Costa Mesa Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Local Rideshare Accident Attorney in Costa Mesa, CA
Whether you take an Uber or Lyft down the Costa Mesa Freeway to visit the beach or just a short trip across town for an errand, it is important to acknowledge that you are just as likely to experience an accident in a rideshare as you would be in any other vehicle. However, these accidents often raise more complex legal issues, so you need to consult a Costa Mesa rideshare accident lawyer as soon as possible to help with your recovery.
Representing Rideshare Accident Victims in Costa Mesa, CA
The attorneys of Bentley & More LLP have years of proven experience helping injured accident victims recover in Costa Mesa and the surrounding communities of Orange County. If you or a family member was recently injured in an accident, we can determine your most viable legal options for recovering compensation, and we’re confident we will be able to help you reach a favorable outcome in your case.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, there were 685 victims injured or killed in vehicle accidents in Costa Mesa in 2023. It’s widely disputed whether rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have increased or decreased traffic accident rates throughout the US. If you use one of these services, you must remember your driver is not a trained professional; they are an ordinary person driving for work.
Resolving the legal aftermath of a rideshare accident can be challenging in several ways. While you will need to prove fault for the accident as you would in most other cases, dealing with insurance can be especially difficult when a rideshare driver is liable for your accident. You need to hire a rideshare accident lawyer, as having an experienced personal injury attorney with proven experience handling these cases significantly increases your chances of securing compensation for your damages.
Building a Rideshare Accident Case in Costa Mesa
In California, fault determines liability for the damages resulting from a vehicle accident. This means that when you believe another driver caused your recent accident, you must prove fault before you can claim compensation for your damages. Liability could fall on the driver of your rideshare vehicle, or the driver of another vehicle could be responsible. It is also possible for multiple parties to share fault for the accident.
Your Costa Mesa rideshare accident attorney can secure the evidence needed to prove liability for your rideshare accident. This evidence may include police reports, witness statements, photos of the accident scene, vehicle computer data, cell phone records, and in some cases, documentation from the rideshare company. Some evidence will not be obtainable for long, so you need to hire a rideshare accident lawyer right away to help you build your case.
Claiming Compensation for a Rideshare Accident
Auto insurance is typically an injured accident victim’s first option for recovering compensation for their damages after an accident. California law requires every driver to have an auto insurance policy that meets minimum coverage requirements for bodily injury liability coverage and property damage coverage. Rideshare companies require drivers to meet these insurance requirements, but these companies are also required to have their own commercial insurance.
After your Costa Mesa rideshare accident lawyer helps you prove fault for your recent accident, they will explain the steps you will need to take to recover compensation for your damages from available insurance coverage. You may be able to claim compensation from the at-fault driver’s policy, but the rideshare company’s insurance could also come into play depending on the details of your accident.
Both Uber and Lyft have equivalent insurance policies in California. If a rideshare driver is not logged into their driver app, their personal insurance applies if they cause an accident. Once they pick up a passenger, the first level of coverage applies, and then the second level of coverage takes effect once they pick up a passenger and lasts until the driver delivers the passenger to their destination. This second tier can provide up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage.
Your Costa Mesa rideshare accident lawyer can help you determine which insurance applies to your accident and assist you with filing your claim. Most insurance companies try to settle injury claims for as little as possible, so it’s a good idea to hire a rideshare accident lawyer before an insurance claim adjuster can devalue or deny your claim. You are more likely to receive a fair settlement offer if an insurer sees that you have legal representation.
If you must file a personal injury case to recover your losses, successfully establishing liability for the accident can enable you to secure compensation for the economic and non-economic damages you suffered. In most personal injury cases, economic damages include medical bills, lost wages, lost future earning capacity, and property damage. Non-economic damages include physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma.
An experienced Costa Mesa rideshare accident lawyer is an essential resource if you believe that another party is responsible for causing your recent rideshare accident. Your attorney can gather the evidence needed to prove fault, accurately assess your damages, and then guide you through your interactions with insurance companies. You have a short time to build your case, so it’s vital to connect with experienced legal counsel as soon as possible after your accident.
Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Costa Mesa Today
The attorneys at Bentley & More LLP have years of experience representing clients in Costa Mesa and throughout Orange County in a wide range of accident cases. We know the unique legal challenges that rideshare accident cases can present and how to help our clients overcome them. You can trust our team to gather crucial evidence, meet the procedural deadlines for filing your case, and guide you through your proceedings as efficiently as possible.
You have a short time to pursue accountability for your rideshare accident in Costa Mesa, and your economic damages can quickly compound into a very difficult financial situation for you and your family. The team at Bentley & More LLP is ready to help with your case, so contact us today and schedule your free consultation with an experienced Costa Mesa rideshare accident lawyer.
About Costa Mesa, CA
Costa Mesa is home to the OC Fair & Event Center, a beloved venue drawing millions of visitors yearly for concerts and community events. However, as rideshare use has grown, rideshare accident claims have become a bigger share of the city’s 685 annual traffic injury and fatality total. In response, the state now requires Uber and Lyft to carry at least $1 million in liability coverage and pass driver background checks. Even so, Costa Mesa remains a lively, welcoming city to call a ride.
Client Testimonials
“I can’t thank Bentley & More enough, especially Steve. After my dad’s passing in a car accident, they secured a settlement we are so grateful for. From the start, they made sure we were taken care of, handling everything so we didn’t have to worry. Steve went above and beyond, always there when we needed support, and it was such a relief knowing we were in good hands. If you’re looking for a firm that truly cares, Bentley & More is the one. Highly recommend them!” – Kevin Jimenez ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bentley & More LLP Office
Address: 4931 Birch Street Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone: (949) 870-3800
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