Lake County Lyft Accident Lawyers
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Experienced Legal Assistance From Our Lake County Lyft Accident Lawyers
Did you sustain serious injuries in a Lyft accident? We can help. Our Lake County Lyft accident lawyers handle cases involving California rideshare laws and Lyft’s insurance policies. Call us at (888) 488-1391 for a free, no-obligation first consultation.
Lake County is generally laid-back and peaceful, but the serene community is not exempt from traffic accidents. In particular, Highway 20, which runs through the county, has seen a relatively high number of traffic accidents. These incidents are largely due to inclement weather, as well as the high level of pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Lyft routes can go through Highway 20, especially when driving passengers between towns like Upper Lake and Clearlake.
If you were harmed in an accident with a Lyft, you can reach out to Arash Law for help. As a California personal injury law firm, we provide comprehensive services to help clients seek compensation.
Why Discuss Your Case With Our Lake County Lyft Accident Lawyers?
Perhaps you’re thinking, “Do I need a personal injury lawyer for my Lyft accident?” You might, especially since California’s relatively new and complex rideshare laws are likely to apply to your case. At the same time, these collisions may have to be covered by more than one insurance policy. Our Lyft accident lawyers in Lake County are familiar with the legal and insurance-related aspects involved in these cases and can assist you in pursuing compensation. Here are some things we can help with:
- Investigate the Accident and Collect Evidence — Our Lake County Lyft accident attorneys can conduct a detailed investigation of your Lyft accident to collect evidence to support your case. This proof can include police reports, medical records, Lyft driver activity logs, surveillance footage, witness statements, and testimonies.
- Advocate for Your Rights in Settlement Negotiations — Insurance adjusters use different methods to investigate accidents and estimate the value of your claim. Our Lake County Lyft accident lawyers can independently assess the extent of your injuries and use our findings to negotiate for a settlement that reflects your losses.
- Identify the Parties Responsible for the Accident — Multiple parties may have contributed to the accident. Our experienced injury attorneys handling Lyft accident cases in Lake County can identify who you may be able to pursue compensation from.
- Determine How Much Compensation You May Pursue — Medical bills and property damage are often covered in a Lyft accident claim. Our car accident lawyers can estimate the value of your damages to see how much you may be able to pursue.
- Present Your Case in Court — If we can’t reach a reasonable settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance providers, our Lake County injury law firm may prepare to take your case to court.
(No guarantee of outcome. Results displayed were dependent on unique facts of that case, and different facts will bring different results.)
Understanding Lyft Insurance Coverages
Rideshare companies like Lyft must provide commercial liability insurance to protect their drivers and riders. Lyft has specific “periods” to determine the applicable insurance coverage based on the driver’s status on the Lyft app and whether a passenger is in transport.
Period 0
The driver is still offline or has not yet logged into the app. The driver’s insurance covers any accident occurring during this period.
Period 1
Once the driver has logged in but is still waiting for a ride request, the standard coverage is as follows:
- $50,000 for bodily injury per person.
- $100,000 for bodily injury per accident.
- $25,000 for property damage per accident.
Lyft’s website mentions that its coverage for property damage is only up to $25,000. However, its Certificate of Liability Insurance states $30,000, in compliance with California law. In case of disputes, the court may award you up to $30,000 for property damage in Period 1.
Periods 2 And 3
The driver has accepted a ride request and is going to the passenger’s pickup location, which is considered Period 2. Period 3 is when the driver has picked up the passenger and is en route to the destination. For these two periods, Lyft provides the following coverage:
- $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage.
- Uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage.
- Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage (up to the vehicle’s actual cash value with a $2,500 deductible).
We understand that figuring out insurance coverage can get confusing. You can consult Lyft accident lawyers in Lake County for legal support and guidance. We’ll investigate your case and see which coverage applies. However, take note that in cases where you can pursue compensation from Lyft’s insurance provider, the aforementioned policy limits will likely differ from the amount you can potentially pursue.
