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When you are in a crash with another motor vehicle, you and the other driver use each other’s insurance policies to resolve your losses. The role insurance plays is less clear, however, in an accident involving transportation network companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft.
The insurance policy requirements for Uber drivers in Thousand Oaks are meant to protect you as a passenger if you are hurt in a collision. Still, filing a claim to recover compensation could be a complicated process, and a lawyer from Ardalan & Associates can help you navigate the system. Having an experienced attorney by your side could ensure that the insurance policies meet your needs.
There are usually three parties in a rideshare accident: the rideshare driver, their passenger, and the other driver. Figuring out which insurance policy to use can become complicated because it often depends on who is hurt and which period the rideshare driver is in at the time of the collision.
All rideshare drivers must carry their own personal car insurance to cover them and other drivers when they are offline (when they are not logged into the app and are not offering rides).
During Period 1, the TNC driver is online and available for a ride but has not yet accepted one. If they are in a crash during that period, the driver’s TNC insurance or the TNC’s own insurance could cover some of the costs. California requires TNCs to ensure Period 1 insurance coverage by either: (1) verifying that the driver maintains TNC insurance, or (2) providing TNC insurance if the driver lacks coverage.
In Period 2, the online driver has accepted a ride and is en route to pick up the passenger, and Period 3 is from the time the rider enters the vehicle to the moment they exit. California requires TNCs to provide liability insurance that covers their drivers and riders in accidents that occur during Periods 2 and 3. The state also directs TNCs to include uninsured/underinsured coverage during these two periods.
These coverage mandates apply to all TNC companies and motorists in Thousand Oaks, regardless of the type of ride they provide, such as an UberX. A knowledgeable attorney can help injured victims understand which situation applies to them.
For their personal insurance policies, rideshare drivers must have the same minimum coverage limits as other drivers, as stated in the California Vehicle Code § 16056. Additional coverage is necessary because many insurance companies limit their liability if the vehicle’s use is for commercial purposes. This is where the TNC’s policy takes effect.
In the state, the minimum limits depend on the rideshare driver’s period. For Period 1, TNCs must maintain, or ensure that their driver maintains, the following coverage:
For Periods 2 and 3, the companies must have $1 million in primary commercial insurance, plus $1 million for uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage for accidents occurring in Period 3. Rideshare drivers in Thousand Oaks have their own policies and their companies’ minimum protections available for those who have been hurt in an accident.
Being in a car accident is stressful, and rideshare crashes have added challenges. The legal team at Ardalan & Associates knows the insurance policy requirements for Uber drivers in Thousand Oaks and could provide you with guidance through the process.
Having a devoted lawyer handle your claim is one less matter for you to worry about. Contact Ardalan & Associates for a free consultation with our team.
