If you suffered an accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft, you have the right to seek compensation that covers the cost of your injuries and damages. However, in the state of California, it can take longer than six months to settle a rideshare accident case, even if you have a strong evidence. This puts a lot of hardship on accident victims, who may be struggling to pay their bills while they’re out of work nursing their injuries.

A rideshare accident claim can be settled a bit quicker if your injuries were minor, or you did not suffer much damage to your personal property. Some rideshare accident claims can be processed in as short as three months. If you only missed a few days from work and you can provide evidence of the cost of your damages and injuries, there is not much room to dispute the amount in your settlement, In these cases, the rideshare’s insurance company will likely present you with a fair settlement in a reasonable time frame.

But the settlement negotiation process takes far longer when dealing with Ubers and Lyfts over regular cars, as these vehicles are not considered commercial vehicles and are not subjected to the same governmental oversight. When you file a rideshare accident claim, there is a lot of negotiation back and forth between your insurance company, the insurance of the driver who caused the accident, the rideshare company, and the rideshare driver, which can all take quite some time to iron out.

If you suffered particularly debilitating injuries or your accident was especially severe, the rideshare accident claim can take even longer to process. Rideshare companies have a bottom line, and often try to pay out the least amount of money possible to accident victims. It can take quite some time to settle a rideshare accident, so it is best to contact a lawyer right away to get a head start on the process. The sooner you call a lawyer, the sooner you can get the compensation you need.

Why Do Uber And Lyft Accidents Take So Long To Settle?

Rideshare companies use smartphone apps to connect freelance drivers, who use their own personal vehicles, to transport passengers to their desired destinations. This is typically called “gig employment” where the traditional employer-employee relationship does not exist. Because of this complex nature, rideshare accident cases can take a longer time to settle than other cases, as the rideshare company does not typically hold full liability for the accident.

Negligence is the most common basis for personal injury claims. The basis for liability under negligence stems from an individual’s failures to behave with the level of care that someone of ordinary prudence would have exercised under the same circumstances. In these cases, liability falls on the rideshare driver, not the company. If your rideshare driver was driving recklessly, the liability will fall onto them, but the rideshare company will still be involved in the lawsuit to a certain degree.

Commercial transportation vehicles, such as taxis, must be covered through strict state policies governed by their state and must possess the proper licensing by the state and some city municipalities. Since laws have been created that regulate the way app-based rideshare companies are insured, vehicles used by Uber and Lyft are not considered commercial vehicles and are not subjected to the same requirements and governmental oversight. This creates a relatively new and unprecedented category of car accident law, which includes many different parties that can slow down the process of awarding you a settlement.

Insurance companies are notorious for waiting as long as possible to process a rideshare accident claim. They often wait until the very last minute to offer you a compensation package, with the hope that you will be hard-pressed for the money and will accept a small dollar amount. This is another reason your Uber accident settlement is taking so long. Don’t settle for less than you deserve, and contact a lawyer to ensure you’re properly represented throughout the entire process. You shouldn’t have to stand up to big insurance companies all on your own.

What Happens If My Rideshare Accident Settlement Isn’t Enough Money?

As mentioned before, rideshare companies and their insurance providers will always try to pay out the least possible amount of money in a settlement. They also wait until the last minute to offer the compensation, in hopes that you’ll accept a small settlement just to get any amount of financial relief.

At The Accident Network Law Group, our team of attorneys understand how hard it is to be waiting on settlement money, and how frustrating it is to receive a settlement that does not sufficiently cover the full scope of what you suffered. If your rideshare accident settlement is not enough money, your lawyer will help you renegotiate the dollar amount to ensure you get what you deserve.

It can be hard standing up to big insurance companies by yourself, and getting in touch with the right people when you need to is never easy. That’s why our attorneys are committed to helping rideshare accident victims in California recover the amount of compensation they deserve, and we’ll stop at nothing to make sure you get it – even if that means renegotiating.

If you are dissatisfied with your rideshare accident settlement, call one of our attorneys today and schedule a free consultation. At The Accident Network Law Group, we will address your initial questions and concerns, and help you begin the process of renegotiating your settlement together.

How Much Does It Cost To Get A Second Opinion From A Rideshare Accident Lawyer?

At The Accident Network Law Group, we never charge for an initial consultation. It’s free to talk to us and have your initial concerns addressed. Even if you went to another lawyer first, we’ll be happy to provide you with a second opinion free of charge.

If you are waiting too long for an Uber or Lyft accident settlement, or you are worried your settlement might not be enough compensation, call our lawyers right away. We will give you the legal guidance you need to come out on top and get your life back on track after your rideshare accident.

To schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with The Accident Network Law Group, call our Riverside or Costa Mesa law office at (951) 291-0976 or send us an email at info@accidentnetwork.com.