Stockton Rideshare Accident Lawyers

Only Pay Us If We Win Your Case

We understand how stressful and overwhelming it can be trying to pay off medical bills, dealing with legal paperwork, and healing as much as you can.

That’s why we at Thompson Law work on a contingency fee basis. That means we provide all our services without you having to pay a fee upfront. In fact, you don’t pay us at all unless we win your case. That way, you don’t have to think about additional financial stress until we help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

When you work with our team of rideshare accident lawyers, you don’t have to worry about the financial risk. We only ask for a small cut of your final claim or settlement, and that happens in the latter part of any case. So, instead of stressing even more about payments, you can focus on healing and leave the legal processes to us.

How Our Rideshare Accident Lawyers in Stockton Maximize Your Compensation

Insurance providers are notorious for tactics like lowballing their initial offer and downplaying your injuries. That’s why it’s never advisable to speak about the rideshare accident in detail with these adjusters without your legal counsel present. Better yet, if you get a call from Uber’s or Lyft’s insurance company, tell them to speak to your lawyer, who can liaise on your behalf.

Our Stockton rideshare accident lawyers can watch out for insurance adjusters trying to shortchange you and give you a minimal payout. We’ll handle all communication with them and negotiate on the payout so you don’t have to.

To help you get the maximum payout possible, we’ll identify all sources of insurance coverage you’re eligible to make a claim against. That includes the rideshare insurance policy and that of third-party drivers found to be at fault for the road crash.

Then, we calculate how much you are owed in damages. We’ll account for expenses you’ve shouldered, like medical bills and lost wages, and non-economic damages that have impacted your life, such as pain and suffering. We’ll fight tirelessly and aggressively to make sure you don’t have to settle for an amount lower than what you deserve.

How Is Liability Determined in an Uber or Lyft Accident?

Most, if not all, rideshare accidents are caused by one party’s negligent actions, whether it’s a driver who was distractedly looking at his phone while driving or another motorist violating traffic regulations. Our team of Stockton rideshare accident lawyers gathers all available evidence and pieces together the details of the accident to determine who is liable for the accident, and therefore, your injuries.

In court, we establish who was at fault for the accident in these four steps:

1. Duty of care:  We establish that the other party owed you a certain degree of care. This is easy because traffic laws mandate that every motorist should exercise a high level of care to keep everyone else on the road safe, from pedestrians to other vehicles.
2. Breach of duty:  We show evidence that the at-fault party breached their duty to show care. Proof of this can include surveillance footage, police reports, witness statements, and more.
3. Causation:  We then demonstrate that these negligent actions directly contributed to your injuries or property damage.
4. Damages:  Finally, we show proof of the damages you’ve incurred, whether it’s medical bills, lost wages, loss of quality of life, pain and suffering, or anything else you’ve had to shoulder. This allows us to calculate how much you are owed and demand maximum compensation on your behalf.

Proposition 22: The California Law That Protects Uber and Lyft from Lawsuits

In 2020, California voters passed a law that is now known as Proposition 22. Under this local law, rideshare app drivers are officially classified as independent contractors, not employees of Uber, Lyft, or any other transport network vehicle service.

This might sound like a minute detail in a rideshare app’s operations, but it dramatically changes who becomes liable for rideshare accidents. Because drivers aren’t technically employed by rideshare companies, the latter can’t be sued for negligence. Instead, if a victim is injured during an Uber or Lyft ride wishes to make a claim or file a lawsuit, they must do it against the driver as an entity separate from the rideshare company they drive for.

At the end of the day, this local law benefits big corporations like Uber and Lyft the most by shielding them from responsibility in rideshare accidents. With Proposition 22 in play, it’s even more important to have an experienced Stockton rideshare accident lawyer in your corner as you make a personal injury claim. Our lawyers know how to navigate complex laws and insurance policies to make sure you get the highest compensation possible, even in cases where liability is difficult to pinpoint.

Do Uber and Lyft Have Insurance for Injured Passengers?

Yes, they do. One way Proposition 22 protects drivers and passengers is that it also requires rideshare companies operating within Stockton and other cities in California to have insurance policies that can cover injuries during rides.

Uber’s and Lyft’s comprehensive insurance policies are quite similar and can be broken down into three specific phases:

• Driver is offline:  If the driver is offline on the app when the accident occurs, their personal auto insurance covers damages and injuries. That means if you get injured as a passenger during this phase, you’re not covered by the rideshare app’s insurance policy yet. You must file a claim against the at-fault party, whether it’s the Uber or Lyft driver or another motorist on the road.
• Driver is online and available for a trip:  If you’re a driver waiting to accept a ride on the app and an accident occurs, Uber’s and Lyft’s third-party liability insurance can apply. They can cover up to $50,000 per person and a total of $100,000 per accident for injuries, and a total of $25,000 for property damage per accident.
• In the middle of your ride:  Uber and Lyft cover up to $1,000,000 in damages, whether for injuries or property damage, for accidents that happen during the ride, if the driver is at fault. These companies can also provide certain amounts for hit-and-run incidents or accidents where an uninsured or underinsured third-party driver is at fault.

