Lyft Accident Lawyer California

Our Lyft accident attorneys help people who have been injured by negligent Lyft drivers. The rise of rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber is associated with a 2-3% increase in the number of fatal accidents and motor vehicle fatalities. This percentage translates into an additional 1,000 fatalities per year. Victims of Lyft accidents, and their family members, deserve fair compensation for their injuries.

Lyft accidents can result in injuries to other motorists, Lyft passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Common injuries in rideshare accidents include head and back injuries, neck injuries, and broken bones.

Lyft accident victims can typically file a lawsuit against the following parties:

• the negligent driver of the Lyft vehicle, and
• Lyft itself.

Our attorneys can file a Lyft accident lawsuit on a victim’s behalf. They can also:

• assist victims in receiving medical attention and managing their ongoing medical care,
• investigate an injury case and gather pertinent evidence, and
• file a personal injury claim with an at-fault party’s insurance company.

The Shouse Law Group is a California based personal injury law firm that represents people injured in Uber/Lyft accidents. We work tirelessly for all our clients and seek to get you the biggest settlement possible.

Our California Uber attorneys will highlight the following in this article:

1. What are common types of Lyft accidents and injuries?

2. Who are common defendants in Lyft accident cases?

3. How does compensation work in these cases?

4. What is the role of a Lyft accident lawyer?

5. What are the benefits of a Lyft accident attorney?

What are common types of Lyft accidents and injuries?

People in California get injured in Lyft-related accidents almost every day.

According to a study conducted by professors at the University of Chicago and Rice University, the rise of ridesharing services like Lyft and Uber is associated with a 2-3% increase in the number of fatal accidents and motor vehicle fatalities. This study translates to about another 1,000 fatalities per year.¹

Common Lyft accidents include:

• Lyft drivers colliding with pedestrians and bicyclists,
• Lyft cars and drivers crashing into other motor vehicles,
• Lyft passengers getting hurt after their driver causes a car accident with another motor vehicle.

Lyft accident cases can result in people suffering from serious injuries. Common injuries in rideshare accidents include:

• head or brain injuries,
• neck injuries,
• concussions,
• broken bones,
• back injuries, and
• lacerations.

Who are common defendants in Lyft accident cases?

People injured in vehicle accidents involving ridesharing vehicles can file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against:

• the negligent rideshare driver,
• the driver’s insurance company, and/or
• the rideshare company.

As to the latter, note that Lyft and Uber traditionally tried to avoid liability in these cases with the disclaimer that their drivers were independent contractors as opposed to employees. But under a recent California law, both companies have to reclassify their drivers as official employees of their business. Now, people hurt in rideshare accidents can attempt to include Uber and Lyft in a personal injury case.²

It is important for injury victims to be familiar with the insurance coverage and insurance requirements that applies in Lyft accident claims.

The minimum amount of liability insurance/liability coverage for a non-rideshare driver is:

• $15,000 in bodily injury liability per person,
• $30,000 in bodily injury liability per accident, and
• $5,000 for property damage.³

But Lyft drivers are required to carry a personal auto insurance policy that covers:

• $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person,
• $100,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident, and
• $25,000 in property damage liability insurance.⁴

Further, Lyft maintains a driver’s insurance policy of $1,000,000 that is available in some cases.⁵

Victims in Lyft and Uber accidents can use the above motorist coverage/insurance coverage to receive financial compensation for:

• medical bills and medical expenses,
• lost wages,
• lost earning capacity,
• property damage, and
• pain and suffering.

Further, if a victim was killed in an Lyft accident, the decedent’s remaining family members can bring a wrongful death suit to try and recover:

• burial and funeral expenses,
• amounts the deceased would have earned as income, and
• compensation for the loss of the deceased’s companionship and support

How does compensation work in these cases?

Many victims hurt in Lyft accidents receive compensation by filing an injury claim with an insurance company. This means that if a Lyft car was in an accident, and either the passenger in the car or the driver of another car was injured in the collision, then the victim can file a claim with either:

• Lyft’s insurer, or
• the personal insurance policy of the Lyft driver.

The answer of which one applies depends on the time of the accident.

When a Lyft driver’s rideshare app is off, the driver’s personal car insurance coverage applies.

When a driver’s app is on, but the driver is waiting for a ride request, Lyft’s insurance policy of $50,000/$100,000/$25,000 coverage applies.⁶

When a driver’s app is on, and the driver is picking up passengers or driving passengers, then Lyft’s $1,000,000 third-party auto liability coverage applies.⁷

What is the role of a Lyft accident lawyer?

Rideshare accident attorneys play a vital role in these cases.

A personal injury lawyer steps right in and interviews accident victims to assess their medical needs and to learn the facts of a case. The lawyer then assists the client in managing his/her ongoing medical treatment.

Lawyers also investigate the cause and circumstances of an accident, and help the victim gather critical evidence regarding a Lyft driver’s negligence. If necessary, the personal injury attorney appoints experts to help in interpreting this evidence or creating new sources of proof.

If a victim decides to file a personal injury claim, his/her lawyer can send a demand letter to the negligent party. This letter notifies the party that the victim intends to file a claim with the party’s insurance company.

The lawyer then files a claim on behalf of his/her client and works with the insurance adjuster to negotiate a settlement.

If an injury claim proves unsuccessful, a car accident attorney can file a lawsuit on the client’s behalf.

What are the benefits of a Lyft accident attorney?

Accident lawyers provide a host of benefits in rideshare cases.

Lawyers understand the fair value of a claim or lawsuit. This means they will hold at-fault parties to pay their fair share of a victim’s damages.

A Lyft attorney can also find hidden value in these cases. By finding additional sources of payment, an attorney helps maximize the compensation that a victim recovers.

Law firms and attorneys also handle the complexities of a case so that victims can take the time to heal.

Most lawyers provide a free case evaluation. A free evaluation means injured parties can get their legal questions answered without spending a dime.

Note that any communications between a lawyer and his/her client are protected by the attorney-client relationship. This means an attorney cannot disclose any client information to a third party unless the client agrees.

For additional help…

If you or a loved one was injured in a Lyft or rideshare accident, we invite you to contact our law firm at the Shouse Law Group. Our rideshare accident lawyers provide both free consultations and legal advice you can trust.

We work tirelessly to get you the maximum compensation available for your case. Our attorneys represent clients throughout California, including those in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and southern California.

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