Eureka Lyft Accident Lawyers
We’ll tell you if you have a case or not, call (888) 488-1391 — We’re here 24 hours a day.
With Our Eureka Lyft Accident Lawyers By Your Side, Justice Is Within Your Reach
Many people use Lyft because of its convenience. However, this advantage comes at the cost of more road injuries and fatalities. If you are injured in an accident involving the rideshare service, call Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our Eureka Lyft accident lawyers will assist you in claiming compensation.
Eureka boasts a reasonable cost of living and abundant natural beauty. Its proximity to beaches and the redwood forests, plus its suburban feel, make it a popular choice for city folks wanting a change of scenery.
It helps that renting is rather inexpensive here. The average rental rate in this region is $1,073, lower than the national average of $1,268. Lyft rides are also more affordable, with a minimum fare of $2.90 as opposed to $4.31 in San Francisco, $4 in El Centro, and $4.98 in Santa Cruz.
Despite the advantages, tourists and locals must remain careful. The city still sees a concerning number of accidents on the road, particularly an increasing number of Lyft accidents. If you get injured in one, you must know who to turn to.
Look no further than our Lyft accident lawyers in Eureka. With decades of combined experience, Arash Khorsandi, Esq. and his esteemed team of lawyers have been winning claims for Lyft accident victims in Eureka.
Settlement in a Under Insured Motorist Claim against ride share company; client suffered spinal injuries– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
Why Do I Need Accident Lawyers?
If you’re asking, “Do I need a personal injury lawyer in Eureka?” you’ve come to the right place. Our lawyer will do all the legwork involved in the claims process while you recover from injuries. When you hire our Eureka Lyft accident lawyers, you can expect that:
Our Lawyer Will Deal With Lyft
Getting Lyft to pay for your damages is not as easy as it sounds. It is a long and tedious process, requiring you to go through its legal team, which might be difficult to get a hold of. Also, you might have to deal with Lyft’s insurance representatives, who will do everything in their power to devalue or deny your claim.
With our Lyft accident attorneys representing you, you won’t have to deal with back-and-forth communications and negotiations that might not go anywhere. We’ll deal with the other parties on your behalf, protecting your rights and aiming for the compensation you deserve.
Our Lawyer Knows The Ins-And-Outs Of Applicable Laws
To increase your chances of success and secure the highest compensation possible, you need the help of a lawyer who specializes in both car accident and ridesharing laws. Look for Eureka attorneys with expertise in handling Lyft accident claims and a history of successfully obtaining compensation for clients.
Our attorneys in Eureka and the entire Golden State have already handled over 3,000 personal injury cases, including Lyft accident claims. We have won more than $500 Million in compensation. You can review hundreds of our client testimonials online to verify our proven track record of success.
Our Lawyer Will Support Your Recovery
Having a legal representative will also help you focus on your recovery. They’ll handle the case on your behalf while keeping you in the loop for updates.
If you hire Arash Law, we’ll provide support in other ways, such as connecting you with the best medical specialists in Eureka and California. If your car was wrecked in the Lyft accident, we can help you get a temporary vehicle for your work commute.
Let us know your needs and goals. Call (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation with our Eureka Lyft accident lawyers.
How Can Our Eureka Lyft Accident Lawyers Help?
Having a lawyer by your side is a big advantage, not only in Lyft crashes but also in other motor vehicle accidents. After such a stressful and dangerous event, it can be helpful to speak with our top-rated personal injury lawyers in Eureka, who also handle Lyft accident cases. Promptly consulting us gives you the needed legal guidance in resolving your claim and obtaining fair compensation.
Aside from giving you detailed advice on what to do after a Lyft accident, our lawyers in Eureka can also help you in the following ways:
Handle The Paperwork For You
After an accident, it will be challenging for you to handle the documentation aspect of your Lyft claim without legal assistance, especially if you’re severely injured. Gathering all the necessary evidence, for example, can take several months on average based on our experience. If you want to increase your chances of winning your case, you must have at least these:
- Police incident reports
- Medical records
- Video footages
- Surveillance footages
- Photos of your injuries
- Pictures or videos of the accident scene
- Eyewitness statements
- Expert witness opinions
- Employment records
Obtaining a police report alone will require a big chunk of your time, especially if you do not know the exact precinct where it was filed.
