Lyft Accident Lawyer California

Our Lyft accident attorneys at Shouse Law Group help victims injured by negligent rideshare drivers in California. We fight for the maximum settlement possible by going after the driver and Lyft itself, which has near-bottomless pockets.

Here are five key things to know about our Lyft accident lawyers and the lawsuits we bring:

1. As long as the Lyft driver was picking up or driving passengers at the time of your crash, Lyft’s million dollar insurance coverage applies.
2. Other parties we sue include the Lyft car manufacturer (if it was defective) and the city (if poor roads or signage played a role).
3. We pair you with doctors who work on a lien-basis so you pay nothing while the case is pending.
4. Damages we pursue include compensation for medical bills, lost wages, lost earning capacity, property damage, and pain and suffering.
5. If your family died in a Lyft accident, our wrongful death lawsuits also pursue compensation for burial expenses and loss of support.

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

• 1. How common are Lyft accidents?
• 2. Who are the 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?

1. How common are Lyft accidents?

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.

2. Who are the defendants in Lyft accident cases?

If you are injured in a vehicle accident involving ridesharing vehicles, you 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, Lyft and Uber traditionally try to avoid liability in these cases with the disclaimer that their drivers are independent contractors as opposed to employees. Though the law remains in a state of flux as these cases work through the courts.²

Depending on the case, there may be additional third parties we can sue such as the Lyft car manufacturer, other involved drivers, and the local government.

2.1. Liability insurance coverage minimums

It is important to be familiar with the insurance coverage and insurance requirements that apply to Lyft accident claims.

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

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

In contrast, 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

2.2. Potential damages in the event of an accident

If you were injured in a Lyft accident, you may be eligible for financial compensation for your:

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

Further, if your family member was killed in a Lyft accident, you may have standing to 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.

3. How does compensation work in these cases?

Anyone injured in an accident caused – or partly caused – by a Lyft driver 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

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

Our personal injury lawyers step right in and interview you to assess your medical needs and to learn the facts of the case. We then assist you in managing your ongoing medical treatment.

We also investigate the cause and circumstances of an accident and help you gather critical evidence regarding the Lyft driver’s negligence. If necessary, we hire experts to help in interpreting this evidence or creating new sources of proof.

If you decide to file a personal injury claim, we send a demand letter to the negligent party and attempt to negotiate a settlement with their insurance adjuster. Then if necessary, we file a lawsuit on your behalf.

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

While you are busy healing from your injuries, you can rest assured our Lyft accident lawyers are fighting for the biggest possible settlement from every at-fault party in your case.

We can also find hidden value in these cases to increase your financial recovery. Meanwhile, we handle every aspect of the legal process so you can concentrate on moving on from the trauma of the accident.

Our case evaluation is free of charge, so you get all your questions answered upfront without spending a dime. Plus you never pay us unless we win, so our lawsuits are entirely risk-free.

Note that our communications are protected by the attorney-client relationship. This means we do not disclose client information to a third party unless you agree.

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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