If taking a Lyft in San Jose results in a harmful accident, help is available at Jacoby & Meyers. Our car accident attorneys have years of experience in rideshare accident law. We will fight for the justice you deserve using personalized legal strategies.
For over 50 years, our mission has been to provide accident victims in California access to high-quality legal and medical services to maximize their physical, emotional and financial recovery. Find out how we can help you during a free case consultation.
Understanding Lyft Accident Claims in San Jose
Unlike a normal car accident case in San Jose, a Lyft or Uber accident will involve complex issues of liability, meaning legal and financial responsibility. Lyft offers varying levels of insurance coverage based on the driver’s status at the time of the accident.
- Period 0: the driver is not logged into the Lyft app. Lyft is not liable for accidents that are caused by a driver who is offline. The driver’s personal automobile insurance will apply to the case instead.
- Period 1: the driver is logged into the app but has not yet accepted a ride. In this phase, $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in bodily injury insurance is available, plus $25,000 in property damage liability coverage.
- Periods 2 and 3: the driver has accepted a ride request, is on the way to pick up the rider or has a passenger in the car. Lyft provides up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage in these phases, as well as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and contingent collision/comprehensive insurance.
California has unique laws in place regarding rideshare accidents. There are specific guidelines and safety rules for transportation network companies such as Uber and Lyft. This includes the insurance requirements listed above. Determining liability and your insurance options after a crash may require assistance from an attorney.
When to Contact a San Jose Lyft Accident Attorney
You don’t have to navigate all of the complicated issues surrounding your San Jose Lyft accident alone. You have the right to hire an attorney to provide legal representation and guidance during this difficult time. It is especially important to hire a lawyer if your case has additional challenges, such as catastrophic injuries, a liability dispute or multiple insurance providers.
To file a valid personal injury claim in San Jose following a Lyft accident anywhere in California, you must take legal action promptly. You have a maximum of two years from the date of your accident to file under California Code of Civil Procedures § 335. However, you should file much sooner, while important evidence is still reliable and available.
What Makes Jacoby & Meyers Right for This Case?
Our automobile accident lawyers are highly trained and educated in Lyft accidents in California. We are skilled at negotiating with insurance companies and regularly achieve settlements more than ten times the insurance limits. Our case results speak for themselves. We recently collected $19 million for a rideshare passenger vs. auto case involving quadriplegia.
We invented the personal injury category as it is known today over 50 years ago in California, and our lawyers were at the forefront of rideshare accident laws when this industry was first created. In addition, we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t pay us unless we win.
Common Causes of Lyft Accidents in San Jose
In California, the fault-based law requires the person or party at fault for causing an automobile accident to pay for an injured victim’s medical bills and property repairs. Lyft accidents in San Jose are often caused by driver error or negligence, meaning the failure to act with the right amount of care.
Common causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Drunk driving
- Violating traffic laws
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Running red lights
- Being unfamiliar with local roads
Other common causes involve the vehicle itself, such as lack of proper car maintenance and part breakdowns, as well as defective car parts and dangerous road hazards. Our attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers can investigate your crash to determine its cause and help you seek justice.
Types of Compensation Available for Lyft Accident Victims
With help from the right attorney, you could recover financial compensation for many of your losses following a Lyft accident in San Jose. California law permits the recovery of both economic and noneconomic damages.
Medical Expenses
You may receive reimbursements for all of your related medical expenses, including emergency care, doctor’s appointments, disability costs, surgeries and treatments, medications, medical devices, physical therapy, rehabilitation, ongoing medical care, and future health care.
Lost Income and Benefits
Compensation for wages you lost due to taking time off work immediately after the crash, as well as any lost capacity to earn due to a long-term injury. You may also qualify for compensation for adverse impacts to employment benefits or a pension.
Pain and Suffering
Intangible losses you suffered because of the Lyft accident, such as physical pain, emotional trauma, distress, lost quality of life, loss of consortium, post-traumatic stress disorder and mental anguish.
How a San Jose Lyft Accident Lawyer Can Help
Hiring a Lyft accident lawyer in San Jose can improve your odds of getting fair and full financial compensation for your losses. It can also make your legal experience easier and less stressful. Your attorney can handle the crash investigation and evidence collection, including accessing electronic data from Lyft’s app and analyzing the scene for proof of fault.
An attorney can take over communications with an insurance company for you to negotiate a fair settlement. A lawyer knows how to deal with multiple insurance companies and maximize settlement offers. It’s important to choose a local attorney in San Jose for knowledge of local courts and connections to medical providers near you.
Contact a San Jose Lyft Accident Lawyer Today
If you were recently injured in a Lyft accident in San Jose, contact Jacoby & Meyers for a free consultation about your case. Our law firm can help you get medical care, handle your property damage and navigate the legal system to achieve your case goals. We have 24/7 availability and offer flexible appointment scheduling. We can also travel to meet with you if you are injured.
For information about Uber accidents, visit our resource page for San Jose Uber accidents.
When you need a local lawyer in San Jose, we’re right where you need us. Our office is located at Plaza West, 3031 Tisch Way #110, San Jose, CA 95128. Call (408) 341-6883 now to schedule a free case evaluation.