Anaheim Lyft Accident Lawyers
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Anaheim Lyft Accident Lawyers Who Navigate Accident Claims With Experience
If you or a loved one is injured in a rideshare crash, our Anaheim Lyft accident lawyers can help you explore the possibility of pursuing compensation. Contact Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation and learn about your legal rights and options.
Is parking always an issue wherever you go? Using ridesharing services like Lyft can help you avoid dealing with limited parking spaces and expensive fees. However, while Lyft promises safe and convenient rides, they don’t always end well for passengers.
Lyft has become a normal part of life in large cities like Anaheim. It’s accessible to tourists and locals who want a more convenient, affordable, and comfortable way to travel. Countless Lyft drivers prioritize safety above all else, but negligence can still occur, risking passengers and other people on the road.
After a Lyft accident, our Anaheim attorneys can assess whether you can file a claim. If you have questions or concerns about Lyft accidents, our team can address them to help you understand every aspect of your case.
Why Work With Our Anaheim Lyft Accident Lawyers?
Claims involving Lyft can be more complicated than a typical car accident. Our Anaheim Lyft accident lawyers can use our knowledge of California’s rideshare laws to help. We can guide you through the process of filing a claim or lawsuit so you can make informed decisions about what to do after a Lyft accident.
We also help clients handle all the necessary paperwork and communicate with the other parties involved, which may include Lyft, its drivers, or their insurance companies. The at-fault party may refuse to admit fault or adequately cover for their losses, which is where we work to advocate for their interests.
Additionally, our attorneys assist our clients with pursuing fair compensation and prepare to present their interests in court if necessary. If you have any questions about the process, you can always get in touch with us to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation first discussion.
How Can Our Attorneys Support A Lyft Accident Case?
Our Lyft accident lawyers are well-versed in the laws governing rideshare services and personal injury in Anaheim, and they use that knowledge to support our clients’ cases.
Our personal injury lawyers then work toward a fair settlement by:
- Investigating an Accident — To pursue compensation, it’s vital to gather evidence of the at-fault party’s negligence. This will require an independent investigation, which we can conduct on our clients’ behalf.
- Calculating Losses — Insurers may attempt to offer the minimal amount to protect their bottom lines. We work to counter that by considering all of a client’s compensable losses when negotiating for a fair settlement.
- Allowing a Focus on Recovery — Our Anaheim lawyers for Lyft accident cases will file all the necessary documents to jumpstart a claim. We’re committed to handling the legal side so clients can focus on recovery.
- Advocating for Legal Rights — Our Lyft accident lawyers work to present our clients’ interests in line with the available evidence, whether at the negotiating table or in court.
- Providing Litigation Support — We can offer advice to help clients decide whether to accept, deny, or go to trial. Should their case move on to court, we can represent and support their claim.
- Offering Accessible Legal Assistance — We aim to help victims of negligence, no matter their economic status. Our Anaheim Lyft accident lawyers offer legal services on a contingency fee agreement, meaning clients don’t have to spend anything up front. Instead, we only charge attorney fees if compensation is awarded. During a free first consultation, we can go over some of the other case-related costs that may still apply.
Typical Causes Of Lyft Accidents
Human error is the leading cause of traffic accidents. There are several ways that negligent behavior from different parties can result in Lyft accidents in particular, including:
Speeding
Similar to other car accidents, speeding is a common cause of Lyft collisions. In Anaheim, speed limits range from 25 to 50 mph. Highways and freeways have speed limits of 55 to 60 mph across California. Going beyond these numbers makes it harder for drivers to control the car. They have less time to react properly to road obstacles and hazards. If a crash happens, the impact can be more severe, causing life-threatening injuries.
Lyft drivers may speed to complete their rides faster and get more matches to earn more. Speeding is a misdemeanor, but it can turn into a felony offense in extreme cases. When it contributes to an accident, causing injuries and other damages, the driver could face civil or criminal charges.
If a speeding driver harms you, feel free to reach out to our Anaheim Lyft accident lawyers so we can review your case.
Distracted Driving
Another common cause of Lyft accidents is distracted driving. Drivers connect with their passengers via the Lyft app. They also use apps to navigate the streets and reach their destinations. For these reasons, rideshare drivers may be more likely to get into an accident while distracted.
