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Uber Accident Lawyer in San Diego, California
If you depended on an Uber driver and suffered serious injuries in an Uber accident in San Diego, our experienced attorneys are ready to help. Navigating the complexities of liability, insurance claims, and compensation can be overwhelming—our legal team is here to support you through every step.
Your San Diego accident lawyers will work diligently to secure full compensation for your injuries, damages, and related losses resulting from the Uber accident.
Uber Accidents Are Becoming A Serious Problem In San Diego, California
Uber, a rideshare company based in San Francisco, California, was founded in 2009 by Garrett Camp and Travis Kalanick. Over the past decade, it has rapidly grown to dominate the rideshare market, currently holding around 87 percent of the U.S. market share. With more than 111 million monthly active users and over 17 million trips daily, Uber plays a major role in transportation nationwide.
As Uber’s presence expands, so do the number of accidents involving its drivers, raising important questions about liability, insurance coverage, and passenger safety. While Uber provides insurance for drivers, determining responsibility in an accident can be complex, often requiring legal intervention. Injured passengers may need to file claims and potentially pursue litigation to receive fair compensation.
In 2019, Uber generated over $14.1 billion in revenue, despite reporting a net loss of more than $1 billion. The company continues to develop safety protocols and improve regulations, but accidents remain a significant issue affecting many riders and drivers alike.
We Handle Uber Car Accident Cases and We Win.
As Uber’s popularity continues to rise, the number of Uber-related accidents in California is also increasing. While many of these incidents involve Uber passengers, numerous other drivers and pedestrians are frequently injured in Uber car accidents.
At the Levinson Law Group, we represent victims of rideshare accidents throughout California, helping them pursue claims for fair financial compensation after an Uber accident. With over 40 years of combined experience, our dedicated team of injury lawyers has the knowledge, skills, and commitment necessary to advocate effectively for accident victims at every stage of their recovery journey.
San Diego, California Uber Accident Statistics:
Uber currently has approximately four million drivers and 75 million riders worldwide. The company operates across 65 countries and more than 700 cities around the globe.
In 2019, Uber reported an average of 103 million monthly active users, a significant growth from 45 million monthly active users in 2016. On a daily basis, Uber completes around 17 million trips. In 2018 alone, the Uber app was downloaded by 155 million people.
Having completed over 10 billion rides, Uber commands an impressive 87 percent share of the U.S. rideshare market. Furthermore, more than 45 percent of people surveyed say they are “likely” to use a rideshare app for their transportation needs. On Android devices, over 22 percent have the Uber app installed.
California Car Accident Statistics:
The California Office of Traffic Safety maintains comprehensive records of car accidents across the state. According to the most recent data, there were 3,563 fatal car accidents in California, representing an 8.3 percent decline from 2017, which recorded 3,884 fatal crashes. Additionally, 277,160 people sustained injuries in car accidents throughout California.
Uber Eats Accident Statistics:
Uber Eats currently serves 15 million users and controls about 29 percent of the U.S. meal delivery market.
A 2018 study conducted by the University of Chicago and Rice University found that rideshare companies contribute to a 2 to 3 percent increase in total fatal traffic accidents, amounting to as many as 1,100 deaths annually. The study also highlighted that Uber drivers spend 40 to 60 percent of their working time “deadheading,” driving without passengers while waiting for ride requests, which can affect traffic patterns and accident risk.
Common Causes of Uber Accidents in San Diego California
Uber’s growing popularity in recent years is largely due to the valuable service it offers to its customers. In cities where Uber operates, many people can avoid the expense of owning a car or relying on public transportation. Additionally, depending on the circumstances, Uber rides often prove to be more affordable than traditional taxi services. However, using Uber does carry certain risks.
Under California law, anyone injured in a car accident has the right to file a lawsuit against the party or parties responsible for the accident. To prevail in an Uber accident case, an attorney must demonstrate the following:
- The victim sustained injuries in the accident
- The other driver acted negligently
- The negligence was the direct cause of the victim’s injuries
- The vehicle involved met eligibility requirements
- An online screening of the driver’s history and criminal record was conducted
Other Common Causes of Uber Accidents and Rideshare Accidents in San Diego, California
Due to relatively lenient driver requirements for Uber, many accidents in San Diego involving Uber drivers stem from driver inexperience. Other frequent causes of rideshare accidents include:
Traffic Violations
Like all drivers, Uber operators must obey traffic laws and posted signs. However, since Uber drivers often navigate unfamiliar parts of the city, they are more prone to missing signs or committing traffic violations.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the leading causes of fatal accidents nationwide. Since Uber drivers are paid per trip, some may speed to maximize earnings by completing rides faster. This behavior poses serious risks to passengers and other road users.
Drowsy Driving
Uber drivers often work for extended hours, pushing themselves past their physical limits in an effort to earn more. However, studies show that drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving due to the impairments drivers face when fatigued. Although Uber limits drivers to shifts of no more than 12 hours per day, this assumes the driver was well-rested to begin with.
Distracted Driving
Uber drivers rely heavily on in-app GPS navigation. While Uber requires hands-free device use, not all drivers comply. Even hands-free use can be distracting, increasing accident risk.
Passengers are rarely responsible for Uber crashes. Accident victims may be entitled to compensation for injuries sustained. At Levinson Law Group, our experienced attorneys are prepared to help victims seek justice after Uber accidents.
How Uber Insurance Works
California is not a “no-fault” state for car insurance. Traditionally, injured motorists file claims with the at-fault driver’s insurer to recover damages.
Insurance Requirements in California
Every driver in the state must have a minimum level of insurance according to whether or not they are driving for personal or business use. Commercial drivers typically have higher liability insurance than personal vehicles.
