If you or a loved one were injured in a Lyft accident in California, turn to the skilled Los Angeles personal injury firm MI ABOGADO ®. We will fight relentlessly to hold any and all parties at fault accountable for their actions and we will help you recover the maximum possible settlement for your losses. You deserve to see justice for your injuries.
The California-based rideshare company Lyft is one of the biggest names in rideshare services, with a market value of over $3 billion. As more and more people turn to ridesharing services, Lyft is assuming a bigger position in the market. Rideshare services like Lyft are growing in popularity, and Lyft was estimated to have nearly 19 million active users in 2021.
Lyft prides itself on offering many safety features, including protecting passenger and driver information, the ability to track your journey, and the ability to share your location and ride information with family and friends. However, when it comes to accidents involving Lyft vehicles, the care for the safety and the company’s support ends there. The company has strict policies, and a team of investigators, experts, and lawyers who will look for any reason not to pay injured riders, drivers, and third parties a just settlement for their losses following an accident.
Litigating car accident claims involving Lyft rides adds a new layer of complexity to an already difficult-to-navigate area of law. On top of the usual parties – drivers, passengers, and insurance companies – there’s now the added pressure of a multi-billion-dollar corporation to contend with, who is very reluctant to part with even a penny of its vast profits. If you or a loved one have been involved in a Lyft accident, it’s imperative you seek aggressive representation from a skilled personal injury lawyer.
How Lyft Accidents Differ from Traditional Car Accidents
In order to maximize profits, minimize oversight and responsibility for their drivers, and deflect liability, Lyft, like many other rideshare operators, classes their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. Moreover, Lyft drivers don’t receive any formal training for driving, just a sexual harassment seminar, and just about anyone with a driver’s license and a reactively clean driving record can drive for Lyft. Lyft only requires that their drivers:
- Be of a certain age, which varies from 21 to 25 depending on the region
- Own or rent a vehicle that has four doors and 5-8 seatbelts
- One year of licensed driving for residents of certain states, including California, and otherwise no requirement
- A current and valid driver’s license
- Valid vehicle registration
- A current and valid insurance policy
Beyond that, Lyft runs a basic background and driving history check, and the individual can start driving for Lyft as an independent contractor. Lyft also has no requirements for vehicle inspection and maintenance. There are no drug tests, and the drivers are not fingerprinted.
By employing carefully crafted language buried deep in their terms and conditions, Lyft keeps liability coverage to a minimum for both riders and drivers using their services. They will fight hard to part with as little money as they can get away with. While it is possible to recover significant settlements from Lyft, your chances are much higher with the help of a skilled personal injury attorney with experience handling similar cases.
The primary sources of funds for recovery come from the Lyft driver’s personal car insurance policy and Lyft’s insurance policy. If the driver was not connected to Lyft when the accident took place, the driver’s personal car insurance is the only source of coverage. If the driver is on the app but doesn’t have a passenger in the vehicle, Lyft provides the legal minimum of $200,000 in liability insurance. If the driver has a rideshare passenger in the vehicle at the time of the accident, Lyft provides the mandatory minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance.
Common Rideshare Accident Injuries
Just like any car accident, Lyft accidents can result in catastrophic, even fatal injuries, with the potential for lifelong complications, disabilities, and disfigurement. Lyft riders who don’t wear a seatbelt are even more susceptible to severe injuries. MI ABOGADO ® has a vast and comprehensive network of trusted medical professionals, and we can help ensure you receive the highest quality of medical care.
The injuries that most commonly occur as a result of a Lyft accident include:
- Lacerations, scrapes, and cuts
- Bruising
- Broken bones
- Chest injuries, including rib fractures
- Internal injuries
- Leg and knee injuries
- Neck and shoulder injuries, such as whiplash
- Back and spinal cord injuries, sometimes resulting in paralysis
- Head injuries, including skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries
- Loss of limbs or extremities
- Disfigurement
- Permanent disabilities and impairments
- Wrongful death
- Emotional harms such as PTSD
How MI ABOGADO ® Can Help You with Your Rideshare Accident Claim
At MI ABOGADO ®, our team believes that, following a Lyft accident, nothing should come before or interfere with your recovery. Recovering, and caring for a loved one while they recover, is a full-time job. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to provide comprehensive services, from assistance securing medical care to signing and dating your final settlement offer. We will fight aggressively for the maximum possible settlement and we’ll be by your side from start to finish, not letting a single detail or document slip through the cracks. Let us handle your case so you can turn your valuable energy and time to what matters most: your health, your family, and your future. We’ll handle everything else.
