If you’re injured in a rideshare car accident, you may seek compensation for damages. But suing Lyft can be challenging since its drivers are independent contractors. The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani will help hold the responsible party accountable. If you or a loved one has been injured in a rideshare accident, our Lyft accident attorney near you will help with your claim.
We work with personal injury clients throughout California and have seen many types of accidents involving Lyft vehicles. Suing Lyft or filing a claim with its insurance can be a complex process. But it is possible depending on the circumstances.
When Can I Sue Lyft?
The most likely scenario is you’ll file a claim with Lyft’s insurance company. It provides a $1 million policy to drivers. But this only applies if an accident occurs when the driver is logged into the app, waiting for a drive request, or waiting to pick up a passenger. It’ll also cover damages if an accident occurs while a passenger is being transported.
That doesn’t mean Lyft can never be liable. Its drivers are independent contractors and are not fully background checked. The company may do a less-than-rigorous check of an applicant’s driving history and insurance records. Therefore, it can’t guarantee passengers won’t encounter a dangerous driver. If this happens, Lyft can be liable for negligent hiring.
A Lyft Accident Attorney Will Break Down the Facts of Your Case
When you work with a Lyft accident attorney in Los Angeles, they will determine who was at fault for the accident. The company itself may not be to blame. Your lawyer can analyze the facts of your case to argue the following may be liable:
- The Lyft Driver: Examples of negligent driving include failure to stop, failure to yield, speeding, road rage, or driving while drowsy, distracted, or under the influence.
- Vehicle Manufacturer/Service Professional: If a mechanical issue caused the accident, an auto parts manufacturer/designer/distributor/supplier, maintenance worker, dealership, or safety inspector may be to blame.
- Local Agency/Road Maintenance Contractor: Dangerous road conditions, such as unsecured construction zones, potholes, ice, oil spills, missing street lights, or a failure to replace street signs have caused Lyft accidents.
How Can My Attorney Help Recover Damages?
Your opportunities to sue Lyft may be limited. But when someone is at-fault for an accident, your attorney will most likely file an insurance claim. In California, the at-fault party is liable for damages. If a driver is offline at the time of an accident, their personal driver’s insurance applies. When it happens when they’re waiting for a request or during a ride, Lyft’s insurance coverage kicks in.
To sue a driver, you must prove not only the accident occurred while they were “on the clock”. It must be proven they owed a duty of care to protect you, failed to uphold that duty, and this was the direct cause of your injuries. An experienced attorney knows the complexities of how Lyft operates and can work with insurance companies, file paperwork, negotiate, and handle every step of litigation.
In California, there’s no cap on economic or non-economic damages for most personal injury lawsuits, including car accident cases. Through litigation or a court, you can win damages such as:
- Lost income
- Reduced earning potential
- Mental/emotional trauma
- Scarring/disfigurement
- Future medical expenses
- Damage to personal property
- Loss of household services
- Loss of consortium
Other considerations include the statute of limitations. In California, you can file a personal injury lawsuit related to a car accident up to two years after the incident. It can take time to gather evidence and build a case. Therefore, it’s important to hire an attorney as soon as possible to build and strengthen your claim.
Call Jacob for Help from a Lyft Accident Attorney Near You
At The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani, we’ve won many multi-million-dollar auto accident settlements over the years. There are no statistics on how many people have been hurt in Lyft accidents, but there have been many reports of injuries and fatalities. A Lyft passenger, a pedestrian, or another driver may be eligible to sue, depending on the circumstances. Our team will fight for your rights and to win maximum compensation. Call (888) 952-2952 today to schedule your free consultation.