Maison Law can guide you through the claims process when you’ve been injured in a car accident in Manhattan Beach. Manhattan Beach sees plenty of traffic from people coming in for the beach, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. A lot of those people use Lyft to get around, which means there are plenty of Lyft drivers on the road. And unfortunately, that also means there’s always a chance of an accident. We’ll help you through it. Set up a free consultation today.
Does Getting a Lawyer Make Sense After a Lyft Accident?
A Lyft ride is usually pretty simple. You get in, get where you’re going, and get out. But when there’s an accident, things can get a little more complicated. There’s of course the other driver, but there’s also others involved (and that includes your Lyft driver.) What this means is multiple insurance companies all pointing the finger at each other.
All the while, you’re struggling to keep up with your bills and other problems that come from a car accident. That’s where talking to our Lyft accident lawyers can make sense. We can help by:
- Explaining your options in plain, straightforward language.
- Looking into the accident and figuring out who may be responsible.
- Getting the evidence we need to support your claim.
- Dealing with the insurance companies and settlement negotiations.
- Taking your case to court if the insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement.
The last thing you need when you’re trying to heal from an accident is having to try to untangle insurance coverage and argue with adjusters. We’ll handle that part while you focus on getting better.
Who’s Responsible for Your Injuries in a Lyft Accident?
This is the first question most people in your position come to. And while there’s a lot that feels different about a Lyft accident, the basic question is still the same as any other car accident: Who caused it?
In other words, it still comes down to negligence. That means responsibility could fall on:
- The Lyft driver
- Another driver involved in the accident
- The city government if dangerous road conditions played a role in what happened
- A company that made or sold a defective vehicle or part caused the accident
That sounds simple enough, but you have to remember that insurance works a bit differently with a Lyft accident. Because Lyft drivers are independent contractors, the coverage that’s in play varies depending on the circumstances. That usually means:
- If the Lyft driver is on the way to pick up a passenger or already has a passenger in the car, Lyft generally provides up to $1 million in liability coverage.
- If the driver is logged into the Lyft app but hasn’t accepted a ride yet, Lyft generally provides a lower amount of coverage.
- If the driver isn’t logged into the Lyft app, the driver’s personal auto insurance generally applies.
So, there are a few moving parts when it comes to insurance. But from your perspective, you still have options if someone else caused the accident and you were injured. But before we get there, it’s important to know what to look for.
What Information Can Help After a Lyft Accident?
Even though there’s a rideshare company involved, a Lyft accident is still a car accident at its core. So, a lot of the information you need is going to be the same as it would be after any other type of accident. That also applies to your priorities. The first thing you should do is:
- Call 911 if you’re hurt and get medical attention. You should also make sure the accident is reported to the police. And because this is a Lyft accident, you’ll want to report it through the Lyft app, too.
From there, you’re trying to document what the aftermath looked like and who all is involved. The best way to do that is to get:
- Pictures of the vehicles, your injuries, road conditions, traffic signals, and anything else that might help explain what happened.
- Contact information for witnesses or anyone else who saw the accident.
- Insurance and contact information from the other driver and your Lyft driver.
- Screenshots of your Lyft trip, including the driver’s profile, pickup and drop-off locations, your route, and any messages exchanged through the app.
Of course, some of the most important information won’t be available right there at the scene. You’ll need to keep track of those things as they become available, including:
- The police report. This can help document when and where the accident happened, who was involved, and what the responding officer saw.
- Medical records. ER records, doctor visits, imaging, prescriptions, and physical therapy can all help show what injuries you suffered and the treatment you needed.
- Surveillance or dashcam footage. Nearby businesses, traffic cameras, and other drivers may have video of the accident. That can be especially helpful if the drivers disagree about what happened.
- Lyft records. The driver’s activity in the Lyft app can help show whether they were waiting for a ride, heading to pick someone up, or already transporting a passenger.
There’s a lot that can go into a Lyft accident claim, but don’t worry if you can’t get everything yourself. Focus on getting medical treatment and taking care of yourself. Our team can work on getting the rest, and then helping you get financial help.
What Damages Can You Get After a Lyft Accident?
Whether you were riding in the Lyft or driving your own car when you were hit, a Lyft accident can leave you dealing with the same problems as any other car accident. Namely, you’re dealing with medical bills, ongoing pain, missed work, anxiety, stress, and possibly even damage to your car or other personal items.
All that adds up to your “damages”, and you can recover a portion of them by either filing:
- An insurance claim outside of court
- A personal injury lawsuit
It’s totally up to you which option to go with, but generally, they’re built on things like your:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current lost income or a loss of future earnings
- Repair/replacement costs for your car or property
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
Every accident is different, so there isn’t a set amount that you can expect to receive. Your injuries, treatment, financial losses, and how the accident has affected your life all matter. That’s why it’s important to look at the whole picture when figuring out what your claim is worth.
Where Do Lyft Accidents Happen in Manhattan Beach?
Lyft drivers spend a lot of time driving through the busiest parts of Manhattan Beach. That means accidents can happen anywhere, but some areas naturally see more rideshare traffic than others. This includes:
- Downtown Manhattan Beach, where you have restaurants, shops, pedestrians, and plenty of cars competing for space.
- The Manhattan Beach Pier and The Strand, especially during busy beach days and weekends.
- Manhattan Village and the surrounding shopping areas, where there’s a lot of traffic and rideshare pickup and drop-off activity.
- Sepulveda Boulevard and Rosecrans Avenue, where traffic, higher speeds, and frequent lane changes can create more opportunities for a collision.
Of course, the location of the accident doesn’t determine who’s responsible. What matters is what caused the accident, who was at fault, and what injuries you were left with. That’s where the claims process comes in, and our team can help you through it.
Get Help From Maison Law After a Manhattan Beach Lyft Accident
A Lyft ride should be a convenient way to get around Manhattan Beach. When it ends in an accident, though, you can suddenly find yourself dealing with medical bills, missed work, insurance companies, and questions about what happens next.
At Maison Law, our Manhattan Beach Lyft accident lawyers can help you understand your options, deal with the insurance companies, and make sure you have what you need to heal. Set up a free consultation today to get started.
