Malibu Lyft Accident Lawyer

Since you’re retired, you decided to ditch your car. You also sold your Los Angeles home for a tidy profit and downsized to a tiny one-bedroom apartment in Malibu, just close enough to carry your longboard to the beach and surf each morning. But sometimes you need to get into town for groceries, errands, or for a change of scenery. For that, you like to use the ridesharing service Lyft. But not all Lyft drivers are skilled drivers, and recently you were involved in a serious accident that turned out to be your Lyft driver’s fault.

You’re concerned that your injured knee will keep you off your surfboard for several months, if not longer, and you’re also racking up medical bills. Who’s responsible, the driver personally or the company he drives for? And how do you even begin the process? It’s probably a good idea to get in touch with a Malibu Lyft accident lawyer at the family firm of Walch Law, who can help you fully assess the extent of your injuries and advocate on your behalf.

The following is an overview of Lyft accident claims, including how liability is determined, how to file your claim, and more.

The driver was uninjured, but you’re in a considerable amount of pain. Your first concern should be getting the medical attention you need, while also checking on others involved in the accident. Call 911 if necessary and call the police for an official report of the accident, which will help bolster your claim.

Regardless of the nature of your accident, you always want to gather the following information when involved in a car accident:

• Names and contact information of any drivers involved in the accident
• License plate numbers and descriptions of all vehicles involved
• Insurance information

Since you were a paying passenger of a Lyft driver, you’ll also want to check the following (which will help your Malibu Lyft accident lawyer properly assess your claim):

• Is the driver logged into their Lyft app (when a Lyft driver is off duty, they’re covered solely by their own personal insurance policy)?
• If the app is in driver mode but there’s no passenger, Lyft provides contingency coverage of $50,000 per injury, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage coverage (in case the driver’s own policy denies coverage).
• Lyft also provides up to $1 million in liability coverage per accident for passengers.
• Remember to report your accident with Lyft

Since insurance companies have no incentive to pay out sizable claims, they often entice injured parties with early cash settlements. But it likely won’t be enough to cover your injuries, which often are more costly than first imagined. Some injuries cause long-lasting effects, while you may incur costs related to your recovery and lose out on wages if you need to miss work. In any event, it’s in your best interest to talk to an attorney before agreeing to anything.

Lyft drivers are classified as independent contractors, not employees, which makes a big difference in liability. So while Lyft does offer insurance coverage for passengers and other parties injured in accidents involving Lyft drivers, it’s not a straightforward process. In fact, many people who have filed such claims have reported significant problems.

Individual experiences will vary, but some of the reported difficulties with Lyft claims include the following:

• Claim is denied, suggesting it wasn’t the Lyft driver’s fault)
• Failure to reply to claims or questions about claims
• Low settlement offers
• Claiming your injury was a “pre-existing condition” and not in fact caused by the accident

The term damages refers to the monetary claims for your injuries, which often include medical expenses and lost wages. But injuries often have a ripple effect in people’s lives and should be fully assessed by your Malibu Lyft accident lawyer. For example, you may be able to claim monetary damages due to the fact that you won’t be able to surf for a while.

Other damages may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Disfigurement
• Permanent disability
• Pain and suffering
• Diminished future earning potential
• Loss of consortium (intimacy and affection)

Accidents can happen just about anywhere. When you’re injured in an accident that’s caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. You greatly improve your chances of obtaining a fair settlement with the help of legal counsel. Call the skilled legal experts at the Law Offices of Gary K. Walch, a Law Corporation today and learn more. Robert and Gary Walch are highly accomplished personal injury lawyers and local to the area so know how to reconstruct accidents to get you the maximum payment. Get in touch with Walch Law today!