At Maison Law, we offer representation to those who have been injured in accidents involving Lyft drivers. We aggressively fight to receive financial recovery on your behalf when you were hurt due to another party’s actions. We offer a no-obligation case review that comes at no cost to you. Please contact us today for more information on how we can help you.
Do I Need a Lawyer Following a Lyft Accident?
Not every car accident will require the assistance of a lawyer to move forward with a claim. This is especially true if you have suffered only from minor injuries or property damage. However, there are some circumstances in which having the help of an attorney can be incredibly beneficial.
Lyft and other rideshare accident claims are known for being some of the most complex accidents that occur in San Jose. This is due to the fact that these accident claims involve corporate attorneys and big insurance companies. Lyft may attempt to deny your claim or offer you much less than you deserve in financial recovery. Having a skilled attorney on your side can ensure that your rights are being protected and that you are shielded from heartless insurance tactics.
What Are Some Causes of Lyft Accidents in San Jose?
As ridesharing has increased greatly in San Jose and other surrounding areas, it comes as no surprise that accidents sometimes happen involving Lyft cars. Here are some of the top causes of these accidents throughout the city:
- Driver Distractions: One of the most common causes of Lyft accidents in San Jose is distracted driving. Lyft drivers come into contact with a wide array of distractions such as running the rideshare application, texting and driving, and even speaking with passengers inside the vehicle. A distraction can quickly draw a driver’s attention away from the roads, causing a catastrophic collision.
- Unfamiliar Roads: Lyft drivers sometimes navigate unfamiliar roads. When a driver is in an area that they are not familiar with, they could engage in slow driving or make unexpected stops that lead to collisions.
- Fatigue: Lyft drivers sometimes work extensive hours trying to make as much money as they can. When a driver spends long hours on our road without sleep, they could fall asleep behind the wheel, which can lead to devastating results.
- Speeding: San Jose Lyft drivers may speed from one destination to the next so that they can accept more passengers in a day’s time. Speeding increases the likelihood of an accident, as well as increases the chance for the accident to have worse damages.
- Unsafe Parking: Drivers sometimes do not find an actual parking spot when they are picking up a driver, as they expect it to be quick business. However, an unsafe pick-up area can easily lead to a serious accident.
Am I Covered if I’m Involved in a San Jose Lyft Accident?
Every Lyft driver is expected to carry a personal car insurance policy. If you were involved in an accident with a Lyft driver, you would file a claim against the driver’s insurance. However, there are many circumstances where the insurance company says that they will not provide coverage, especially if the driver was working for Lyft.
Luckily, Lyft does carry their own insurance policies, which may be available for you under certain circumstances. These include:
- If the accident happened when the driver was logged into the Lyft app but did not yet have a customer, Lyft will provide $100,000 total injury liability and up to $250,000 property damage liability for victims.
- If a driver has accepted a ride request or physically picked up a customer when the accident happened, Lyft offers up to a million dollars in motorist coverage for accidents.
- If a Lyft driver was not logged into the app at the time of the accident, accident victims would not be covered under Lyft’s insurance policy.
Receiving insurance coverage from Lyft can be a difficult ordeal for victims. They may try to pin the blame on you for the accident or deny your claim altogether, which can leave you in a challenging financial position. This is why speaking with a skilled lawyer may be in your best interests following a Lyft accident.
What Does a Lyft Injury Settlement Cover?
No matter what circumstances led to your accident, you have options for recovery if you believe that a Lyft driver or the actual company is to blame. Here are some damages that you may be able to recover following one of these collisions:
- Medical expenses you have incurred or expect in the future related to your injuries
- Permanent disability for lifelong injuries
- Lost wages if you are unable to return to work or have missed previous time due to your injuries
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death damages if you have lost a loved one due to an accident
It is crucial to remember that California follows a strict statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims. This means that you have two years from the time of your accident or when you have lost a loved one to file a claim before you are barred from doing so. An attorney can help you comply with deadlines so that you never miss out on any opportunities in regards to your claim.
Contact a San Jose Lyft Accident Lawyer Today
If you have suffered injuries and other damages in an accident caused by a Lyft driver, you have options. At Maison Law, our San Jose car accident lawyers have years of experience handling these claims and will stand by your side when you need us most. You never want to be tricked into accepting a low settlement offer from an insurance company and want to be informed of your many legal protections under the law. We are here to assist you and answer any questions you have. Please contact us today for a no-obligation case review to get started.
