Calling an Uber on New Year’s Eve

By Renee Nordstrand on December 29, 2016

New Year’s Eve is often a night when people indulge themselves with food and alcoholic drinks. Often times people who have consumed alcohol think that they can drive safely, which often leads to dangerous situations for all. We absolutely discourage drinking and driving. Instead, please consider other designated driver options for your safe return home.

Designated Driver Options in Santa Barbara

Drunk driving should never be an option; having a designated driver is a great option. There are several ways to obtain one:

1. Make a plan. Those people who don’t drink alcohol should offer to be the designated driver. If this is not an option, identify a who will be drinking and who will be the designated non-drinking driver and be sure that everyone agrees with and stays with the plan.
2. Stay the night. Some people prefer to celebrate at a hotel or somewhere they can sleep and not worry about having to drive home.
3. Hire professionals. There are professional chauffeur services that will drive your car such as www.dryver.com, ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft, and traditional taxicabs.

Ridesharing and Liability

Assume that you chose option 3 above and hired a ridesharing company such as Uber to get you home safely. If the Uber driver is in an accident while you are in the car who is responsible if you are injured? Who pays?

In California, Uber and other third party rideshare companies are required to provide insurance to their drivers to cover the costs of property damage and cover passengers in the vehicle for personal injuries or death.

In Case of an Accident

No one plans for an accident, but being prepared is a smart choice for everyone on New Year’s Eve. If you are injured in an accident, it is important that you first seek and obtain professional medical treatment. It is also important to get all identifying information (name, drivers license number, phone number, insurance information) from the at-fault driver, the Uber driver, and any witnesses. Photograph the responsible party’s identification and insurance card, driver’s license plate, accident scene and take photographs of the property damage to all vehicles involved, the location of the vehicles and injuries to passengers. Do not speak to the insurance company when they call you.

The next thing that you should do to preserve your rights is to contact an experienced Santa Barbra car accident injury attorney at NordstrandBlack PC for legal advice and counsel. Call NordstrandBlack PC at (805) 962-2022.