Lyft Accident Lawyer

If you are wondering how a Lyft accident lawyer can help you, you’ve come to the right place. Our personal injury attorneys at Rizio Lipinsky Heiting Heiting Heiting Law Firm have prepared the following information to answer the questions most commonly asked by people searching for a Lyft car accident lawyer.

Lyft and other rideshare apps have seen a massive increase in popularity in recent years. Ridesharing can be an affordable, convenient way to get around town, especially in the major cities and suburbs of California.

Unfortunately, though, accidents sometimes happen. If you are a Lyft driver (designated as “independent contractors” by rideshare companies) or a frequent rideshare passenger, you should understand what coverage you have, what to do after an accident, and when to contact a Lyft car accident attorney.

Rideshare Services Accident Scenarios

There are a wide variety of scenarios in which you may be injured in a Lyft accident as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian. If you are a passenger in a Lyft that was hit by another driver, you can seek compensation for medical care from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. If you are unable to get full compensation from the at-fault driver, the rideshare company (Lyft in this case) should cover the rest of your expenses.

The same process applies if your Lyft driver is at fault for an accident that injures you. First, you can seek compensation from your rideshare driver’s own car insurance policy. If accident claim this is unsuccessful or doesn’t provide full coverage, you can seek compensation from Lyft.

If you are a driver who is hit by a Lyft vehicle, you should be covered either by the Lyft driver’s personal policy or by the liability coverage that Lyft provides for its drivers. Lyft’s insurance policies provide enough liability coverage that the damage to your car and any medical expenses should be fully paid for.

A pedestrian who is struck by a Lyft driver will also likely be covered by the driver’s personal insurance or by Lyft’s insurance. In almost all scenarios, drivers are considered to be at fault if they strike a pedestrian.

The company Lyft is worth billions of dollars, and they take the safety of their drivers, passengers, and other pedestrians seriously. All Lyft drivers in California have insurance, so you should be covered no matter the type of accident you are involved in.

The Three Rideshare Periods

California law requires Lyft drivers to have insurance, but the amount of required coverage varies depending on the rideshare period. California defines the following three rideshare periods:

Period 1: The driver has opened the rideshare app and is waiting for a passenger to request a ride. In this period, Lyft must provide the driver with $50,000 in primary coverage for death or personal injury per person, $100,000 for death or personal injury per incident, $30,000 for property damage, and $200,000 in liability insurance coverage.

Period 2: The driver has accepted a ride request from a passenger and is currently driving to their location to pick them up. In this period, Lyft must provide at least $1 million in primary commercial insurance.

Period 3: The driver has picked up the passenger and is currently bringing them to their destination. In this period, Lyft must provide $1 million in primary commercial insurance coverage and $1 million in uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

What to Do After a Lyft Accident

It’s normal to be overwhelmed and shaken up after being involved in a car accident. It is no different after being involved in a ridesharing accident. However, there are some important steps you should take following an accident to financially protect yourself, so you can gain financial compensation to cover any medical treatment needed.

If you are a Lyft passenger, you should first download or take a screenshot of your trip information. This includes your driver’s name, vehicle information, departure and arrival times, and expected route.

The next step, you should also request the driving information about your ride. The Lyft app monitors your driver’s location, speed, and braking, which may help determine who is at fault for the accident.

As soon as possible after the accident, you should contact a personal injury lawyer with years of experience in handling Lyft accident cases. This is especially important if you have costly medical bills or serious damage to your vehicle.

It’s easy to accidentally say the wrong thing to an insurance provider, which can impact how much compensation you get. The sooner you let a Lyft accident lawyer take control of the situation, the better your chances are of getting enough compensation.

Why Hire a Lyft Accident Attorney

Like all companies, Lyft wants to avoid bad publicity and unhappy customers. However, they also want to hold onto their money when faced with personal injury claims. Even though you’re entitled to fair compensation if you’re injured in a Lyft accident, getting the money can be a long and frustrating process. Lyft accident victims with serious injuries, or those requiring medical attention, should not assume that the ridesharing service is looking out for their best interest.

A Lyft accident lawyer is familiar with car accident laws as well as Lyft’s policies for compensating accident victims. Your lawyer will know what to say and do to recover the damages, which will allow you to move on from the accident and heal from your injuries without worrying about a legal battle.

The attorneys at Rizio Lipinsky Heiting have experience with rideshare accident cases, and they can help you communicate with Lyft and with the insurance companies involved. If you live in California and have been involved in a car accident with a rideshare vehicle, contact Rizio Lipinsky Heiting at 888-292-8888 today. Or simply fill out our online contact form. Either way, we will walk you through a free consultation of your legal rights and best options.

Our legal team will provide you with an experienced attorney with a track-record for gaining maximum compensation for your Lyft accident claim.