La Jolla 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.
Our La Jolla Lyft Accident Lawyers Are Advocates For Your Legal Rights
Injured in a Lyft collision? Whether you were a passenger in a rideshare vehicle or a third party injured in a crash involving a Lyft vehicle, our La Jolla Lyft accident lawyers are here for you. Call us at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free first case evaluation.
With a large number of visitors and residents moving through La Jolla each year, the area consistently experiences heavy traffic, resulting in an elevated risk of accidents. When a collision involves a Lyft vehicle, the process of pursuing compensation can be challenging due to the relatively new rideshare laws that govern these types of incidents. Our experienced lawyers understand the nuances of these cases and can help you navigate the claims process, from dealing with rideshare companies to negotiating with insurance providers.
Arash Law has assisted injured victims in pursuing compensation for their injuries and losses following an accident.
How Our La Jolla Lyft Accident Lawyers Can Help You
Lyft accidents are more complex than those involving private vehicles. An experienced personal injury lawyer can guide you through the legal process. Our La Jolla Lyft accident attorneys can help you with the following:
- Assess the viability of your claim.
- Calculate your potential compensation.
- Identify the party or parties liable.
- Obtain evidence to support your case.
- Adhere to the statute of limitations.
- Negotiate with insurance companies.
- Take your case to court if necessary.
Our La Jolla injury law firm is familiar with the unique challenges that Lyft accident cases present. We can work to help you seek damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other losses you’ve experienced due to the accident.
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
Why Work With Our Lyft Accident Lawyers
Availing of experienced representation can be helpful for pursuing compensation, especially for more complicated Lyft accident claims. Here are some reasons why Arash Law may be suitable for injured victims and bereaved families to work with:
- We have assisted clients with similar cases in the past.
- Our team includes experienced California personal injury lawyers who have also handled a wide range of cases, such as car, truck, rideshare, pedestrian accidents, and more, so we can offer assistance if similar parties were involved in your particular accident.
- We provide our clients with dedicated legal representation and work to build a well-supported case tailored to their circumstances.
- Our contingency fee arrangement means that we won’t charge clients attorneys’ fees unless they’re awarded compensation for their Lyft accident claim. We can discuss these fees, as well as other case-related costs that may apply, during your first free consultation.
Our Lyft accident attorneys in La Jolla are experienced in representing injured victims and can assist in negotiations with large corporations like rideshare and insurance companies.
Causes Of Lyft Accidents
Lyft crashes can occur for various reasons. Understanding the causes of these collisions is crucial, as they can help identify who may be liable for damages. Our La Jolla Lyft accident lawyers can help you understand whether these factors caused your injuries:
Human Error
Though anyone behind the wheel can make mistakes on the road, the demands of rideshare driving can also increase the likelihood of certain errors. Here are some of them:
- Distracted Driving — Lyft drivers must navigate while simultaneously monitoring the app for updates on passenger locations, routes, and fares. Even a glance at a phone screen can cause a momentary distraction that results in an accident.
- Driver Fatigue — Drivers often work long, irregular hours. Fatigue impairs judgment, slows reaction times, and can cause lapses in attention.
- Reckless Driving — This pressure can lead to rushed decisions and riskier driving behaviors, such as speeding, running red lights, or making unsafe maneuvers, increasing the chances of an accident.
- Driving Under the Influence — While rideshare companies like Lyft were created in part to offer safer transportation alternatives to those who might otherwise drive under the influence, DUI remains a serious risk factor. Although Lyft drivers maintain safe practices, DUI incidents can and do occur, leading to devastating consequences. In such cases, our DUI accident victim lawyers can help you seek compensation for your losses.
- Inexperience — Many Lyft drivers are relatively new to rideshare driving, which requires a different skill set. Unfamiliarity with high-demand routes, busy pickup zones, or traffic patterns in major areas can lead to errors like unsafe turns, missed signals, and abrupt stops.
Other Lyft Accident Causes
Lyft accidents can also result from:
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance — Vehicles that are not properly maintained can develop mechanical problems and cause accidents on the road.
- Poor Road Conditions — Hazards like potholes, uneven pavement, lack of proper signage, and poor lighting can contribute to collisions. When road conditions are unsafe, even an attentive driver may be unable to avoid an accident.
Hurt In A Lyft Accident?
Liability In Lyft Accidents
Our La Jolla Lyft accident lawyers can help identify who may have caused your accident by conducting an independent investigation. We can assist with filing claims against one or more of the following parties:
Lyft, Inc.
When a Lyft passenger sustains injuries in an accident, most people want to know if they can sue the rideshare company. Generally, they can’t because their drivers are considered independent contractors. However, the law still requires Lyft to maintain an insurance policy to compensate injured victims. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to file a claim against this policy.
However, you may be able to hold the rideshare service directly liable in certain situations. For instance, a Lyft driver with a record of DUI arrests causes the accident. If Lyft failed to conduct a thorough background check that would have revealed the driver’s history of unsafe behavior, you might have a valid claim against them.
