Los Angeles Lyft Accident Attorney

After an accident with a Lyft driver, victims need help from attorneys who understand the complications of California law as it relates to ride-sharing. Whether you were a passenger during the accident or a Lyft driver struck your own vehicle, negligence on the part of ride-share drivers shouldn’t cause you to suffer. Discuss your personal injury case with the team at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP to discover if Lyft owes you compensation for your injuries after a motor vehicle accident.

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What to Do After a Lyft Accident in Los Angeles?

After any California car accident, move your car to a safe area – if possible. Then call the police to make a report of the incident. Check for any medical issues for yourself, passengers, or anyone else involved with the accident. If you feel okay, be sure to schedule an appointment with a physician as soon after the incident as possible to ensure there aren’t any latent injuries. If you discover that your injuries are significant, you may be due compensation for the damages incurred during the accident.

When you get into an accident in a Lyft ride, Lyft’s “Trust and Safety Team” will contact you shortly after to open an accident report. Be aware that their main goal is to limit the amount they pay for your injuries and anything you say to Lyft representatives could impact your future claim. To ensure fair compensation, consult with a Los Angeles ride sharing accident lawyer before you agree to any terms.

Who is liable in a Car Accident with a Lyft Driver?

If you have been involved in an accident with a Lyft driver, the lawsuit does not immediately go to the company. There is the matter of determining who was liable – the driver or the company. The company considers drivers to be independent contractors, so the rideshare service is not automatically liable for any accidents and determining who is responsible for compensation can be confusing.

In many states, including California, liability depends largely on whether the driver was logged into the rideshare app. From a technical perspective, the driver is liable if he or she were involved in an accident while not logged onto the app. In California, rideshare drivers must have personal insurance policies with liability and uninsured motorist coverage that amounts to at least $50,000 for each person and $100,000 for each accident.

If the accident occurs when the driver is logged into the app but has not accepted a ride, the company will assume only a certain amount of liability coverage. Lyft has policies of $50,000 for injuries, $25,000 for property, and $100,000 total. They will only pay the amount that the driver’s personal insurance does not cover.

Who is liable if your Lyft Driver gets in a Car Accident?

If the driver is on their way to pick up someone or has a passenger in the car, Lyft claims liability. They have both liability coverage and uninsured motorist coverage that each amount to one million dollars. This protects you as a passenger if you are riding a Lyft and your driver gets into an accident that causes you injuries.

In California, the lawsuit shifts slightly if you were a passenger and the Lyft driver was not the one at fault. You would file a lawsuit with the driver who is at fault before going to Lyft directly.

Lyft is likely to do all that they can to avoid paying liability insurance in an accident. They tend to aggressively combat claims, pushing liability onto the driver to avoid big payouts. They see their companies as a way to organize rides, removing them from responsibility for the rides themselves.

What damages can you recover in a Lyft Accident in Los Angeles?

• Pain and Suffering
• Loss of earning capacity
• Loss of a normal life
• Property Damages
• Disability or disfigurement
• Past and future medical bills
• Emotional Distress

Legal Help After an Accident with a Lyft Driver

The laws surrounding ride-sharing accidents are still in their infancy, but the Los Angeles car accident attorney team at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP aren’t new to these incidents. Our team has been paying attention to how the courts are treating these cases. Our up-to-date knowledge gives victims in Lyft car collisions the best chance at fair compensation for lost time at work, medical bills, and other financial losses they suffer as a result of a car accident.

Speak with one of our attorneys today in Los Angeles for a free consultation. (310) 477-1700