If you’ve been injured in an Uber accident in San Luis Obispo, our team of lawyers at Maison Law will stand by your side. We understand how overwhelming it can be to face one of these accidents and how much of an impact they can have on your life. Uber accidents are also vastly different from other car accidents, which is why you may need legal assistance and someone who can answer any questions you have. Please do not hesitate to contact us to set up a free consultation to speak with us about your options.
Do I Need a Lawyer After an Uber Accident?
If you suffer from serious injuries or you are being blamed for your Uber accident even though you know another party is at fault, you should speak with a lawyer. Uber and other rideshare companies will do whatever they can to avoid paying you full compensation for your losses. They also have corporate lawyers and big insurance companies on their side so that they can offer you much less than you deserve in financial recovery.
Generally, you may need a lawyer on your side if the following aspects are true:
- Your accident was completely or partially caused by another party.
- Your injuries required a hospital stay or follow-up medical care.
- You were forced to miss time from work due to your injuries.
- Your injuries otherwise impact your life financially.
What Leads to San Luis Obispo Uber Accidents?
Uber is a necessity throughout the city of San Luis Obispo for individuals who want to get from one place to another. Even though many people utilize rideshare services to get to work and recreation, they never expect a car accident to occur. Within seconds, a serious Uber accident with injuries and damages could occur due to the negligence of others.
Uber accidents most commonly occur due to the following reasons:
- Distracted Driving: Uber drivers are prone to driving distracted due to the long hours they spend on our roads. Common distractions that lead to Uber accidents include texting behind the wheel, using a GPS, and talking with passengers.
- Locating a Customer: Often times, Uber drivers will enter areas that they are not familiar with to pick up customers. A devastating accident can occur when the driver is not familiar with the area and makes a sudden stop.
- Fatigued Driving: Uber drivers spend long hours on our roads, which means that they may not be getting the sleep that they need. A driver could fall asleep at the wheel, causing them to become involved in a devastating collision.
- Speeding: Uber drivers may try to get from one place to another as quickly as possible so that they can make maximum income. However, speeding can lead to a serious accident within seconds.
- Intoxication: Even though nobody should drink or use drugs before they get behind the wheel of a car, accidents involving Uber drivers still happen all the time involving intoxication.
Understanding what happened to cause your accident can help you determine who is at fault for your accident. Uber accidents can be incredibly complex with multiple parties at fault, which is why you may need the assistance of a lawyer on your side.
Insurance Policy Limits in Uber Accidents
You may wonder if you will be covered if you were involved in an Uber accident in San Luis Obispo. You may be covered under certain policy limits, but it depends on whether or not the driver is offline or in a certain driving period with Uber:
- Offline: If the driver was not logged into Uber and was considered offline at the time of your accident, you will only be able to use your personal auto insurance for recovery.
- Period 1: What happens if the driver was logged into the Uber app and did not accept a ride at the time of your accident? You could be covered by a $100,000 injury liability policy, with an additional $200,000 in liability insurance.
- Period 2: Period 2 happens when an Uber driver accepts a trip. If an accident occurs, you could be provided with $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
- Period 3: This period applies to situations where the passenger was already picked up by the Uber driver and the accident occurs. In these cases, you will receive the same coverage as in Period 2.
Unfortunately, receiving financial recovery is not always as easy as it sounds. If Uber tries to pin the blame on you or offer you much less than you deserve in recovery, you may have to make the decision to sue Uber directly. This could come with its own complications, which is why it is crucial that you speak with a lawyer who is knowledgeable in these cases.
What Damages Are Available After a San Luis Obispo Uber Accident?
If you have been hurt in an Uber accident in San Luis Obispo, you may find that you are entitled to compensatory damages for your losses. Some of the damages that could be available for you include:
- Medical bills you have incurred or medical bills that you may experience in the future
- Damages to your property
- Lost income and future lost wages or benefits due to missed time at work
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages
- Wrongful death damages if a loved one’s life was lost due to an accident
You have a limited amount of time to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit. In California, you have two years from the time of your accident to file a claim before you are unable to do so. Working with an attorney immediately is in your best interests.
Contact a San Luis Obispo Uber Accident Lawyer Today
Moving forward after an Uber accident is never an easy thing to do. If you have sustained injuries due to one of these accidents, our San Luis Obispo car accident lawyers are here for you. At Maison Law, we understand the ins and outs of these claims and will provide you with the resources you need to get back on your feet. Please contact us today for a no-obligation case consultation in your time of need.