Lyft Driver
If the driver causes an accident due to their negligence, they can potentially be held personally liable for any injuries or damages resulting from the crash. Victims may be able to pursue a claim against the driver’s auto insurance policy, as well as Lyft’s insurance coverage, depending on the specific circumstances.
Third-Party Driver
What happens if another driver is at fault? You may be able to seek damages from them. All motorists are required to drive cautiously on the road. Reckless, drunk, or distracted drivers may be liable if they cause your injuries.
Vehicle Manufacturer
In cases where a mechanical failure or defect in the vehicle contributed to the accident, the manufacturer of the vehicle or its parts could be held liable. For example, faulty brakes or defective airbags might fail to perform as intended, leading to a collision.
Government Entities Or Private Property Owners
The accident may be caused by poorly maintained road conditions, such as potholes, inadequate signage, or unsafe construction zones. The local government entity or private property owner responsible for maintenance may be held liable in these cases.
Proving Negligence After A Lyft Accident
Identifying the responsible parties and proving liability is a crucial step in many personal injury cases. To establish negligence, your La Jolla accident Lyft attorney will need to prove the following elements:
- Duty of care by the other party.
- Breach of this legal duty.
- Causation between your injuries and the other party’s actions.
- Damages caused by the other party (medical bills, lost income, property damage, etc.).
Now, what if you were partly at fault for the accident? California follows a “comparative negligence” system, meaning that liability can be shared among all parties involved in the accident. If you are found to be partially responsible, your degree of fault will be determined as a percentage.
For instance, if you were speeding and another driver ran a red light, you may be assigned 20% fault for the accident, while the other driver could be found 80% at fault. So, if you are awarded $200,000 in damages but are deemed 20% at fault, your final compensation would be reduced to $160,000. This system allows you to still seek damages even if you share some responsibility for the accident.
Our experienced La Jolla Lyft accident lawyers can gather evidence such as police reports, witness statements, dashcam footage, accident scene photos, and medical records to help prove the defendant’s negligence caused the collision and your losses. We can work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, or safety experts to support your claim, regardless of any shared fault.
Lyft’s Insurance Coverage
Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) such as Lyft are subject to special insurance regulations in the state of California. As such, Lyft’s corporate liability in a collision is split into three periods:
- Period 1 — The driver has not accepted a ride but is logged into the app. In this case, Lyft keeps third-party liability insurance:
- $50,000 for bodily injury per person.
- $100,000 for bodily injury per accident.
- $25,000 for property damage.
- Period 2 — The driver is on the way to pick up the passenger after accepting the ride. The company’s full liability policy is worth at least $ 1 million and covers this period.
- Period 3 — The same coverage in Period 2 applies if an accident happens while the ride is in progress.
If the collision occurred while the driver was not logged into the Lyft app, their auto insurance would cover the damages. However, take note that regardless of the coverage that may apply to your case, the required policy limits for Lyft and its drivers are likely to differ from the actual amount of compensation available to you.
Potential Compensation For Lyft Accidents
If you’ve been injured in a Lyft accident, you may be able to seek compensation encompassing different types of damages. These can cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the incident. Our La Jolla Lyft accident attorneys can help you come up with an estimate based on variables such as the following:
Compensable Physical Injuries
We can assist you in identifying potential avenues for compensation that reflect both your medical expenses and the overall impact of your injuries on your quality of life. Here are a few examples of common injuries and the damages you may be able to pursue:
- Broken Bones — Those who are involved in more serious accidents are more likely to suffer broken bones. Depending on your situation, potential damages may include:
- Emergency room visits, painkillers, crutches or other assistive technology, and physical therapy treatments.
- Lost income as a result of your injury.
- Pain and suffering, including both physical and mental trauma.
- Traumatic Brain Injury — Lyft accidents can lead to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that result in lasting cognitive impairment. Survivors may struggle with everyday tasks and require compensation for ongoing care, including rehabilitation, medications, and therapy to manage symptoms.
- Spinal Cord Injury — A spinal cord injury can lead to paralysis and complications like hypertension, bladder/bowel dysfunction, and body temperature disorders. Compensation can cover medical costs and lost income opportunities.
Lyft accident victims may suffer different types of injuries depending on the nature of the accident. Some people can suffer only minor injuries, while others may suffer severe ones.
Other Damages
Physical injuries aren’t the only consequences our car accident lawyers observe when handling cases involving Lyft vehicles. There can also be a financial and mental burden on the victims. Aside from physical injuries, accident victims may also suffer economic and non-economic losses. These include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Loss of consortium
Dealing with both injuries and accident claims can be challenging to do alone. So, if you’re asking yourself, “Do I need a personal injury lawyer?” the answer would be, “It depends on whether your situation requires one.” Get in touch with our La Jolla Lyft accident lawyers to discover if you have a case.
Steps You Can Take After A Lyft Accident
If you are the victim of a Lyft accident in La Jolla, there are certain steps you can take that might help protect your rights, such as:
- Call 911 As Soon As Possible — This can help you and any other harmed parties receive immediate medical care. Additionally, it provides official documentation for the incident.
- Take Photos of the Scene — Photograph the vehicles involved in the accident, the accident scene, and any obvious injuries.
