Bakersfield Lyft Accident Lawyers
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Our Bakersfield Lyft Accident Lawyers Navigate Legal Claims With Care
Lyft has become an extremely popular ridesharing service in Bakersfield because of its convenience. Rather than driving from one point to another, you can travel in comfort while someone else drives for you. However, using a ridesharing service doesn’t always guarantee safety. If you get injured while riding one, our Bakersfield Lyft accident lawyers can help explore your possible legal options. Call Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial case review.
Bakersfield is the county seat of Kern County, nestled in the heart of California’s Central Valley. Its agricultural industry is among the state’s busiest, producing crops like almonds, grapes, and cotton. More than its fertile lands, the city’s music and art scenes are particularly vibrant.
Bakersfield residents and tourists could explore the city without running out of things to do. That’s why Lyft is so popular in the city. Anyone who uses this service doesn’t have to worry about commuting or finding parking for their vehicle. However, car collisions can occur unexpectedly, and injuries from a Lyft accident could affect you.
When using a rideshare service, you expect drivers to be extra cautious on the road. If they don’t and you get injured as a result, you may have a valid personal injury claim. You could seek compensation from the driver or other parties responsible for the accident.
Our Lyft accident attorneys in Bakersfield can help you pursue compensation in your ridesharing case. We can also help you negotiate with other parties and represent you in court if necessary.
Settlement in motor vehicle accident in a Under Insured Motorist Claim against a ride share company; client suffered spinal injuries– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
Why Consult With Our Attorneys After A Bakersfield Lyft Accident
Hiring legal representation to file a claim is not a requirement, but having our Lyft accident lawyers in Bakersfield can provide guidance in navigating the complicated process. We can help you pursue compensation based on the specifics of your case. We know the legal process can be stressful, which is why we’re here to manage the legal aspects on your behalf.
Here are additional reasons to consider our attorneys after your Lyft accident in Bakersfield:
- Insurance companies conduct thorough investigations to validate claims. If they find certain issues, they may deny your claim. Our lawyers can help you compile crucial evidence and file paperwork for a more streamlined process.
- Our ridesharing-related accident lawyers can evaluate evidence of losses to determine the potential worth of your case.
- Multiple parties may be liable, and our attorneys can assess evidence to establish their potential negligence.
- Understanding California’s ridesharing and personal injury laws can be challenging. Our Bakersfield lawyers can help you handle these intricacies.
Having a lawyer is recommended because many problems may arise after a Lyft accident. Our Bakersfield accident attorneys can help you and your family understand your rights after such an incident.
How Our Bakersfield Lyft Accident Attorneys Can Support You
Arash Law provides Lyft accident victims with legal representation. We are committed to supporting you through the claims process.
Our law firm will do the following to support your claim or lawsuit:
- Discuss your case during our free initial consultation and explain the legal options available under the California ridesharing law.
- Develop a customized strategy to help you seek financial compensation.
- Comprehensively investigate the Lyft accident and gather relevant evidence to support your claim.
- Connect you with economic, medical, and accident reconstruction specialists in Bakersfield.
- Have our Bakersfield lawyers who work on Lyft accident cases handle legal paperwork, represent you at the negotiation table, and, if necessary, bring your case to the courtroom.
Common Lyft Accident Injuries In Bakersfield
Accidents involving ridesharing services can cause minor to severe injuries, including back and head trauma, to passengers, other drivers, and even pedestrians.
The following are the common injuries sustained in Lyft accidents:
Concussions
Mild to severe concussions are types of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that result from a hit or jolt to the head. Per the National Library of Medicine, these types of head injuries are the most common consequences of car collisions. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and memory problems. These conditions may affect an individual’s cognitive ability. Seeking prompt medical attention is vital to avoid further worsening the condition.
If you are injured in a Lyft accident, our team of Bakersfield lawyers is here to help. We’ll seek accountability from potentially liable parties for their negligence.
Whiplash And Neck Injuries
Rapid head movement caused by the impact of a car collision can result in pain, stiffness, and headaches, resulting in neck injuries like whiplash. Some cases are minor, but some may require extensive medical attention to avoid developing permanent cognitive issues. Rear-end car collisions are a common cause of whiplash because they rock the head back and forth.
Broken Bones
Lyft accidents can exert a strong force on the bones, causing them to break. Some of the commonly affected areas of the body are:
- Leg
- Arm/wrist
- Rib
- Ankle
- Hip
Wearing casts and using crutches can take months for some victims. Meanwhile, complete healing is unattainable in some cases. Even if the broken bone has healed, some victims may be unable to do intensive physical activities, such as running or carrying heavy weights.
