Lyft Accident Lawyer in Fairfield

From Fairfield, it’s about 40 miles each way to San Francisco and Sacramento. With a population pushing 120,000 and being the home of Travis Air Force Base, it’s a busy little city 24 hours a day. Transportation network companies (TNCs) like Lyft are quite popular with residents and business people in and around Fairfield. Given that popularity, Lyft cars are on the road just about all day and all night too. That translates into increased accidents and injuries. Most people don’t really know how to proceed if they’re injured in an accident that doesn’t involve a TNC. After being injured in an accident involving a Lyft vehicle, the path becomes even more confusing. That’s why you’ll want to speak with us at the Rideshare Law Office right away after being injured in any Lyft accident. You’ll be protecting your legal rights by doing so.

Common Lyft Accident Injuries

In any Lyft accident, the nature and extent of the injuries suffered by a victim often depend on whether that person was a passenger in the Lyft vehicle, a driver or passenger in another vehicle, or an unprotected motorcyclist, bicyclist, or pedestrian. The less protected that a victim is, the higher the likelihood is of severe injuries. Here are some common injuries suffered by victims of Lyft accidents:

  • Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.
  • Skull and facial fractures with dental injuries.
  • Hip, leg, and ankle fractures.
  • Joint damage to knees and shoulders.
  • Organ damage.
  • Lacerations and abrasions with scarring.
  • Soft tissue injuries.

Mandatory Lyft Insurance in California

Lyft drivers use their own vehicles in providing TNC services to customers. They also sign off on an acknowledgment stating that they’re independent contractors and not employees. They have no set work hours, and they can come and go as they please. When Lyft customers need a ride, they merely open the TNC’s app and give their location and destination. A nearby Lyft driver will be there to pick the customer up in a matter of minutes. As the TNC already has the customer’s credit card information, no cash is exchanged. Like the owners of any automobile in California, owners of Lyft vehicles are required to carry at least state minimum liability insurance of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per occurrence. Beyond that threshold minimum coverage, the State of California requires Lyft to provide liability insurance coverage during the following phases:

  • Phase One: The driver decided to work, turned the app on, and is awaiting a customer request. Now, $50,000 of liability insurance per person is in effect with a total of $100,000 per accident.
  • Phase Two: The driver has accepted a ride request from a customer and is now on the way to get him or her. $1 million of liability insurance is triggered, and another $1 million covers uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance is added to that.
  • Phase Three: The customer is now in the vehicle and on the way to their destination. Phase Two coverage remains in effect until the customer exits the vehicle at the destination. Then, if the driver exits the Lyft app, coverage reverts to his or her own personal coverage. If the driver remains logged into the app, coverage goes back to Phase One until such time as the driver accepts another customer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my Lyft accident case go to court?

Even when a lawsuit is filed, the overwhelming majority of Lyft accident cases never go to trial. The parties eventually settle.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit in a Lyft accident case in California?

The general rule in California is that you have two years from the date of the accident. If a lawsuit is going to be filed, we strongly recommend doing so long before the two-year date.

Should I agree to be recorded when talking with a Lyft adjuster?

Never agree to be recorded by an opposing insurance adjuster under any circumstances. It’s likely that your own words will be used against you in the future.

Call a Fairfield Lyft Accident Lawyer Today

After becoming the innocent personal injury victim of a Lyft accident, you don’t want to be caught in the middle of two or more insurance companies, each saying that the other should compensate you for your injuries. We know how to break such a deadlock. Contact a Fairfield Lyft accident lawyer at the Rideshare Law Office for a confidential free consultation and case review as soon as you can after being injured in any Lyft accident. As opposed to the insurance companies that don’t want to pay, our objective is to have them pay the maximum settlement or award that you deserve.