Local San Francisco Lyft Accident Lawyers

If You’ve Been Injured in a Lyft Accident in California, The Team At Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers Can Assist You. We’ll Help You Navigate Your Claim And Ensure You Get The High-Value Settlement You Deserve!

As California is the birthplace of ridesharing, there are hundreds of thousands of rideshare drivers on the roads working every year across the state. But large cities like San Francisco are where ridesharing apps like Lyft are most popular. 

As a result, San Francisco sees a lot of accidents involving Lyft drivers and passengers. Even pedestrians and bicyclists can be victims of Lyft accidents. 

If you are the victim of a Lyft accident, you should know your rights. If the accident was a result of the Lyft driver’s negligence or anyone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation to help pay for your injuries and other damages. 

At Sally Morin, we have helped numerous Lyft victims get the help they need after a rideshare accident. Our San Francisco Rideshare Accident Lawyers can help you secure a high-value settlement that is enough to cover your expenses using our years of experience. 

Don’t hesitate. Reach out to our legal team today for a free case evaluation. 

Rideshare Accident Statistics 

A recent study conducted by the University of Chicago and Rice University has shown that with the rise of rideshare services, there has been an increase in traffic deaths. Since 2011, traffic fatalities have increased from 2% to 3%, reaching around 1,100 additional deaths each year. 

The researchers involved in the study used statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and compared them to the launch dates of Uber and Lyft. They then checked accident rates in certain cities and compared them to vehicle miles traveled. 

What they found was that traffic congestion often increased as a result of rideshare drivers deadheading, which is the term used to describe when rideshare drivers are active and searching for passengers but are not dropping someone off or on their way to pick someone up. 

According to the research, rideshare drivers spend 40% to 60% of their time deadheading and clogging up the roads. 

Shortly before Uber and Lyft launched, traffic fatalities were at an all-time low, but as soon as the rideshare apps launched, fatalities increased. 

Common Types of Lyft Accidents

Lyft accidents can happen for the same reasons as any kind of car accident, such as rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, and sideswipes. However, some situations are unique to rideshare services that can contribute to rideshare accidents specifically. 

This can include:

  • Lyft drivers getting distracted by the app while navigating to pick up or drop off a passenger.
  • Lyft drivers getting distracted and hitting other cars or pedestrians while looking for their passenger. 
  • Lyft drivers getting into an accident because they are fatigued and have been working for too long, especially when they work overnight shifts.
  • Lyft drivers pulling over in unsafe, undesignated areas to drop passengers off or pick them up.

When Lyft accidents occur, it can result in the driver themself being injured, the passenger being injured, those driving or riding in other vehicles being injured, or pedestrians and bicyclists being injured. 

Lyft drivers can also get into accidents due to other negligent and reckless driving behaviors, such as:

You would think that Lyft drivers would avoid alcohol while on the job, but it can happen. And if an accident results from a drunk Lyft driver, there can be serious consequences. 

Common Injuries Caused by Lyft Accidents

As with any car accident, Lyft accidents can result in minor or severe injuries. It depends on those involved and how exactly the accident happened. 

If the Lyft driver is slowly driving next to the sidewalk while scanning for their passenger when they get in an accident, this might only result in minor injuries. However, suppose the Lyft driver is speeding or swerving in and out of traffic while trying to get passengers to their destination faster. In that case, the injuries will potentially be more severe if a collision occurs. 

Some common injuries caused by Lyft accidents can include:

What Should I Do if I am Injured in a Lyft Accident?

The steps you take after a Lyft accident can play a significant role in the outcome of your personal injury case. So it’s important to follow these steps to ensure a smoother process. 