Soft Tissue Damage
A sudden impact from a car collision can damage the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Soft tissue injuries can range from minor strains or bruises to severe conditions. If left untreated, they can worsen over time. Victims must seek prompt medical attention because not all injuries are immediately apparent.
Burns
Various factors can cause a vehicle to start a fire in a car crash, including fuel leaks, overheating engines, and electrical malfunctions. Victims may get burn injuries as a result. The severity depends on the intensity of the fire, the location of the burns, and the duration of exposure.
Burns have several classifications based on their severity:
- First-Degree Burns — These are also called superficial burns. In first-degree burns, the only damaged part is the first layer of skin, which is the epidermis.
- Second-Degree Burns — Also known as partial thickness burns, second-degree wounds damage the first and second layers of the skin. The affected area can swell and appear reddish.
- Third-Degree Burns — They are also called full-thickness burns. This degree affects the first, second, and deeper tissues of the skin. The area can appear red, black, or white.
- Fourth-Degree Burns — This level of injury destroys the skin and, sometimes, bone. The damage is catastrophic, potentially resulting in skin disfigurement.
Burns require hospitalization and long-term rehabilitation, depending on the severity of the injury. Additionally, they can result in changes in appearance that may affect the self-confidence and self-esteem of an individual. These are losses you can include in a claim. Victims may be eligible to seek economic and non-economic damages with the help of our Lyft accident lawyers in Bakersfield.
Back Injuries
Traffic accidents can also damage the back, which can result in spinal cord damage, muscle strains, and ligament sprains. Back injuries affect the mobility of an individual. As such, victims may have to undergo lengthy rehabilitation to regain their full range of motion.
Paralysis
Some injuries, particularly those affecting the nerves in the spinal cord and brain, might lead to paralysis. It’s an injury that refers to the loss or impairment of muscle movement. Paralysis in any form has long-term consequences that can affect the way you live.
Whatever the case, the resulting medical expenses are challenging to pay for. The injuries could also lead to other problems, such as being unable to work and pay bills, causing further financial problems. That’s why our Bakersfield personal injury attorneys are here to help you pursue compensation for your Lyft accident.
Causes Of Bakersfield Lyft Accidents
Lyft accidents can occur due to several factors, including distracted driving, speeding, and violating traffic laws. In Bakersfield, these are the common causes:
- Distracted Driving — Doing other activities while driving can take away the driver’s attention from the road. If they are distracted, they may not notice pedestrians or other vehicles.
- Fatigued Driving — If the driver is overworked, it slows their reaction time and reduces their ability to control their vehicle safely.
- Speeding — Driving over the speed limit can put the driver, other motorists, passengers, and pedestrians at risk. Speeding can prolong the time it takes for the vehicle to stop.
- Reckless Driving — Violating traffic rules, such as driving while the traffic signal is red, could lead to a collision. Reckless drivers are unpredictable, making it difficult for other motorists to react appropriately.
- Aggressive Driving — Road rage can cause drivers to make terrible decisions while driving and create unsafe situations. If it leads to a collision, the aggressive driver may be held liable for their actions.
- Driving Under the Influence — When the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it can impair their driving ability.
- Driving at Night — According to the National Safety Council, most fatal car crashes occur between 4 pm and midnight. The reduced visibility and risk of drowsy driving are likely contributors.
If someone else’s negligence caused your accident, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries. This can help cover the damages you incurred due to the crash. Learn more about your potential next steps in a free initial consultation with our Bakersfield Lyft accident lawyers.
Damages To Pursue After A Lyft Accident In Bakersfield
Victims of Lyft accidents can pursue economic and non-economic damages, such as medical bills, loss of future earnings, and pain and suffering. When calculating a potential amount for your case, our lawyers will consider the severity of your injuries and how they affected every aspect of your life, including your ability to work and perform regular tasks.
In general, you can seek compensation for economic damages, which are tangible financial losses calculated through receipts, invoices, and bills, among others:
- Present and future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of future income
- Rehabilitation fees
- Property damages
For non-economic damages, which are intangible losses that are harder to calculate, you may be able to pursue compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment in life
Justifying a claim can be difficult, especially for non-economic losses. These damages don’t come with receipts, making it challenging to quantify them. Nevertheless, our Lyft accident attorneys in Bakersfield can work with experts to determine a fair amount.
In rare cases where the at-fault party is found to have committed particularly egregious misconduct, the court may award punitive damages. As opposed to compensating the victim for their losses, this type of compensation aims to punish the defendant and prevent similar behavior in the future.
Who Is Liable In A Lyft Accident In Bakersfield?
