motor vehicle accidents. Some people may actually be physically or sexually assaulted by ridesharing drivers.

Insurance policies for most ridesharing companies such that it works as follows:

• Driver Not Logged Into TNC’s Digital Network — Driver’s personal automobile insurance covers all damages.
• Driver Logged Into TNC’s Digital Network, But No Passenger Requests — TNC may provide excess coverage for damages exceeding driver’s personal limits. Uber provides $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident and Lyft offers $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage.
• Driver Picking Up Passenger or Transporting Passenger — The TNC may have a larger liability policy, as both Lyft and Uber have $1 million liability and $1 million uninsured policies.

The California Utilities Public Commission (CUPC) regulates privately owned public utilities in California and the state became the first in the nation to regulate TNCs in September 2013. TNCs often try to deny liability for accidents by claiming their drivers were independent contractors, but the California Assembly passed a “gig work bill” in May 2019 that re-classify ridesharing drivers as employees and allow them numerous rights and benefits not provided to contractors.

Types of Long Beach Ridesharing Accident Injuries

The types of injuries people suffer in ridesharing accidents will depend on where they were seated and how fast a vehicle was traveling. Other injuries could stem from acts of violence by drivers.

Some of the most frequent kinds of injuries people suffer in these crashes include, but are not limited to:

• Lacerations
• Herniated Disk
• Muscle strains
• Fractures
• Internal organ injuries
• Sprains
• Neck injuries
• Burn injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)

It is also possible that a person could die because of the injuries they sustain in a ridesharing accident. In such cases, the family could have cause for a wrongful death lawsuit.

Contact a Ridesharing Accident Attorney in Long Beach

Did you sustain catastrophic injuries or was your loved one killed in a ridesharing accident in Long Beach? It is going to be enormously important for you to get yourself legal representation as quickly as you can.

The May Firm can immediately commence an investigation into your crash to determine the cause, preserve evidence, and identify all liable parties. We will discuss all of your legal options with you when you call (844) 629-3476 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.