Public transportation should be safe for commuters. The people who drive buses, taxis, and private cars should possess solid credentials and a sound record of safety. Without these things they are a danger to other drivers and to the passengers they carry.
Unfortunately, Lyft drivers tend not to have the kind of qualifications and expertise described above. The company does not prioritize the screening and selection of drivers. The demand for its services has grown so fast in such a short period of time that it has not bothered to put in basic rules and regulations that would prevent unsafe drivers from joining its ranks.
If you are like most people, you have an account with Uber or Lyft. The account makes it easy to arrange a pickup and to make a payment. This can be especially advantageous if you are a busy professional. And while most of your rides with Lyft may have come off without incident, it only takes one bad experience to change your life forever.
The Aftermath of a Lyft Accident
Lyft cars help busy people get to where they need to go fast. Since a Lyft vehicle is only a privately-owned vehicle being used for a commercial purpose, you will probably feel comfortable while riding in one. You may be checking your latest emails or text messages or speaking on the phone with a friend or colleague when the accident happens. The event will likely take you by surprises. You will have no warning at all and no time to prepare.
The most important thing to focus on after the accident is your health and the healing process. Car accidents can result in serious injuries. If you were sitting in the back of a Lyft car without a seatbelt on, then you may have sustained especially bad injuries.
At some point, you will need to deal with the consequences of the accident and your injuries. There will be medical expenses to pay and you will need to find a way to make up for loss revenue or business opportunities. You will need to seek compensation from Lyft, and the best person to speak to about that is a Lyft accident lawyer.
When recovering from an accident, it is important to surround yourself with family and friends. You should also begin talking things over with a Los Angeles ridesharing attorney as soon as you are able. The accident will be investigated by the police, Lyft, and the insurance company of the driver. Before you make a statement to a representative from any of these companies, you should consult with your Lyft accident lawyer. Words matter, and it is vital that you say nothing that will undermine your ability to make a claim against Lyft.
Who is Responsible for Compensating You?
This question is one of the most controversial in the field of law at the moment. Technically, Lyft drivers are private contractors who must have their own car insurance. If it is determined that the driver was at fault for the accident, then Lyft will expect their insurance company to compensate you. However, Lyft does not require all drivers to have the same insurance, and they don’t. Your driver’s insurance may be inadequate to cover the expenses you have incurred. In that instance, Lyft is willing to give up to $1 million in compensation. However, the company will not give this money without some effort on your part; and in any case, if your injuries are serious enough, you may be entitled to much more than a million dollars.
The Los Angeles ridesharing attorney you hire will look at the specifics of your case and determine an adequate and just settlement. If the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident falls short, Lyft will offer you a sum of money that is much less than a $1 million. For light and uncomplicated injuries that may be enough. But if you have had to spend months in the hospital undergoing painful surgeries and a long and equally painful rehabilitation program, then your lawyer will insist on a larger sum. If Lyft refuses, then you may need to sue.
What to Expect if You Sue Lyft
Lyft is a billion-dollar company, which means it has an army of lawyers who will stop at nothing to protect its interests. Your lawyer will argue that the recklessness of a Lyft driver led to the accident which caused you serious injuries, and that these injuries have cost you a considerable amount of money and left you in a debilitated state. Lyft will try to disprove these claims. And such companies are not above investigating your personal life to do so.
If you have filed suit against Lyft, you must protect yourself. You must refrain from doing anything that can weaken your case. Here are a few tips:
1. Minimize your presence on social media
Lyft lawyers will scour the social media sites of which you are a member. They will try to find posts, photos, and videos that suggest that you are not as physically debilitated as you claim. They will also look for content that suggests you have misrepresented the extent of your injuries or how the accident took place. You should say little about the accident or your injuries on social media.
2. Be wary of strangers who seem eager to befriend you
If you are a naturally sociable person, you may find it easy to meet and talk to strangers. You need not give this up. However, you should be suspicious of someone you just met asking you detailed questions about your injuries and prognosis. It may seem underhanded but lawyers who represent big companies like Lyft have been known to target their opponents in this way.
3. Never speak to Lyft directly
You should accept no deals or offers that have not been reviewed and approved by your attorney. Indeed, you should never communicate directly with Lyft or anyone who represents them. You should leave all such emails, correspondence, and phone conversations to your attorney. This will prevent confusion and inadvertent errors on your part.
The Aim and Action of Your Attorney
