Knowing what to do if you’re injured as a Lyft passenger safeguards your right to seek fair compensation for your injuries and losses. Start by seeking medical attention, even if symptoms seem minor, as some injuries may appear later. Your next step should be to report the accident to Lyft, and filing a police report creates important documentation for your case.
Additionally, Lyft’s insurance coverage depends on the driver’s app status, which may determine the compensation available. Consulting a Los Angeles Lyft accident lawyer allows you to understand your options, deal with insurance providers, and recover all damages.
Seek Medical Care If You’re Injured as a Lyft Passenger
The first recommendation is always to seek medical attention right away if you’re injured as a Lyft passenger. Even if you “feel fine” or think your injuries are minor, some conditions, such as internal injuries, whiplash, or concussions, may not show symptoms immediately.
Delaying a medical evaluation could make it harder to heal from your injuries and link your injuries to the accident when filing a claim. Emergency responders at the scene can provide initial care, but follow up with a healthcare provider for a thorough examination.
Keep all medical records, including bills, diagnostic reports, and treatment plans, since they officially document your injuries. A rideshare accident lawyer in Los Angeles uses medical records when filing a Lyft insurance claim or legal action against a liable party.
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File a Police Report After Being Injured as a Lyft Passenger
The police will create an official report when they respond to the scene of the rideshare accident. If police didn’t respond to the scene, you can still file a report online using the LAPD Traffic Collision Reporting website.
A Los Angeles personal injury lawyer can use a police report to establish the facts of the incident and gain leverage in negotiations with insurance companies.
Consult a Lyft Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles
Consulting a Los Angeles Lyft accident attorney can help you address the challenges of filing a claim after a rideshare accident. Multiple parties may share liability for these collisions, including the driver, Lyft’s insurance, the driver’s personal insurance, and possibly other drivers.
An attorney may use medical records, app usage data, and witness statements to file a claim. They also handle communications with insurance providers, who may attempt to offer an unfair settlement or outright deny your claim early in the process.
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Lyft’s Insurance Coverage Depends on the Driver’s Status
Lyft’s insurance coverage varies depending on whether the driver is offline, waiting for a ride request, or actively transporting a passenger, which can be challenging to determine. The applicable insurance policy and the coverage limits vary greatly, depending on this fact.
The App Is Off
If the driver is not logged into the Lyft app at the time of the accident, only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies. Lyft’s insurance coverage does not provide any protection in this scenario.
The Driver Is Waiting for a Ride Request
When the driver is logged into the app but hasn’t accepted a ride, Lyft provides limited liability coverage, which includes the following:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $30,000 for property damage
Lyft also maintains an additional $200,000 in excess liability coverage to address claims exceeding these limits.
The Driver is Transporting a Passenger
Once the driver accepts a ride, Lyft’s $1 million liability policy applies from that point until the ride is completed.
The uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage of $60,000 per person and $300,000 per incident applies only while the passenger is in the vehicle and is now Lyft’s responsibility under SB 371.
This coverage extends to injured passengers, as well as other drivers and pedestrians; however, securing a settlement is not always straightforward in these cases. An attorney can address any disputes over liability and coverage that occur.
Filing a Lyft Accident Lawsuit
Taking legal action by filing a lawsuit may be the next step in pursuing fair financial recovery after a Lyft accident. A civil lawsuit allows injured passengers to hold the responsible parties accountable when insurers fail to offer a reasonable payout.
You may be able to take legal action against the Lyft driver, Lyft’s insurance, other drivers involved, or even third parties, such as vehicle manufacturers or government agencies responsible for unsafe road conditions.
Statute of Limitations for Lyft Accident Lawsuits
California’s statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the accident, per California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Your attorney needs time to investigate your accident and negotiate with the liable parties, so the sooner you begin working on your case, the better.
If you do not file your lawsuit within the statutory timeline, the court could dismiss your case entirely, costing you the right to sue a liable party.
Call Vaziri Law LLP if You’re Injured as a Lyft Passenger
With over 200 years of combined experience and more than $1 billion recovered in client settlements and verdicts, Vaziri Law LLP has a proven track record of delivering results. Our Lyft accident attorneys in Los Angeles can determine whose insurance coverage applies and file a claim or a lawsuit to pursue the financial recovery you deserve.
Call us today for a free consultation. We work on contingency, with No Fee Unless We Win.
