You deserve justice as the victim of a recent accident involving a Lyft vehicle in Sacramento, California. Jacoby & Meyers is a premier law firm that has provided Californians with top-quality legal services since 1972. We understand how Lyft accident cases work.
Contact our Sacramento Lyft accident lawyers today for a free consultation at (916) 269-8918 or fill out this online form. No fees unless we win your case. You deserve justice.
Understanding Lyft Accidents in Sacramento
According to Lyft’s latest Safety Transparency Report, from 2020 to 2022, there were 111 motor vehicle accident deaths involving Lyft drivers in the U.S. The most dangerous locations in Sacramento for Lyft accidents include major intersections, freeway exit and entrance ramps, congested downtown areas, and pedestrian-heavy areas.
Lyft motor vehicle collisions can happen in a variety of ways. The Lyft driver may be at fault due to negligence, or failing to act with proper care, or another driver could be responsible for violating a traffic law. Poor vehicle maintenance and road defects could also play a role in Lyft accidents in Sacramento.
Sacramento car accident cases involving Lyft and Uber vehicles are unique, as they involve special rideshare laws. This includes laws of liability, or legal and financial responsibility. If a Lyft driver is responsible for a wreck, the company may offer financial compensation rather than only having the driver’s personal policy available.
Lyft Insurance Coverage Explained
Understanding your rights after a Lyft accident in Sacramento starts with learning the company’s insurance policies. Lyft maintains an insurance policy with up to $1 million in coverage for third parties, which may include rideshare passengers, drivers of other vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians.
Lyft offers different amounts of coverage based on the phase of the ride:
- Period 0: the Lyft driver has not yet logged onto the Lyft app. Lyft offers no coverage in this time; instead, the driver’s personal insurance will pay for an at-fault accident.
- Period 1: the Lyft driver has logged onto the app but has not yet accepted a ride request. The coverage available in this stage is $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in bodily injury, plus $25,000 in property damage insurance.
- Periods 2 and 3: the Lyft driver is en route to pick up an accepted passenger or is in the middle of transporting riders. The full $1 million is available in liability coverage, in addition to uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance, personal injury protection, medical payment insurance and occupational accident coverage.
If you encounter problems such as gaps in coverage during a Lyft accident claim in Sacramento, you may be able to rely on your own car insurance policy to pay the difference. If the Lyft app was off at the time of the crash, for example, you may have to pursue a claim through your own company.
Your Rights as a Lyft Accident Victim
If you get injured because of a negligent Lyft driver or another careless or reckless party, you deserve justice. At Jacoby & Meyers, we will help you protect and exercise your rights as an injured rideshare passenger, pedestrian or another driver.
In any of these circumstances, you have the right to pursue financial compensation from the responsible party. One or multiple insurance policies may be available to pay for your damages under California’s liability and rideshare laws, including Lyft’s $1 million insurance policy.
If your attempt to seek financial compensation for your injuries and damages through an insurance claim is unsuccessful, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit. A lawsuit could result in greater compensation for your damages, such as pain and suffering.
California Rideshare Laws and Regulations
Drivers for Lyft are held to the highest standards of care in terms of safety because they are classified as common carriers, or people who drive others for a fee. California Civil Code § 2100 states that common carriers “must use the utmost care and diligence for their safe carriage, must provide everything necessary for that purpose, and must exercise to that end a reasonable degree of skill.”
The rideshare industry is also subject to California’s laws for Transportation Network Companies, which is the official term for rideshare providers. To drive for Lyft in California, an individual must meet certain requirements, including having a car that is a 2009 or newer. The driver must have a valid California driver’s license and be at least 25 years old, plus complete a driver screening, which includes a criminal background check.
Lyft drivers are required to pass a vehicle inspection by a licensed mechanic before being approved to drive. They must also show proof of carrying at least the minimum required amounts of personal automobile insurance. If an individual is unqualified to drive for Lyft, the company can be held responsible if it approves the driver anyway.
How a Sacramento Lyft Accident Lawyer Helps
The most effective and efficient way to handle your Lyft accident claim in Sacramento is to hire an experienced attorney to represent you. An attorney can take over the investigation process to determine fault and gather evidence. Then, your lawyer can negotiate with an insurance company to maximize your financial outcome or represent you in court, if needed.
An attorney in Sacramento can help you overcome common challenges involved in Lyft accident cases, such as multiple liable parties, insurance coverage limits and disputes, and comparative negligence. Your lawyer will also make sure you meet important filing deadlines. Take your time choosing a local lawyer with Lyft accident expertise to achieve the best possible case results.
Contact a Sacramento Lyft Accident Lawyer
Jacoby & Meyers has earned the trust of tens of thousands of clients in more than 50 years of service. We are experts in serious automotive accidents, including rideshare accident cases, and consistently collect over 10 times the initial insurance offer for our clients. We take pride in handling every case with the same level of care, big or small.
Contact our Sacramento personal injury lawyers to begin your case with a free consultation with a Lyft accident attorney in Sacramento. Our law office is located at 1215 K St 17th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay us anything unless we win your case. Call us at (916) 269-8918 or contact us online today to take the next step in your claim.