During investigations for distracted driving-related collisions, our Lyft accident attorneys in Anaheim can work to gather the necessary evidence for establishing negligence. For instance, we might request phone data to see whether the Lyft driver was talking to or texting someone while driving.
Inexperienced Drivers
Anyone can apply to be a Lyft driver as long as they have a driver’s license. Other than a background check, Lyft does not really require special training, which means some Lyft drivers may not be suited to the job but get to drive for the company anyway.
Lyft drivers have many things to do. In addition to driving safely, they need to manage ride requests using the company’s app and navigate unfamiliar roads. They also have to make multiple trips every time they log into the app. An inexperienced driver may find it hard to manage all these tasks and potentially make mistakes that lead to accidents.
In these cases, who would be responsible? The inexperienced driver or Lyft, the company that hired them? Liability in ridesharing cases can be complicated. Seeking guidance from our Lyft accident lawyers can help.
Navigating Unfamiliar Locations
Another challenge Lyft drivers face is unfamiliar locations. Because they have to accept bookings that take them across Anaheim, drivers may get lost or venture into one-way streets. They could make dangerous maneuvers, like suddenly making a U-turn once they realize they missed their stop.
Most of the time, they use navigation apps to get around Anaheim, which may already distract them while driving. In some cases, the destinations are not yet available on map apps, which can lead to dangerous situations, like driving over broken bridges or poorly maintained roads.
Fatigued Driving
Driving for Lyft is a side gig for many drivers with full-time jobs. They usually juggle both daily, which means they are most likely tired when they decide to log into the app.
Unfortunately, drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving. Both impair the senses, making it hard to judge how fast the car is going and in which direction. Fatigue also makes it hard to react properly to road hazards. Worse, it may cause drivers to fall asleep behind the wheel.
Driving while fatigued isn’t illegal, but it’s still considered a form of negligence. If the driver causes an accident, the victim will then have to prove they were impaired. Working with our Anaheim Lyft accident lawyers may make it possible to access the driver’s logs. These can indicate whether they were working another job before signing up for Lyft, or if they have been driving for a long time without rest.
Disobeying Traffic Rules
Some Lyft drivers might disobey traffic rules to reach their destinations faster. They may run red lights because they can’t wait a minute or two at the intersection or make illegal U-turns.
Just one driver breaking these rules could lead to a chain reaction of accidents. Our Lyft accident lawyers commonly see multiple vehicle crashes in big cities like Anaheim because there is more traffic than in smaller towns.
Experiencing Vehicle Issues
Drivers with newer cars are more likely to be hired than those with beaten-up, old vehicles. Additionally, Lyft usually chooses damage-free cars. Applicants must also have a vehicle inspection completed by a licensed mechanic. These requirements help ensure that the car is in a safe running condition.
Still, there is no telling if the driver will keep up with maintenance after getting hired. Since rideshare drivers typically make multiple trips in a day, with some spanning over long distances, their cars and car parts may deteriorate faster. They need to maintain their vehicles regularly to avoid problems like brake failures or tire blowouts and prevent accidents.
Our Anaheim lawyers for Lyft accident cases can check maintenance records. If the driver fails to have their car checked regularly, we may pursue a claim against them. However, some issues can be the result of a bad car design or feature. In this case, we may also hold the car manufacturer accountable.
Parking In Inappropriate Spots
Lyft drivers may make unsafe parking choices for a quick pick-up. If they see their passengers on the side of the road, they usually park beside them and let them in. In the process, they might end up blocking a main road, an intersection, or a bike lane. In some cases, they may not use signals to communicate these actions with other drivers or pedestrians, increasing the risk of collisions.
Driving In Bad Weather
Driving in Anaheim can sometimes be challenging, especially during inclement weather. Rain can reduce visibility and create slippery surfaces, while fog can obscure the driver’s vision. Orange County also regularly faces strong Santa Ana winds, which can create hazardous driving conditions. The strong gusts can topple trees and structures along the road, creating dangerous obstacles.
Accidents that occur in these conditions could be difficult to file a claim for. Even so, our Anaheim Lyft accident lawyers can evaluate your case to see if your injuries could have been preventable.
