'  '

Have You Been Injured?

We have recovered millions for our clients.
You pay nothing unless we win.

Request a Free Consultation

Call us

Bakersfield Lyft Accident Attorney

Lyft and other rideshare services have become extremely popular in Bakersfield in recent years. Rather than driving yourself, you can simply sit back and relax while someone else brings you to your destination. However, taking a Lyft doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll get there safely. Accidents involving Lyft vehicles happen every day.

Have you been injured in a Bakersfield Lyft accident? You may be entitled to compensation. The attorneys at Bakersfield Personal Injury Law can help you assert your legal rights. Call our law firm today to request a free, no obligation case assessment and learn more.

Why You Should Call Our Attorneys After a Bakersfield Lyft Accident

When you’re a passenger, in a Lyft, you have little to no control. You trust that your driver will be careful and do everything they can to keep you safe. When they don’t, you may be able to obtain compensation for your injuries.

While you can pursue compensation on your own, it’s best to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Why? You are more likely to recover the money you need when you let an attorney handle your case.

Here’s why you should contact Bakersfield Personal Injury Law for help after your Bakersfield Lyft accident:

  • Insurance companies will be quick to deny your claim or offer a lowball settlement if you navigate a claim on your own.
  • You may not know that more than one person is liable for your injuries.
  • It can be difficult to know how much your Lyft injury case is worth.
  • You may be blamed for your own injuries.
  • California Lyft accident law is still evolving, which can make these cases particularly challenging.

Our attorneys know how important a financial settlement or award can be after an accident. We know what it will take to get you the money you deserve. If you’ve been injured in a Lyft accident, we will be your fiercest advocates. Contact our office today to get started on your Lyft accident case.

Common Lyft Accident Injuries in Bakersfield

All car accidents have the potential to cause devastating and debilitating injuries. The risk of injury isn’t less when you’re a passenger. In fact, drivers may be more likely to try to protect themselves in the event of a crash.

For more than 17 years, our attorneys have helped accident victims in California recover millions in compensation for their injuries. We can help you demand the money you deserve for your Lyft injuries, including:

  • Concussion
  • Whiplash
  • Broken bones
  • Soft tissue damage
  • Crushing injuries
  • Burns
  • Back injuries
  • Spinal cord damage
  • Amputation
  • Paralysis, and more.

Our goal is to make sure that you are fairly compensated for all of your injuries. Call our office today to learn more.

Lyft Accident Liability in Bakersfield

You may be able to recover compensation for your Lyft accident injuries from multiple parties.

Lyft

California law requires Lyft and all other rideshare companies to meet certain minimum insurance requirements. Lyft must have a policy for no less than $1 million to cover damages in accidents involving its drivers. The coverage will only apply when drivers are logged into the Lyft app.

This insurance policy should cover your damages if you are injured in a Lyft accident. You can file a claim directly with Lyft’s insurance provider and request the compensation you need.

However, there are times when Lyft and/or its insurer will refuse responsibility for your injuries. Lyft may deny a claim if it believes that an accident was caused by the Lyft driver’s misconduct. When this happens, Lyft will tell you to seek compensation directly from the driver. This advice may or may not violate a California state law which requires insurance to be the primary source of compensation.

Lyft Driver

You may be able to recover compensation directly from your Lyft driver. This may be the case if:

  • Your damages exceed Lyft’s insurance policy limits, or
  • The driver was not on duty at the time of the accident.

Drivers are not covered by the company’s commercial insurance policy when they are not logged into the Lyft app or transporting a customer. Their own personal insurance will cover any accidents that happen when they’re off the clock.

Negligent Third Parties

Lyfts do not operate in a vacuum. Your Lyft driver shares the road with other drivers, commercial vehicles, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. A Lyft accident will not always be the Lyft driver’s fault. Anyone who contributes to your accident can be held responsible for your damages. If a negligent third party is to blame, you can file a personal injury claim or a lawsuit to recover compensation.

Causes of Bakersfield Lyft Accidents

There are thousands of car accidents in Bakersfield every year. An increasing number of these accidents involve rideshare vehicles, including Lyfts. While many factors can contribute to a crash, the leading causes of Lyft accidents include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Fatigued driving
  • Speeding
  • Reckless driving
  • Aggressive driving
  • Driving while impaired
  • Driving at night
  • Failing to yield to other vehicles in an intersection, and
  • Failure to see other motorists, bicyclists, and/or pedestrians.

Many Lyft accidents occur when drivers become distracted by the app, navigation systems, and passengers. You are more likely to be involved in a Lyft accident when your driver is not giving his or her full attention to the road.

What Should I Do If I’m Involved in a Bakersfield Lyft Accident?

The decisions you make after your Lyft accident will affect your ability to recover compensation. You can protect your rights by keeping these simple suggestions in mind.

1. See a Doctor

Get checked out by a doctor or healthcare professional as soon as you can after your accident. If you’re not transported to the hospital right away, take the time to go there on your own. A full medical evaluation will ensure that your injuries are diagnosed and treated right away. You’ll be much less likely to suffer complications, such as infection or internal bleeding.

Your visit to the doctor will generate a medical evaluation report. This report will:

  • Identify and describe your injuries, and
  • Establish a link between your injuries and the Lyft accident.

2. Report the Accident

Call the police to report the accident if no one else does. An officer will be dispatched to the scene and investigate the crash. They’ll write up a police report that will preserve important details that may be lost or forgotten over time.

You’ll also need to report the accident to Lyft using their app. Reporting the accident right away will create a record and make it more difficult for them to deny liability.

3. Refuse Early Insurance Settlement Offers

You might be contacted by an insurance company with a settlement offer shortly after your accident. This offer will probably not be enough to cover the full cost of your injuries. Instead, it’s designed to make your case go away for much less than it is worth. While this money could be very helpful right now, accepting it could do more harm than good in the long run. Resist the urge to accept early offers, especially if you haven’t spoken with a lawyer. Your patience will be rewarded.

4. Contact a Lyft Accident Lawyer

The last thing an insurance company wants you to do is to hire an attorney. They know that their manipulative tactics won’t work and that they’ll be forced to engage in meaningful negotiations. Hiring an attorney will put you in the best position to get the money you need. Contact Bakersfield Personal Injury Law for help with your Bakersfield Lyft accident case.

Damages Available to Bakersfield Lyft Accident Victims

The costs of a Lyft accident can be overwhelming. Medical bills can add up quickly. Emotional trauma can prevent you from enjoying your life the way you once did. If your injury is severe, you may not be able to work and generate an income. These aren’t consequences or costs you should have to deal with on your own. Lyft or your Lyft driver should be held accountable.

You may be able to obtain compensation for:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Disability
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Disfigurement
  • Embarrassment
  • Loss of enjoyment of life, and more.

Our attorneys have established relationships with some of the best accident experts in California. We’ll consult with these individuals as we investigate your case. This will help us gather the information we need to maximize your financial award.

Need Help?

If you’ve been injured in a Bakersfield Lyft accident, you may be entitled to compensation. You don’t have to navigate a complex personal injury claim on your own. The attorneys at Bakersfield Personal Injury Law are prepared to help you assert your legal rights. Contact our Bakersfield injury lawyers to schedule a free consultation. You only have a limited amount of time to file a claim, so call to get started on your case today.

Call Now Button