San Diego Lyft Accident Lawyers

Injured in a Lyft Accident? You Need Legal Help.

Lyft and other ridesharing companies offer a convenient alternative to traditional taxis and public transportation. Grabbing a Lyft or an Uber has become a commonplace aspect of urban living. But along with the growing popularity of Lyft and Uber has come an increase in the number of rideshare accidents. Following an accident involving a Lyft driver, it may be unclear where liability may fall, especially if you are a passenger. Do you ask for the Lyft driver’s insurance information, Lyft’s liability policy, or another driver’s?

Determining the best route to compensation after a Lyft accident can appear confusing, but the legal team at jD LAW, has the expertise and knowledge to thoroughly and investigate an auto accident claim. If you have been involved in a Lyft accident caused by another party’s negligence, do not hesitate to contact our San Diego car accident lawyer at (760) 630-2000.

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What Are the Risks Associated with Lyft Rides?

Despite their job description, Lyft drivers should not be considered more experienced or safer than other drivers. They are not required to carry commercial driver’s licenses, have no specialized training, and are just as likely to be involved in an accident than everyday commuters. The constant updates from the Lyft app and GPS can cause them to become distracted, resulting in an accident. In addition, passengers, especially when intoxicated, may cause distractions or push them to speed or drive recklessly. Even in these scenarios, the driver should always obey traffic laws and do everything they can to maximize the safety of their passengers and other drivers on the road.

Drivers may also work long, late hours to capitalize on bonus programs or hiring paying rides, such as red-eye flights or groups going out to party. This can result in fatigued driving, which has contributed to more than 100,000 police-reported crashes in a recent year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In addition to driving practices, Lyft drivers have not always appeared to be the most reputable. In the past, Lyft only ran annual background checks on its drivers, which allowed dangerous drivers to pick up passengers. Now, the company runs daily criminal monitoring of active drivers, according to a statement by Lyft. Drivers may be disqualified for violent crimes, sexual offenses, and other felonies. They can also be disqualified if they have had one major or more than three minor driving violations in the previous three years, or a DUI or drug-related violation in the past seven years. These efforts to enforce stricter hiring practices can help mitigate risks to passengers, but it does not address the full range of issues caused by distracted or fatigued driving.

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Who Is Liable for Your Injuries After a Rideshare Crash?

If you have been injured in a Lyft accident, the same legal principles apply as in any other type of automobile crash. Whoever caused your accident should be liable for your injuries, whether it was the rideshare driver or the operator of another vehicle. The difference in a Lyft or Uber collision is that, in addition to the driver’s personal car insurance, the company’s liability coverage kicks in in certain situations.

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Lyft Liability Coverage Explained

Lyft drivers typically carry personal auto insurance policies that exclude coverage when the vehicle is being used for commercial purposes because premiums for commercial auto insurance policies are much higher. However, Lyft has insurance policies to cover their drivers and their passengers under specific circumstances.

• Period O: When a driver is in his or her vehicle but not logged into the rideshare app, the driver’s personal auto insurance will apply to any accident that occurs.
• Period 1: When the driver is logged into the app but has not yet accepted a ride request, Lyft will provide third-party liability insurance coverage for any accident caused by the driver. This insurance only covers bodily injury or property damage to others – not the rideshare driver. It covers up to $50,000 bodily injury per person, $100,000 bodily injury per accident and $25,000 for property damage.
• Period 2: This is when the driver has been matched with a rider and in on the way to pick him or her up. At this stage, Lyft provides up to $1 million in liability insurance. This coverage applies to any injuries sustained by a Lyft passenger if the rideshare driver caused the accident, and to any bodily injury and vehicle damage sustained by anyone hit by the rideshare driver. Again, the Lyft driver’s injuries and property damage are not covered under this policy.
• Period 3: This period begins when the rider gets into the vehicle and ends when the rider gets out at his or her destination. The same Lyft insurance coverage that applies in Period 2 will apply in Period 2.

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Filing a Personal Injury Claim

If you have been hurt in a Lyft accident, your best course of action is to speak with an experienced attorney. Liability for your injuries could depend on several factors, including who caused the accident and what the Lyft driver was doing at the time the accident occurred.

As complicated as Lyft accidents may appear at first, our San Diego personal injury lawyers at jD LAW have the knowledge, skills, and resources to fully investigate all aspects of it. If we take on your case, we will provide a detailed review to determine fault and liability and deal with insurance companies on your behalf. Contact us at (760) 630-2000 to schedule a free consultation after a serious Lyft accident.

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