- Obtain Information From Witnesses — Get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of everyone who saw the accident. The testimony of witnesses can support your claim and validate your version of events.
- Notify Lyft About the Accident — Report the incident to Lyft as soon as possible. Be sure to follow the reporting protocol they have provided to ensure that you are submitting all the information they require.
- Consult a Doctor — Even if you feel fine, you should get checked out by your physician right away. Certain injuries will not manifest symptoms right away, but they could have long-term effects.
- Get in Touch With a La Jolla Lyft Accident Lawyer — An experienced car accident lawyer who represents victims of Lyft collisions can assist you with the claims process and explain your legal options.
Our client was parked on the side of the road and was struck by the defendant driver traveling at a high rate of speed.– ARASH KHORSANDI
When To File A Lyft Accident Claim
It is critical to file a claim as soon as possible after a Lyft accident in La Jolla. There is a two-year time limit in California for personal injury cases. If you file your case after the deadline, you may lose the opportunity to seek compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Our La Jolla Lyft accident lawyers will investigate the collision, gather evidence to support your claim, and assist with case filing. They can also tell you how the statute of limitations applies to your case, as certain exceptions may lengthen or shorten the aforementioned two-year deadline depending on your circumstances.
Lyft Accident Statistics
Lyft reported 111 motor vehicle deaths from 2020 to 2022, a 31% increase in incident frequency and a 14% increase in fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles driven.
In a specific study, it was observed that for every additional 100 rideshare trips originating within a taxi zone hour, the odds of encountering an injury crash increased by 4.6%. These patterns were also evident in pedestrian injury crashes and motorist injury crashes, but not in cyclist injury crashes. Using trip destinations as the exposure of interest produced similar results.
Although Lyft maintains that safety incidents rarely happen during their trips, they can still happen. If you or your loved one is hurt in such an incident, we are here to help. Our La Jolla Lyft accident lawyers are committed to representing the rights and interests of injured victims. Call us at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Should I See A Doctor After A Lyft Accident?
Accident victims should get a medical evaluation as quickly as possible following an accident, even if their injuries are minor. Whiplash, back injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal hemorrhage, soft tissue injuries, and other significant injuries may not exhibit symptoms right away. Delaying medical attention could make these injuries worse.
Neglecting to seek treatment could also harm your case. Your failure to seek immediate care may demonstrate negligence on your part or make it appear that your injuries were not serious enough to warrant immediate medical attention. This could lead insurance companies to deny your claim or reduce the settlement amount available to you.
Can I File My Claim Against The Driver And Not Lyft?
The driver can be held accountable in civil matters beyond the scope of Lyft’s liability. In cases where a Lyft driver is involved in an accident but they’re not using the app, the company is not liable. You may have to deal with the driver’s insurance instead of Lyft’s when this happens.
Usually, these types of situations require legal representation. Our attorneys have helped clients seek accountability against negligent drivers in rideshare crashes. For a free initial consultation, you can call (888) 488-1391.
Should I Speak With The Insurance Companies Before Talking To An Attorney?
Depending on the specifics of your case, consulting a lawyer before contacting insurance companies after an accident may be beneficial. You may unknowingly compromise your case by accidentally admitting fault for the crash, for example.
Discuss your claim with La Jolla Lyft accident attorneys instead. A lawyer can help you assess the value of your case and prepare for insurance negotiations. If the insurance company calls to obtain a statement, let them know that you will contact them after talking with your attorney.
How Much Do Lyft Accident Lawyers Charge?
Their fees usually depend on how complicated a case is, such as whether it needs to be taken to court. Regardless of how much they might charge, though, you may not have to pay them up front. Our La Jolla Lyft accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. If our clients are not awarded compensation, they do not have to pay our lawyers. Having said that, there may be a separate charge for other case-related costs, which can be discussed during your initial consultation.
What Happens When A Loved One Dies In A Lyft Accident?
We extend our deepest condolences if you have lost a loved one in a tragic Lyft accident. If negligence was involved in their passing, our La Jolla Lyft accident lawyers can help you explore the possibility of filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
This legal action aims to pursue compensation for the loss of support, companionship, and guidance that your loved one would have provided. We understand the emotional and financial strain that comes with such a loss, and we are committed to advocating for your rights and helping you seek potential compensation for your losses.
Contact Our La Jolla Lyft Accident Lawyers For Clear Legal Guidance
If you’ve been injured in a crash involving a Lyft vehicle, you probably want to know who is responsible and how to pursue compensation. Our La Jolla Lyft accident lawyers can help you and your family make an informed decision after studying your case. Call us at (888) 488-1391 for a free case review.
At Arash Law, our client-driven approach and commitment to advocacy underlie our efforts to build well-supported cases for our clients. As an experienced law firm in California, we have assisted injury victims in pursuing claims against the parties liable for their damages.
Our La Jolla lawyers also handle slip and fall accidents, truck accidents, and other personal injury claims. We also serve throughout California, including nearby areas such as Mission Valley, Hillcrest, Sierra Mesa, Miramar, Del Mar, Sorrento Valley, Pacific Beach, North Clairemont, Bay Park, and Mission Bay.