If you force yourself to obtain everything as quickly as possible, you will certainly place your health at greater risk. You can aggravate your injury and slow down your recovery process.
When you hire us, our Lyft accident attorneys in Eureka will handle all the heavy lifting. We will take care of everything, from gathering evidence to preparing all the paperwork.
Maximize Your Compensation
After handling hundreds of cases, our Eureka Lyft accident lawyers have noticed that victims without legal representation normally get extremely lower payouts than those who do. The main reason is that they usually don’t know the actual value of their claim, and this is what insurance companies take advantage of.
The main goal of their representatives, when they speak with victims, is not to sympathize but to give as little money as possible. It is business as usual at the end of the day, so every penny you don’t receive is added to their bottom line.
Giving less money is inhumane, but not giving the victims a cent is far worse. We have heard stories of insurance providers denying claims by making them the at-fault party and freeing their clients from their obligations.
Whenever you begin speaking with the at-fault party’s insurance company, remember that they are now carefully monitoring your words to find any information they could use against you. They might even tell you lies or stalk you just to find anything that could weaken your claim.
If you partner with our Eureka Lyft accident attorneys, we won’t let them manipulate or harass you. We’ll take care of all communication between you and them. We will come to negotiations fully prepared to assert the amount you deserve. They will still try to find ways to give you pennies, but our legal team is prepared to handle their schemes.
Common Causes Of Lyft Accidents
Lyft allows people with non-commercial driving licenses to work for the company, so its drivers are just like any other motorists. However, due to negligent behaviors, they could cause accidents, jeopardizing the safety of their passengers and other road users.
In years of handling Lyft accident cases, our Eureka Lyft accident lawyers have identified these common causes:
Speeding
Lyft drivers earn money based on the number of trips they make daily. The more rides they complete, the more money they can earn. As such, Lyft drivers might break the speed limit to quickly bring their passengers to their destinations and get another booking.
Drowsy Driving
Lyft drivers are mostly part-timers. Before driving, many of them work full-time jobs and even night shifts.
Despite knowing that they lack rest and proper sleep, some drivers opt to work for additional income, sacrificing the safety of their passengers. This is wrong and outright dangerous. When drivers fall asleep while driving, they could cause traffic accidents like rear-end and sideswipe collisions.
When you notice your driver falling asleep or closing their eyes at stop lights, you can call them out. Your driver has the responsibility of making sure you get to your destination safely.
Driving Under The Influence
There are a few Lyft drivers who take a few drinks or drugs, specifically amphetamine, to keep themselves up and awake. However, these substances can lead to various other problems, including:
- Reduced concentration
- Impaired vision
- Increased risk-taking tendencies
- Increased aggression
If you suspect that your driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs based on their smell and odd behavior, you can report them on the Lyft app. Should you sustain injuries, reach out to our Lyft accident attorneys for guidance on your next steps.
Distracted Driving
Lyft drivers, compared with other motorists, are more prone to distracted driving. They spend a greater amount of time looking at their mobile phones to do the following:
- Check for available passenger bookings
- Chat with their passengers
- Set their passengers’ destinations
- Set the GPS
- Look at the map
- Troubleshoot the Lyft app
Each time they take their eyes off the road, the risk of an accident increases. That’s why using phones while driving is illegal in California, as per Vehicle Code Section 23123.5.
Failing To Maintain The Vehicle Properly
Lyft drivers are independent contractors, so the rideshare company has no control over their vehicles. Often, they overlook their cars’ maintenance, which could cause brake failures and defective tires.
When these parts malfunction, the driver might lose control of the vehicle and crash into another vehicle or something concrete.
Other Causes
Lyft accidents can happen in the same way as other car accidents. Aside from the Lyft driver’s negligence, here are some other causes that could lead to a collision:
- Rainy weather and other adverse weather conditions
- Auto defects
- Dangerous road conditions
Other drivers on the road might also cause accidents for the same reasons. Regardless of who is at fault, they have a legal obligation to compensate you if you sustain injuries. For legal advice, contact our Lyft accident attorneys in Eureka.