Not sure how much you should demand from Uber’s or Lyft’s insurance policy after an accident? Our lawyers can help you calculate the damages you incurred and demand only fair compensation. Want to know how much you can potentially obtain from these insurance policies based on your case’s unique circumstances? Book a FREE CASE REVIEW with us today.

What Should I Do Right After a Rideshare Accident?

It’s natural to feel anxious and shaken up right after getting into a car accident while in a rideshare. However, it’s important to jump into action immediately to protect both your physical health and legal rights. Here’s what you should do in the aftermath of a rideshare accident:

1. Do a self-check on your body to see if you have any injuries
2. Check on everyone around you for any injuries, whether it’s the driver, another passenger, or the third parties involved
3. Call 911 to get first responders to the scene, including paramedics and the police
4. Seek medical attention right away, even if you don’t see any wounds or obvious signs of injury, just to rule everything out
5. Gather as much evidence as you can, whether it’s photos and videos of the vehicles and your injuries, or statements from witnesses around the area who saw the road crash transpire
6. Don’t apologize or admit fault, as this can be held against you by the insurance company later
7. Contact a trusted lawyer who can talk you through your legal options and protect your rights as you pursue justice and fair compensation

What’s the Time Limit to File a Rideshare Accident Claim in Stockton?

In Stockton and throughout California, there’s a specific deadline for filing a personal injury claim following a rideshare accident. This is called the statute of limitations, and it sits at two years after the date of the accident. That means if you file a claim after the two-year mark, you could lose your rights to seek out compensatory damages.

Of course, there are a few situations where this deadline isn’t followed. If you are suing a government entity (for example, the City of Stockton for poor road conditions that caused the accident), you only have six months to do so. Meanwhile, if the injured party is a minor at the time of the accident, the statute of limitations can be “paused” until they are of legal age.

It’s always best to file a claim as soon as you can after a rideshare accident. That way, a lot of the evidence is still readily available and preserved should you need it to support your claim or case in court. To make sure you don’t miss any important legal deadlines, hire a dedicated legal team that will stay on top of all legal paperwork while you rest and recover.

Busy Stockton Landmarks to be Extra Cautious At

Aside from bustling streets and intersections, there are also specific landmarks with heavy traffic you should always be wary of when in a rideshare. These Stockton landmarks attract plenty of locals and tourists alike, making them hotspots not only for Ubers and Lyfts, but also for road accidents. Here are some of the busiest areas in Stockton to watch out for:

• University of the Pacific:  A private university where thousands of students, faculty, and locals drive through and around on a daily basis.
• Banner Island Ballpark:  A 5,200-seater baseball stadium on the Stockton waterfront that can get crowded during game days.
• Adventist Health Arena:  This indoor arena is home to the Stockton Kings of the NBA. It seats up to 12,000 fans, which means the traffic in the area is heavy when sporting events, concerts, and other shows are held there.
• Haggin Museum:  Tourists and locals might flock to this arts and culture hotspot when there are exhibits and shows.

Our Rideshare Accident Lawyers Won’t Back Down Until You Get Fair Compensation

If you’ve been injured in an accident while in an Uber or Lyft, you deserve a legal team that will advocate for your rights, whether it’s against a rideshare company’s insurance provider or the driver at fault for your injuries. Our Stockton rideshare accident lawyers at Thompson Law know how to negotiate with insurers to get you maximum compensation. And if the other party can’t propose a fair settlement, we won’t be afraid to hold them accountable in the court of law.

Moving forward from your accident doesn’t mean having to go through it alone. We’re ready to support you in every step of the battle. Demand the justice you deserve with our team on your side. See how we can help you get compensated properly for your injuries when you book a FREE CASE REVIEW with our team!

FAQs About Rideshare Accidents in Stockton

How much compensation can I get after a rideshare accident?

The amount you can potentially get from a personal injury claim after a rideshare accident depends on the severity of your injuries. Those with minor injuries will get a lower amount than those with major injuries, permanent disabilities, or death. However, unlike other settlements, Uber and Lyft cap their insurance per accident at $1,000,000, which you may have to share with other victims involved in the crash.

What if the other driver (not the rideshare driver) was at fault?

If a third-party driver is liable for the accident, our lawyers can still help you pursue a claim against that motorist’s insurance. There’s also a chance that Uber’s or Lyft’s insurance can cover a part of your damages, depending on your case. Having a lawyer on your side ensures that you get compensation from every source available, so you don’t have to cover expenses from injuries caused by someone else’s negligence on the road.

Do I need a lawyer for a rideshare accident claim if my injuries were minor?

Yes, it’s still beneficial to get a lawyer even if you only sustained minor injuries from a rideshare crash. Minor injuries may seem harmless at first, but can develop into serious conditions later on. It’s better to have a lawyer review and document your case to make sure you get proper compensation as your injuries materialize.