What types of cases do Sacramento personal injury lawyers handle?

Car Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Pedestrian Accidents Bicycle Accidents Bus Accidents Truck Accidents Construction Accidents Medical Malpractice Birth Injuries Wrongful Death Product Liability Sexual Assault Brain Injuries

When do I have to file my personal injury claim by in Sacramento?

For Sacramento cases, you must abide by the California statute of limitations that governs personal injury claims, which is usually two years from the date of the injury.

Should I hire a Sacramento personal injury law firm?

Yes. A Sacramento personal injury law firm will help ensure that you receive the most compensation possible by guiding you throughout the claims process every step of the way.

How do I choose a Sacramento personal injury attorney?

You should also look for core qualities in a competent attorney, which include: Passion for advocating for injured victims’ rights. Compassion for their clients. Excellent communication skills. Willingness to listen and great listening skills. In-depth knowledge of the law. Great writing skills. Strong negotiation skills. Good judgment.

California Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers

Seeking damages after a rideshare accident can be complicated. Insurance companies may try to deny your claim or settle for as little as possible — for an amount that may not even cover your medical bills. You need an advocate who knows the law and is on your side.

The personal injury attorneys at Cutter Law can help. We have years of experience in protecting victims of car accidents, including those injured in an Uber or Lyft accident. Contact us today for a free consultation.

What should I do after being involved in an accident as a passenger of Uber or Lyft?

Even if you’re not the driver, you should still call 911 and law enforcement if you’ve been in an accident. You need to have medical attention even if you don’t feel injured. Plus, it’s against the law not to report an accident to the police.

Following are several steps to take immediately after an Uber or Lyft accident. Each step is recommended to protect you:

Call 911 for medical attention
Report the accident to the local police
Exchange information with your rideshare driver and the other driver
Take photos of the accident scene if you’re physically able to
Try to take pictures of any injured persons
Take photos of the other car and license plate, especially if they try to leave

After the police and EMS have arrived and everyone has received medical attention, there are a few more steps you should take:

Get copies of the EMS medical report
Ask for your doctor’s reports if you seek further medical attention
Ask for a copy of the police report or request one online
Have follow-up medical care and keep documentation of the same

Last but not least, you’ll want to hire an experienced Lyft or Uber accident attorney.

Who’s liable in an Uber or Lyft accident in California?

Rideshare laws in California are tricky, and liability depends on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. The driver may have one of three levels of liability, depending on which of the following circumstances apply:

They have a passenger in the car at the time
They’re logged into the app and waiting for a passenger
They’re logged out of the app and driving on their own time

Responsibility for vehicle accidents in California is based on negligence, including accidents involving an Uber or Lyft. If one driver is determined negligent, they’re liable for the injuries and property damage caused to the other driver and any passengers in the cars.

If a driver violates vehicle codes intended to prevent an accident or injury, they’re presumed to be negligent and thus responsible. Negligent driving is against the law in California.

There are a few examples of negligence in a car accident that can lead to a collision, such as:

Texting and driving, or otherwise using a phone while driving
Speeding
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Running a stop sign or red light

Ultimately, law enforcement, the insurance companies, your attorney, or a judge may determine who is legally at fault to decide your eligibility for compensation.

Can I sue Uber or Lyft after an accident?

Whether you can recover damages from a rideshare driver depends on their status. Their status also determines how much you can recover and which party or parties will be paying for your damages.

Typical car accident claims cover the following expenses:

Medical bills
Car repair bills or other property damage
Lost wages
Pain and suffering

If the driver isn’t logged into their rideshare app, then they’re considered to be on their own time and not affiliated with Uber or Lyft. In that case, they could be personally liable and their auto insurance will cover damages.

However, if a driver gets into an accident on their way to pick up a fare, or if you’re riding in the car as a rideshare passenger when an accident occurs, then Uber or Lyft may have liability along with the driver.

In order to sue Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare company in California, you have to be able to prove the company itself was negligent.

Negligence on the company’s part could involve how they screen, train, and supervise their drivers. It may also include whether the driver is distracted because they’re scrolling the rideshare’s app on their phone while driving.

Currently, rideshare drivers are considered independent contractors, not employees, so the company insurance from Uber and Lyft doesn’t always cover accidents.

How do I prove negligence after a rideshare accident?

Accident reports, police reports, medical records, and your own photographs all contribute to proving negligence. Right after the accident, or as soon as you’re able, write down everything you remember about the incident. Include who was there, what was going on, and as much of your driver’s actions as you recall.

To establish a negligence case in California, you’ll need evidence to prove the following factors:

The defendant owed you a duty
The defendant breached the owed duty
The breach resulted in your injuries
The defendant should have reasonably known that their actions or inaction could lead to your injuries
You suffered actual losses

What are the insurance requirements for rideshare drivers in California?

Rideshare drivers must have certain types of insurance. The coverage requirements vary, depending on whether the driver is logged in to the app or transporting a passenger.

If a driver is waiting for a passenger or already has one, their policy should include a minimum of $1 million each in commercial liability and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

There are different insurance requirements when a rideshare driver is logged in to the app and waiting to book a passenger. Policies should cover up to $50,000 per person or $100,000 total per accident, along with $30,000 in property damage coverage.

Finally, a driver on their own time should carry the standard California minimums of $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 in property damage.

What compensation can I receive for an Uber or Lyft accident?

If it’s established that the rideshare company was negligent in some fashion and thus contributed to the cause of the accident, there are a few types of damages you can recover.

The rideshare company may cover any medical bills you incur due to your injuries from the accident, including emergency medical care, follow-up care, and ongoing treatment (such as physical or occupational therapy).

If you missed work due to the accident, you might be eligible to recover lost wages. Lost wages for missed work can include time off to heal or for follow-up medical care. If you’re unable to perform your job duties and can’t collect your pay, the rideshare company may compensate you for that, too.

Emotional harm and pain and suffering may be compensated, but those damages are harder to prove. If you suffered a loss of a limb, disfigurement, or had your quality of life impacted, then you can recover damages for those losses, too.

How long do I have to file a claim after my rideshare accident in California?

The statute of limitations for a car accident lawsuit to recover damages starts from the date of the accident, not the date that you file an insurance claim. For injuries, you have up to two years, and for property damages, you have up to three years after the accident to file.

However, your case stands the best chance of succeeding if you file as soon as possible, so contact a Sacramento car accident lawyer right away.

Testimonials

This is a family owned business and extremely friendly. The whole crew is very profession and reputable. They are highly knowledgeable in their trade and bring a top level of expertise to any inquiry. I would highly recommend this Law firm. These are wonderful people and they will help you get the justice you deserve.

The staff are professional, responsive, and passionate about their clients. Highly recommend this law firm.

There's this thing about lawyers ... they often forget the first word in their title, Counselor at Law. Well, Margo Cutter practices the full spectrum of her profession. Though she has not represented me in litigation, I have benefited from her kind support and sound counsel regarding a traumatic injury I sustained due the negligence of others and the subsequent unbearable pursuit for justice. Thank you, Margo.

Their people were professional, thorough, and expressed true consideration in their deliverance. I highly recommend them to anyone.

CL took on my personal injury injury case without me needing to put in a retainer fee all while making sure I was prepared and on time for my court dates. You can always try submitting a case evaluation to see if they are the right attorneys for you before committing.

Schedule A Free Case Review

"*" indicates required fields

Name*

Phone Number*

Email*

Message

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Our Office Location

401 Watt Avenue Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95864
Phone: 916-290-9400