Multiple parties may be responsible for a Lyft accident, including the ridesharing giant itself. California follows comparative negligence law for personal injury cases, wherein the court assigns a percentage of fault to all liable parties. Identifying liability is where a claim can be challenging. Our Bakersfield attorneys know how to handle Lyft accident claims and lawsuits. Our team understands personal injury law and can help you build a strong case.
Lyft Liability Insurance Coverage In Bakersfield
Lyft provides three types of insurance policies for passengers, drivers, and anyone involved in an accident:
- Primary automobile liability
- Contingent comprehensive & collision
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist
Lyft’s insurance coverage varies depending on the driving period at the time the accident occurred. These periods are defined as:
- Period 0 — The app is off. The driver’s personal auto insurance coverage applies.
- Period 1 — The driver mode is on, but there are no accepted ride requests yet. Lyft’s third-party liability insurance covers:
- $50,000 for bodily injuries per person.
- $100,000 for bodily injuries per accident.
- $30,000 for property damage per accident.
- Periods 2 and 3 — The driver is on the way to pick up passengers, or the passenger is already in the car. Lyft provides the following:
- $1 million of coverage per accident.
- First-party coverage, including uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
Lyft requires its drivers to have personal auto insurance. However, most personal car policies do not cover rideshare accidents.
The insurance coverage of ridesharing companies is complex, and understanding it is challenging. Contact Arash Law, and our Bakersfield lawyers will answer your questions related to your Lyft accident case.
Gomez v. PG Transportation (settled on 8/11/2023) – settlement involving a man who was struck by a car resulting in a mild traumatic brain injury as well as other orthopedic injuries.– TINA ESHGHIEH
What To Do After A Bakersfield Lyft Accident
After getting injured in a Lyft accident, see a doctor immediately and consult with lawyers about your legal options. There are also some recommended steps to take right after an incident to protect your safety and rights:
- Stay Calm and Assess Your Injuries — Assure your safety first before checking on others involved in the accident. Move to a safe location if you can.
- Call 911 — Officers will be dispatched to your location to investigate and secure the area. They will create a police report showing relevant details, including the number of vehicles involved, their plate number, and information about drivers and passengers.
- Submit to a Medical Evaluation — Let the paramedics check your condition, even if you feel fine.
- Collect Evidence — Take pictures of the scene, your injuries, and the damage to the vehicles. Ask the witness, if there’s any, for their contact details so you can ask them for a statement later. These will serve as proof of the other party’s negligence.
- Visit the ER Soon After the Accident — Hospitals have the necessary equipment to diagnose and treat injuries properly. This can help lower the risk of complications, such as infection or internal bleeding.
- Avoid Accepting Initial Settlement Offers — Some insurers may convince you to settle. However, it is important to have a thorough evaluation of your losses before accepting a settlement. This process can help determine whether the offer fairly reflects your losses.
- Seek Legal Representation — Our Bakersfield attorneys who focus on Lyft accidents can build a case aimed at seeking your potential losses. With years of experience in the industry, we can manage the legal aspects of your Lyft accident case.
Lyft Accident Statistics In Bakersfield
According to the 2021 Lyft community safety report, the number of accidents involving the rideshare company is very low. From 2017 to 2019, drivers completed over 99% of rides without any safety incidents. During that period, there were a total of 105 motor vehicle fatalities. Still, these numbers don’t account for injuries resulting from collisions involving Lyft cars.
The latest data from the California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) revealed that traffic incidents in Bakersfield resulted in 2,639 fatalities and injuries in 2022. That year, the city had the eighth-highest number of incidents in California.
These accidents can happen to anyone, including those using rideshare services. If you or your loved ones are victims, contact our Bakersfield attorneys to handle your Lyft accident case.
How Long Do I Have To File A Personal Injury Claim Against Lyft?
In California, you generally have two years after the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. However, some exceptions may apply. The statute of limitations allows the victim to initiate a lawsuit and get their compensation within a limited timeframe.
Given the time constraints, it’s advisable to speak with our experienced Lyft accident attorneys in Bakersfield to understand these legal time limits. Going beyond the deadline might disqualify your case.
Contact Our Lyft Accident Attorneys In Bakersfield
Whether you’re a passenger, rideshare driver, pedestrian, or another driver, you may be eligible to seek compensation from the negligent party if you have been injured in a Lyft accident. Arash Law’s legal team is ready to advocate for your rights. Our Bakersfield Lyft accident lawyers can handle the claims process on your behalf.
Call us at (888) 488-1391 or fill out our contact form to discuss your case. Our lawyers handle Lyft accident claims in Bakersfield and throughout Kern County, including Wasco, Taft, Delano, Bear Valley Springs, and Ridgecrest. We also extend our services to neighboring areas, such as Santa Clarita and Thousand Oaks in Los Angeles, as well as Porterville and Visalia in Tulare County.
