Our attorneys at Maison Law offer representation to those who have been hurt in life-altering Lyft accidents in Salinas. We will aggressively fight to protect your rights when the big-name insurance company and corporate attorneys offer you less than you deserve in financial support. We know how trying these times can be, which is why we are here to provide you with the resources that you need to successfully move forward with a claim. Please do not hesitate to contact us today for more information on how we can assist you.
Do I Need a Lawyer Following a Lyft Accident?
It is true that not every car accident will require the assistance of a lawyer. This is especially true in cases where an individual sustains only minor injuries or mere property damage. However, there are some circumstances in which having the help of a lawyer is necessary. For instance, you may need an attorney if you know that another party is completely at fault for your accident or your injuries are incredibly serious.
Lyft and other rideshare companies can create a variety of hurdles for injured individuals to jump over. With insurance companies and attorneys on their sides to protect their rights, they might offer you too little in settlement or deny your claim altogether. Having an attorney on your side means that you have resources and a skilled negotiator who can help you achieve the support that is necessary to get back on your feet.
Common Causes of Salinas Lyft Accidents
Ridesharing has greatly increased in Salinas and other areas of California over the last decade. With various museums, workplaces, and hiking trails to see, it is sometimes necessary for individuals to take Lyft from one place to another.
Here are some of the top reasons for Lyft accidents that occur in Salinas:
- Driver Distractions: Distracted driving causes Lyft accidents more commonly than other reasons in Salinas. There are many types of distractions that affect Lyft drivers including texting and driving, using a GPS for navigation, and speaking with passengers inside the vehicle.
- Unfamiliar Areas: There are many times in which a Lyft driver could be faced with an unfamiliar area or road when they are picking up a passenger. A driver who is in an area that is not familiar to them could drive slow or slam on their brakes unexpectedly, leading to a severe accident.
- Fatigued Driving: Lyft drivers tend to work long hours attempting to make as much money as they can in one day’s time. When a driver works for long hours without sleep, they could fall asleep behind the wheel and cause a devastating collision.
- Speeding: Salinas Lyft drivers may drive over the speed limit to their destinations so that they can increase the number of passengers they receive in one day. However, speeding can increase the chance of an accident and also increase the likelihood that the accident will lead to even more catastrophic results.
- Unsafe Parking: A Lyft driver will sometimes pick up a passenger without looking for a proper place to park. When they are parked in an unsafe area, an accident could happen within seconds.
Will Insurance Cover Me Following a Lyft Accident in Salinas?
If you have been injured in a Salinas Lyft accident, you may wonder if you will be covered by insurance or what options you have. Lyft requires drivers who work for them to carry personal car insurance, which means that you will typically start your claim with the driver’s insurance company after an accident. However, there are circumstances where the insurance company may refuse to cover you because the driver was driving for Lyft.
Lyft does carry insurance to help injured victims but only in certain circumstances. Here is an example of some of these circumstances:
- You may be eligible for up to $100,000 total injury liability and $25,000 property damage liability per accident if the driver is logged into the Lyft app but a customer did not make a ride request when the accident occurred.
- Lyft offers up to a million dollars in insurance and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if the driver has accepted a ride request or already picked up the customer at the time of the accident.
- You would not be covered by Lyft if the driver was not logged into the app or they have already logged off.
Lyft and other rideshare companies have been known to deny liability in these claims or give injured victims lowball offers. In these cases, it can be vital to have the help of a personal injury attorney on your side who can provide you with the resources to move forward with your case.
What Should Your Settlement Cover After a Lyft Accident?
If you are successful in moving forward with a claim against Lyft, the other driver’s insurance, or your own insurance, you may be eligible for a wide array of damages. These include the following:
- Medical expenses you incurred due to the accident
- Medical bills you may expect in the future
- Lifelong permanent disability if your injuries were severe
- Support for pain and suffering
- Lost income and future lost wages and benefits due to missed time at work
- Wrongful death benefits if a life was lost in an accident
The injuries that you suffer in a Lyft accident can follow you through the remainder of your life. Because of this, it is important to have a representative on your side who cares for your interests and will protect them at any cost.
Contact a Salinas Lyft Accident Lawyer Today
If you were hurt in an unexpected Lyft accident, you may be feeling alone and confused. At Maison Law, our Salinas car accident lawyers understand how complex these cases can be and offer our assistance to you every step of the process. We offer you a no-obligation case consultation that comes at no risk to you. We will help you determine what your case is worth and hold all responsible parties accountable for the harm that they have caused you. Please contact us today for a free consultation to get started on moving forward.