Common Causes Of Lyft Accidents
The following are the most common causes of Lyft accidents in California:
- Distracted Driving — Drivers may use their cellphones, strike up conversations with passengers, eat or drink, and even engage in personal grooming behind the wheel. These distractions take their attention off the road, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
- Driver Fatigue — When motorists force themselves to drive while exhausted, their concentration and reaction times are compromised. This may hinder them from responding appropriately to road hazards.
- Reckless Driving — Road users may drive recklessly for various reasons. For example, Lyft drivers may speed if they want to reach their passengers’ destinations faster. When they do so, they are putting themselves and their riders at greater risk of accidents.
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI) — DUI is a huge risk for any motorist, especially Lyft drivers. On average, around 37 people in the U.S. die each day due to drunk driving accidents. Considering this, Lyft has a zero-tolerance policy against drug and alcohol use.
- Inadequate Vehicle Maintenance — Lyft drivers must maintain their vehicles and pass inspections every 50,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first, according to Lyft’s policy. However, neglecting the maintenance of any vehicle can result in malfunctions and accidents.
- Road and Weather Conditions — Poorly maintained roads and inclement weather pose real challenges to all drivers. They must proceed carefully when passing through road hazards and during extreme weather conditions.
Our Lake County Lyft accident lawyers will work to uncover the cause of your accident and identify the liable party. While driver error is the most common problem, we’ll examine other contributing factors to help you seek compensation.
Hurt In A Lyft Accident?
Common Injuries Resulting From Lyft Accidents
Different types of Lyft accidents, such as T-bone, sideswipe, hit-and-run, rear-end, and single-car accidents, can cause various injuries. Some are minor, while others can be fatal. Here are some of the most common injuries:
- Abrasions
- Lacerations
- Bruises
- Head and brain injuries
- Facial injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractures
- Amputations
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
If you plan to file a claim, talk with our Lake County Lyft accident attorneys for legal guidance. We’ll also help connect you with medical specialists who can accurately assess the extent of your injuries.
Possible Liable Parties For Your Lyft Accident
Identifying the liable parties in a Lyft accident can be complicated. A thorough investigation can help determine all negligent parties. At Arash Law, we have a team that can assist you with this task.
Specifically, our Lyft accident attorneys in Lake County may explore the involvement of the following parties:
- Lyft Driver — The Lyft driver may be liable when they drive negligently or recklessly. If you get into an accident due to their actions, either Lyft’s or the driver’s insurance will cover your damages.
- Lyft, Inc. — Although Lyft drivers are considered independent contractors, Lyft may also be liable if its negligent hiring practices contributed to your accident. For example, suppose that the Lyft driver was intoxicated at the time of the accident and an investigation reveals that they have a history of DUI arrests. In that case, Lyft may be held accountable for not identifying this fact through a background check.
- Another Driver — It is also possible that another driver crashed into the Lyft vehicle you’re riding. Their auto insurance will pay for your claim.
- Government Entity or Property Manager — If the accident is due to dangerous road conditions or missing traffic signs, you can potentially file a claim against the government entity or property manager.
- Vehicle Manufacturer — The vehicle manufacturer may be liable if a vehicle defect or malfunction, such as brake failure, caused your accident. You may file a product liability claim against them.
Even if the victim is found to be partially responsible for the accident, they can still pursue compensation due to California’s pure comparative negligence rule. It is a legal principle that divides liability among all parties. However, the settlement or award they receive will be proportionate to their percentage of liability.
How Our Lyft Accident Attorneys Help Prove Liability
To prove the liable party’s negligence, our Lyft accident lawyers will help establish these four elements:
- Duty of Care — The defendant owed you a duty of care. If you were a Lyft passenger at the time of the accident, the driver owed you a duty of care to transport you safely.
- Breach of Duty — The at-fault party breached its duty of care. Examples of the driver’s breach of duty are speeding, DUI, and distracted driving.
- Causation — The breach of duty should’ve directly caused your accident and injuries. For instance, your driver was texting and accidentally crashed into the vehicle in front.
- Damages — The final element is that you suffered damages like medical bills, lost wages, or property damage. This element must be supported with detailed documentation, such as medical records, repair estimates, and legal testimony.
