
Being in a Lyft accident can be confusing, and you might not know where to turn for financial assistance. An experienced Long Beach Lyft accident lawyer will investigate the crash and review your options for compensation.
Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys can investigate your situation, find the liable party, and hold them accountable for your losses. Our Long Beach rideshare accident lawyer team has recovered millions of dollars for clients and will calculate all your losses so you may fully recover as well. We take your claim seriously and listen to your concerns.
The Right Long Beach Lyft Accident Attorneys to Handle Your Case
The Omega Law Group team has decades of combined legal experience, allowing us to confidently take on accidents involving Lyft drivers. We always put our clients first, providing risk-free consultations and maintaining open communication.
We’ve secured millions in compensation for clients like you. During your case, someone will always remain available to you so that you can contact us with questions at any point.
We take on personal injury cases using a contingency pricing system. Therefore, you’ll only have to pay our Long Beach car accident lawyer for legal fees once we bring you compensation. Call today for a free consultation.
What Compensation Do You Get for a Lyft Collision?
A Lyft accident can cause serious financial stress. You may have medical bills, lost income from missing work, and costs to repair or replace your vehicle. In some cases, you may need ongoing treatment or therapy, which can add up quickly.
If your injuries are severe, you might not be able to return to work at all. A Long Beach personal injury lawyer can help you secure financial damages for your losses.
Healthcare Costs
Lyft accidents may result in concussions, fractures, broken bones, spinal cord injuries (SCIs), and other physical injuries. You can rely on us to track all of your healthcare costs on your behalf.
We can help you secure funds for your:
- Treatment at the scene of your Lyft accident
- Medical tests to diagnose your injuries
- Medical procedures (including surgeries)
- Rehabilitation and medications
Lost Wages
You may need significant time off work to heal from a Lyft collision. Your attorney can help you secure funds to cover your lost pay and lost earning potential if you have long-term health effects from a crash.
Non-Economic Losses
Our team also focuses on the non-economic impacts of a Lyft accident. You may qualify for funds to cover the mental pain and emotional suffering you experience. We know how to calculate the value of these effects.
Rideshare Accident Insurance: What You Need to Know
The insurance coverage for a rideshare accident depends on what the driver was doing in the app when the crash happened. If the driver was picking up or transporting a passenger, Lyft provides up to $1 million in liability coverage. Outside of that, the driver’s personal car insurance may apply.
One of the hardest parts of these cases is figuring out who is at fault and which insurance company should pay. Since Lyft drivers are considered independent contractors, the company doesn’t always take full responsibility for what happens.
As experienced rideshare accident attorneys in Long Beach, we know how to sort through these issues. We’ll review every insurance policy involved and fight to get you the highest possible compensation.
Determining Negligence for a Lyft Accident
Negligence means someone failed to act with reasonable care, and that failure caused an accident. If a Lyft driver (or another driver on the road) acts carelessly and causes a crash, they can be held legally responsible. Proving negligence is a key part of getting compensation for injuries, medical bills, or other losses after a rideshare accident.
To prove negligence, our Long Beach Lyft accident lawyers will focus on the following elements:
- Duty of care: We must show that the responsible party has a legal duty to act with care. In Lyft accidents, this means the driver had a duty to operate the vehicle safely and follow traffic laws to protect passengers, pedestrians, and others on the road.
- Breach of duty: Next, we look for evidence that the driver or another party failed to meet that duty. This could include distracted driving, speeding, running a stop sign, or failing to yield; any action that shows carelessness or recklessness.
- Causation: We must prove that the breach of duty directly caused the accident. In other words, if the driver hadn’t acted carelessly, the crash wouldn’t have happened. This often involves reviewing accident reports, video footage, and expert analysis.
- Damages: Finally, we have to show that you suffered actual harm because of the accident. This includes medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses. Without proven damages, there is no valid negligence claim.
Identifying the At-Fault Party in a Lyft Crash
Many different parties could be responsible for a rideshare crash. Without professional legal help, it can be difficult to correctly identify the liable party. Our Lyft accident attorneys in Long Beach will use all available evidence to identify the responsible party.
Any of the following parties could be at fault for the Lyft accident:
- The Lyft driver: If the Lyft driver was speeding, distracted, impaired, or violated traffic laws, they could be responsible for causing the crash. Their behavior behind the wheel is a key factor in determining fault.
- Another driver: Sometimes, another driver (not the Lyft driver) is to blame. For example, if another car runs a red light or rear-ends the Lyft vehicle, that driver may be held liable.
- Lyft (the company): While Lyft drivers are considered independent contractors, the company could still be held partially responsible in some cases, especially if it failed to screen drivers properly or allowed a dangerous driver to remain active on the platform.
- A pedestrian or cyclist: In rare cases, a pedestrian or cyclist may act unpredictably or break traffic laws, leading to an accident involving a Lyft vehicle. Their actions can also be investigated for fault.
- A vehicle or parts manufacturer: If a mechanical failure (such as faulty brakes or a tire blowout) caused the accident, the manufacturer of the defective vehicle or part might be held liable for the crash.