Usual Types Of Lyft Accidents
Rear-end accidents are among the most common types of accidents we have handled. Victims are either injured when their drivers rear-end another car or when Lyft cars hit their vehicles from behind.
Other kinds of Lyft accidents our Eureka lawyers have encountered include:
Head-On Collisions – A head-on accident happens when two cars traveling in opposite directions collide directly, typically front bumpers to front bumpers. Collisions like these can cause severe damage to both vehicles, as well as serious injuries to the drivers and passengers in front.
Sideswipe Accidents – A sideswipe accident occurs when one vehicle unintentionally drifts into the adjacent lane, causing the sides of the vehicles to brush against each other. Many factors can contribute to these incidents, including driving distractions, risky lane merges, abrupt lane changes, and close proximity to other drivers.
Sideswipe collisions usually don’t cause devastating injuries or property damage. Even so, a minor inconvenience could become a big deal, especially when the driver to blame doesn’t cooperate.Rollover Accidents – With enough force, a vehicle could tip over onto its side or roof upon impact. A rollover incident could be fatal, especially if the car flips over multiple times. Other vehicles in the vicinity might also be hit. Several factors can contribute to rollover accidents, such as overspeeding, reckless driving, and losing balance over a road obstacle.
We’ve also handled some Lyft accidents wherein other cars were not involved, like:
- Truck accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Intersection accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Scooter accidents
Regardless of the type, come to our Eureka lawyers for Lyft accidents at any time to discuss your case. Tell us the exact details so we can assess if you have a viable case. We will also explain your legal options based on the type of accident.
Typical Injuries Sustained In A Lyft Accident
Contusions and lacerations are among the most common bodily injuries our clients have sustained. Moreover, our Eureka attorneys for Lyft accident cases have assisted many victims who suffered other types of injuries, which are often more severe. Some examples are:
- Whiplash
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Head injuries
- Back injuries
- Internal damage
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Wrongful deaths
Additionally, we have observed that some of our clients developed mental health issues, such as PTSD, adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression.
You must consult a doctor after the accident, regardless of whether your injury is mild or severe. Even if you feel fine, you need to have a thorough medical checkup to assess your condition and fully unmask any underlying problems.
Our Lyft accident attorneys in Eureka can refer you to the top doctors in California specializing in car accident injuries. Just give us a call or complete our contact form.
How Do People Get Injured In Lyft Accidents?
It is common for people to assume that Lyft accidents are just one-way, where the driver crashes into something and injures their passenger. There are, however, other scenarios involving other liable parties and victims. Here are some examples:
- A negligent Lyft driver hits another car, injuring the other driver and/or their passengers.
- A negligent Lyft driver hits and injures another road user, like a motorcyclist or bicyclist.
- A negligent Lyft driver hits and injures a pedestrian.
- A negligent motorist hits a Lyft car, injuring the driver and passenger(s).
- A negligent motorist hits a Lyft car, causing it to hit another car and injure the occupants of the latter vehicle.
Whatever the incident may be, as long as you are hurt in a crash, you might have a case, and our Eureka Lyft accident lawyers can help.
Who Is At Fault In A Lyft Accident?
A Lyft accident is more complicated than an ordinary car crash because the rideshare company, aside from the driver, will have to be investigated for possible liability. These parties can potentially be liable:
- Lyft Driver – The driver could be liable if their negligence leads to the accident. Some examples of wrongful actions on their part include DUI and distracted driving.
- Lyft Company – There are some cases where the ridesharing company might be liable for damages if they demonstrate direct negligence, such as failing to screen its drivers properly.
- Other Road Users – Pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers may also bear some responsibility if their actions or inactions contributed to the accident.
- Third Parties – Depending on the circumstances of the accident, vehicle manufacturers, maintenance providers, and even government agencies might also be held liable.
To determine which parties are responsible for your Lyft accident, our lawyers in Eureka will conduct a thorough investigation. We’ll find evidence of their negligence and hold them accountable for your injuries.
The Four Periods Of Lyft’s Insurance Coverage
Lyft maintains third-party liability insurance to cover damages in accidents in which its drivers are involved, regardless of who is at fault. Coverage depends on the driver’s activity at the time of the accident, which is broken down into four periods or phases.
