The Top 5 Things to Do After Suffering a Rideshare Injury in California
Understanding Rideshare Injury & Accidents
Ridesharing, powered by rideshare apps, is not just a passing trend – it’s a permanent part of our transportation landscape. With a projected global market value of around USD$185 billion in the next four years, ridesharing is set to continue growing. However, this popularity may bring new challenges, especially when it comes to accidents on California roads.
Common Causes
Accidents involving rideshare vehicles often result from factors like speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, and fatigue. Moreover, distracted driving in particular, is a significant issue! For example, with drivers being occupied by tasks like using GPS, checking their app, looking for passengers, or talking to passengers.
Types of Accidents
People injured in California rideshare accidents can include passengers, drivers or passengers in other vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and even rideshare drivers themselves.
In this article, we’ll focus on what to do if you’re a passenger in a rideshare vehicle involved in a crash.
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident
- Safety First: If you can safely exit the vehicle, find a visible spot to wait for help.
- Call the Police: Don’t assume someone else has called; take the initiative to report the accident.
- Contact the Rideshare Company: Talk to someone from the rideshare company about the accident while you’re still at the scene.
- Gather Information: Collect the driver’s details, including name, contact information, and insurance information. Also, get names and contacts of any witnesses.
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel okay, it’s crucial to seek medical help. This is important for your well-being and any future claims you may make.
Insurance Coverage in a Rideshare Injury
Rideshare drivers in California are required to have insurance coverage providing at least $15,000 for injury/death to one person, $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person, and $5,000 for property damage. Additionally, rideshare companies also provide additional coverage during specific periods:
- Period 1: When the app is activated but no passenger is in the car. Additional coverage applies if the driver’s personal insurance falls short.
- Period 2 and 3: When the app is activated and there’s a passenger in the vehicle. The rideshare company’s $1 million insurance policy covers both driver and passenger.
Seeking Legal Help
If you are injured in a California rideshare crash, it’s essential to contact a knowledgeable rideshare injury lawyer promptly. More importantly, the experienced attorneys at VBV Law Group can assess your situation, helping you determine if you have a viable case and guiding you through the process of seeking compensation.
Schedule a free consultation with VBV Law Group’s dedicated personal injury attorneys today, either by calling us or using our online contact page.