Maison Law helps people in Clovis through the claims process when they’re hurt in a car accident. Of all the many different kinds of car accidents there are, one of the most confusing happens when there’s a Lyft involved. Whether you’re riding in a Lyft as a passenger or it’s a Lyft driver that hits you, you have options. Reach out today to set up a free consultation to learn more.
When Should You Call a Lawyer After a Lyft Accident in Clovis?
Technically, you don’t have to hire a lawyer after a Lyft accident in Clovis. But here’s the thing: rideshare cases come with layers that a standard car accident usually doesn’t–especially when it comes to insurance and who’s responsible for what. That’s where our team can step in and make things a lot easier. Our team looks at Lyft accidents much like any other car accident claim, but with a closer focus on a few extra steps, like:
- Breaking down your rights and walking you through your options
- Sorting out complicated insurance issues
- Preserving evidence–especially data from Lyft itself
- Dealing with the insurance companies on your behalf
At the end of the day, our goal is to take some of the pressure off. Being hurt is hard enough. Trying to make your way through an insurance claim on top of that can feel overwhelming. Without the right help, it’s also easy to miss out on the full financial support you’re able to get. That starts with looking at who’s ultimately responsible.
Who’s Liable When There’s a Lyft Accident in Clovis?
From a legal standpoint, a Lyft accident is still a car accident. That means we still need to figure out who was negligent and hold them accountable. But when a Lyft driver is involved, the insurance side of things can get more complex. Here’s how it works, usually:
- If the Lyft driver isn’t logged into the app: Only their personal insurance applies, which might be as low as $15,000 per person or $30,000 per accident—the bare minimum in California.
- If they’re logged in but haven’t accepted a ride: Lyft provides some extra coverage—$50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident.
- If they’re actively giving someone a ride or en route to pick up a passenger: Lyft’s $1 million policy is in effect.
Even with all these insurance layers, liability still comes down to one key thing: negligence. To make a successful claim, you need to prove that:
- Someone—often the Lyft driver—had a duty to drive safely
- They didn’t live up to that duty
- Their mistake caused the collision
- You were seriously hurt because of it
It’s not always just the Lyft driver who could be responsible either. Like any other car accident, others could share some of the liability if their actions or inactions contributed to what happened. Usually, this can include:
- Other drivers on the road
- Passengers who caused distractions
- Pedestrians who stepped into traffic
- Road crews or poorly marked construction zones
- Vehicle manufacturers if something malfunctioned
- Even the city or county, if road design played a role
The bottom line is that every angle needs to be looked at in Lyft accidents. The more solid your claim, and the more clearly we can show who was responsible, the stronger your chances of recovering what you need to move forward.
What Damages Can I Get in a Lyft Accident Claim?
After a Lyft accident in Clovis, one of the first questions that comes up is: How badly were you hurt—and what has it cost you? That’s really the heart of any injury claim. California law gives you the right to file a claim against the at-fault party to recover those losses, which are legally known as “damages.”
Most claims start with the driver’s or Lyft’s insurance, but depending on how things unfold, they can move into a lawsuit.
Either way, the process centers around what the accident has taken from you—physically, financially, and emotionally. Here are some of the most common types of damages we see in Lyft accident cases:
- Medical expenses, both now and in the future
- Lost income from missed work or a loss of earning potential
- Repair/replacement costs for your car or anything else that gets damaged
- Pain and suffering and emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Wrongful death expenses, if the accident is fatal
Of course, every accident is different. Your injuries, your recovery, and your circumstances are uniquely yours—and so are your damages. What matters most is that you don’t wait too long to act. In California, you usually only have two years from the date of the accident to file your injury claim.
How Can I Build a Strong Lyft Accident Claim?
While you have time to file a claim after a Lyft accident, it’s always better to get started sooner rather than later. This will let you take care of your injuries in the short-term, but it also makes it easier to build a strong claim from the start. Here’s what you can do:
- Call 911 – Always call 911 if you’re hurt. Let EMTs evaluate you at the scene and go to the ER—even if you feel okay. Some injuries, like concussions or soft tissue damage, show up hours or days later. Have the dispatcher also send the local police–Clovis PD or the local CHP office–depending on where the accident happened. Make sure you get a copy of the police report.
- Get evidence – Take photos and video to document the scene—vehicles, debris, street signs, weather, anything that might help tell the story of what happened.
- Gather information – Get witness information, like names, numbers, even short recorded statements if they’re willing. This can all help back up your version of events.
- Tell Lyft about the accident – Use the Lyft app to report the accident and confirm the driver’s info. Lyft has a claims process, but you want a record that you made the report.
- Keep everything – Medical bills, insurance letters, Lyft app messages—hang onto it all. Also, don’t rush to repair your car or post about the crash on social media. That can come back to bite you.
We know this can feel like a lot, especially when you’re already in pain. That’s why our team takes the lead on gathering evidence and documenting damages–so you can focus on getting better.
What Usually Causes Lyft Accidents in Clovis?
Lyft drivers spend long hours on the road and are often juggling directions, app notifications, and traffic at the same time. In Clovis, accidents during Lyft rides can happen for many of the same reasons as other crashes, including:
- Distracted driving—texting, navigating, or checking ride requests
- Speeding through intersections like Shaw & Willow
- Fatigue after long shifts or driving late at night
- Failure to yield when picking up or dropping off passengers
- Unsafe lane changes on busy roads like Herndon Avenue
- Poor road conditions or limited visibility
Whatever the cause is, when a Lyft ride goes wrong, the injuries can be serious—and so can the questions about who’s responsible. That’s when you can turn to our team for guidance, support, and help.
Contact Maison Law After a Lyft Accident in Clovis
When you use Lyft to get around Clovis, you expect a safe ride–not an unexpected trip to the ER. But accidents happen, and when they do, they can leave you dealing with serious injuries and big questions about what comes next. At Maison Law, we’ll explain your options, help you understand your rights, and guide you through what it takes to file an injury claim. Set up your free consultation today.