For personal passenger vehicles, the minimum insurance is:
- $15,000 in damages for death or injury to any one individual for any single accident,
- $30,000 in damages divided among all people killed or injured in any single accident,
- $5,000 in damages to other vehicles and property
However, rideshare companies like Uber have complicated this process, requiring new insurance regulations to address unique rideshare risks.
The Four Stages of Uber Insurance
California law mandates rideshare companies provide insurance that varies by the stage of the Uber trip:
Period Zero – Driver Offline
When the Uber app is closed or the driver is not accepting rides, Uber’s insurance is inactive. The driver’s personal insurance is primary. If that insurance does not cover the accident or the driver is uninsured, the victim can file an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim with their own insurer if they have such coverage.
Period One – Driver Available, Awaiting Ride Requests
While waiting for ride requests, Uber provides:
- $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident in bodily injury liability
- $30,000 in property damage liability per accident
Period Two – Driver Matched with Rider
When matched to a passenger, Uber’s insurance coverage increases to:
- $1 million in bodily injury coverage
- $1 million in third-party liability coverage
- $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist protection
Period Three – Passenger Pickup and Ride
Coverage remains the same as Period Two from pickup until drop-off:
- $1 million in bodily injury coverage
- $1 million in third-party liability coverage
- $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist protection
Rideshare accidents often involve multiple insurance policies—driver’s, Uber’s, and the victim’s—which can make claims complex. Accident victims in Southern California should consult experienced car accident attorneys for guidance.
Damages in a San Diego Uber Accident
California personal injury law enables accident victims to seek accountability from those whose negligence caused their injuries. Generally, the law recognizes two main categories of damages: compensatory and punitive.
Compensatory damages are intended to restore the victim to the condition they were in before the accident. These damages cover a range of losses including medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other related expenses.
Punitive damages, in contrast, are awarded to punish defendants for particularly reckless or egregious conduct. Beyond compensation, these damages serve as a deterrent to discourage similar behavior in the future.
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages are further categorized into economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages refer to losses that can be quantified with a specific monetary value and typically include:
- Past medical bills: Medical treatments and hospital costs incurred as a result of the accident.
- Future medical expenses: Expected costs for ongoing or future medical care related to the injuries.
- Lost wages: Compensation for income lost during the recovery period following the accident.
- Decrease in future earning capacity: If the injury impacts the victim’s ability to earn income in the future, this reduction is considered.
- Property damage: Costs to repair or replace damaged property, such as vehicles involved in the accident.
- Other out-of-pocket expenses: Additional expenses directly related to the accident, including transportation to medical appointments.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are more subjective and harder to quantify with a precise monetary value. Nevertheless, these damages can be equally or even more important than economic damages in many California car accident cases. Successfully proving non-economic damages often requires an attorney to convey to the jury how the accident has affected the victim’s life. This may include illustrating the physical and emotional pain endured, the strain on personal relationships, or the loss of ability to participate in activities the victim once enjoyed.
Common types of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical discomfort and pain resulting from the injury.
- Emotional distress: Damages for the psychological impact, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder caused by the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensation for the inability to engage in hobbies or activities that previously brought pleasure.
- Disability: Damages for any permanent physical or mental impairments resulting from the injury.
- Disfigurement: Compensation for permanent scars or visible deformities caused by the accident.
- Loss of consortium: Damages awarded for the negative effects the injury has on the victim’s close relationships, especially with a spouse, including loss of companionship, affection, and intimacy.
California’s Negligence Statute Law
When discussing damages in a California Uber accident, it’s essential to consider the state’s comparative negligence law. While some accidents are caused entirely by one party, many involve shared fault among multiple parties. In Uber accidents involving passengers, it’s unlikely the passenger contributed to the crash. However, comparative negligence often applies in collisions involving Uber drivers and other motorists.
Under California’s comparative negligence statute, a victim can recover damages from other responsible parties regardless of their own share of fault. For example, if a victim is found 60 percent responsible for an accident, they can still recover damages from another party who is 40 percent at fault—but the total compensation is reduced by the victim’s percentage of fault.
For instance, if total damages are $300,000 and the jury determines the victim was 30 percent at fault while the Uber driver was 70 percent at fault, the victim would receive $210,000 after the reduction.
Although California’s pure comparative negligence system allows recovery even when the victim bears some fault, minimizing the victim’s responsibility is crucial. Working with an experienced attorney knowledgeable in California car accident laws helps ensure effective case management and maximizes compensation.
Discuss Your Injuries With an Experienced Rideshare Accident Lawyer Near You in San Diego California
If you or a loved one has recently sustained serious injuries in an Uber accident in Southern California or San Diego, contact the dedicated personal injury attorneys at Levinson Law Group for prompt assistance. You may be entitled to significant financial compensation for your injuries.
Our experienced Carlsbad injury lawyers specialize exclusively in auto accidents, providing a distinct advantage over firms handling a broad range of injury claims. We possess deep knowledge of the laws, insurance policies, and regulations unique to rideshare accidents, applying this expertise to every case we handle. With over 40 years of combined experience, our attorneys have successfully helped numerous clients recover full and fair compensation for their injuries, and we are ready to assist you as well.
When you choose Levinson Law Group, you can count on us to guide you through every step of the recovery process. We explain each phase clearly and are always available to answer your questions. To learn more or schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled attorneys, call 760-827-1700 or contact us via our online form. Because we work on a contingency fee basis, there is no financial risk to you—if we don’t recover compensation on your behalf, you owe us nothing.
