Tustin Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Dedicated Rideshare Accident Attorney in Tustin, CA
Thousands of people in Tustin and throughout Orange County use rideshare services like Uber and Lyft every day. Whether you take an Uber down the I-5 or hire Lyft for a ride across town, it is vital to remember you are just as likely to experience an accident in a rideshare driver’s vehicle as you would be in any other vehicle. A Tustin rideshare accident lawyer can help you navigate the complex legal proceedings that are likely to follow this type of accident.
Representing Rideshare Accident Victims in Tustin, CA
The team at Bentley & More LLP has years of experience helping vehicle accident victims recover in Tustin and the surrounding communities of Orange County. While rideshare accidents typically happen for similar reasons as all other accidents, they tend to raise more difficult legal issues due to the nature of rideshare company insurance and the liability disputes that may be raised. You need a skilled attorney to help you recover.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, a total of 317 people were injured or killed in vehicle accidents in Tustin in 2023. While it’s unclear whether the proliferation of rideshare services like Uber and Lyft has contributed to the number of accidents or reduced them, the reality is that rideshare drivers are not professionally trained; they are ordinary people who drive for work.
Our firm can help you determine who is responsible for your recent accident, and fault will dictate your legal options for recovering your damages. In California, all vehicle accidents are resolved on a fault basis, so it is crucial to prove liability if you intend to claim compensation from another party. The driver of your rideshare vehicle may have been responsible, or the accident may have been the result of another driver’s negligence.
Building a Rideshare Accident Claim in Tustin
Proving liability for your rideshare accident is the first step toward recovering your losses. You will need to identify the party responsible for causing the accident and prove how they caused it. These accidents often result from driver negligence, such as distracted driving, speeding, or moving violations, such as running red lights or stop signs. These accidents can also result from intentional misconduct like drunk driving.
A Tustin personal injury lawyer at Bentley & More LLP can gather evidence that you may not know how to obtain on your own. You may need traffic camera footage, if available, eyewitness statements, physical evidence from the scene of the crash, and police reports to prove how the accident happened. However, you may also need records from a rideshare company when it comes to assessing liability for the accident.
A rideshare company could be liable for an accident if the company contributed to causing the accident in some way. For example, if the company never properly vetted a driver who caused an accident, the company could be held vicariously liable for the resulting damages. Additionally, the timing and other circumstances of the accident dictate whether the rideshare company’s insurance will apply to the accident and compensate the victim.
Both Uber and Lyft have equivalent insurance coverage that works at different tiers based on the timing of an accident. When a rideshare driver is not logged into their driver app and is using their vehicle for personal reasons, their own auto insurance policy would apply if they cause an accident. Once they log in, the first level of the rideshare company’s coverage would apply as third-party liability coverage if the driver causes an accident.
The second level of coverage comes into effect once the rideshare driver picks up a passenger. This level can provide up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage. Your Tustin car accident lawyer at Bentley & More LLP can help you understand how auto insurance applies to your case, help you assess the full extent of your claimable damages, and guide you through all your interactions with insurance carriers following the accident.
Claiming Compensation for Rideshare Accident Damages in Tustin
Most insurance companies will do everything they can to minimize claim payouts, so it’s a good idea to hire a rideshare accident lawyer before attempting to negotiate a settlement with any insurance carrier. Your attorney can make sure you are treated fairly and receive an appropriate settlement offer from the insurance company. They may also help you build a personal injury claim if necessary for your recovery.
The victim of a rideshare accident will likely be eligible to claim compensation for economic and non-economic damages. After proving liability for your rideshare accident, your Tustin rideshare accident attorney can calculate economic losses, which are likely to include medical expenses and lost income. You can claim compensation for the cost of all medical care you need after the accident and for any income you are unable to earn while you recover.
When it comes to non-economic damages, an injured plaintiff has the right to seek compensation for the pain and suffering they experienced. While there is no set formula that a plaintiff must use to calculate pain and suffering compensation in a personal injury case, the amount a plaintiff receives if they succeed with their case generally depends on the overall severity of their injuries and whether they suffered any permanent harm.
Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Tustin Today
While rideshare accidents often occur for the same reasons as other accidents, they tend to present more challenging legal situations for injured victims. You’re likely to have many difficult questions about your recovery options, and you need legal counsel you can trust to guide you through your case successfully.
Bentley & More LLP has an extensive record of successfully resolving some of the most challenging vehicle accident cases in Tustin and throughout Orange County. Once you hire our firm to represent you, our team will immediately begin investigating your case, gathering and preserving the evidence needed to establish fault, and determining your most viable path to recovering your losses.
You have a short time to pursue accountability and compensation for your damages, and Bentley & More LLP is ready to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Tustin rideshare accident lawyer. We look forward to representing you.
About Tustin, California
Historic Old Town Tustin features beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture that provides residents and visitors with a vibrant, welcoming community center. However, rapid regional growth has increased traffic congestion, with official state data recording 317 victims injured or killed in vehicle accidents across Tustin in a single year. In response, local transportation authorities are improving signal timing and road infrastructure along major travel corridors to protect motor vehicle occupants and passengers alike. These proactive initiatives demonstrate Tustin’s dedicated focus on ensuring community-wide safety.
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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