FAQs About Lyft & Uber Accidents Involving Bicyclists
Though collisions between motor vehicles and bicycles aren’t exceptionally common, it’s understandable that the prospect of involvement in such an accident is worrisome. These crashes carry the potential for catastrophic injuries and even death. When a driver is negligent and using their personal vehicle for personal purposes, liability is usually straightforward. However, when a driver isn’t just another driver – operating for a rideshare company such as Uber or Lyft, for example – who’s to blame and who pays? If you or a loved one were injured in a bike-on-rideshare accident, contact a skilled car or bicycle accident attorney to see if you’re entitled to compensation.
Who Was Negligent?
When dealing with bicycle crashes involving rideshare vehicles, the negotiations with insurance companies will always focus on which parties were negligent and how much so. The insurer that ultimately compensates you depends on allocation of fault between a cyclist, the rideshare driver, or even the Uber or Lyft passenger!
Self-driving rideshare vehicles, dooring incidents, and failing to notice a bike lane is open can all present complex liability and legal issues. Because these crashes can be very complicated and require the analysis and testimony of experts to determine what happened, who’s to blame, and how much liability the parties bear, it’s important to speak to an experienced car or bicycle accident attorney a soon as possible.
Who’s Responsible for Paying for My Injuries?
In a perfect world, Uber or Lyft’s insurance company will pay; they insure their drivers on the job, and mandate drivers also carry their own car insurance. However, in some cases, the insurer may argue they’re not liable for your injuries. Depending on the driver’s status in rideshare cycles, who pays varies.
- Off-Duty – If the driver isn’t logged in to their rideshare app and available for hire, Uber or Lyft’s company insurance won’t apply. The driver’s personal auto insurance policy must cover any liability the driver incurred due to their negligent, injury-causing actions behind the wheel.
- Available – If the driver is logged into their Uber or Lyft app and can be hired by a customer, the company’s auto insurance policy will cover up to $50,000 bodily injury coverage per person, up to $100,000 in liability for total injuries per crash the driver causes, and $25,000 in property damage the driver caused. The driver’s injuries and damage to their vehicle, however, aren’t covered.
- En Route to Pick Up Passenger – Once the driver is hired and is en route to the passenger for pickup, the rideshare company’s liability insurance coverage rises to $1 million.
- Passenger Picked Up and En Route to Destination – Once the driver picks up the passenger and is en route to their destination, the rideshare company’s elevated insurance policy applies. That policy covers $1 million in liability and $1 million worth of bodily injuries. The rideshare company’s insurer must also cover driver vehicle damage, but only if the driver also has their own personal collision or comprehensive insurance coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage is also provided while the driver is en route to the passenger’s destination with them in the vehicle.
Contact a Los Angels Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one were hurt in an accident involving Uber or Lyft and a bicyclist, contact the skilled Beverly Hills personal injury attorneys at Daneshrad Law today. Alan Daneshrad is the Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyer you want fighting for you. He has spent years fighting for victims like you to recover maximum possible compensation for your injuries. We understand the headaches of dealing with large companies and insurers when you’ve just suffered major trauma, and we’ll deliver comprehensive representation and the best possible results from your unfortunate accident. The initial review is free, and you pay nothing until we win your case. Let us answer your questions and look out for your best interests starting right now.
