California Lyft Accident Lawyers
Lyft Accident Attorneys in California Committed to Helping Injured Victims Recover Compensation
Like Uber, Lyft has become a major player in the transportation industry. It provides millions of rides every year. With numbers like these, it is inevitable that some Lyft drivers will become involved in auto accidents. Injury victims of these accidents have the right to compensation whether the Lyft driver was at fault or not. The experienced California Lyft accident attorneys at Deldar Legal have helped many accident victims protect their legal right to compensation after a Lyft accident. We work with clients throughout California, from San Francisco to Los Angeles and everywhere else in the state. Schedule your free consultation today by calling (844) 335-3271.
Who Pays for a Lyft Accident?
The person who is at fault for causing an accident has the legal obligation to compensate victims who are injured in that accident. This is why insurance companies begin the claims process by determining who caused the accident. Liability can be apportioned between two (or more) drivers. It can also be assigned to a third party whose actions contributed to the accident. For example, if an accident was caused by defective brakes, the auto manufacturer might be found liable for causing the accident. The manufacturer would then be responsible for compensating all victims of that accident for their injuries. (This is why auto manufacturers pay for costly recalls rather than incur the expense of being sued for auto accidents.)
Lyft, too, is a company that could be found liable for an auto accident. This is a relatively new legal issue: because rideshare companies have only existed for the last decade or so, there is not yet clear case law that defines when they are liable for accidents caused by their drivers. Various state legislatures have considered amending state statutes to address this issue. Further complicating the issue is the fact that rideshare drivers are designated as independent contractors. This means that Lyft may not be held vicariously liable for the negligence of its drivers the way it would be for the negligence of employees. But Lyft can still face direct liability for its own negligent actions – for example, hiring a driver with a DUI conviction, or allowing a driver to continue offering rides after being involved in multiple accidents. These complicated legal issues can jeopardize an injury victim’s right to compensation after a Lyft accident. A San Jose Lyft accident lawyer can help protect your legal rights throughout the claims process.
What Happens After a Lyft Accident?
Like any other auto accident, the claims process starts by exchanging insurance information. Police officers on the scene will help facilitate this process. The injury victims will then open claims with the insurance company. Because more than one driver or company may be involved, it might be necessary to open claims with more than one insurance company. A Riverside Lyft accident attorney can open claims on your behalf, so you do not have the hassle of dealing with an adverse claims adjuster.
Once the claims are opened, each insurance company will conduct its own investigation to determine who was at fault for causing the accident. Sometimes this is as simple as reading a police report. Other times, the company will send an adjuster to take photographs of the vehicle or location where the crash took place. Sometimes they will even hire expert analysts and crash re constructionists to try to prove that their driver was not at fault. An insurance company that believes its insured party is not at fault will not make any settlement offer. This is why it is important for injury victims to be represented by an experienced personal injury attorney who knows how to prove liability.
After an insurance company accepts liability for the accident, it will assign a claims adjuster to determine the value of your claim. The adjusters work with software that automatically generates a settlement offer based upon the amount of your medical bills. It is an objective, statistical process that has no consideration for your particular situation. Here, too, it is important to be presented by a Lyft accident lawyer who can prove the true value of your losses. Pain and suffering, the loss of enjoyment of life, hobbies you can no longer engage in, and other daily challenges are all compensable losses.
What Insurance Coverage is Available to Lyft Accident Victims?
California state law requires every driver to carry liability insurance that covers up to $15,000 per injury victim and $30,000 per accident. Lyft requires its drivers to carry their own individual insurance policies that meet this legal standard. But Lyft also carries supplemental insurance that can compensate victims for injuries sustained by a Lyft driver who was online. The amount of coverage depends on what phase of ridesharing the driver was in at the time of the accident. If the driver was offline and not available for rides, then no Lyft coverage will apply, and victims must use the driver’s personal insurance coverage. Once the driver turns on the app and is available to accept fares, insurance coverage is determined by what the driver was doing:
The app is on, and the driver is waiting for a ride request.
Lyft provides limited liability coverage in this period. The insurance covers $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injuries. It also covers up to $25,000 of property damage.
The driver is en route to pick up a passenger.
At this point, the full value of Lyft’s insurance is available. It covers up to $1,000,000 per accident. This is a supplemental policy which is only available once the driver’s personal policy has been exhausted.
A passenger is in the vehicle.
The full coverage limits ($1,000,000 per accident) are also available during this period. Lyft is generally the most willing to settle claims that occur in this period, as there is no question whether the driver was waiting for a fare or en route. Lyft is also eager to compensate injured customers to prevent negative publicity.
Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a California Lyft Accident Attorney
As you can see, a Lyft accident can present many complicated legal issues. Don’t face the insurance company alone. Call Deldar Legal at (844) 335-3271 or contact us online. Our experienced Lyft accident lawyers represent injury victims in Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Jose, and throughout the state of California. We fight hard to protect your legal right to compensation. Insurance companies have a legal obligation to compensate you fully and fairly for all the losses you have sustained as a result of your injuries. We hold them accountable and protect that legal right.
Posted in: Uber & Lyft