  • Get immediate medical attention. Your health should be your number one priority, and proof of your injuries through medical documentation will help support your case. 
  • Make sure a police report is filed. Call 911 and make sure the police file a report. Without an official police report, you could have trouble proving what happened. 
  • Gather evidence. If possible, while at the scene of the accident, gather evidence that shows what happened, such as photos and videos. 
  • Get witness contact information. If there are any witnesses at the scene, ask them for their contact info. They may be called upon to give a statement to verify what happened. 
  • Contact a Lyft accident lawyer. Before speaking to anyone at Lyft or their insurance company, you should consult with an attorney. Insurance companies, especially those hired by major companies like Lyft, may try to use anything you say to them against you to deny your claim or reduce your settlement. A lawyer can offer guidance and help you with the process so you know exactly what to say and do. 

Liability for Lyft Drivers 

Liability in Lyft accidents can get complicated. Lyft is a major company. As such, they have powerful attorneys and insurance policies protecting them. However, this also means that if Lyft is in any way found to be liable, they have insurance coverages that enable them to award high-value settlements to victims. 

But just because they have high limits on their coverage policies does not mean you will automatically win a high-value settlement. Getting a full and fair settlement from a big company like Lyft requires working with an experienced attorney. 

Lyft has a 1 million dollar liability insurance policy that pays if Lyft or their driver was negligent, but it can still depend on the specifics of the situation. 

I was in a car accident with a Lyft driver

If you are driving your car and you get into an accident with a Lyft driver, for example, who you get compensation from will depend on whether or not the Lyft driver was actively logged into the app at the time. 

If the Lyft driver was at fault, but they were not logged into the Lyft app—in other words, they were not actively working—then the Lyft driver’s own insurance coverage will pay you for your injuries and other damages. 

If the Lyft driver was logged into the app but had not accepted any rides yet, then Lyft takes partial responsibility. In this case, The Lyft insurance policy will pay up to $50,000 for injuries and $25,000 for property damage.

I was a passenger and my Lyft driver got in an accident

If you are a passenger with a Lyft driver when an accident occurs, you can recover compensation through Lyft’s 1 million dollar policy if the Lyft driver was at fault. This is because the Lyft driver is logged in and actively working, thus Lyft takes full responsibility. 

If another driver is the one at fault for the accident, then you would first go after that driver’s insurance company for compensation. However, if that driver’s insurance coverage is not enough, you may then be able to contact Lyft to get additional compensation through their policy, but it will be difficult to do so. 

Does Lyft Screen Their Drivers?

Lyft drivers are not considered official employees. Instead, they are viewed as independent contractors. As such, they are often not thoroughly screened and vetted, nor are they trained or licensed. 

Lyft does do a criminal and driving background check, but nothing beyond that. They do not see or monitor daily how their drivers behave and whether or not they are a reckless driver. 

For example, a Lyft driver could constantly be drunk while on the job and Lyft wouldn’t have any idea unless an accident happens and their drunkenness is officially reported by the police. But at that point, the accident and potential harm has already been done. 

This is why it is crucial to work with a Lyft accident lawyer who can help navigate your claim and ensure the right party is held accountable. 

Why Hire a Lyft Accident Lawyer?

Again, Lyft is a major corporation. And major corporations have fancy and powerful legal teams of their own protecting them. They also have very strict insurance policies to avoid having to take responsibility and constantly make large payouts. 

This means you need an experienced lyft accident attorney of your own to defend you and your rights if you are injured and plan to file a claim against the company. Lyft will fight hard to deny fault, but you do have a right to be compensated if their driver was logged in and negligent. 

A Lyft accident lawyer can help you recover damages for:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress

Contact a Qualified San Francisco Lyft Accident Attorney

Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers can handle the complicated legal issues involved in your claim so that you can put all of your focus and energy into recovering from your injuries. With a trustworthy, experienced Lyft accident attorney by your side, there is no reason to worry and stress about your situation.

We Handle Your Rideshare Accident Claim So You Can Focus on Your Life

After sustaining injuries in a Lyft accident, consult with the personal injury attorneys at Sally Morin Law. We truly care about the people of California and those who visit our beautiful state. 

Contact us today for a free online case evaluation, or call 833-SALLY-SF.