Sacramento Uber Accident Lawyer

Uber has become increasingly popular as it has become such a convenient form of transportation. Rather than hustling to find parking in the city or finding the designated driver for the night, people can order an Uber. There are many advantages to taking an Uber rather than driving yourself or taking other forms of transportation. However, Uber drivers are still people, and people can make mistakes. Unfortunately, mistakes on the road lead to accidents which can leave people with severe injuries.

If you’ve been injured in an Uber accident, the best thing to do is contact a Sacramento Uber accident lawyer. A Sacramento attorney can help you determine the best course of action to pursue compensation and get you the justice you deserve.

Top 5 Leading Causes of Sacramento Uber Accidents

Rideshare drivers do their best to get riders safely to their destination, but accidents happen to even the most careful and experienced drivers. The five leading causes of Uber accidents are:

Distracted Driving

One of the leading causes of rideshare accidents is distracted driving. Rideshare drivers have numerous distractions, such as:

Noisy passengers
Rude passengers
App notifications
Calls
Texts
GPS instructions

Uber drivers need to focus on the road but are often distracted by various parts of their job.

Fatigued Drivers

Uber drivers make their money by transporting as many passengers as possible. However, this kind of setup can lead to drivers taking risks that place them, their passengers, and others on the road in danger. Many Uber drivers use Uber as an additional source of income, meaning they work late into the night or early in the morning to make as much money as possible. This behavior, although understandable, is dangerous and can lead to preventable accidents.

Speeding

Another dangerous behavior that many drivers partake in is speeding. The quicker Uber drivers can pick up and drop off their passengers, the more money they can make. However, speeding is among the leading causes of accidents. Speeding places drivers and passengers at risk.

Tailgating

Tailgating, the act of driving too closely behind another vehicle, is another common unsafe behavior, especially during peak traffic hours. When a driver is too close to another vehicle, it doesn’t leave them much room to react or stop in time to avoid an accident.

Impaired Driving

Alcohol and drug use significantly impairs a driver’s ability to drive safely and their ability to react to situations. If drivers don’t have the cognitive skills to respond to road signs and other drivers, the result is likely an accident.

Who Is Liable After a Sacramento Uber Accident?

People who are injured in an Uber accident can file a personal injury claim against:

The negligent rideshare driver
The driver’s insurance company
The rideshare company

Most personal injury cases are based on a theory of negligence, which means that an individual or entity should have exercised reasonable care to prevent harming another person but failed to do so, causing harm to an individual. In the case of an Uber accident, it can be challenging to determine who is liable for the accident. A Sacramento Uber accident lawyer can determine the best strategy to recover maximum compensation for any injuries you sustained in the accident.

Whether you file a claim with the Uber driver, Uber, or another motor vehicle driver, you may be able to recover financial compensation for the following damages:

Medical bills and medical expenses
Lost wages
Lost earning capacity
Property damage
Pain and suffering

It’s important to note that Uber tends to avoid liability for accidents by classifying its drivers as independent contractors. However, under California’s Assembly Bill 5, Uber is now required to reclassify their drivers as employees rather than independent contractors, meaning that people hurt in Uber accidents can now file a claim against Uber, not just the Uber driver.

When Can You File a Claim Against Uber in Sacramento?

If you are in an Uber accident, you can file a claim with Uber’s insurance or the personal insurance policy of the Uber driver. To know where to file your claim, it’s essential to under the different periods Uber uses to break down an Uber driver’s time. There are four periods that Uber accounts for in which an accident can occur.

Period 0

Period 0 is the time before the Uber driver is logged into their app. The driver has not yet begun their “shift” during this period and is not looking for customers. This time is their own, meaning if they get into an accident, they could be liable for damages, but Uber is not.

Period 1

Period 1 is in effect while the driver has logged into their Uber app but has not located or found a customer to transport. Since they are logged into their Uber app, they are now commercial drivers operating their vehicles for commercial purposes. An injured person must first file an insurance claim with the driver’s personal insurance and then Uber.

Periods 2 & 3

Period 2 is when a driver has accepted a customer but has not picked them up yet. Period 3 begins when a customer is picked up and ends the moment the customer is dropped off. During these periods, a person can file a claim with Uber, but only after filing a claim with the driver’s personal insurance. Uber offers $1 million in liability insurance only if the driver insurance doesn’t cover or offer enough coverage for the victim’s damages.

Contact Karns & Karns to Speak With a Skilled Sacramento Uber Accident Lawyer

An accident can be a traumatic and debilitating experience that leaves people with no source of income but ongoing expenses. At Karns & Karns, we are here to help victims harmed by another person’s negligence. With over 65 years of combined experience, we know that tackling insurance claims or even pursuing legal action can be a lot to manage on top of recovery, which is why we work tirelessly to help ensure you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.

If you’ve been injured in an Uber accident and don’t know where to file your claim, our Sacramento Uber accident lawyer is here to help. Schedule a consultation at (888) 381-8044 or fill out our contact form.

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