Period 0 – The driver has not logged into the Lyft app yet. Should they get into an accident, Lyft will not be liable, and the driver will pay for all damages using their personal or commercial auto accident insurance policy.
Period 1 – The driver has logged into the Lyft app but has not accepted any passenger bookings. Should they get into an accident, Lyft’s insurance policy can cover at least:
- $50,000 for bodily injury per person
- $100,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage per accident
Period 2 – The driver has logged into the Lyft app, accepted a booking, and is on their way to pick up the passenger. If they get into an accident at this stage, the rideshare company’s insurance coverage increases to $1 million for total liability. Additional coverage might also apply, including:
- Underinsured and uninsured motorists
- Contingent comprehensive & collision coverage (if a driver has comprehensive & collision coverage on their personal auto policy)
Period 3 – If the driver has picked up the passenger and is on their way to the destination when the accident happens, the coverage will be the same as in Period 2.
If you have any questions about how these could affect your claim, reach out to our Lyft accident attorneys in Eureka.
What Types Of Damages Can I Recover?
Once you have proven the negligence of the other party, you are entitled to recover economic and non-economic damages.
Everything that has a tangible value is considered economic damage. Some examples are past and future medical expenses, therapy bills, car repair or replacement costs, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket expenses related to your accident.
In contrast, non-economic damages are intangible losses, like pain and suffering, anxiety, depression, loss of a partner, loss of enjoyment in life, body disfigurement, dismemberment, etc.
While non-economic losses are harder to prove, our Lyft accident lawyers in Eureka have some methods for assigning a monetary value to these damages. In addition, we can also consult with medical and financial experts to arrive at a better estimate.
How Does Comparative Fault Affect My Compensation?
California is a pure comparative fault state, where you can file for compensation even if you’re 99% at fault for an accident. However, your degree of fault will affect the amount you can get.
Under this statute, each party involved will be assigned a percentage of liability proportional to their degree of contribution to the accident. If there are multiple liable parties, they will share the responsibility of compensating the victim.
If you also have liability, it would reduce the total amount awarded to you. Here’s an example: Let’s say your claim is worth $100,000, and the court assigns 15% of the fault to you. Your compensation would be reduced by 15%, and you would only get $85,000 in the end.
If you want to learn more about comparative fault laws, feel free to contact the best Lyft accident attorneys Eureka residents turn to. We can discuss how they would apply to your case.
What Should I Do After Getting Into A Lyft Accident?
When you get into a Lyft accident, you have to do two things: protect yourself from further harm and protect your rights.
Protect Yourself From Further Harm
Your safety should always be your top priority. Here are the things you should do to keep yourself from further harm.
- Go to a safer place, if you’re able, away from passing vehicles, preferably by the roadside. If you are in a freeway accident, it is best to remain in the car.
- Look for any injuries on your body. If there is an open wound, press on it using any clothing to prevent blood loss while waiting for the EMT.
- Call for medical assistance using 911. Specify your condition to the operator to help the first responders assess the gravity of the situation and prepare the right equipment.
- You should see a doctor right away. Having a full medical examination will ensure your safety and detect injuries that may affect your health in the future.
Protect Your Rights
You have all the right to demand compensation, as you did not wish to sustain an injury in the first place. Increase your chances of getting a favorable outcome by following these steps:
- Report the accident to the authorities. A police incident report will be vital to your claims.
- Do not apologize to anyone, especially to the cops. Saying sorry might be mistaken to mean that you’re admitting fault, which could weaken your case.
- Start collecting evidence, such as photos or videos of your injuries and the accident scene.
- Get the Lyft driver’s details: complete name, address, phone number, and insurance details.
- Report the accident to Lyft using its app.
- If a Lyft driver hits your car, call your insurance provider, too, so they can prepare all the necessary documents you need for your claims.
- Call our Lyft accident lawyers in Eureka. We will guide you on what you need to do next.
Lyft Accident Statistics
The last time Lyft released data was in 2021, and according to their report, 99% of its trips from 2017 to 2019 were completed without safety incidents. That leaves a small percentage of official trips with safety incidents, specifically 0.0002%. Motor vehicle fatalities accounted for 0.000006% of all trips nationwide, leading to 49 deaths. Based on this number, there were 0.79 incidents per 100 million vehicle miles.
