Since its introduction in 2012, Lyft has increased in popularity and is now one of the largest transportation networks in the U.S. The ease of summoning a ride whenever you need it has resulted in the regular use of the rideshare platform, whether for occasional rides or everyday commuting.
Riders typically feel safe using the service and allowing a Lyft driver to transport them, but accidents can and do still happen. If you’re injured in a crash involving a Lyft, you may have options to obtain compensation for your related losses.
You can pursue financial recovery in several ways, depending on the details of the accident. Under some circumstances, you may file a lawsuit against Lyft directly.
Filing a claim after a Lyft accident can seem daunting and stressful. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone. A skilled San Jose rideshare accident attorney can determine the best course of action for your case and work diligently to get you the monetary recovery you deserve.
The Rise and Dangers of Ridesharing Apps
With the rise of rideshare and the slow decline of taxis, you’ll notice more and more rideshare vehicles on today’s roads. The rideshare industry in the U.S. is booming, with profits expected to reach $54 billion annually in just a few years.
Ridesharing has increased congestion time on roads by 4.5 percent. Because there are more ridesharing vehicles, especially in larger cities, accidents are more likely to happen.
Additionally, the numbers have shown that, along with vehicular crashes, sexual assault has been a significant issue with ridesharing. While the numbers concerning these incidents are higher with Uber than with Lyft, it is still a cause for concern for riders.
Previously, Lyft published safety reports until they stopped with their last report in 2021. This concerns many Lyft users, as they cannot see clear numbers and statistics regarding accidents and injuries suffered by riders.
There is no doubt rideshare apps offer several great benefits, but there are also detriments to using these services. Riders must remain on high alert and care for their own safety to help minimize harm.
Lyft Driver and Vehicle Safety Requirements
To become a Lyft driver, the company has several requirements drivers and their vehicles must comply with. Should drivers or their vehicles not meet certain requirements, Lyft should not approve drivers to work.
Drivers who wish to work for Lyft must:
- Be a minimum of 21 to 25 years old, depending on the region
- Have a valid driver's license
- Have at least one year of licensed driving experience in certain states, including California and Massachusetts
- Pass a background check which looks at criminal background and driving records
- Have valid car insurance that meets state minimum requirements
- Complete a community safety education program
Additionally, for a driver to use their vehicle for riders, the car must:
- Meet the vehicle minimum age requirement, depending on the city
- Have four doors and a minimum of five seatbelts (including the driver’s)
- Pass inspection
Lyft has these requirements in place because they can help keep passengers safe and also Lyft free from liability. Still, even with these standards drivers and their vehicles must meet, accidents and incidents still occur frequently.
Understanding Lyft Accidents
Some Lyft accidents are unavoidable no matter how safe you try to be. Certain details are key in collisions and future claims, including cause, fault, and damages.
There are key differences between Lyft crashes and regular car accidents. When you’re involved in a typical car crash, you may be the driver dealing with another vehicle crashing into you. In a rideshare accident, you’re merely a passenger and have no fault in your collision whatsoever. Additionally, you may have to deal with more parties, including your rideshare driver, the other driver, and Lyft.
Handling a Lyft accident case can truly be overwhelming, as there are many details and moving parts. This further contributes to the importance of seeking legal representation as quickly as possible after your collision.
Causes of Rideshare Collisions
Lyft accidents can happen for many of the same reasons as common car crashes. Driver negligence is often to blame for these collisions, with drivers engaging in dangerous driving behaviors such as:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence
- Violating road rules
- Failing to yield
Other details can also contribute to rideshare accidents, including hazardous road conditions, inclement weather, and vehicle defects and malfunctions.
It’s critical to determine the cause of your Lyft accident before proceeding with your claim. This can involve thoroughly investigating your collision and reviewing pertinent evidence for answers.
Determining Fault
Determining fault can be challenging, especially when two drivers point the finger at each other, making it harder for you to know who to pursue compensation from.
Usually, either your Lyft driver or the other vehicle's driver will be at fault. However, based on the cause of your accident, other parties can be responsible, including city and governmental entities or manufacturers and distributors. Under certain circumstances, Lyft may also be liable.
Often, Lyft accidents are the result of negligence. When a party is negligent, you must satisfy the necessary elements, including:
- Duty owed: The party owed you a duty of care.
- Duty breached: The party’s actions breached their duty.
- Causation: The party’s wrongdoing resulted in your accident.
- Damages: You suffered injuries and losses from your collision.
After an investigation and with the help of pertinent evidence, you can figure out which party or parties should be liable for your Lyft crash. Fault is key, as it allows you to pursue compensation from the appropriate parties.
Dealing with Injuries Following a Lyft Accident
Even if you were sitting in the back seat with your seat belt on when the Lyft accident occurred, you’re still at risk of suffering serious injuries. Some of the injuries collision victims are likely to sustain include, but are not limited to:
- Contusions
- Fractures
- Neck injuries
- Head and brain injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Facial injuries
- Internal injuries
Following a Lyft accident, getting medical attention right away is critical. This is important for your physical health, and medical records are significant in rideshare collision cases. Additionally, keep any documentation concerning your injuries, and consider keeping a pain journal to detail all of your injuries and treatment.
