Monterey Lyft Accident Lawyer
Lyft is the second most popular rideshare service in the country, providing over 600 million rides a year and generating over two billion dollars in revenue. If you get into an accident involving a Lyft vehicle, whether you are the other driver, a pedestrian, a Lyft passenger, or the driver of the Lyft yourself, you need the help of a skilled auto accident attorney who knows what to do and how to handle your claim for damages appropriately. Monterey personal injury attorney Scott J. Allen has been helping car accident victims in Monterey Bay for over 20 years, with a long list of successful recoveries and satisfied clients that let you know you’ve found a good choice in the Allen Law Firm. Learn more below about accidents involving Lyfts, and call our experienced lawyer for a free consultation if you’ve been injured in a crash.
Accidents With Lyft Drivers
If you get into a crash caused by a negligent Lyft driver, your claim might be against the driver personally, Lyft, or both. The responsible party or parties depends on the driver’s status at the time: were they actively transporting a passenger or on their way to pick up a fare? Were they logged into the app but hadn’t matched or accepted any ride requests? Or were they merely driving on their own free time, even though they have a Lyft amp or emblem on their dashboard? A skilled attorney will know to check the driver’s status at the time of the crash since it makes a big difference in how much insurance coverage is available and who pays the claim.
If the driver is not logged into the app at the time of the crash, their personal liability coverage applies. This can be as low as $10,000 per person and $30,000 per accident if multiple people are injured, along with $5,000 in property damage under California’s auto insurance laws. To make matters worse, about one in eight drivers in California are insured. If that’s the case, your recourse is to look to your uninsured motorist coverage on your auto policy or sue the driver personally if you don’t have UM coverage and the other driver can afford to pay your damages.
If the driver was logged into the Lyft app when the accident occurred, Lyft is the primary insurer and provides coverage of $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. If the driver was actively transporting a passenger at the time or had made a match and was on the way to pick up a fare, then Lyft’s liability policy increases to $1 million for personal injury and property damage.
As always, the burden is on you as the injured victim bringing the claim to prove that the Lyft driver was at fault and to prove the extent of the injuries and damages they caused you. A skilled personal injury lawyer can do this for you for the best chance at success and maximum compensation.
Injured as a Passenger in a Lyft
As a Lyft passenger who got hurt in an accident, you might not know which driver was responsible; you only know that you did nothing wrong to cause the crash. Lyft’s million-dollar policy should cover your damages, especially if the Lyft driver was at fault. If the other driver was to blame, you might need to first pursue a claim against them and their insurance, if they are insured. If they lack sufficient insurance or dispute liability, then you might turn to Lyft for help. Any insurer is likely to blame the other driver or dispute your injuries, so it’s important to contact an experienced auto accident lawyer first to handle your claim on your behalf. With Allen Law Firm pursuing your claim, you won’t feel helpless or ignored while the insurance companies battle each other or try to evade their responsibility to you.
Injured as a Lyft Driver
If you get into an accident while driving for Lyft and it’s the other driver’s fault, you can pursue a claim against them and their insurance for your damages. If they are uninsured or only carry the minimum amount of coverage that doesn’t meet your damages, Lyft covers you with a million-dollar uninsured/underinsured motorist policy, assuming you were actively driving for Lyft at the time. Lyft also provides its drivers with contingent comprehensive and collision coverage to the same extent you maintain on your vehicle. This coverage can help you repair your vehicle or get paid for its actual cash value (whichever is less) after paying a $2,500 deductible. Comprehensive and collision coverage applies without regard to who was at fault in the crash.
Contact the Allen Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one was injured in a Lyft rideshare accident, a skilled and knowledgeable car crash attorney at the Allen Law Firm can help ensure you get the medical care and compensation you need and deserve. Contact our experienced Monterey Lyft accident lawyer today for a free consultation.
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