If you get injured in an accident after taking a Lyft to your destination in Oakland, California, you deserve justice. Our Oakland personal injury lawyers will fight for the case results you need to pay for your bills and move forward. We have handled Lyft accident cases in California since this rideshare company was founded. Find out how we can help you during a free case consultation. Contact us today.
Understanding Lyft Accident Claims in Oakland
An accident involving a Lyft or Uber in Oakland will not be the same as a typical car accident case. Crash cases involving rideshare vehicles have complex liability issues, as well as unique insurance policies and special California laws concerning transportation network companies (TNCs).
Lyft as a company is required to abide by special licensing requirements, insurance minimums, driver training protocols, and more. If it fails to uphold its responsibilities, it can be held liable for a related accident.
Lyft offers up to $1 million in insurance to pay for injuries to vehicle passengers. The amount available will depend on the period of the ride. While the driver is en route to pick up a passenger and when a passenger is in the car, the full $1 million is available. When the driver is logged into the app and waiting for a ride, $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury is available, as well as $25,000 for property damage.
When to Contact an Oakland Lyft Accident Attorney
Immediately following a Lyft accident in Oakland, you should check yourself for injuries and seek prompt medical care. Gather the information of the rideshare driver and vehicle you were riding in, as well as witness contact details. Take a screenshot of the ride information in the Lyft app. Take pictures before you leave the scene.
Before you take on the insurance process involved in a Lyft accident case, consult with an attorney. Do this as soon as possible, as the statute of limitations in California under Code of Civil Procedures § 335.1 only gives you two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim. An insurance claim must be filed much sooner – within a day or two of the crash.
You may need legal representation if you suffered serious or catastrophic injuries or a loved one died in the accident. These are generally high-value cases that may require an attorney’s representation to achieve the results you deserve. An attorney can help if Lyft or its insurance provider is refusing to pay your claim or offer fair compensation.
What Makes Jacoby & Meyers Right for This Case?
At Jacoby & Meyers, We have been fighting for justice on behalf of personal injury clients for over 50 years. In this time, we have collected more than $2 billion in settlements, including a recent $19 million outcome in a rideshare passenger vs. auto case. We have earned the trust of tens of thousands of clients thanks to our exceptional legal representation.
Our attorneys are experts in serious automotive accidents, including rideshare collisions, and regularly achieve settlements over ten times the initial insurance offer. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we won’t take any money from you unless we successfully settle your case.
Types of Compensation Available for Lyft Accident Victims
Filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit following a Lyft accident in Oakland could lead to financial recovery for you and your family. You may be eligible for various types of compensation to help you move on from the accident with peace of mind.
Examples include:
- Medical expenses: emergency treatment costs, ongoing medical care, surgeries, medications, therapies and future health care needs.
- Lost wages: immediate wage loss after the crash, as well as loss of long-term income and benefits (and pension) due to a disability.
- Pain and suffering: physical trauma, emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, mental anguish and diminished quality of life.
When you hire a Lyft accident attorney from Jacoby & Meyers, we can deal with multiple insurance companies on your behalf to maximize settlement offers. Our team is also prepared to go to trial, if necessary, for the outcome you require.
Common Causes of Lyft Accidents in Oakland
Financial compensation is often offered by Lyft to an injured rideshare passenger without the rider having to prove fault. If you were outside of the Lyft as a driver, bicyclist or pedestrian, however, you may need to prove that the rideshare driver was at fault. This requires understanding the cause of your accident.
Lyft and Uber drivers are often behind rideshare accidents due to acts of negligence (the failure to act with proper care), such as distracted driving, fatigue from long hours on the road, distraction, impaired driving and unfamiliarity with local roads. Poor vehicle maintenance and part breakdowns can also contribute to Lyft accidents in Oakland.
How an Oakland Lyft Accident Lawyer Can Help
An experienced and knowledgeable Lyft accident attorney in Oakland can help you with a claim in various ways. Your attorney can begin by investigating the collision to determine fault. This may include a comprehensive accident scene analysis, the collection of statements from witnesses and downloading electronic data from Lyft’s app.
Your lawyer will preserve and collect evidence to build your injury claim. Then, your attorney will take over negotiations with Lyft’s insurance company to maximize your payout. You can trust your attorney to advocate for your best interests and aggressively fight for a fair settlement. If necessary, an attorney will also have the power to bring your case to court.
It is important to choose a local Oakland lawyer, as he or she will be familiar with local insurance practices and have knowledge of the local courts. A lawyer from your community will also have established relationships with top medical providers to help you achieve the best possible recovery during this difficult time.
Contact an Oakland Lyft Accident Lawyer Today
The Oakland rideshare accident attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers are ready to help you after a harmful Lyft accident. We offer free consultations at our local law office, located at 66 Franklin St. Suite 300, Oakland, CA 94607. We offer extremely flexible appointment scheduling, with availability 24/7. Remember, you won’t pay us anything to take your case unless we win. Call us at (510) 616-9169 or contact us online today to begin your case.