These are among the legal technicalities we help our clients handle. Our Lake County Lyft accident lawyers are knowledgeable about both personal injury and rideshare laws. We understand negligence and liability principles and can help you tackle the requirements they may impose on you as you pursue compensation.
Types Of Damages You Can Seek After A Lyft Accident
You may seek compensatory or punitive damages when you file a claim after your rideshare accident. Our Lake County Lyft and Uber accident lawyers will assess your damages to ascertain their value.
There are two types of compensatory damages: special and general.
- Special Damages — Special damages are also known as economic or tangible damages. They cover out-of-pocket expenses in the present and future. Examples include:
- Current and potential medical expenses to cover initial treatment, therapies, and long-term care.
- Lost wages for missed days of work during recovery.
- Potential loss of income due to the effects of your injuries on the quality of work.
- Repair or replacement cost of personal property.
- The cost of burial and funeral services (in a wrongful death claim).
- General Damages — These are also called non-economic or intangible damages. They are more difficult to quantify as they have no monetary value. These damages include:
- Emotional pain and mental suffering.
- Loss of relationship or consortium.
- Punitive Damages — In rare cases, the court may award punitive damages as a punishment to the defendant if their actions were grossly negligent or intentional.
How Our Lyft Accident Attorneys Communicate With Insurers
Once you submit a claim to an at-fault party, expect an insurance adjuster to contact you. They may state, for example, that Lyft accepts the responsibility for the accident and even offers to settle immediately. The offer may be tempting, as it may provide you with an immediate resolution. However, accepting the first offer you get without consulting a lawyer is one of the common mistakes accident victims make.
Insurance companies may not yet know the full extent of your damages. You yourself may not know how much compensation to pursue if you haven’t assessed both the current and future medical costs your injuries will bring, for instance. As such, initial settlements may not be enough to cover your losses. By accepting the first offer, you won’t be able to make future claims, even if you incur more costs later on.
Our Lake County Lyft accident attorneys can advocate for your rights and represent your interests. We know how to assess our clients’ losses and estimate their value. We’ll use that to study any offers you receive and can help you decide whether to accept or counter them. In the case of the latter, we can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
What To Do After A Lyft Accident
The impact of a Lyft accident may leave you confused and disoriented, particularly once you see the injuries and the wreck around you. However, it’s important to remain calm to protect your rights and safety.
To do so, the steps you take after an accident can include the following:
- Ensure Safety and Check for Injuries — The first thing you must do after a Lyft accident is to avoid further injuries. If you’re a passenger, ask the driver to move the vehicle to the side if possible. If you are a pedestrian, find a safe spot away from traffic if you can. Once you’re safe, check yourself for signs of injuries.
- Call 911 — If anyone has injuries, call 911 to receive emergency medical assistance. If you plan to pursue a claim from Lyft, you must submit an accident report to the company immediately.
- Gather Evidence — Ask for the driver’s name, license number, contact details, insurance information, and the contact information of any witnesses. Document your injuries and the accident scene by taking photos or videos of the vehicles, as well as any road hazards or traffic signs.
- Seek Medical Attention — Even if you don’t have visible signs of injuries or generally feel fine, you should immediately see a doctor. Aside from assessing your physical condition, this will create a medical record to back your claim.
- Inform Your Insurance Provider — Notify your insurance provider about the accident. When talking with your insurer and the other party’s insurer, only state the facts. Keep your opinions to yourself, as your statements may unintentionally imply that you’re responsible for the crash.
- Consult With a Lawyer — Filing a claim against the at-fault party and their insurance provider can be complicated. Experienced Lake County Lyft accident lawyers can guide you through the claims process. Call us at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
(No guarantee of outcome. Results displayed were dependent on unique facts of that case, and different facts will bring different results.)
The Time Limit For Filing Your Claim
California’s statute of limitations or time limit for personal injury claims is two years. This means that you only have two years from your accident date to file a claim. Any legal action made past this period will be dismissed, except in instances such as the following:
- Under the “delayed discovery” rule, the statute of limitations doesn’t start until the plaintiff discovers their injury.
- The injured victim is a minor or does not have the legal capacity to make decisions, as in the case of mental incapacity.
- The defendant left California after the accident but before the claim could be initiated.