Potential Damages for Lyft Crashes
Following a Lyft accident, you may incur numerous losses. Pursuing compensation can assist with your monetary and non-monetary burdens.
Some of the damages you may be entitled to receive for your Lyft crash include:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Lost income
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Scarring
- Disability
Accurately calculating your damages involves weighing multiple factors, including the extent of your injuries, your total medical expenses, and whether you’ll require treatment in the future, among many other things. Understanding how much your claim is worth can help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Understanding Lyft’s Insurance
The way insurance works for ridesharing companies like Lyft can be convoluted. However, if you’re injured in a crash, it’s helpful to understand how insurance coverage works.
Lyft maintains commercial insurance coverage for its drivers. The insurance provides certain coverage while the Lyft driver is on the app. It’s worth noting, though, that Lyft’s insurance does not take the place of a driver’s personal insurance, as drivers are still required to maintain their own car insurance coverage at all times.
Insurance coverage for rideshare drivers depends on the “status” of the driver at the time of the incident.
The Lyft App is Off
When the Lyft app is off entirely, and the driver is not working, the driver’s own car insurance should provide protection. At this point, Lyft has no involvement in the event of a crash.
The App is On, Waiting for a Ride
Lyft insurance provides protection so long as the driver’s app is on and they’re working, even if they’re waiting for a ride.
For accidents occurring while the driver is waiting for a ride request, Lyft’s insurance provides the following coverage:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury.
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury.
- $25,000 per accident for property damage.
Lyft’s third-party liability insurance covers accidents when the driver’s personal insurance does not apply.
Heading to Pick Up a Passenger or On a Trip
When the driver is either in route to pick up their passenger or on the way to drop the passenger off, the following Lyft coverage applies:
- At least $1,000,000 protection for third-party auto liability.
- First-party coverage, which can include uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, and PIP, among others.
Additionally, Lyft offers contingent comprehensive & collision coverage up to the actual cash value of the car (with a 2,500 deductible), if a driver obtains comprehensive and collision coverage on their personal car insurance policy.
Filing a Claim for Your Injuries
How you obtain compensation for a Lyft crash depends on the details of the accident and who is liable.
If the other driver is at fault, you may file a third-party insurance claim through their auto insurer. When the Lyft driver is at fault, you may need to go through their personal car insurance.
Getting financial recovery from the insurance companies may also involve sending a demand letter to request a fair settlement. If you cannot settle favorably for what your claim is worth, you may need to take further action and file a lawsuit.
Is it Possible to Sue Lyft Following a Collision?
Yes - it is possible to sue Lyft after an accident. Still, because Lyft has systems in place to limit its liability, there are only some specific instances where you can file suit. If Lyft’s insurer does not make a fair offer and should cover your losses, your attorney might choose to file a lawsuit to seek full compensation.
You can also sue Lyft if their negligence contributed to your collision. Cases against Lyft generally involve negligent hiring, retention of unsafe drivers, and failure to enforce adequate safety standards.
Common instances where Lyft may incur liability include:
- Failing to run thorough background checks
- Ignoring a driver’s criminal and unsafe driving past
- Allowing a driver to continue working after getting a DUI
Suing Lyft requires showing how the company’s negligence directly impacted your collision. An investigation into the specifics of your accident can help uncover details and evidence to build a case against Lyft.
A lawsuit against Lyft can present some challenges, but an experienced rideshare accident attorney can handle the case on your behalf.
Protecting Your Rights After a Lyft Accident
You have certain rights as a collision victim when you’re involved in a Lyft accident. Nonetheless, you should take certain steps to safeguard these rights and avoid negatively impacting your future lawsuit.
Like other types of accidents, immediately after a Lyft crash, you should call the police. Law enforcement officers can investigate the collision at the scene. They will then take these details and put them into a comprehensive police report, which can be pertinent evidence.
Seek medical attention as quickly as possible after your accident, regardless of whether you believe you’ve sustained injuries. Car crash injuries can be sneaky, and you don’t always feel the effects of your injuries right away. The sooner you get medical treatment, the sooner you can begin on your road to recovery.
Report your accident to Lyft. While you don’t need to do this at the scene of the accident, be sure to do so soon after. You can submit a report directly through your app or online.
Finally, consult a Lyft accident attorney right away. There is only a limited amount of time to take action following your collision, and you want to ensure you don’t lose your chance to recover monetarily for your injuries and losses.
After Suffering Injuries in a Lyft Accident, Do Not Hesitate to Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Lyft accident cases are hard to navigate, especially if you aren’t familiar with relevant laws and procedures. Handling your claim on your own can negatively affect your ability to reach a beneficial resolution.
Therefore, following a Lyft collision, do not wait to schedule a consultation with a local rideshare accident attorney. A San Jose personal injury lawyer can identify your rights and options and begin working on your case right away to avoid missing critical deadlines.
Robert Bohn, Jr.
Attorney
For more than 40 years, the lawyers at Robert Bohn, Jr. has dedicated their practices to personal injury law, representing people who have been injured or damaged due to the negligence or carelessness of others. For most people, handling a personal injury claim can be complicated and stressful.
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