For instance, the driver possibly did not pull over even when the danger was imminent, causing the vehicle to skid and crash into a wall. In another scenario, a motorist failed to see a pothole due to low visibility and collided with another vehicle. Due to the foreseeable risks caused by the weather and poor road conditions, the authorities should have fixed that pothole. As such, the city or the owner of the private road could be held liable for failing to maintain it properly.
Encountering Road Hazards
Dangerous road conditions could cause single-car crashes or pile-ups. Lyft drivers have to exercise reasonable care when navigating these conditions, especially if they’re unfamiliar with the road. If they get into an accident, they could be held liable.
Maintenance issues, like cracked asphalt or unfixed potholes, can cause hazards. If they contribute to an accident, the entity responsible for maintaining safe roads might face liability.
Whatever the cause is, our Lyft accident lawyers in Anaheim will assess who the at-fault parties in your case may be. We’ll work to identify the possible factors that contributed to the incident with the goal of establishing negligence.
Common Injuries Lyft Accident Victims Sustain
Our Anaheim Lyft accident lawyers have helped clients seek compensation for the following moderate to severe injuries:
- Whiplash — This neck injury is usually either a sprain or a strain. Most of the time, it’s treatable and short-lived, but it can also cause chronic effects, affecting your mobility and ability to work for months or years.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) — TBIs affect brain cells and tissues, leading to short- or long-term cognitive consequences. The negative effects are broad and may affect the victim’s physical, psychological, and mental well-being.
- Cuts and Lacerations — Sharp objects or blunt force trauma break or damage the skin. Cuts are painful and may require stitches. Meanwhile, severe cases can lead to blood loss, which may require intensive and, commonly, expensive care.
- Fractures — In a collision, bones may break partially or completely. Treatment and recovery time depend on the severity of the fracture. In the most severe cases, the victim will need surgery and physical therapy, and it may take years to heal completely.
- Internal Injuries — Most of these injuries are extremely dangerous because they fly under the radar. It might take a few days or weeks to notice something is wrong, and by then, the issue would have worsened. Some examples include a ruptured spleen and a collapsed lung. If left untreated, they can cause organ failure and may ultimately prove fatal.
Our Lyft accident lawyers can connect you with medical providers in and around Anaheim. We can also help our clients find a way to pay for treatments while pursuing a settlement, such as through Medi-Cal.
Can You Pursue Compensation For A Lyft Accident In Anaheim?
Yes, you may be entitled to seek compensation if you are suffering from injuries in a Lyft accident. According to California law, this may include the economic and non-economic losses you incurred.
Economic damages are monetary losses. They are easier to calculate because they have specific dollar equivalents. Our Anaheim attorneys, who focus exclusively on handling Lyft accidents, may use bills, invoices, and receipts to prove them.
On the other hand, non-economic damages are subjective and intangible losses. These damages are harder to quantify since they don’t exactly have numbers attached to them. Instead, their value depends on their impact on your life.
Although we can’t use receipts to prove them, our Lyft accident attorneys may use certain methods to determine a dollar amount that accurately represents them. We can also work with credible experts like psychologists, life care planners, and economists to help estimate the value of these losses.
In general, our Lyft accident lawyers in Anaheim help clients pursue the following economic and non-economic damages:
- Past, present, and future medical expenses
- Lost and reduced income
- Property repair or replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Isolation
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety and depression
- Loss of consortium
- Reduced quality of life
Does Lyft Have An Insurance Policy For Accidents?
As a ridesharing company, Lyft is required to have an insurance policy for road incidents. However, the way it covers your case will depend on when the accident happened. Our Lyft accident attorneys in Anaheim can help you assess which of the following may apply:
Period 0
During this period, the driver is signed out of the app, so their auto insurance policy would apply if they cause an accident. Since Lyft and its drivers are in a “partnership,” drivers are considered independent contractors, and the ridesharing company will have no liability during this period. You can seek the guidance of a Lyft accident lawyer to file a claim with their insurer.
Period 1
This period occurs when the Lyft driver signs in to the app and is ready to match with a passenger, but no passenger has matched yet. If an accident happens, Lyft may extend third-party insurance coverage in the following amounts:
- $50,000 in bodily injury per person.
- $100,000 in bodily injury per accident.
- $25,000 in property damage per accident.
Period 2
If a Lyft driver has been matched with a passenger and is en route to meet them, Period 2 starts. The ridesharing company offers the following insurance coverage if an accident happens during this period:
- $1 million insurance policy.
- Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage.
Period 3
This period refers to when the Lyft driver has picked up the passenger. When an accident happens while the trip is ongoing, Lyft offers the same insurance as period 2.
Our Anaheim Lyft accident lawyers can help you check which period applies to your case and whom you may be able to pursue a claim against.
Common Challenges In Lyft Accident Claims
Lyft accident claims start the moment you report the event, but they require more than submitting forms. During the entire process, victims might face these unique challenges:
- Proving Who Is at Fault — Lyft accident cases may involve multiple potential liable parties, such as the rideshare driver, a third-party driver, Lyft as a company, and other businesses. Our Lyft accident lawyers in Anaheim can review your case to help you understand who might be at fault for the incident.
- Dealing with Insurance Companies — Negotiating with insurers without a lawyer may make it more likely for you to be offered lower settlements. Insurance companies might dispute their client’s liability, the severity of your injuries, and the necessity of certain medical treatments, among others. If you don’t have legal representation, you may say or do something that could jeopardize your claim. Our injury lawyers offer guidance aimed at helping support your claim during the negotiation period.
- Navigating Complicated Ridesharing Laws — Ridesharing services are fairly new, so the laws governing them are still evolving. Our Anaheim Lyft accident lawyers can help you understand them so you can make more informed legal decisions after an injury.
Liable Parties In A Lyft Accident
Many Lyft accidents can be attributed to the negligence of multiple individuals or companies. When investigating, our Lyft accident lawyers may uncover liability among the following potentially involved parties:
- A Lyft accident is usually the fault of the Lyft driver. They might have been speeding, not paying attention to the road, or disobeying traffic rules. If the accident happened during period 0, victims can only pursue compensation from the driver’s insurance company.
- Lyft may also share some liability, especially if it neglects its duty of care. They might have hired a driver with a history of drunk driving or hit-and-run incidents, for example.
- Other motorists on the road may be held liable if their negligent actions contributed to the accident and your injuries.
- Vehicle malfunctions may also cause Lyft accidents. In these cases, the car manufacturer may face liability.
- Lyft accidents might also happen due to poorly maintained roads, a lack of traffic signs, or defective traffic lights. In these cases, the government entity that holds them could share the blame.
Knowing who is responsible for your damages and losses is an important part of the claims process. Our Lyft accident lawyers in Anaheim can work to gather evidence that might help establish negligence, support your claim, and advocate for the compensation that may be available in your case.
How Does California’s Comparative Negligence Affect Your Case?
California is a pure comparative negligence state. If there are multiple parties liable for the victim’s injuries, the court will determine each party’s percentage of fault, which will also determine how much they’ll pay.
For example, a Lyft driver was 80% at fault, while another driver was at 20%. If the settlement award is $100,000, the Lyft driver needs to pay you $80,000. Then, the remaining $20,000 will come from the other liable party.
This law also states that the plaintiff may be partially liable if they shared fault in the accident. If they are partly responsible, the court will reduce their settlement according to their percentage of liability. So, if an injured victim were 20% at fault, they would only receive 80% of the award.
Unfortunately, liable parties might take advantage of this law to minimize their financial responsibility to the plaintiff. Our Anaheim Lyft accident lawyers can discuss how the law of pure comparative negligence may apply to your claim and, if you have a valid case, advocate for your right to pursue fair compensation with it in mind.
Statute Of Limitations For Lyft Accidents
The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in California is two years from the date of the accident. Failing to file within the allotted time can bar you from pursuing a claim altogether. To help meet the deadline, we recommend consulting our personal injury lawyers in Anaheim, who handle Lyft accidents, once you have evidence that negligence played a part in your incident.
However, there are exceptions to the rule. For one, if the victim was a minor at the time of the accident, the statute of limitations will be paused until they reach 18. Once they reach legal age, they have two years to file a claim. The same goes if the victim is mentally incapacitated. The statute of limitations won’t run until they regain their mental capacity.
If you have questions about your case’s deadline, you can call our Lyft accident lawyers at (888) 488-1391.
What To Do After A Lyft Accident
There are a few things you can do to protect yourself and your right to seek fair compensation. Here are examples of some steps you can take after a Lyft accident:
- Get to safety, but do not leave the scene.