If you miss the deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation. To avoid this as much as possible, work with our personal injury lawyers in Lake County. In addition to telling you which deadlines apply to your case, they can assist with filing your claim on time.
Lyft Accident Statistics
In the 2019 study titled “The Cost of Convenience: Ride-hailing and Traffic Fatalities,” researchers analyzed U.S. traffic accident rates and fatalities before and after the introduction of rideshare services like Lyft. Their findings suggest that the introduction of rideshare services may be associated with changes in traffic patterns and accident rates, though multiple factors contribute to overall road safety statistics.
Moreover, Lyft published its latest Safety Transparency Report covering 2020 to 2022. It documented 111 motor vehicle fatalities, which the company reported as a 14% increase in the rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled from their prior report. These numbers may still seem low compared to the millions of Lyft rides each year. However, for Arash Law, these statistics represent individuals and families who have been and can still be seriously affected by Lyft accidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Sue Lyft For My Accident?
You can only sue a rideshare company for your accident under certain conditions. For instance, you may file a claim against Lyft if they have been negligent in hiring their drivers. It is mandatory for rideshare companies to meticulously evaluate applicants before hiring them. This includes checking their criminal and driving records to ensure that passengers will be safe with them. If the investigation reveals that the Lyft driver involved in your accident has a previous record for the same offense, Lyft may also be liable.
What Is The Value Of My Lyft Accident Claim?
We can’t estimate the value of your claim without knowing the specifics of your case. Generally, cases involving catastrophic injury and fatalities are likely to result in higher compensation.
Various factors affect how much your claim is worth, including:
- The type and severity of your injuries.
- If your income capacity has changed.
- Your involvement in the collision.
- Your medical and other out-of-pocket expenses.
- Other projected expenses due to the accident.
Our Lake County Lyft accident lawyers won’t be able to tell you the exact worth of your claim, as it may change depending on how your case develops. However, we can use the above factors to calculate the approximate value of your claim.
How Long Will It Take To Receive My Settlement?
There’s no set answer to this question, as there’s no guarantee that you will receive a settlement when pursuing compensation. However, a Lyft accident claim, regardless of its outcome, can take anywhere from a few months to a few years. In some cases, the at-fault party might dispute liability, or there could be a question regarding which insurance policy applies. The process may take a year or longer to resolve when this happens.
Most civil claims are settled privately to save time and money. The parties involved should arrive at mutually acceptable terms to settle. Otherwise, litigation may be necessary, further delaying your claim’s resolution. Our experienced Lake County Lyft accident lawyers might be able to draft a rough timeline for your case during your free first consultation.
Why Do I Need A Personal Injury Lawyer For My Lyft Accident Claim?
A personal injury lawyer has the legal experience and knowledge to assist you in seeking compensation. They’re familiar with the claims process and can help guide you through it. They may do so by handling the timely submission of your documents and collecting evidence.
Our Lake County Lyft accident attorneys are also knowledgeable about current rideshare laws in California. We’re ready to review your accident, see if you have a case, and potentially help you file a claim.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Lake County Lyft Accident Lawyer?
The cost of hiring a Lake County Lyft accident lawyer will also depend on the specifics of your case. If it requires negotiations with multiple insurance companies or requires litigation, for example, attorneys may charge more. However, you don’t necessarily need to pay this cost up front.
Our Lake County Lyft accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. In other words, clients only have to pay attorney’s fees unless they’re able to collect compensation.
Contact The Lyft Accident Attorneys Lake County Chooses For Justice
Call (888) 488-1391 to speak with our Lake County Lyft accident attorneys. We offer a free initial consultation so we can review your case. At Arash Law, we advocate for your rights to pursue compensation after a personal injury accident.
Our Lake County lawyers also offer legal assistance to victims of truck accidents and other personal injury cases. We serve clients throughout Lake County, including Lakeport, Middletown, Lucerne, Glenhaven, Kelseyville, Upper Lake, Nice, Soda Bay, and Clearlake. Arash Law also caters to neighboring counties such as Tehama, Yuba, Sonoma, Napa, and Solano, as well as across California.
