Beverly Hills Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney

Do Uber and Lyft Pose as Safety Threats to Passengers? If So, Can Legal Actions Be Taken for Any Injuries or Damages?

Despite their immense popularity in the Beverly Hills area, rideshare services, such as Uber and Lyft are not entirely safe. Taxi drivers have a reputation for aggressive driving, but the same can be said for some Uber or Lyft drivers. It is a valid source of concern for passengers that their driver will not drive safely or follow the rules of the road. A rideshare passenger literally has no control over whether their driver speeds or is being careful while switching lanes or making turns.

Another serious concern involved with getting into a car with a stranger is whether they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Most rideshare drivers are usually sober, but there is always the possibility that a driver could be under the influence. 

Rideshare companies have several safety requirements in place, which will be further discussed below. For starters, drivers must have a clean driving record. However, this does not necessarily mean that an individual has never driven while under the influence. Horror stories of rideshare drivers getting drunk before or during shifts are all too common.

The threat of sexual assault is another well documented, legitmate fear. Female passengers, in particular, are at a heightened risk of being subject to inappropriate sexual behavior. Unfortunately, there have been several instances where a rider has been sexually assaulted, or in the worst cases, raped.

If you were a victim of an Uber or Lyft related incident, our experienced team of Beverly Hills rideshare attorneys at West Coast Trial Lawyers will help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. With our track record of recovering more than $1 billion in settlements for our clients, we are confident that we will deliver a good outcome to your case.

To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation at our Beverly Hills personal injury law firm, please contact our 24/7 legal team by calling  (310) 919-5962 or emailing [email protected].

How Safe Is Uber, Really? 

From 2017 to 2018, there were reportedly 58 deaths from car accidents during Uber trips in the United States. Broken down by percentages, 21 percent of these fatalities were Uber drivers, 21 percent were riders, and 40 percent were pedestrians. Moreover, 90 percent of Uber-related fatal crashes occurred in urban areas.

Uber, for example, has their drivers undergo a background check. These background checks are run by a third-party and Uber is then informed about the results. Uber typically runs background checks annually, but they can request one whenever they deem it necessary. Drivers must be clear of felony convictions, violent crimes, or sexual offenses. However, Uber may choose to hire certain non-violent felons, but it depends on the circumstances and the nature of the crime.

In order to be as thorough as possible, Uber will look into:

• Federal courthouse records
• County courthouse records for every county of residence in the past seven years
• Social security traces
• The multi-state criminal database
• Motor vehicle records
• National sex offender registry

In addition to a background check, drivers must meet the following requirements:

• Three traffic incidents or less in the past three years
• No speeding violations in the last three years
• One year of U.S licensing history
• No DUI’s or dangerous driving charges. California residents must not have a DUI in the past 10 years

Suing for an Uber or Lyft Accident

Liability in an Uber or Lyft accident is generally determined the same way that liability is determined in most personal injury claims. This means that a driver, individual, or group who caused you to suffer injuries will typically be held responsible for your losses and any resulting damages. However, you must have suffered injuries and your injuries must have been caused by negligence. When it comes to Uber or Lyft related accidents, negligence can include any number of careless or reckless behaviors.

Examples of Uber or Lyft driver negligence may include, but are not limited to, speeding, texting while driving, driving under the influence, disobeying traffic signals or laws, and more.

Negligent behavior is against the law, because all drivers, including Uber and Lyft drivers, have a duty of care while behind the wheel. In other words, ridesharing drivers are legally bound to use reasonable care while operating a vehicle. They must also be mindful of pedestrians and road conditions and follow all traffic laws.

If you were injured in an accident because of an Uber or Lyft driver’s negligence, you must be able to show that their negligence directly caused your injuries. However, if you were driving your own vehicle and were hit by an Uber or Lyft driver, please be aware that there are special circumstances at play. If the rideshare driver was not logged into the app when he or she hit you, the accident will be treated like a normal car accident. But if the driver was logged into the app when the accident occurred, then their commercial insurance policy will go into effect.

We strongly recommend speaking with an experienced Beverly Hills Uber and Lyft accident attorney if you have been involved in any type of accident with a rideshare service.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you have sustained injuries in an Uber or Lyft related accident as a result of someone’s negligence or deliberate acts of malice, you have the right to hold the guilty party responsible for your losses. A Beverly Hills Uber and Lyft accident attorney at West Coast Trial Lawyers will help you recover compensation for the losses you have suffered, including your medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Call us today at (310) 919-5962 or email [email protected] to schedule a free consultation with our experienced, caring, and compassionate legal team.