Rideshare Accidents – When you or a Loved One Suffers an Injury

Many residents of Los Angeles prefer not to drive when they are joining friends for the evening, commuting to work, or simply running errands. In fact, a dissertation published by Anne Elizabeth Brown for her Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Planning (awarded) degree at University of California, Los Angeles shows that “between September and November 2016, riders made over 6.34 million Lyft trips to, from, and within Los Angeles County”. That’s a staggering amount of usage. But sometimes, things go tragically wrong when using a rideshare.

Accidents Resulting in Injury and Death

Those who are dependent on ridesharing are trusting their safety to others. Even though rideshare drivers are screened carefully and required to undergo background checks, this does not mean they are not going to be involved in an accident when you are a passenger in their vehicle.

Recently, there was a serious accident in San Diego involving a Lyft driver who was carrying two passengers and a second vehicle carrying a drunk driver. One of the Lyft passengers was ejected from the vehicle and died as a result of the accident while the Lyft driver and the other passenger suffered serious injuries. While this is outside of Los Angeles, the potential for this type of accident exists everywhere. Let’s face it, the potential of being involved in an accident on Los Angeles roadways is great with the sheer number of vehicles on the roadways and the number of miles traveled on average. So, what happens when you’re a passenger in a Lyft when an accident occurs?

Lyft Passengers Safety and Security

California takes insurance coverage seriously, even for rideshare services. When an accident does occur, the rideshare driver, as well as Lyft, the company they are contracted to can be held liable for your injuries or the loss of a loved one. Lyft is required to have $1 million in insurance coverage in the event an accident results in personal injury, property damage, or the death of a passenger. Assuming the driver has accepted you, or your loved one as a passenger, you are considered covered by this insurance.

Holding Lyft Accountable for Injuries

One of the challenges you may face as a victim of an accident involving a Lyft driver, or if you have lost a loved one in an accident involving a Lyft driver is understanding your rights and the obligations Lyft has to you and your family. You have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit, but you may not know where to turn, and you may not know your rights under California law. That is when we can help.

Contacting a Rideshare Accident Attorney

One of the most important things you can do after being involved in an accident as a passenger in a Lyft vehicle is to contact a Lyft accident attorney. This is important for numerous reasons but most importantly so you can understand what rights you have.

A rideshare accident lawyer can help you obtain the necessary accident reports, speak with insurance companies on your behalf and take other steps to preserve your rights. The right attorney can also help you if you have suffered the loss of a loved one in a Lyft accident. Contact Freeman & Freeman LLP at 818-992-2919 if you are involved in an accident while a passenger in a Lyft. We offer a free consultation to victims and their families in the greater Los Angeles area including North Hollywood, Encino, Van Nuys, Woodland Hills, Thousand Oak, and the San Fernando Valley as well as in Los Angeles.