Los Angeles
Uber & Lyft Accident Attorney

Accident claims that involve Uber and Lyft can be somewhat more complicated than other auto accidents simply due to the fact that more parties are involved in a ridesharing accident. There’s the ridesharing driver, the ridesharing company, the passenger(s), and any number of outside parties to consider. Then, Uber and Lyft accident claims can be considerably more complicated than other auto accidents due to ridesharing laws and regulations, which are constantly evolving.

Ridesharing companies, also known as transportation network companies, are fairly new. Ridesharing companies provide a new type of service that is unlike traditional driving services, which has allowed them to avoid being subject to the same regulations that govern traditional driving companies. A traditional driving service, such as a taxi or a limousine service, provides people with vehicles for hire and the services of a driver that is employed by their company. Technically, ridesharing companies don’t provide driving services, but instead match drivers that are using their own private vehicles with passengers who are seeking taxi-like transportation. Additionally, according to Uber and Lyft, their drivers are independent contractors, not employees.

In the earlier days of Uber and Lyft, these ridesharing companies were able to operate without insurance and with very few regulations, since they weren’t subject to the same laws and regulations as traditional transportation companies. However, ridesharing companies and the regulations connected to them have been the subject of much scrutiny, reform, and legislation. Several years of legal disputes led to ridesharing companies becoming legally classified as transportation network companies (TNC), a new category of company that is subject to its own unique regulations. To operate in California, TNCs now must get a license from the California Public Utilities Commission, have criminal background checks done on all drivers, have a zero tolerance policy on drugs and alcohol, have a driver training program, and provide at least $1 million per incident insurance coverage.

The legal disputes that led to ridesharing companies being classified as TNCs are far from the only legal disputes these companies have been involved in. A recent notable development in this arena was the passing of California Assembly Bill 5 (AB5), a bill that regulates employee classification. According to the guidelines in AB5, many California workers that have previously been considered independent contractors are actually employees, including rideshare drivers. While Uber and Lyft are fighting this bill and are currently refusing to change their drivers’ independent contractor status, AB5 is in effect regardless. This means that Uber and Lyft drivers could be considered employees of their respective companies in the event of a claim or lawsuit, which could affect the outcome of the case.

The constantly evolving regulations surrounding ridesharing companies is in large part why we recommend that Uber and Lyft accident victims seek legal representation. A California personal injury attorney that specializes in rideshare accident cases can help you understand your rights, whether or not you should file a claim, who could be liable in your accident case, and how much compensation you could be entitled to.