We begin our comprehensive personal injury services with an exhaustive investigation of the accident, so we can any and all parties at fault so we can hold them accountable for their actions. From there, we will gather evidence, interview witnesses, and consult expert witnesses, using every available piece of information to construct the strongest possible case for recovery. We will explore every possible avenue to strengthen your case and thereby increase your settlement.
Contact Our Skilled Los Angeles Lyft Accident Attorney Today
Our team understands that following injuries resulting from a devastating Lyft accident, with medical bills piling high and lost wages weighing heavily on you, it would be a burden to pay for attorney’s fees. That’s why we don’t take a single dollar from our clients’ pockets. Simply put, we don’t get paid unless you do. We will not take from you unless we win a settlement for you. There are absolutely no upfront fees.
We serve clients from our home office in Los Angeles, but we are prepared to take cases across the state of California. We have a broad network of medical professionals you can trust and employ sophisticated technology, allowing us to effectively represent clients from San Diego to San Jose.
Contact us today. We offer free, confidential, no-obligation consultations and second opinions. Let us get started fighting so you can see justice for your losses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I am involved in a Lyft accident?
If you are involved in a Lyft accident, whether as a passenger, driver, or another party, follow these steps:
- Ensure your safety and the safety of others by moving to a safe location, if possible.
- Call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance for any injuries.
- Obtain contact and insurance information from all involved drivers, including the Lyft driver.
- Document the scene by taking photographs of the vehicles, damage, road conditions, and any relevant factors.
- Obtain contact information from any witnesses.
- Seek medical attention, even if you believe your injuries are minor, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
- Report the accident to Lyft through the app.
- Consult with a Lyft accident attorney to discuss your legal options and potential compensation.
Who is responsible for my injuries and damages in a Lyft accident?
Responsibility for your injuries and damages in a Lyft accident can vary depending on the circumstances. Potentially responsible parties may include:
- The Lyft driver
- Other drivers involved in the accident
- Lyft itself, in some cases (e.g., if the company failed to properly vet the driver)
- Vehicle manufacturers, if a defect contributed to the accident
An experienced Lyft accident attorney can help you determine the responsible parties and build a strong case for compensation.
Does Lyft provide insurance coverage for accidents?
Yes, Lyft provides insurance coverage for accidents involving their drivers. However, the coverage varies depending on the driver’s status at the time of the accident:
- If the Lyft driver is not logged into the app or not actively seeking a ride, their personal auto insurance coverage applies.
- If the Lyft driver is logged into the app and actively seeking a ride but has not accepted a ride request, Lyft provides limited liability coverage.
- If the Lyft driver has accepted a ride request or is transporting a passenger, Lyft provides up to $1 million in liability coverage, as well as additional coverage for underinsured or uninsured motorists.
Can I file a lawsuit against Lyft for my accident?
In some cases, you may be able to file a lawsuit against Lyft for your accident. If the company’s negligence contributed to the accident, such as by failing to properly vet or train their drivers, you might have grounds for a lawsuit. However, determining liability can be complex, and it is essential to consult with a Lyft accident attorney who can evaluate your case and guide you through the legal process.
Can I still pursue compensation if the Lyft driver was at fault but did not have adequate insurance?
If the Lyft driver was at fault but did not have adequate insurance, you might still be able to pursue compensation through Lyft’s insurance coverage. As mentioned earlier, Lyft provides up to $1 million in liability coverage for accidents involving their drivers who have accepted a ride request or are transporting a passenger. Additionally, Lyft offers coverage for underinsured or uninsured motorists in such situations.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a Lyft accident?
In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. This means you have two years to file a lawsuit after a Lyft accident. However, it is crucial to consult with a Lyft accident attorney as soon as possible to ensure you meet all necessary deadlines and preserve evidence that can support your case.