- A government entity: If poor road conditions, missing traffic signs, or a malfunctioning traffic light contributed to the accident, a city or state agency responsible for maintaining the road may be partly at fault.
How Will a Lawyer Investigate Your Lyft Crash?
Omega Law Group uses modern techniques to handle investigations after a collision. Your Long Beach Lyft accident attorney may:
- Review information recorded by the Lyft app before your crash
- Visit the scene of the collision and speak with witnesses
- Get copies of the accident report from the police
- Check for photos or videos of the collision
Taking pictures of the accident scene and getting contact information from witnesses can boost your chances of securing fair damages. If you were a passenger during the collision, we also recommend recording any information about the Lyft driver and your ride.
Do You Have to File a Lawsuit After a Lyft Accident?
Sometimes, law firms file personal injury lawsuits to secure compensation for clients following a Lyft accident. However, you may also receive compensation after a period of negotiations with the insurance company.
In many cases, accepting a settlement after negotiations can secure compensation more quickly than going through the court system. However, insurance settlements may still take several months to secure. Our Long Beach Lyft accident attorneys will review your situation and provide you with information about all options available to resolve your claim.
There Is a Deadline for Filing a Lyft Accident Claim in California
California limits the time you have to file a claim for compensation through the state’s statute of limitations. Typically, you get two years to proceed with your legal case, and insurance companies may try to stall you to run out of time. After reviewing the unique details of your case, we can determine your deadline to sue someone.
You can rely on our team to keep your case moving. Contact us today to discuss strategies to expedite the legal process, allowing you to secure compensation for your losses more quickly.
Legal Rights for Lyft Drivers and Passengers
As a passenger, you have the right to be kept safe during your ride. If you’re injured in a crash, you can file a claim for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages, no matter who caused the accident. Lyft provides insurance coverage when the driver is using the app, so you may be covered under that policy.
Lyft drivers also have rights. If you’re injured while driving for Lyft, you may file a claim through Lyft’s insurance, especially if another driver caused the crash. You also have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and lost income. However, because drivers are considered independent contractors, these cases can be more complicated.
In both cases, speak with a Long Beach Lyft accident lawyer to better understand your rights and make sure you’re treated fairly by insurance companies.
Hire a Lyft Accident Lawyer in Long Beach Immediately
Lyft often tries to take advantage of injury victims, denying fair compensation to protect the company’s bottom line. A lawyer can level the playing field and handle all communications with Lyft representatives, giving you more time to focus on your recovery.
Rideshare accidents can be complicated, especially when it comes to figuring out who is responsible, whether it’s the Lyft driver, another driver, or the company itself. A Lyft accident lawyer understands how these cases work and knows how to deal with insurance companies that may try to pay you less than you’re owed.
Your lawyer can gather evidence, handle paperwork, and fight for your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. With Omega Law Group on your side, you can focus on healing while they handle the legal process.
Common Causes for Lyft Accidents in Long Beach
As experienced Lyft accident attorneys in Long Beach, we have seen the many ways negligence can lead to collisions. We will investigate the scene and determine what caused the crash.
The main causes for Lyft accidents in Long Beach include:
- Distracted driving: Lyft drivers frequently use GPS navigation and the rideshare app, which can divert their attention from the road. Activities like adjusting routes, accepting ride requests, or interacting with passengers can lead to delayed reactions and increased accident risk.
- Driver fatigue: Many rideshare drivers work extended hours or have multiple jobs, leading to fatigue. Drowsy driving impairs judgment and slows reaction times, making accidents more likely.
- Speeding and aggressive driving: Some drivers speed or drive aggressively to complete more rides in an effort to maximize earnings. Such behaviors reduce the driver’s ability to react to sudden changes in traffic conditions.
- Poor vehicle maintenance: Rideshare drivers are responsible for maintaining their vehicles. Neglecting regular maintenance can lead to mechanical failures, such as brake or tire issues, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
- Unsafe pick-up and drop-off locations: Choosing inappropriate locations for passenger pick-up or drop-off, like busy streets or poorly lit areas, can create hazardous situations for both passengers and other road users.
- Driving under the influence: Although rare, some rideshare drivers may operate their vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs, significantly impairing their driving abilities and increasing accident risks.
Common Injuries Suffered in Rideshare Accidents
Lyft accidents can lead to serious injuries, just like any other car crash. Because passengers often sit in the back seat without full awareness of their surroundings, they may be caught off guard during a collision.
Common rideshare accident injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Cuts and bruises
- Internal bleeding
- Soft tissue injuries
These injuries can require emergency care, surgery, and months (or even years) of recovery. The physical, emotional, and financial toll can be overwhelming, which is why getting proper medical attention and legal help is so important after a Lyft accident. Our Long Beach catastrophic injury lawyers will show how your injuries changed your life.
Speak to a Lyft Accident Lawyer in Long Beach Today
You can seek fair compensation after a crash with a Long Beach Lyft accident lawyer from Omega Law Group. We utilize our extensive legal knowledge and resources to build a strong claim for maximum damages.
We’re ready to handle your legal needs while you recover. To prepare your claim, call or complete our online contact form.