Maison Law represents anyone hurt in a car accident in Stockton, including those during a Lyft ride. These services are incredibly convenient if you’re downtown enjoying a night out or riding to the airport, but an accident is still just as likely as if you were driving your own car. If you find yourself in this situation, our Stockton car accident lawyers can help you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Why Would You Need a Lawyer?
Since a Lyft accident is no different than a normal car accident, you might be wondering why you would even need a lawyer. You technically don’t need a lawyer in California, particularly if the accident was minor. But, a Lyft accident can be very complicated. And the more hurt you are from the accident, the more help you’ll probably need.
Our experienced Lyft accident lawyers can explain the law and what your rights and options are. If you decide you want to move forward with a claim, we’ll investigate what happened, help you gather evidence, then guide you through the process.
What Can You Do After a Lyft Accident?
Obviously, your needs and the situation you’re in after a Lyft accident is going to differ from others. But what doesn’t change is what you need to do to protect your health and potential claim:
- Medical care – It’s all about getting medical care first and foremost to address any injuries. Call 911 so an ambulance can respond and then it’d be a good idea to go to a hospital later on to get further care.
- Report the accident to Lyft – Go into the Lyft app to report the accident. This creates a record of what happened and should also provide you with ride data and driver information.
- Call the police – At the same time, you should call the Stockton Police Department or San Joaquin County Sheriff to respond to the scene. They’ll also gather important information for your claim.
- Gather your own evidence – You can start the evidence gathering process by taking pictures or videos of the scene with your phone. Also, take note of any road defects or anything else that might have contributed to the accident. If there are witnesses, get their contact information.
These steps are very important in the aftermath of the accident, but it’s easier said than done, especially if you’re hurt. At the same time, your rights and options begin at this point. So, taking these steps can go a long way in telling you how your claim will play out.
Liability and Damages in a Lyft Accident
The best way to think about a Lyft accident, at least in legal terms, is that it’s simply a normal car accident with a little bit different circumstances. Probably the biggest difference regards liability, or the legal responsibility for covering your injuries and losses.
Basically, the Lyft driver will be part of the process, and could even carry most of the responsibility depending on the circumstances. These drivers are “independent contractors,” and their personal car insurance is typically responsible for covering losses.
However, California law mandates that Lyft drivers have extra insurance while carrying passengers. When they’re not driving passengers, their personal insurance must still meet certain minimums:
- When the driver is logged into Lyft’s app but hasn’t picked up a passenger, they must have insurance covering at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident.
- If the driver isn’t using Lyft’s system, their personal insurance applies, which might only meet California’s minimum of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per incident.
But as with any car accident, others can be involved and share liability, which might include:
- Other drivers
- Lyft itself
- Other Lyft passengers
- Pedestrians
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Government agencies
Damages
After a Lyft accident, one of the most important things to consider is the extent of your damages. This is essentially what your legal protections as an injury victim are all about. Since most Lyft accidents result in some kind of injury or damage, California law allows you to file an injury claim for these losses from the person or party responsible for the accident. Most of the time, this starts as an insurance claim and then progresses to a lawsuit.
Typically, damages in a Lyft accident claim include things like your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Costs to fix or replace your vehicle or other property
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Remember, each case is different, so your damages may not be the same as someone else’s who was in a similar Lyft accident. But the important thing is that you file your claim within California’s two-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident.
What Causes Lyft Accidents?
While using Lyft offers convenience and flexibility, being a passenger still means relinquishing control over the vehicle. This lack of control exposes passengers to various accident risks, often stemming from:
- Distractions – When it comes to distracted driving, Lyft drivers face a myriad of distractions. The app itself adds to this, with directions and notifications that can easily take their focus away from the road.
- Speeding or reckless driving – Reckless driving is a common cause of Lyft accidents, with behaviors like speeding and sudden lane changes often playing a role, much like in any other accident. Lyft drivers may be trying to be more aggressive to get more fares or get to your destination faster for higher ratings.
- Fatigue – Extended work hours for Lyft drivers can lead to fatigue, which can lower concentration levels and increase the risk of accidents.
- Inexperience – Some Lyft drivers may lack experience, making them more susceptible to accidents, especially in difficult driving conditions.
- Poor maintenance – Lyft vehicles undergo significant wear and tear due to frequent use, potentially resulting in accidents caused by poor maintenance or malfunctioning parts.
No matter what the underlying cause is, you’re extremely vulnerable to injuries as a Lyft passenger. This is especially true for side-impact or rear-end collisions, both of which are common in this situation. But when you’re facing injuries, you can lean on our team for legal support.
Contact Maison Law After a Stockton Lyft Accident
When you call for a Lyft in Stockton, you should be able to do so without the prospect of being put in harm’s way by your driver. Unfortunately, many people in Stockton deal with this issue and are left injured. At Maison Law, we’ll be there to help. We can explain your rights and what you need to do to make a recovery. Don’t hesitate. Contact us today to set up a free consultation if you’ve been in a Stockton Lyft accident.