However, according to the US National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), ridesharing services like Lyft have been associated with an annual increase of around 3% in road fatalities and injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What If A Lyft Driver Hits My Car?
If a Lyft hits your car, you can file a claim for property damage. If you sustained an injury, you can also file a personal injury claim. The rideshare company’s insurance policy will kick in, depending on the driver’s activity at the time of the incident. In some cases, the Lyft driver’s auto insurance policy will cover your damages instead.
What Evidence Do I Need To Win A Lyft Accident Case?
To recover compensation, you need to demonstrate the negligence of the other party, whether it’s the Lyft driver, Lyft, or another individual/company. You can do this by presenting evidence like police incident reports, medical records, and dashcam videos.
There are pieces of evidence that are difficult to secure, such as a police report, if you’re not sure where to get it. CCTV footage is also challenging to obtain, as its owners won’t just hand it over to anyone who asks.
We can help you get copies of hard-to-obtain evidence, as we have been doing this for our clients numerous times. Additionally, our Lyft accident lawyers in Eureka will help you secure medical and financial expert testimonies to solidify and ramp up the value of your personal injury claims.
How Long Do You Have To Sue After A Lyft Accident?
According to California’s statute of limitations, you only have two years to file personal injury claims, including Lyft accident cases, with some exceptions:
Minor Victims – If the parents decide not to push the case, the victims can pursue it themselves once they reach the legal age. Their two-year deadline starts on their 18th birthday.
Delayed Injuries – If you discover your injury much later than the date of the accident, your deadline begins on the date your injury is clinically diagnosed.
Government Agencies – Instead of two years, you will just have six months to file a claim with the respective government entity.
What Difficulties Will I Face When Filing A Lawsuit Against Lyft?
Victims regularly face challenges when filing a personal injury claim against a Lyft driver or the rideshare company itself. Lyft might not be willing to cooperate, meet your demands, or offer a fair resolution. Insurance companies might even lowball you or, worse, blame you instead so that they don’t have to pay you.
For these reasons, we always advise all Lyft accident victims to consult our Lyft accident lawyers in Eureka right from the beginning. We can help make this process a little easier by dealing with the other party on your behalf.
How Much Do Eureka Lyft Accident Lawyers Charge?
A Lyft accident lawyer in Eureka may charge $100 to $1,000 per hour, depending on their experience and skills. Some might also ask for a flat fee.
However, there are also law firms that charge on a contingency fee basis, like Arash Law. In our client-centric firm, we do not want our clients to shift their focus from their recovery to worrying about legal fees. With a no-win, no-fee approach, we can extend our legal services at no upfront cost. You won’t pay us anything if we don’t win your case, too.
This solution also demonstrates our confidence in handling difficult cases like Lyft accidents. With years of experience in the industry, our personal injury lawyers are confident in their investigation, negotiation, and litigation skills. We are positive that, just like with our previous clients, we can also win your case.
Consult The Experienced Lyft Accident Lawyers Eureka Trusts
No matter what mode of transportation we use, from driving our cars to booking a Lyft, there’s always a risk involved. In most cases, however, accidents can be prevented if all drivers abide by road safety regulations.
Nobody wishes to get injured, but an accident could happen to anyone at any time. Aside from physical suffering, injury is also financially draining. In just a blink of an eye, savings are gone due to the mounting hospital bills. We fully understand sentiments like these; that is why we commit to getting our clients justice. We will not stop until we hold the at-fault party responsible for their negligence. Regardless of the size of the opposing party, we will fight for our clients’ rights.
Do not hesitate to call us at (888) 488-1391 if you get hurt in an accident involving a Lyft car. Our Lyft accident lawyers in Eureka will help you get your medical bills and lost wages paid. We will help you recover so you can enjoy life once again with your family and loved ones.
Our legal team is also available to assist Lyft accident victims in the nearby cities of Eureka, such as Arcata, Fortuna, Redding, Shasta Lake, Anderson, Red Bluff, Ukiah, Chico, Clearlake, Paradise, Tyee City, and Magalia.
