Rideshare services have become increasingly widespread in Los Angeles and all across California. Millions of California residents rely on Lyft and other rideshare services as part of their daily routines.
In the greater metropolitan area of Los Angeles, Uber and Lyft drivers drive an estimated over 170 million miles during one month. While Lyft and other ride-hailing services are undoubtedly a convenient way to get around Los Angeles, accidents involving rideshare vehicles are not uncommon.
If you have been involved in a Lyft accident in Los Angeles, do not hesitate to contact a lawyer to find out about your rights. Laws regulating rideshare services are constantly changing in California, which is why you need to speak with a Los Angeles Lyft accident lawyer to provide you with up-to-date information.
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our attorneys at Titan Law Firm by calling 888.848.2656 today.
How is Liability Determined in Lyft Accidents?
After a motor vehicle accident, determining liability is always a complicated matter, but even more so when the crash involves rideshare drivers such as Lyft. Like in most other traffic accidents, liability in a Lyft accident is based on the negligence of one or multiple parties involved.
It means that the driver whose negligent resulted in harm to other individuals will be held liable for the damages and losses. Common types of negligent behavior in Lyft accidents include but are not limited to:
| Distracted driving, including texting while driving | Speeding |
| Disobeying traffic signals and road signs | Driving while intoxicated |
Every driver is legally required to exercise due care when operating a motor vehicle. The duty extends to Lyft drivers as well. If a Lyft driver breached a duty of care due to their negligent behavior, they could be held responsible for your monetary losses and damages.
A driver who caused a car crash is responsible for any damages they cause regardless of whether they drive for Lyft. However, once the driver begins using Lyft’s rideshare app, the company and its insurance carrier also assume liability for any accidents.
How to Prove Negligence in a Lyft Accident?
California Civil Code § 1714 provides that everyone can be held responsible for injuries and damages caused by their failure to exercise ordinary care. If you sustained injuries in a Lyft accident in Los Angeles, you would need to prove a driver’s negligence.
You can prove negligence in a car accident by establishing the following three elements:
- The defendant (e.g., the Lyft driver) owed you a duty of care;
- The duty of care was breached due to negligent behavior; and
- You suffered injuries and damages as a result of the defendant’s negligence.
The same standard of care applies to all other drivers of motor vehicles, not only Lyft drivers.
What is Lyft’s Insurance Coverage in the Event of Accidents?
As you may know, Lyft provides liability insurance coverage for its drivers and passengers. However, insurance coverage is available if specific requirements are met. The rideshare giant provides up to $1 million of coverage per accident if the Lyft crash occurred from the time the driver accepted a ride request until the end of the ride.
According to Lyft’s website, the rideshare company’s insurance coverage may be available depending on the period during which the accident took place:
- Period 1. The period begins when a driver logs in to the driver mode and ends when the driver accepts a passenger’s ride request.
- Period 2. The period begins once the Lyft driver accepts the ride and ends when they pick up the passenger.
- Period 3. The period begins when the driver picks up the passenger and lasts until the ride ends.
During Period 1, liability coverage of $50,000 per bodily injury, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage is available. During Periods 2 and 3, Lyft provides its $1 million liability coverage.
What Compensation Can You Seek After a Lyft Accident in Beverly Hills?
If you were injured in a Lyft accident in Los Angeles, you might wonder what types of damages are recoverable in your particular situation. Since each case is unique, the compensation to which you are entitled after a Lyft accident depends on the severity of your injuries and a number of other factors.
Generally, injured parties in a Lyft accident can seek compensation for such damages as:
| Medical expenses | Lost wages |
| Diminished quality of life | Pain and suffering |
| Property damage | Loss of consortium |
As a rule of thumb, damages that can be recovered after a rideshare accident are dependent on the skills and expertise of your attorney. Your Lyft accident lawyer can help you obtain the maximum compensation you deserve.
How Long Do You Have to File a Lyft Accident Claim in Beverly Hills?
Like any other personal injury cases in California, Lyft accident claims are subject to the state’s statute of limitations. According to the California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim. The same time limit applies to Lyft accidents that result in bodily injury.
If you fail to bring a claim within the time limit, you will be barred from seeking compensation for your injuries and damages. While two years may seem like plenty of time, it is critical to start working on your legal case as soon as possible.
For this reason, you need to contact a skilled Lyft accident lawyer immediately after your accident. A Los Angeles Lyft accident lawyer will investigate your crash and gather all the necessary evidence to win the compensation to which you are entitled.
You Need a Beverly Hills Lyft Accident Lawyer
There are several reasons to contact a lawyer if you have been injured in a Lyft accident in Los Angeles. These reasons include but are not limited to:
- You will have the opportunity to focus on your recovery to get back on your feet as soon as possible while your lawyer handles the legal aspects of your claim.
- Your lawyer will help you determine liability and understand your options.
- You can be certain that you will receive the compensation you deserve because your lawyer will calculate how much your claim is worth.
- Your lawyer will represent your rights and best interests in and out of court.
At Titan Law Firm, our Los Angeles-based lawyers have represented numerous clients who have been injured in Lyft accidents in LA and throughout California. Schedule a free case review with our attorneys by calling 888.848.2656.
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