- Call 911 immediately after the accident to request police and medical response to the scene.
- Get immediate medical attention when paramedics arrive. Relay important information, including where you feel pain or discomfort. Be sure you get checked even if you feel fine or see no visible wounds.
- Exchange information with the Lyft driver and other parties involved. Get their names, addresses, policy details, and IDs.
- Note the plate numbers of all the cars involved, along with their make and model.
- Gather evidence, such as photos and videos of the accident and injury. Photograph the surroundings to show the weather, location markers, skid marks, and traffic signs.
- Take note of anything that can be useful later, such as CCTV locations. If you see a witness, ask them politely if they are willing to testify. Then, get their contact information.
- Report the accident to Lyft. You can use the website or the app to submit the form.
- Get further medical care. Make sure you see your doctor for a full assessment of your injuries. Follow their treatment plan carefully.
- Keep a journal of your whole experience, noting all the pain you feel and your thoughts. Also, keep any receipts, invoices, bills, or documents related to your accident.
- Consult with our Anaheim Lyft accident lawyers. We will review your case for free during our first meeting so you can explore what to do next.
Lyft Accident Statistics
According to the US National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), the introduction of ridesharing services has contributed to the increase in annual traffic fatalities. Based on their study, there had been a 3% increase in these deaths, translating to around 980 additional casualties each year.
However, based on Lyft’s safety report for 2017 to 2019, 99% of the millions of trips they made occurred without safety incidents. There were 105 Lyft-related fatalities over a three-year period, which is lower than the national average but still represents a significant number of lives lost.
After such incidents, our Anaheim Lyft accident attorneys can help clients hold these big corporations accountable through the legal process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anaheim A Dangerous City?
Anaheim is a relatively safe city to live in and visit, but accidents still happen in the area. As a motorist or pedestrian, you may find Anaheim to be quite dangerous because of its heavy traffic. Road accidents involving cars, trucks, Lyft, and Uber are commonly reported in areas near tourist destinations like Disneyland.
How Much Is A Lyft Accident Settlement In California?
It’s hard to say how much a Lyft accident settlement would be without looking at its details. The amount that may be pursued depends on certain factors, such as the severity of your injuries and when the accident happened. After reviewing your case, our Lyft accident lawyers can help estimate its worth.
Which Is Safer, Uber Or Lyft?
Both Uber and Lyft are relatively safe to use. However, these ridesharing services are not 100% immune to accidents. So, it is still important that rideshare drivers stay vigilant while driving. Meanwhile, passengers can also take extra precautions, such as sitting at the back and using a seat belt. If you or a loved one gets injured in an accident while using Lyft, call our Anaheim attorneys as soon as possible to learn about your rights.
Is It Safe To Take Lyft At Night?
Yes, it is generally safe to take a Lyft at night. Using a rideshare service is a better option than driving tired or after a night of drinking. By using Lyft, you can keep yourself safe and prevent accidents that might injure others. However, accidents may still occur. If you get into a Lyft crash, our Anaheim lawyers can study your case and see whether you can pursue compensation.
What If The Lyft Accident Victim Died?
If the victim dies in an accident, their immediate family members or legal heirs may file a wrongful death claim. This aims to seek compensation for medical bills, funeral and burial fees, loss of consortium, grief, and loss of financial support, especially if the victim is the family’s primary earner.
To learn more about this process, you can contact our Lyft accident lawyers in Anaheim, as they also have experience handling wrongful death cases in this context.
Consult Our Lyft Accident Lawyers In Anaheim
With the promise of a safer and more convenient ride, Lyft passengers expect to reach their destinations safely. That’s why it can be challenging to figure out what to do after getting injured in a road accident.
If you’re thinking, “I need a personal injury lawyer in Anaheim,” Arash Law’s team of Lyft accident lawyers can answer any questions you have about your case. We can walk you through the legal maze your case may pose. If you have a valid claim, we can also represent your interests throughout the process and advocate for your right to pursue compensation that reflects your losses.
You can reach out to us at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
Our personal injury law firm also serves Lyft accident victims in neighboring locations, including Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Yorba Linda, Brea, Garden Grove, Cerritos, Lakewood, Norwalk, Whittier, Downey, and Compton. Arash Law also helps victims across California, including those in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.
