Rideshare Law Office helps accident victims in California. Whether you’re a passenger or driving your own car, meeting an Uber, Lyft, or some other rideshare option on the road in California is now more common than a taxi. Even still, the laws that are in place for rideshare vehicles are largely based on taxis. Our lawyers can help you understand these laws and what you can do if you’re in an accident. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Are Ubers More Common Than Taxis?
Obviously, seeing an Uber or Lyft is now much more common than it was several years ago. Basically, rideshares have totally upended taxicabs in terms of providing transportation for people in California. According to internal data from Uber, there were:
- 150 million monthly active users in 2023.
Compare that to data on classic taxicab services, which according to California Employment Development Department (EDD) data had 4,167,300 employees as of 2020.
Given this data, it’s pretty clear that there’s much more Uber and other rideshare users than there are taxis, especially in California. But outside of this data, the more people that are using Rideshares or taxis means more cars on the road. That equates to potential accidents and legal options.
Do Rideshares Have to Follow the Same Laws as Taxis in California?
Because they’re so similar, rideshare services (legally called Transportation Network Companies, or TNCs) and taxis fall under the same legal framework in terms of the traffic laws they have to follow. Not surprisingly, passenger safety is at the forefront of this framework. But at the same time, there’s a few differences between the two when it comes to regulations and other laws:
- Licensing and regulation – Taxis are regulated locally, with drivers needing permits or licenses from the city or county they’re in. Rideshares are regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and don’t require local permits. Drivers need only meet the requirements set by the rideshare company and CPUC.
- Pricing – Taxis use a regulated fare system with their meters. Rideshares use “dynamic pricing,” which can change based on factors like demand, length, and location.
- Background checks – Rideshare companies conduct driver background checks, including criminal and driving history. Taxi companies may also conduct checks but often have different requirements based on local regulations.
- Accessibility requirements – Taxis are often required to include wheelchair-accessible vehicles in their fleets. Rideshares are held to a lower standard, but many have programs like Uber WAV (wheelchair accessible vehicles) to take care of this.
Both rideshares and taxis can face penalties for breaking regulations. But for you, the passenger, it’s important to remember that you have options when you’re involved in an accident with either a rideshare or a taxi.
How Can You Strengthen Your Claim After a Rideshare or Taxi Accident?
As a passenger in either a rideshare or taxi, you have virtually no control over what your driver does. Unfortunately, this ultimately means you have no control when there’s an accident. With that said, though, you can take steps to protect yourself and strengthen your injury claim after the accident:
- Call 911 – Move away from traffic, check for injuries, and call 911 to report the accident. This should dispatch an ambulance to the scene, as well as the local police.
- Tell the company – Use the app or contact the taxi service to report the accident. Inform your insurance provider, too.
- Start getting evidence – Take pictures and videos of the scene, the vehicles, and any injuries.
- Exchange information – Exchange insurance details and get contact information for the driver and witnesses.
Even though you’re not at fault, having a strong claim is crucial to your legal options. The stronger claim you have, the more you can get in damages.
How Can Rideshare Law Office Help You After an Accident?
While you’re not required to hire a lawyer for an injury claim in California, rideshare or taxi accidents can be more complicated than your typical car accidents. Having our California team on your side can make the process much easier for you. Here’s how:
- Clear guidance – We explain your rights and options in plain, simple terms.
- Determining liability – We help figure out who’s at fault and handle the tricky insurance details.
- Gathering key evidence – We take the lead on collecting important documents and details from either the rideshare company or taxi company, which can be hard to get on your own.
- Negotiating for you – We deal directly with insurance companies to fight for a fair result.
Our goal is to make the process as smooth as possible so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. Legal challenges shouldn’t add to your burden. Plus, we work on a contingency-fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything upfront. Contact us today for a free consultation.
