Some of the facts involved in a Lyft car accident make it unlike any other motor vehicle collision. As such, accident victims are often left feeling unsure of their legal rights or the next step that should be taken. This uncertainty can be resolved by choosing to call a Lyft accident attorney.
Speaking with a Lyft accident lawyer will ensure your legal rights are protected when your accident injuries or the injuries of a loved one were caused by a party who bears legal responsibility. Regardless of whether you are injured while taking a Lyft Line, Lyft Plus or Lyft Premier ride, you need to understand your legal options. Here are a few factors that can affect your right to compensation and highlight the need for calling a Lyft accident lawyer.
Lyft Has Company Requirements That Can Affect the Compensation You Receive
As a company, Lyft has put policies in place that require drivers are 21 or older and own a qualified iPhone or Android phone that is in good working condition. Further, drivers are not eligible to drive for the company if they have the following convictions on their record:
- Violent crimes
- Sexual crimes
- Drug convictions
- Other felony offenses
As such, Lyft conducts an extensive national and county background check, in addition to the more standard DMV check. The Lyft vehicles used by a driver must also meet a thorough vehicle inspection standard for safety, which is added on to any safety requirements or vehicle obligations imposed by the state or city.
If these standards are not met (for example, a vehicle did not meet safety standards or a driver who ought to be disqualified from Lyft was driving for the company), such evidence can increase the compensation an accident victim receives because of the company’s liability.
Liability for Ride-Sharing Accidents
In California, at-fault parties that cause accident injuries are responsible for paying for the damages that they have caused. As such, injured parties in a Lyft accident must be able to prove the following:
- An at-fault party owed a legal duty of care to the victim
- That duty of care was breached by the party who was at-fault
- The breach of duty was the direct cause of the Lyft accident
- The resulting Lyft accident resulted in actual damages and harm, such as medical costs and similar harms
In no small part because of this legal system, Lyft provides drivers with $1 million in liability insurance per incident. However, California law has also passed strict insurance requirements for ride-hailing services and companies like Lyft.
However, it is not always the case that a Lyft driver is responsible for the accident. Far from it, in fact. Many accidents have been caused by legally responsible parties that injure an innocent Lyft driver, as well as their passengers.
It is wise, therefore, to not make legal assumptions or draw conclusions about liable parties without speaking to an accident attorney first. Your lawyer will conduct an extensive evaluation that determines who the responsible parties are, as well as the best course of legal action to pursue.
At The Ledger Law Firm, we pride ourselves on our national reputation for helping deserving accident victims recover millions in compensation. Take the first step toward receiving the compensation you need, and contact us online for a free case evaluation.
