A rideshare crash can upend life in seconds—medical bills, missed work, and an insurance maze that depends on whether the driver was “online,” had accepted a trip, or had you in the car. In Stockton, those collisions often cluster on congested streets and areas such as around UOP, Lincoln Center/Sherwood Place, Stockton Arena, and SCK. If you or a loved one have been involved in a rideshare accident, you may be eligible to file a claim and recover compensation for your damages.
At Frank Penney Injury Lawyers, our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers are prepared to take on your case and fight for your rights. With over 25 years of experience representing clients from all walks of life, our team of attorneys understand the complexities of rideshare accident claims and are committed to get you the justice you deserve.
From day one, our team builds cases the right way from reserving Uber/Lyft trip data and telematics to securing traffic and storefront video before it’s overwritten to even coordinating care with local providers while we deal with the insurers. No matter what kind of claim you may have, our team of attorneys are confident that they can provide your case the utmost care and respect that it deserves.
Call us today at 888-888-0566 or by filling out our online contact form for a free case consultation.
Are Rideshare Drivers Employees or Independent Contractors?
In California, Uber and Lyft drivers are classified as independent contractors under Proposition 22. The California Supreme Court upheld Prop 22 on July 25, 2024, which means drivers remain as contractors (with certain app-based benefits) rather than employees. For injury victims, the practical takeaway is that your claim will typically proceed against the insurance coverage triggered by the driver’s app status and any at-fault motorists, not through employment law.
Common Causes of Stockton Rideshare Accidents
When it comes to determining the most common causes of rideshare accidents, they are very similar to most car accidents. However, Stockton’s traffic mix of interchanges, busy retail corridors, event nights downtown, and short-hop airport runs creates a number of conditions for preventable rideshare crashes. As such, if there are any doubts for the cause of the rideshare accident, it is recommended to consult with a skilled attorney.
Speeding
For many rideshare drivers, a speedy and convenient service equates to bigger tips and higher ratings, which is crucial to make profits as a rideshare driver. As tight schedules, dynamic pricing, and “stacked” ride requests can overwhelm some drivers, they may resort to speeding on streets like March Lane, Pacific Avenue, and the CA-4 connectors especially during late-night and weekend demand spikes.
No matter what their justification is, speeding is an unlawful act and according to a speeding report from the National Safety Council, around 29% of all car accidents were due to speeding and is currently one of the leading causes of car accidents in the country. As a variety of injuries and fatalities can occur from speeding accidents, rideshare drivers who are guilty of it, will be held liable for all damages in the event of an accident.
Distracted Driving
Navigation prompts, in-app pings, and passenger messaging are constant for Uber and Lyft drivers. As distracted driving is a huge cause of auto accidents even simple acts such as glancing down to accept a ride, confirm a route, or change a pickup point pulls eyes off the road can potentially cause a catastrophic accident. Should rideshare drivers look at their phone right where traffic is densest like arena exits, shopping center driveways, and hotel loops, they can be held liable for damages.
Drowsy Driving
Without a doubt, one of most common causes of rideshare accidents, drowsy driving is when fatigue affects a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle and make proper decisions. Considering how many rideshare drivers are working late shifts, with multiple apps and services, and are generally on the road, they are highly susceptible to causing drowsy driving accidents.
A Drowsy Driving report from the NHTSA reported that in 2017 alone, nearly 91,000 police-reported crashes have involved drowsy drivers and believe that there are still many that go unreported. As Stockton has long stretches of road, fatigued drivers can easily fall asleep and cause an accident with devastating consequences.
How Liability is Determined in Stockton Rideshare Accidents
Liability in rideshare cases is very notorious in the legal space due to the issue of determining which insurance company is responsible for covering the damages in the event of an accident. As rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have third-party insurance policies for their fleet of independent contractors, but in the event of an accident, the rideshare driver’s personal auto insurance and Uber/Lyft insurance policy often conflict with one another to try and get the other to pay for damages.
There are however, three scenarios that define which insurance provider is responsible for the type of damages. The first instance is if the rideshare driver was involved in an accident when their app wasn’t on. In those cases, the driver’s own personal auto insurance will be responsible for damages.
However, if the app was on and the driver was either waiting for a passenger or on route, then Uber/Lyft’s insurance coverage would be in effect. Depending on circumstances, your attorney may also pursue claims against: the rideshare driver (negligence), other at-fault motorists, a public entity for a dangerous roadway (e.g., obscured sightlines, potholes, failed signal timing), or a property owner for a hazardous pickup zone.
Time Limits of Stockton Uber and Lyft Accident Claims
To many people’s surprise, Uber and Lyft accident claims have the same statute of limitations as personal injury claims in California. Under California Civil Code 335.1, if an accident victim has been injured or if someone has perished in the event of the accident, they have two years from the date of the incident to file a claim and recover compensation.
If they do not file a claim within that timeframe, they will automatically waive their right to recover compensation. As this deadline can be unforgiving, it is vital to start your claim as soon as possible, because depending on the nature of the accident, some evidence may be harder to obtain than others.
Why Hiring a Local Stockton Rideshare Attorney is Vital
As previously mentioned, rideshare accidents are notoriously complex due to the issue of trying to determine liability amongst those responsible. By hiring a local attorney to represent your case, you will not only not be forced to deal with the legal complexities of liability and insurance coverages on your own, but your attorney will handle every legal aspect of your case while you can focus on recovering.
From filing motions to organizing paperwork to negotiating on your behalf, an experienced attorney will fight for your rights and ensure every legal motion is properly filed and secure of your chances of recovering compensation. While you can file a claim on your own, it is generally discouraged especially if you are not familiar with the legal process, because there are a number of things that can go wrong and it could ultimately affect your chances of getting the compensation you deserve.
Contact Frank Penney Injury Lawyers Today
If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash anywhere in Stockton, you may be eligible to file a claim and recover compensation for your damages. Whether it is downtown near the Arena and waterfront or on the way to SCK Frank Penney Injury Lawyers is here to help. With over 25 years of experience representing clients from all walks of life, our team of personal injury lawyers understand the nuances of rideshare policies and are committed to help you with your claim.
We’ll secure the trip data, sort out coverage, coordinate your care, and build a case for the maximum compensation the law allows. No matter what kind of claim you have, our 24/7 legal team will be there to give you the legal guidance and support that you need.
We operate on a contingency fee basis meaning, you do not pay us anything until you win! Call us today at 888-888-0566 or by filling out our online contact form for a free case consultation.