Rideshare companies like Lyft are extremely popular in Hermosa Beach, California. Many people choose to use rideshares instead of taxis, buses, or other forms of public transportation. However, Lyft accidents can result in catastrophic injuries. If you are in an accident involving a Lyft driver, seeking legal advice from an experienced Hermosa Beach Lyft accident lawyer is crucial.
Our legal team at The Simon Law Group has over 250 years of combined experience handling injury claims. Our lawyers have won over $600 million in settlements and verdicts for thousands of clients. We have fought for the rights of injury victims and their families in Hermosa Beach since 2009.
Contact The Simon Law Group at (424) 722-3209 for a free consultation with a Hermosa Beach Lyft accident lawyer. Our legal team is available 24/7 to discuss your accident claim with you.
How The Simon Law Group Can Help You After a Lyft Accident in Hermosa Beach
Recovering compensation for damages after a car accident can be challenging. Insurance companies and at-fault drivers do not want to accept liability for a claim. Now, imagine dealing with a large rideshare company.
It can complicate the case when Lyft and other rideshare companies are involved in an accident claim. Seeking legal advice as soon as possible can give you a better chance of receiving a fair settlement for your damages. Hiring an experienced personal injury law firm in Hermosa Beach evens the playing field with a large corporation.
When you hire our top-rated Hermosa Beach car accident lawyers, you can trust we will:
- Conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the Lyft accident
- Identify all parties who could be liable for your damages
- Verify insurance coverage and file insurance claims
- Gather evidence proving fault, including working with leading expert witnesses as necessary
- Determine the value of your case based on an analysis of your damages
- Aggressively negotiate a fair insurance and personal injury settlement
- File a lawsuit and take your case to a jury trial if the other parties refuse to negotiate a fair settlement
Experience matters when you file a claim against a massive corporation like Lyft. Our legal team has won awards for best trial lawyers each year since 2013. We have the distinction of being the winningest law firm in California for plaintiff’s verdicts in 2013 and 2014. We are diligent and committed to pursuing top awards for our clients.
Call The Simon Law Group to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced Lyft accident lawyer in Hermosa Beach, CA.
Common Causes of Lyft Accidents in Hermosa Beach, CA
Lyft accidents occur for many of the same reasons that other traffic accidents occur. Lyft drivers are not perfect. Therefore, they make mistakes and use poor judgment while driving, which can lead to a rideshare accident.
Common reasons for Lyft accidents in Hermosa Beach include:
- Distracted driving, including the rideshare driver using the Lyft app
- Speeding and reckless driving, including rushing to pick up or drop off a fare
- Fatigued and drowsy driving from taking too many shifts driving or working another job and driving for Lyft
- Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
- Failing to maintain and/or repair a rideshare vehicle
- Failing to follow the California traffic laws
- Negligence by other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians
- Hazardous road conditions and congested traffic
California is an at-fault state for traffic accidents. You must prove that the other driver or a third party caused the accident to recover compensation for damages.
Is Lyft Responsible for My Damages After a Lyft Accident in Hermosa Beach, CA?
The parties who could be liable for a Lyft accident claim depend on the facts of the case.
Parties who could be at fault for a Lyft accident include:
- The Lyft driver
- Other motorists
- Bicyclists and pedestrians
- Government entities
- Car manufacturers
- Repair shops and mechanics
- Trucking companies
If the Lyft driver is responsible for causing the Lyft accident, you may have a claim against the insurance provider with Lyft. The company provides insurance coverage for its independent contractors. However, the Lyft insurance coverage is limited and depends on the driver’s status at the time of the Lyft accident.
For example, the driver’s personal insurance coverage applies when the Lyft app is off. However, if the Lyft app is on and waiting for a ride request, the Lyft driver has $50,000 in bodily injury coverage and $25,000 in property damage coverage. The amount of coverage increases to $1 million if the app is on and the driver is en route to pick up a passenger or the passenger is in the vehicle.
Sorting out liability insurance coverage and other issues in a Lyft accident can be difficult. Our Hermosa Beach Lyft accident lawyers understand these complex issues and how to resolve them, giving you the best chance of a favorable outcome.
What Damages Can I Receive for a Lyft Accident Claim in Hermosa Beach, CA?
California personal injury laws provide compensatory damages for car accident victims. These damages are designed to make you “whole” after an accident. The courts cannot undo the damage from the accident, but they can hold the at-fault party financially liable for your injuries, losses, and damages.
Examples of economic damages in a Lyft accident case include:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Property damage
- Nursing and/or personal care
- Loss of income and benefits
- Out-of-of pocket expenses
- Reductions in earning capacity
- Future lost wages
Examples of non-economic damages in a Lyft accident case include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Impairments and disabilities
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
In a small number of personal injury lawsuits, juries award punitive damages. These damages are paid to the injured party, but they are intended to punish and deter the defendant and others from repeating the conduct that led to the accident. Our Hermosa Beach Lyft accident lawyers carefully examine all factors in your case to determine how they affect the value of your claim.
How Much Is My Lyft Accident Claim Worth?
The value of your damages depends on the factors involved in your car accident case.
Factors that affect how much your case is worth include, but are not limited to:
- The injuries you sustain in the accident
- The duration of your recovery period
- The types of medical treatment you need to treat your injuries
- The extent of impairment, disabilities, scarring, and disfigurement
- Whether you can return to your job or any job
- The evidence proving cause and fault for the Lyft accident
- If you are partially to blame for causing the Lyft accident
- The availability of insurance coverage and the policy limits
- The parties involved in the case
Some factors can increase the value of your personal injury claim. However, other factors could significantly reduce how much your claim is worth. Our Hermosa Beach Lyft accident lawyers work with you to maximize the amount of money you receive for damages.
Can I Recover Damages for a Lyft Accident if I’m Partially to Blame for Causing the Crash?
Contributory fault is used in four states and the District of Columbia to divide damages when a victim is partially to blame for causing an accident. Under contributory fault, the victim is barred from receiving any money if they are just 1% to blame for the accident.
However, California uses comparative negligence to apportion damages when the victim is partially to blame. Instead of barring the victim from receiving any money, comparative negligence reduces the victim’s damages based on their level of blame.
Therefore, suppose a jury found you were 25% at fault for causing a Lyft accident. Instead of receiving the entire amount awarded for damages, the judge decreases your compensation by your level of fault (25%).
Insurance companies often use contributory fault to avoid liability for an accident claim. Insurance adjusters and investigators are well-trained in gathering information and twisting someone’s words. It is best to allow an attorney to handle matters related to the Lyft accident, including communicating with the insurance companies and Lyft.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Lyft Accident Claim in California?
The statute of limitations for most car accident claims in California is two years from the accident date. You could lose your right to pursue a legal claim if you do not file your claim before that time.
Exemptions to the California statute of limitations and factors in your case could change the deadline for filing a lawsuit. You can protect your rights by seeking legal advice as soon as possible after a car crash.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Hermosa Beach Lyft Accident Lawyer
You deserve to be compensated for the injuries and damages caused by a Lyft accident in Hermosa Beach, CA. You also need time to rest and recover without worrying about a legal claim. Our legal team at The Simon Law Group handles all aspects of your claim and fights to recover the maximum compensation available for your claim. Contact us for a free case review with a Hermosa Beach Lyft accident attorney.
