Lyft and Rideshare Accidents in California
Our Los Angeles rideshare accident attorneys help victims recover compensation
Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have changed the way people get around Los Angeles. Where once you had to wait to hail a cab or use public transportation, now you can open an app and have your own personal driver come to you, usually within minutes.
For all of their convenience, ridesharing services also contribute to the number of accidents on our roadways. Lyft drivers get into accidents just like anyone else, often leaving their passengers and other motorists severely injured. Fortunately, in many cases, victims can recover compensation for their accident-related injuries. If you have recently been hurt in an accident involving a Lyft driver, call an experienced Los Angeles Lyft accident lawyer at Blair & Ramirez LLP as soon as you can.
What happens if you get in an accident with Lyft?
If you have been in an accident involving a Lyft vehicle, it is understandable to be confused and concerned about what to do and what will happen. First of all, it is important to take certain steps to protect your rights. The most important of these include identifying the people involved in your accident, seeking medical attention, and speaking to a lawyer. While every claim is different, most car accident cases follow a similar path—even when they involve a Lyft driver and vehicle. Some of the steps that will likely occur in your case include:
- Consulting with an attorney and having them review your claim
- Filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company
- Conducting settlement negotiations with the insurer
- If no settlement can be reached, filing a lawsuit
- If no settlement can be reached while your claim is pending, taking your case to trial
An experienced Los Angeles Lyft accident attorney will try to resolve your claim as efficiently as possible, without settling for less than you deserve. If the insurance company refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer, your personal injury attorney should not hesitate to take your case to trial and fight for just compensation.
Who is liable if your Lyft driver gets in a car accident?
It can seem like a confusing situation when a ridesharing driver gets into an accident. In reality, it is not much different than any other car accident involving only private parties.
If your Lyft driver caused the accident through his or her negligence and you are injured, Lyft will likely be liable for any damages involved. That said, if you are in another car and a Lyft driver causes your accident, the liable party will depend on whether he or she had an active ride at the time of the accident.
In the event that you are a Lyft passenger and another driver causes an accident, you will likely file a claim against that other driver’s insurance, just as you would if you had been driving yourself. Because of these potentially complicated scenarios, the best way to determine who may be liable for your accident is to discuss your case with an experienced Lyft accident attorney in Los Angeles.
What damages can you recover in a Lyft accident?
Calculating your damages is a highly critical and complex part of the Lyft insurance claim process, and you want the assistance of an accident lawyer in Los Angeles. Under California law, people who are injured in car crashes can recover compensation for both their economic and non-economic damages. These often include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Property damage
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Lost quality of life
As an accident victim, never take the insurance company’s damages assessment or settlement offer at face value. Do not assume it is a fair offer made in good faith. Insurers profit by paying out as little as possible on every claim they receive. You should always talk to a lawyer before accepting a settlement offer.
Does Lyft cover accidents?
In California, rideshare companies are required to provide additional insurance coverage once a driver has been paired with a passenger. This means that if a driver is on the way to pick up an accepted ride or has a passenger in the vehicle, Lyft provides $1 million in insurance coverage for injured accident victims. Victims can be Lyft passengers or people in other vehicles. If you are in another vehicle and a Lyft driver hits you without an active ride, Lyft will not cover the accident.
Can you sue Lyft for an accident?
Whether you can file an injury lawsuit against Lyft depends on the details of the situation. As mentioned above, Lyft is only liable if a driver has paired with a passenger or has a passenger in the car. Generally speaking, you can file a lawsuit against Lyft in the following situations:
- If you are a Lyft passenger and the Lyft driver causes the accident
- If you are in another vehicle hit by a Lyft driver, and the driver has an active ride
Our attorneys can review the exact details and parameters of your situation and advise you on whether or not you have the right to sue Lyft to recover damages.
Should I contact an attorney for a Lyft accident?
Liability for a Lyft accident can be confusing, and there might be multiple insurance claims needed for you to fully recover for your losses. It is always important to contact the right lawyer who can assess your rights and help you through every step of the process. This not only ensures that you will receive the compensation you deserve, but that you will not feel the stress of the legal process, allowing you to focus on your treatment and physical recovery.