Calabasas Lyft Accidents

On your way to Taqueria Calabasas, the car behind you looked like it was in a hurry, riding your tail even though you couldn’t possibly go faster than the car in front of you. So it was no surprise that they crashed into you when the traffic on Las Virgenes Rd. suddenly came to a stop. Your head jerked violently back and forth, leaving you with dizziness, blurred vision, and intense pain in your neck and shoulders. You’ve received medical attention but the pain (and the side effects of painkillers) have kept you out of work for a couple of weeks.

When the driver rushed over to check on you and exchange information, you realized they were a Lyft driver on their way to a posh party in the Malibu Hills. The passengers were uninjured but seemed less interested in your predicament, too busy hailing another Lyft. You had lost your appetite for carnitas tacos and wondered just who was responsible for this mess. While it’s always best to speak with a Calabasas Lyft accident lawyer in such situations, we’ll discuss the basics below.

Rideshare companies classify their drivers as independent contractors, which means they’re not employees in the legal sense and have far fewer protections. Lyft, meanwhile, has much less liability for the actions of their drivers. Lyft drivers often supplement their insurance policies to account for their greater risk exposure, as Lyft doesn’t cover damage to their drivers’ vehicles. So who’s liable for a Lyft accident? In a sense, both parties share this responsibility.

Unlike its closest rideshare competitor Uber, Lyft provides its drivers with a base level of liability coverage that applies when there is a passenger in the vehicle. While Uber does provide $1 million in coverage, it only kicks in after the driver’s own insurance coverage has been exhausted (Lyft also offers $1 million liability coverage to cover such contingencies).

Lyft’s standard coverage includes:

• $50,000 per injury
• $100,000 per incident
• $25,000 property damage

Keep in mind that this is only liability insurance, so it won’t cover property damage to your car or any injuries you sustain in the course of your work with Lyft. It’s also important to remember that it won’t cover your liability for accidents that happen between rides. But even when you file a claim with Lyft’s insurer, you’ll have to file it with your own insurer first. They’ll usually deny the claim—since personal auto insurance policies typically don’t cover claims for accidents involving a rideshare service—after which you may file with Lyft’s insurer. Don’t worry- when you hire us we take care of absolutely everything and you take care of yourself and your recovery!

Given the multi-party confusion of these scenarios, it’s often a smart idea to consult with a Calabasas Lyft accident lawyer first. Skilled accident attorneys understand how best to navigate these types of situations. It’s also important to resist the urge to agree to an insurance settlement until you’ve had time to fully assess your damages (preferably with the help of a lawyer). Regardless of whether it’s your own insurer, another driver’s insurer, of Lyft’s insurer, they’re motivated to keep costs low and close claims as quickly as possible.

Unless you’re an accident lawyer (or a claims adjuster), you probably don’t have a complete understanding of how the claims process works or, more to the point, how to ensure you get fully compensated for your claims. A two-party fender bender is one thing, but things tend to get a little murky when rideshare companies are involved. There may be legal differences in a claim for a Lyft accident based on these (and other factors):

• Did the Lyft driver cause an accident while on the way to pick up a passenger?
• Was the Lyft driver on duty during the accident?
• Were you injured as a passenger, a driver, or a third party?
• Did the Lyft driver have adequate private insurance coverage?

More so than for non-rideshare accidents, it’s important to contact an attorney after you’ve obtained medical attention, called the police, taken notes (including photographs) of the scene and what happened, and exchange information with the driver and other parties involved. But if you haven’t done any of those things yet, don’t worry we can help with everything from medical care to getting your police report, all you have to do is call us!

Whether you were in an accident while driving for Lyft, struck by a Lyft driver, or injured as a Lyft passenger, your claim may be a bit more complicated than a “normal” accident claim. It’s not always clear which insurance company is responsible; they know this, and may try to pass the buck or push for a low settlement right away. Take control of your claim by speaking with the professionals at the Law Offices of Gary K. Walch, A Law Corporation today!