Sharing the road with rideshare vehicles has become an everyday occurrence, especially in highly populated and high-traffic areas throughout California. If you have been in an accident with one of these vehicles, however, you may not know that apps like Lyft are responsible for insuring their drivers while they are active, meaning using the Lyft App – and that these networks can be held liable when their drivers are at fault in a Lyft accident.
At Cohn & Swartzon, an experienced personal injury firm in Southern California, we have seen all of the forms that rideshare accidents can take. More importantly, we know how to assess the details of specific incidents to determine whether your Lyft accident qualifies for potentially increased compensation.
Determining Fault in a Lyft Accident
The process to determine who is at fault in a Lyft accident is similar to the other types of vehicular accidents. Establishing fault is crucial in a rideshare accident. Several parties may be responsible depending on the circumstances, including the driver who caused the accident through negligence, a third party that contributed to the event, or even the car manufacturer if one can prove there is a design or manufacturing defect.
If a Lyft driver caused the accident through reckless, negligent or other careless behavior, the driver and the rideshare company may both be held responsible for your injuries and compensation. Identifying and proving negligence is a vital element for proceeding with a personal injury claim.
What You Should Know About Compensation After a Lyft Accident
Individuals who have been injured by a driver who was acting as a rideshare operator are entitled to pursue compensation not just from the driver, but also from the insurance provided by the rideshare company.
California has specific regulations governing these transportation services that require a higher level of insurance coverage in the event of an accident, though depending on if the Lyft driver just had their App on just waiting for a match or actively in route to pick up or carrying a rideshare passenger. Since 2015, California law states that rideshare companies must provide drivers with $1 million in liability coverage from the time a match is accepted until the rideshare passenger exits the vehicle.
Proving Your Case After a Rideshare Accident
Depending on the circumstances, if you have been in an accident involving a Lyft vehicle – as either a rideshare passenger, pedestrian, bicyclist, motorcyclist, or the other driver – you may be able to obtain a greater amount of compensation in these situations as compared to other accidents if you have a legitimate and a credible claim.
That said, just because enhanced insurance coverage is in place doesn’t mean that the rideshare company will hand you a blank check. In fact, it’s quite the opposite – their adjusters and legal team will do whatever they can to minimize the compensation you are seeking. And unfortunately, they are likely to succeed if you do not have an experienced rideshare attorney to represent you with your case.
Establishing a credible claim after a rideshare accident is a complex process that includes assessing identifying who is at fault for the accident, securing necessary witnesses and evidence, evaluating injuries and damages, and determining the best course of action to assert your rights and claim the compensation you are entitled to.
“Even though the insurance requirement for rideshare companies is relatively new, our team has been taking on these types of cases for years. We know how to negotiate with insurance carriers and and their legal teams, and counter their tactics effectively to secure the best possible outcome after a Lyft accident.”
– Saar Swartzon, Founding Principal, Cohn & Swartzon
As your legal partner, Cohn & Swartzon can guide you through these processes and help you make a strong claim for the compensation that you deserve as you reclaim your normal life to the extent possible.
